In this episode, Dwayne Nuestaeter and Tony Tresselt interview Toby Sherrill, the founder of Sherrill Arbor Supply and inventor of the Big Shot. Toby shares his first connection to trees, growing up in the tree care industry, and his journey into the business. He discusses the creation of the company's catalog, which became an educational resource for the industry. Toby also talks about the development of throw line equipment and the invention of the Big Shot, a pioneering product in the industry. This part of the conversation explores the evolution of slingshots and the challenges of building them. It also delves into the growth of the tree care industry and the impact of recessions on the business. The importance of focus and specialization is highlighted, along with the need for help and delegation. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the significance of catalogs and visuals in the industry. In this conversation, Toby Sherrill discusses the impact of the digital age on the tree care industry and the evolution of Sherrill Tree. He shares the origins of the company and the pride he feels in its growth. The conversation also touches on the significance of the Big Shot tool and the importance of trade shows in inspiring tree workers.
Chapters
00:00Introduction and Background
02:54First Connection to Trees
05:56Entering the Tree Care Industry
10:14Family Business and Catalog Creation
25:05Throw Line Innovation
29:55Invention of the Big Shot
32:23The Evolution of Slingshots and Team Building
33:40Trial and Error in Building Slingshots
34:37Experimenting with Tubing Lengths
35:06Improving the Height and Distance of Shots
36:15Climbing and Crossbow Shots
37:10The Fishing Rod Technique
37:35The Growth of the Tree Care Industry
39:16The Increase in Tree Care Companies
40:42The Human Forest: The Arborist Community
41:40The Impact of Mail Orders and Catalogs
43:30Identifying Tree Care Companies
44:12Using Equipment Orders to Identify Tree Care Practitioners
45:23The Impact of Recessions on the Tree Care Industry
46:44The Importance of Focus and Specialization
49:06Recognizing the Need for Help and Delegating
52:59Expanding into Manufacturing and Splicing Rope
56:37Transitioning Away from Heavy Equipment
59:12The Importance of the Catalog and Visuals
01:16:13The Importance of Information in the Catalog
01:17:27The Evolution of Climbing Techniques
01:19:43The Impact of the First Computer
01:22:12The Importance of the Sherrill Tree Catalog
01:23:12The Evolution of Climbing Techniques
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