Tony Bass is a successful entrepreneur, inventor, author, consultant and speaker whose purpose and passion is helping green-industry small businesses achieve their fullest potential.

A 1987 graduate in Agricultural Mechanization at the University of Georgia, Tony founded Bass Custom Landscapes. Innovating business practices he shares with others today, he built and ultimately sold that business in 2006 for a significant seven-figure profit.

In part, this success traces to two U.S. Patents Tony earned for equipment he engineered to master efficiency in his lawncare and landscaping business. In 1998 these inventions lead to the introduction of the Super Lawn Truck™ system, an enclosed truck designed specifically for landscaping. With a tool storage system, patented ramp for loading equipment, hydraulic debris dumper and more, Super Lawn Trucks are in use in 35 states and Canada. Studies show that with the break-through vehicle, tasks that consume 568 hours per year using traditional methods, can be completed in just 84 hours, leaving 484 hours free to serve additional clients. Tony Bass’s practices have helped thousands of lawn and landscaping business owners.

In 1998, Tony authored “The Money Making Secrets of a Multi-Million $ Landscape Contractor,” a three-book management, marketing and planning system for contractors. He also produced a number of audio and video training programs for the entrepreneur who wants to improve his landscape business performance. Thousands of copies have sold, generating high praise, such as this from an Olathe, Kansas landscaper:

“Your books and CDs have been just what I needed to re-energize my business and life. In the last two months you have helped turn my company in a new positive direction, energizing me and my people, giving us hope… Thank you!”

Since then, Tony has written numerous books and programs to help green-industry business owners, such as: “10 Marketing Secrets for Landscape & Irrigation Contractors”(2001), “Growing Your Landscape Irrigation, Tree Service or Snow Removal Business” (2006), “Preparing to Retire or Sell Your Contracting Company for Maximum Value” (2006), and “50 Ways to Find, Recruit, Hire and Retain SuperStar Employees” (2007).

Also in 1998, Tony started a new venture, Tony Bass Consulting, an enterprise through which he leads seminars and works as a small business consultant with lawncare, landscape, and green-industry small business owners on improving financial performance. To date, he has delivered more than 100 seminars to 20,000 green industry professionals, once again to rave reviews.

Explaining his focus on small businesses, Tony says, “I don’t pursue big businesses. I prefer instead to help create them.”

Tony works as an appointed volunteer on the University of Georgia College of Agriculture advisory board and the Governor’s Agricultural Advisory Committee. He also focuses on economic development at his local chamber of commerce and speaks to school groups about career opportunities in the green industry.

Tony and his wife, Jo Lynn, have two children, Holly Savannah and Maxx Anthony.

Meet Mark Kholer

Mark J. Kohler is an attorney, certified public accountant, entrepreneur, and author of What Your CPA Isn’t Telling You: Life-Changing Tax Strategies (Entrepreneur Press) and Lawyers are Liars (Life’s Plan Publishing).

Mark’s principal career has been as a partner in the accounting firms Kohler & Eyre CPAs, LLP, NumberWon Accountants, LLP, and the law firm Kyler, Kohler, Ostermiller, & Sorensen, LLP, where he specializes in the areas of business, estate and tax planning.

He is a personal and small business tax and legal expert, who helps clients build and protect wealth through wealth management strategies, and business and tax remedies often overlooked in this challenging, ever-changing economic climate. A well regarded speaker on this topic, his seminars have helped tens of thousands of individuals and small business owners navigate the maze of legal, regulatory and financial laws to greater success and wealth.

Mark is a contributing writer to Entrepreneur.com as well as several other news outlets.  Some of his recent articles have been published by MSNBC, Yahoo Finance and Reuters.

Mark is a proud father of four beautiful children and husband to his lovely wife Jennifer. They reside in Orange County, California, where Mark trains for triathlons and surfs in his free time.