The Journey of Cecil Landforms: A Story of Hard Work, Growth, and Entrepreneurship

 

Cecil Landforms, a successful landscaping and development company based in Ontario, Canada, has a unique origin story, one that begins with a passion for the industry and has evolved into a thriving business with a reputation for quality work and perseverance.

The founder and sole owner of Cecil Landforms, Kyle Dell, started in the industry long before the business came to be. "Many years prior to forming a business in 2014, I provided lawn cutting services and small landscape jobs like planting, sodding, and more, working on the side while still in school," Kyle recalls. The idea of starting a business started as a side hustle, gradually growing into a full-time commitment. “In 2014, I founded Dell Park Sodding & Landscaping as a sole proprietorship, later transitioning to Cecil Landforms Inc. in February 2023,” the owner explains. This marked the official incorporation of the business, a decision that would prove essential in the company’s development.

Over the years, Cecil Landforms has grown from a small-scale operation to a significant player in the commercial landscaping and construction sectors. “Once I started my company in 2014, I continued working with the company I began my career with, gaining vast experience in the trade,” Kyle says. By 2016, the owner had set out on their own full-time, working on a variety of projects. “At first, we focused on smaller residential projects, usually in the $25,000 range. But since then, we've transitioned into larger-scale residential projects, with values between $200,000-$300,000.”

By the end of 2019, the business made a strategic pivot, shifting its focus entirely to commercial clients and homebuilders. "Now, we service homebuilders and commercial clients, specializing in final grading and sodding for new home subdivisions, erosion control, retaining walls, planting, and more. We handle large-scale projects and complete approximately 400 final-grade/sod units per season."

In addition to these services, Cecil Landforms also provides snow relocation services to municipalities during winter months, though they don't offer snow removal services for private clients. “Winter months are mainly consumed with paperwork, bidding, season preparation, and getting our equipment ready for the next season," says the owner.

When asked about the name "Cecil Landforms," Kyle shares that the inspiration comes from a personal connection. “My grandfather and father have always had a large involvement in my companies, and Cecil is their middle name. Landforms is what we do—earthworks, grading, landscaping, all of it," Kyle explains. "I think it covers a wide range of what we do very well.”

Starting a business was not something Kyle had always planned. "I always had my own little hustle, like cutting lawns and doing snow removal in our neighborhood as a kid, but I thought I'd eventually work full time for someone else," the owner reflects. However, over time, the desire to build something of their own grew. “I had a strong passion for our work when I was younger. Instead of continuing to work for someone, I wanted to make something of my own."

The decision to start Cecil Landforms wasn't a simple one, and the path to entrepreneurship was far from easy. "Getting established was absolute hell. You are the underdog, and you're going to do things for cheaper. You're going to struggle," admits Kyle. "There's no set date when you're going to hit it big. It just happens—and when it does, a whole new set of challenges emerges."

Starting and running a business has presented numerous challenges, particularly when it comes to managing finances. "Credit played a large part in our growth challenges early on," says Kyle. "When you're new to business, you don’t have a lot of capital, and you end up renting equipment, which eats into your margins." As a new business, the owner also had to personally guarantee purchases, adding pressure in the early years. “The taxes are another major hurdle. I never anticipated how much of a financial burden taxes would be in Ontario.”

The financial challenges continued, with cash flow management, source deductions, and managing receivables and payables becoming increasingly difficult. “If you don’t understand how to manage all of these aspects, you’re doomed. Running a business is far from easy, and the industry’s margins are often 10%-20% after expenses,” explains Kyle. Despite these obstacles, the business has survived, even through the challenges posed by the pandemic.

Reflecting on the past 10 years, Kyle has come to some hard-won conclusions about the realities of owning a business. “It’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Entrepreneurship is about wanting to make money. It’s about creating something that provides for you and your family," Kyle says candidly. "You don’t have to love landscaping, sodding, or topsoil; you just need enough passion to produce quality work your clients can rely on."

Kyle also offers advice to aspiring business owners: “Don’t let the government bully you. Talk to a good accountant and find a network of business owners. I wish I had done that from the beginning. Find out what struggles others faced and ask yourself if you’re ready to take on those challenges.”

As Cecil Landforms continues to grow, the company remains focused on its core services and maintaining a strong reputation within the industry. Kyle remains realistic about the ups and downs of entrepreneurship but continues to push forward with determination and a willingness to learn. The journey has been tough, but it has also been rewarding.

“Running a business is hard work, but it’s worth it. You have to want it, and you have to keep personal and business finances separate. Focus on revenue-generating assets first, and understand that the journey is about more than just making money—it’s about perseverance, growth, and adaptation,” Kyle advises.

Through hard work, dedication, and a willingness to adapt, Cecil Landforms has not only survived but thrived. The business owner’s story is a testament to the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship in the competitive landscape industry.