As the founder of a small business myself, my circles are often filled with like-minded business owners and entrepreneurs. Being constantly surrounded by these entrepreneurial minds, I enjoy taking the time to sit down 1-on-1 to discuss the ventures and pick the brains of these men and women. And as a marketer by nature, I enjoy telling others all about it. So I sat down with Mike Sepe of Cranston, about his family-run business, North-Eastern Tree Service, Inc.
Mike Sepe and I are both conversationalists, to say the least, so I’ve paraphrased our conversation into more of a formal interview for the sake of this article:
Q: Tell me about North-Eastern Tree Service. What services do you offer?
North-Eastern Tree Service, Inc. offers a variety of tree services including, but not limited to, tree removal, tree pruning, stump removal, cabling & bracing, storm damage & emergency removal, plant health care, tree recycling, tree moving & planting, and mulch manufacturing.
Q: How was the company started, and who founded it?
North-Eastern Tree Service, Inc. was formed in 1971 by my father, Michael S. Sepe, who followed in the footsteps of his father, Carmine A. Sepe, who became an arborist in 1934. Today, my father and I, Michael J. Sepe, have been running the company since 1994, and then my brother, Adam, joined the business in 1998.
Q: What is your position at North-Eastern Tree?
I consider myself to have been a key part of the company’s growth. I started working a younger age as part of the grounds crew, gradually gaining responsibilities and certifications. Today, I am a Vice President of the North-Eastern Tree Service.
Q: What makes North-Eastern Tree different?
The company has been in business and family-run for nearly 50 years. We work diligently to stay ahead of the curve in all phases of tree care.
Q: In ONE sentence, summarize the services of North-Eastern Tree
North-Eastern Tree Service, Inc. is a full-service tree care corporation serving Rhode Island, nearby Massachusetts and Connecticut with fully licensed and insured Arborists, focusing on all phases of tree care.
Q: What advice would you give to a new business starting off?
To all businesses that are just starting out, we would tell them to be thorough. Try to listen and absorb everything you can from those with experience. Expect things will be hard at times but stay true to your purpose and keep focus. Good days will come if you are willing to put in the time and effort.
*Disclaimer, I couldn’t agree with this one more
Q: Last, what makes Rhode Island special to your business?
Rhode Island is special to the business because it is its home. Michael S. Sepe started this company out of his parents’ home and through years of grit and determination, he grew it to what it is today. Now Adam and I are continuing on with his traditions and beliefs. And while our services have expanded to neighboring states, our goal is to treat everyone as though they are our Cranston neighbors!
Mike Sepe and his family company, North-Eastern Tree Service, Inc., are the epitome of a Rhode Island small business. With almost fifty years under their belts, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them offering their incredible service to Rhode Island for fifty more.
Unsurprising due to his work ethic, North-Eastern Tree is not Michael J. Sepe’s only business affiliation. I sat down with him again to discuss his local restoration company, Sole Source Restoration, to discuss these same questions, along with a few about his company’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Check it out!
