BY SHELBY TUTTLE
Sustainability is frequently discussed in Northern Arizona’s high-desert landscapes in terms of water conservation and soil health. Sustainability, however, has a deeper, more individual dimension for Rodney and Denise Steidinger and their daughters: it’s about creating a business that can withstand any storm and empower the next generation of women.
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS TO A BOLD BRAND
The Prescott-based ZebraScapes story is a masterwork of British resilience. After the landscaping business he worked for shut its doors in 2008, Rodney Steidinger found himself looking for a way to provide for his family. TKHaley Yard Care, named after their three daughters Trinity, Kiley, and Haley, was founded by Rodney and Denise in November 2009. The first days were defined by grit.
We knocked on doors while walking our three pretty younger children and asked if we could do any yard work, Denise recalls. That’s how the business got its start, from pretty modest beginnings and out of necessity to survive and provide for our children.
As the family and business developed over time, including the adoption of Ella, who was born in 2014. A straightforward company rebrand in 2015 saw significant growth. ZebraScapes was born out of Rodney’s vision of a fleet of trucks encased in striking zebra stripes. The marketing succeeded. ” I saw your truck!” was the message on the phone when it started to ring. Denise remarked. And we’ve grown year over year ever since.
A MATRIX OF MATRIARCHY
While typically male-dominated industries like landscaping and construction, ZebraScapes is defined by the women who run its operations. Denise, who is the company’s chief financial officer, is referred to as the “financial backbone and proper custodian” of the business. She obtained her KB-2 Two Contractors License in 2020, significantly enhancing the f irm’s design and build capabilities. Rodney notes that” Denise’s leadership extends far beyond spreadsheets.” She keeps the vision safe. She makes sure that opportunities coincide with long-term objectives, debt is prudent, and growth is responsible. She gives the business structure, integrity, and proper clarity.
General Manager Paula Lemmer, who serves as the organization’s administrative manager, will be joining Denise in the executive suite. Paula’s primary responsibility is to ensure that projects move smoothly from estimate to completion. Paula plays a crucial role in coordinating field crews, project managers, and operational staff, Denise said.” Paula helps ensure that communication is consistent and expectations are met. Her direction “helps to turn vision into action.” Lemmer has helped turn ZebraScapes from a family business into a organized, high-performing enterprise by encouraging an “ownership mindset” among all team members.
CHANGING THE NEXT GENERATION
For the Steidingers, giving their daughters power is not a philosophical idea; it is a practical reality. At the age of 12, Trinity ( 22 ) started working on the ZebraScapes maintenance team after blowing leaves. She co-founded Father Daughter Construction with her father in February 2024, which she then co-owns. The business focuses on remodeling, which reflects a sincere partnership between the two. Trinity also offers a wealth of credentials, including a Series 65 economic advisor license and a real estate license.
” Trinity represents the next generation of leadership in the construction industry,” according to Rodney. She “presents a comprehensive understanding of market value, investment strategy, and property potential. She makes true decisions, contributes to the company’s growth strategy, and sets the company’s long-term direction. As the founder of Lighthouse Coffee as a young woman, daughter Kiley ( 20 ) began her career as a small business owner while still in high school.
She has since since joined the family business and is responsible for keeping the company’s reputation afloat. Kiley physically installs the custom zebra stripe decals on every fresh vehicle to reflect the strong, recognizable identity of the brand and the fleet identity coordinator, making sure that each vehicle reflects the company’s bold, distinctive identity. Kiley’s brand leadership and attention to detail ensure that every fleet addition adheres to the brand’s standards of professionalism, from exact layout and measurement to clean installation.
” The stripes are more than just graphics,” asserts Denise. They “represent family ownership, pride, and unity.” Every weekend, the couple’s hardworking third daughter, Haley ( 17 ), cleans the offices of ZebraScapes and Father Daughter Construction. Ella ( 16 ), the Steidinger women’s youngest daughter, is undoubtedly being shaped by her sisters ‘ undeniable business prowess.
Denise says,” We consciously create opportunities for growth, responsibility, and confidence-building,” in reference to her daughters. We think that solid businesses are created when worthy individuals, both men and women, are given responsibility, challenged to grow, and supported in their leadership. Giving his daughters confidence, responsibility, and true opportunity means Rodney believes in giving them.
I don’t want them to grow up believing they need permission to take on significant roles. He claims,” I want them to know that they now belong it.” He explains that being a leader starts with a marriage of equals, which he explains. They see their mother serving as the company’s CFO and corporate partner. They observe powerful women who make economic decisions and decide the direction of the business. That is more important than any speech I could possibly deliver, he claims. Daughters raised with conviction, responsibility, and faith won’t simply survive in today’s society; they will contribute to its development.
A PHILOSOPHY OF Climate WISDOM
ZebraScapes stands out for its deep-rooted commitment to “environmental wisdom,” a philosophy that Denise and Rodney support and prioritizes building landscapes that are designed to thrive in parched Arizona climate rather than battle it. This devotion to the Earth is demonstrated by complex, intelligent irrigation systems that make use of appropriate zoning, pressure regulation, and drip irrigation to ensure that every drop of water is used with care and precision.
Real sustainability is synonymous with durability, according to the Steidingers. They contend that any project that needs to be replaced within five years is an economic failure. The company places a premium on long-term health by choosing droughttolerant plants and ensuring that their work is a long-lasting investment for both the homeowner and the land by evaluating stewardship over passing trends. According to Rodney, “at the core, green design is about responsibility — to the land, our clients, and to future generations.” Sustainability is not a constraint when done properly. It has a higher standard.
A GIVING BACK CULTURE
Beyond their job sites, The Steidingers are committed to protection and empowerment. The family is greatly involved with Heartland Ranch, a neighborhood nonprofit that helps victims of sex trafficking. Drawing from their personal experiences as develop and adoptive parents, they also advocate for children in the United States ‘ foster care system, recognizing that “families need support and care” much after an adoption is approved. Visit www. For more details about ZebraScapes, visit www.zebrascapes.com.
