The Story of Vande Hey
In 1950, my grandpappy Len Vande Hey began tending lawns part-time to support his growing family. Times were tough, and with 11 children, the additional income was a blessing. Putting in countless hours, his children formed his hardworking crew, while building a foundation of dedication and perseverance that brought them each success in life.
In 1968, my father, Gerald, bought an old Ford Ferguson tractor, a pickup truck, and a few shovels and took over the family business. His passion and drive fueled the company’s growth, expanding from basic lawn care to complex landscaping projects, including opening a garden center in 1982.
My journey with the business began early. As a child, I swept the shop and watered plants, eventually starting full-time work at age 12. I earned 25 cents an hour back then—or $1 for every rabbit I hunted to protect our plant material! While my career aspirations leaned toward medicine, everything changed during my sophomore year of college. Managing a major landscaping project in Green Lake ignited my passion for transforming outdoor spaces. That summer solidified my love for this industry and set the course for my future. After graduating college, I officially joined the family business. In 2002, I stepped into the role of president, continuing to grow our legacy while staying true to the values that built our foundation.
Like any business, we’ve faced challenges. In 2008, we encountered a pivotal moment when our line of credit was withdrawn, forcing us to fight hard to stay afloat. Those years of perseverance taught us resilience and shaped the company we are today.
Today, Vande Hey Company is a full-service outdoor living company serving residential and commercial customers across Northeast Wisconsin. With an incredible team of over 130 people, we’ve grown significantly while staying true to our values and commitment to our team members, customers, and community.
Giving back is one of our guiding principles. As my grandpappy always said, “Talk is cheap; it takes money to buy whiskey.” In that spirit, we’ve built the Dianne Vande Hey Foundation in honor of my mother, who inspired us to live generously. Annually, we donate 10% of our profits to organizations aligning with our values, thanks to the support of our team and clients.
As we look toward the future, we’re focused on growth, both personally and professionally. To quote my grandpappy, “The first hundred years are the hardest.” At over 75 years strong, we’re only getting better with time—and the best is yet to come.
– Andy Vande Hey, President