Bennett Barrier is the CEO of Turf Solutions, a leading provider of high-quality artificial turf installations across the United States. With extensive experience in the artificial turf industry, Bennett has established himself as a trusted expert in the artificial turf industry, business operations, and management. His leadership has been integral to Turf Solutions’ growth and success, providing innovative, eco-friendly alternatives for both residential and commercial applications. Passionate about small business management, Bennett is committed to creating efficient, customer-focused operations that deliver exceptional results. Through his strategic vision and hands-on approach, he continues to drive the company forward, ensuring it remains at the forefront of the artificial turf industry.
Company: DFW Turf Solutions
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company.
Bennett Barrier: I’m Bennett Barrier, the CEO of Turf Solutions. We’re based in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, and we specialize in installing high-quality synthetic turf. Whether it’s for residential backyards, commercial spaces, custom putting greens, or pet-friendly systems, we’ve got it covered. We’ve even worked on play areas, baseball fields, soccer fields, and everything in between. Our goal is to transform outdoor spaces into beautiful, low-maintenance environments that families, pets, and friends can enjoy all year long.
I really enjoy seeing the difference our turf makes. It’s satisfying knowing that our work not only looks great but also helps save natural resources, all while creating a space that’s easy to maintain and enjoy. The team we have here is fantastic, and working with them makes every day more rewarding. Outside of work, I love spending time with my family and friends, hitting the golf course, and being outdoors. We’re really proud of the recognition we’ve received over the years, and we continue to focus on delivering top-notch quality and service to our customers.
Can you take us back to the beginning – what inspired your startup, and what were those early days like?
Bennett Barrier: It all started with a love for the outdoors and a desire to create something that would last. I’ve always been passionate about making outdoor spaces look great, but I saw that people were struggling with natural grass. It requires so much maintenance, and with Texas’ hot summers and water restrictions, it was tough to keep yards looking nice. I thought, “Why not bring a better solution to the table?” That’s when I started looking into synthetic turf and realized how much potential it had, not just for residential yards, but for all kinds of spaces.
The early days were definitely a grind. There was a lot to learn about the industry, from finding the best turf suppliers to figuring out the logistics of installs. I had to wear many hats in the beginning, from handling the business side of things to being out there installing turf myself. But seeing the reactions of happy customers made it all worth it. It was tough, but it gave me a real appreciation for what goes into running a business and delivering something that people truly love. Over time, I built a great team around me, and things really started to take off. Now, we get to do what we love every day, and I couldn’t be more proud of how far we’ve come.
What was the biggest turning point or breakthrough that helped you scale from a small operation to a growing business?
Bennett Barrier: The biggest turning point for me was when we got our first big commercial project. Up until then, we were focused mainly on smaller residential installs, which were great, but they didn’t provide the kind of growth we needed to scale. When we landed that commercial job, it opened my eyes to the bigger possibilities in the market. We were able to showcase our quality on a larger scale, and that got us noticed by more contractors and businesses.
That project made a huge impact. It not only helped us grow our reputation but also gave us the confidence to tackle larger and more complex installs. It pushed us to refine our processes and build a solid team to handle the increased workload. From there, the referrals started rolling in, and we started picking up more commercial and residential clients, which really helped us scale. As we grew, the focus shifted to improving how we worked, making sure we could manage that growth while still maintaining the high quality and service our customers expect.
How did you handle the toughest challenges during your growth phase – whether financial, operational, or personal?
Bennett Barrier: During the growth phase, the toughest challenges often came from balancing everything, from managing cash flow, scaling operations, and ensuring we were hiring the right people. Financially, it was a bit of a juggling act. We had to reinvest in the business to support new projects, which meant making tough decisions about where to allocate resources. There were times when we had to be strategic with our spending, but we always focused on keeping quality at the forefront.
On the operational side, we had to streamline processes to handle the increased volume of work. I spent a lot of time working on systems that could make our installs more efficient without sacrificing the quality of the product. I also had to learn quickly about managing a growing team and making sure everyone was on the same page.
Personally, it was hard to let go of certain tasks and trust others to take charge, but that’s what helped me grow as a leader. I had to recognize when to step back and let my team handle things, and it wasn’t always easy. But as we kept pushing forward and overcoming those hurdles, it made the successes even sweeter. It wasn’t about avoiding the tough times but learning how to manage them and come out stronger on the other side.
As your company grew, how did your leadership style evolve to meet the demands of scaling?
Bennett Barrier: As the company grew, my leadership style had to evolve. In the beginning, I was hands-on with just about everything — installing turf, managing clients, handling the books. But as we scaled, I had to shift from doing everything myself to focusing more on managing people and processes. I learned to trust my team and delegate more. It was a big shift for me, letting go of the day-to-day tasks I was used to, but it became clear that if we were going to keep growing, I needed to focus on the bigger picture.
I started putting more effort into building a strong, reliable team and developing a company culture where everyone felt like they were part of something important. I made a point to listen to my team’s ideas and concerns, which helped us stay aligned and keep the work environment positive. Communication became key, and I had to be clear about expectations while giving people the freedom to own their roles.
As the business grew, I also had to be more strategic about decision-making, especially when it came to finances, hiring, and scaling operations. I couldn’t get bogged down in the small stuff anymore, I had to think about the long-term vision and how to steer the company in the right direction. It was all about balancing the hands-on approach with stepping back to lead and guide the team.
What advice would you give to entrepreneurs currently in the “garage” stage, dreaming of going global?
Bennett Barrier: If you’re in the “garage” stage, dreaming of going global, my advice would be to focus on building a solid foundation first. Make sure your product or service is something people really want and that it’s the best it can be before trying to expand. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of growth, but if you don’t have a strong base, it can all come crashing down.
Start small, prove your concept, and build a loyal customer base. Once you have that, think about how you can scale in a way that makes sense for your business. Don’t be afraid to take calculated risks, but always be smart with your resources, especially early on. You’ll likely face challenges in areas like cash flow, finding the right team, and managing time, so always be prepared to pivot and learn from setbacks.
Surround yourself with people who believe in your vision and who have skills that complement your own. It’s important to trust your team, especially as you grow, and to delegate tasks effectively so you can focus on what matters most. And finally, remember that growth doesn’t happen overnight. Stay patient, stay focused, and keep pushing forward one step at a time.
