A Canadian primary school teacher who swapped the forests of British Columbia for the orchards and countryside of County Armagh has helped grow a thriving tree care business alongside her husband.
And Crosstrees Arboriculture is now creating local jobs and securing major public contracts following assistance from government-backed enterprise support service Go Succeed.
Chloe Faloon, originally from the Vancouver area, and her husband Robbie founded the business after relocating permanently to Northern Ireland.
Just two years into trading, the business already employs six people and carries out tree management work across Northern Ireland and the border counties of the Republic of Ireland.
Based in Tassagh, outside Armagh, Crosstrees Arboriculture specialises in commercial, residential and utility arboriculture services, including vegetation management around electricity infrastructure and site clearance projects.
The couple first met in Canada through mutual friends connected to a local rugby club, where Robbie, originally from Armagh, had settled while travelling and working abroad.
Chloe said:
“Robbie had been working in arboriculture for years and trained in Canada, where tree care and outdoor industries are a big part of life.
“When we were planning to move back to Northern Ireland, we saw an opportunity to build something together. It’s been a huge learning curve, but it’s also been incredibly rewarding to see the business grow so quickly.
“This is only our second full year in operation, but we’ve already built a strong team and secured a steady pipeline of work.”
Today, around 60 per cent of the company’s work comes from utility contracts in the Republic of Ireland, with the remainder made up of commercial and residential projects in Northern Ireland.
The business has expanded rapidly, now boasting a team of six, with plans to recruit further and invest in additional machinery as demand continues to grow.
Support from Go Succeed has played an important role in the company’s development, helping Chloe and Robbie access funding and specialist business mentoring.
Through the service, the business received funding towards new equipment and guidance on preparing for future tender opportunities.
Robbie added: “We initially approached Go Succeed because we were interested in the grant support, which helped us invest in equipment for the business.
“What has really been incredibly helpful though was the additional mentoring we received. We worked closely with our mentor, who helped us understand future tender opportunities and prepare for the next stage of growth.
“It was a real bonus and gave us confidence that we were moving in the right direction. Having access to expert advice from someone who understands business growth was incredibly valuable.”
Go Succeed is delivered free of charge through all 11 councils in Northern Ireland, supporting entrepreneurs and businesses at every stage of their journey.
Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Mary O’Dowd said: “Crosstrees Arboriculture is an excellent example of how entrepreneurial ambition, specialist skills and determination can create new opportunities and employment within our local economy.
“Through Go Succeed, we are proud to support businesses like Crosstrees Arboriculture as they develop, grow and contribute to the prosperity of the Borough. We wish Chloe, Robbie and their team every success as they continue to expand.”
Funded by the UK Government, Go Succeed provides entrepreneurs with access to mentoring, events, grant funding, planning tools and business networks. Visit www.go-succeed.com to learn more.
