This article is part of our Meet Pittsburgh series, where we highlight local business owners. Check out the first interview in our Meet Pittsburgh series with Tom Berna of Berna Construction.
When we decided to homeschool our kids a few years ago, we did so for a few reasons:
We wanted to have more flexibility as a family.
We wanted to have a greater hand in our kids’ lives, even as we grew busier in our business.
But a bigger, deeper reason? We wanted to help shape the next generation of resilient adults.
Maybe we overreacted. In today’s article, we’re highlighting Luke Romito (our nephew!), who’s still in high school but has already established a thriving landscaping business in Pittsburgh’s east end neighborhoods.
The Origins of Romito Landscaping
“It all started because I was trying to save up money for new music equipment,” says Luke. “I was only 12 or 13, and my grandparents lived across the street. They said they’d give me $20 every time I mowed their yard.”
That first $20 was an epiphany: If his grandparents were willing to pay for lawn care, other homeowners probably would, too.
So, Luke hung flyers around the neighborhood advertising his services. And people called.
Sometimes, his parents would drive him from property to property. Sometimes, he’d have to manually push his mower from house to house—because he wasn’t able to drive yet.
Despite the humble beginnings, this grassroots business has continued to thrive. Today, Romito Landscaping has dozens of repeat customers, and Luke has even hired two additional employees to assist with the workload.
Managing A Business As A Teenager
To be fair, running a business as a high school student isn’t always easy.
“Sometimes when I show up for the first time, people are surprised by how young I am.”
But their hesitation doesn’t last for long. Once they see his deep knowledge and hard-working, can-do attitude, it’s an easy sale.
“I focus on building trust one project at a time. After they see the results and that I’m not just some kid, they’re excited to be working together. It’s like hiring any other landscaping company.”
But perhaps what really sets Luke apart from other teenagers is his business growth: He already has two employees working 20 hours a week, and he even figured out a foolproof hiring method.
“Instead of holding traditional interviews, I hire people for a workday. It gives me an opportunity to see how knowledgeable they are, how skilled they are, how they operate, and how they engage with others. They get paid for a day, and I get to see them on a real job site. It’s a win-win.”
Romito Landscaping Today
Luke starts every potential client meeting the same way: Getting to understand their wants and their yard.
It’s a formula that’s worked.
Luke’s expanded from Greenfield into Squirrel Hill, Regent Square, Point Breeze, and Edgewood.
Long-term, he aims to scale beyond Pittsburgh. Although he has thoughts on attending college or pursuing music, he’d love to set up shops around the country where homeowners can still get excellent service and a local feel.
As Ted and I reflect on Luke’s success, we realize landscaping is in his roots. We’ve all been immersed in gardening, as my mom always shared her love of gardening, and my grandmother had a similar passion for growing plants.
As a result, Luke has a natural green thumb, and his attention to detail truly makes him wonderful to work with. It’s been amazing to watch his progression!
Contact Romito Landscaping
If you’re interested in hiring Luke and his team, contact him via email (lukecutsgrasspgh@gmail.com) or follow on social media (Facebook or Instagram).