Ep 15 Why Ben Hayford Walked Away From His Tree Surgery Business (And Doesn't Regret It)

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Starting a business in arboriculture sounds like a dream, but for Ben Hayford, the reality hit hard.

In this raw and unfiltered episode of the Tree Surgeons Podcast, Ben shares how he went from building a tree surgery company from scratch to walking away entirely and why it was the best decision for his mental health and family.

We cover:

• His journey from teenage gardener to climbing foreman

• The hard truths about running a tree business (spoiler: cashflow is brutal)

• Why hiring and managing people in this industry is so tough

• The emotional toll of chasing payments and juggling overheads

• How sub-contracting brought him peace—and even more money

• His new venture: Tree Ninjas, a lifestyle brand for arborists

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About the Guest

Ben Hayford is the founder of B. Hayford Tree Specialists, a Suffolk-based arboriculture business built from the ground up. Ben began his journey in the tree care industry while working for Mid Suffolk District Council, where he completed climbing courses and pursued his arborist qualifications.

He’s appeared in industry publications, built a solid crew from scratch, and recently launched Tree Ninjas, a lifestyle brand for arborists. Ben’s story reflects the real-world challenges of growing a business, burnout, leadership, financial pressure—and the courage it takes to pivot toward a healthier, more fulfilling life.

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Contact the Guest:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/b.hayfordtrees/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/B.hayfordtreespecialists/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-hayford

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Connect with the host:

Website: http://tsba.co.uk/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/treesurgeonsbusinessacademy/ ; https://www.instagram.com/henrighijben/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/treesurgeonbusinessowners

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henri-ghijben

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This episode is sponsored by Greenline Arb (GLA) - a powerful digital platform created by tree surgeons, aimed at taking the stress out of tree work. Focussing on the main pain points in the game, such as; finding tip sites, connecting workers with employers, responding to emergency situations and locating services that are required to run a tree company. Green Line is allowing professionals to operate with more freedom. Solving multiple problems in one fell swoop. Download the app today or check out the website for more information.

App Store: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/greenline-arb/id6448873784

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.greenlinearbapp&hl=en_US&pli=1

Website: https://www.greenlinearb.com/