Homer Alaska - Business

During four summers of local landscape projects, the Mahoneys have been laying the groundwork — so to speak — for this step from the world of hands-on landscaping and hydroseeding into the world of retail.

"We'll have garden supplies, landscape supplies, some trees. We're going to baby-step it, but get enough stuff garden-wise to justify the habit," said John of developing a business focusing on an activity the couple enjoys.

Since the early 1990s, John has worked in construction, operating heavy equipment and working for the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities on a seasonal basis. During the summers, John developed Ground Control's landscaping emphasis. Alisha, meanwhile, was employed by Kenai River Nursery on Kalifornsky Beach Road near Kenai. At home, the two have raised vegetables year round. Sharing the bounty with friends and neighbors brought encouraging feedback.

"We kind of have a passion for this, so my wife and I started this together," John said of Ground Control.

Timing for the business expansion also matches changes within the family.

"Our youngest child is in first grade now and my wife was kicking around the idea of going back to work," John said. "We thought maybe we'd just drift off into the retail thing and keep her busy year round."

Ground Control's product line will include hydroponic supplies, as well as other indoor garden supplies and 100 percent organic seeds ordered from Seeds of Change.

"We're going to try to stay focused on stuff that's not available here right now," John said, emphasizing the organic vegetable and flower stock the couple plans to offer.

Although John said Ground Control isn't operated using a "fill-in-the-blank" business plan, he does, nevertheless, have plans for the future in place, especially with regard to keeping the business open 12 months a year.

"Coming up this spring and summer, we're going to bring in some local trees and I've got lots of different ideas," John said. "In the wintertime, we'll have some indoor garden stuff. I've been making topsoil for years so we'll bring in separate bins of soil, mulch and different kinds of rocks, as well as different supplies that aren't here. Things are spread out and I'm going to bring (items) in through a process of what's going to work and what's not."

For more information about Ground Control Landscape Services and photos of work done by the Mahoneys, visit the Web at www.groundcontrolak.com or call 235-1521 or 299-2476.

McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibben.jackinsky.@homernews.com.