Merso Jusic was young, had a lucrative banking job in West Des Moines, Iowa and put in his notice to take a chance on his dream.
Where was that dream found? In the trees.
Jusic worked during the week as an assistant branch manager and spent weekends providing tree services in central Iowa. It started as a side job, a reason to work with his hands outdoors.
Soon a hobby became a purpose.
“Every weekend that I did tree work, I was hesitant to go back to work on Monday,” Jusic said. “I just wanted to continue working with trees. … The more I kept doing it, the more I was like, ‘Oh, I really love this.’”
At 28 years old, he left his banking position and started his own tree care company — MJ’s Tree Service.
“People thought I was crazy. ‘What do you mean trees? You’re wearing a suit and tie,’” Jusic remembered others thinking.
Sure, it was a risk. But it was also a chance at a deeper happiness.
“You’re scared. You’re worried. You don’t know (whether it’s the right decision),” Jusic said. “That’s why I think trying it out for so long and testing it and seeing if I’m really going to make a big difference in this industry (was important).”
“One week after I made the switch, I couldn’t have been more thankful.”
Tree care business takes off — thanks to Jusic and relationship with Vermeer dealer
Jusic made the right decision.
In 2024, MJ’s Tree Service was honored as the top tree service in USA TODAY’s Community Choice awards. His company has 5-star ratings on Google and Facebook, with nearly 400 total reviews.
“What’s cool is he’s only been doing this a couple years,” said Travis Westrum, the territory manager at Vermeer Iowa who works with Jusic. “It just shows you the quality of work, the amount of hard work that he’s put into this business and the good quality partnership he’s made with these homeowners.”
From early on, Jusic has relied on the extensive line of Vermeer landscaping equipment to accomplish this growth. He has owned and operated Vermeer stump cutters, brush chippers and mini skid steers.
“The first machine I got from Vermeer was actually the stump grinder. After that, we got chippers and the mini skid,” he said. “Every one of them has scaled my business and made it better and easier. We’ve been able to get more jobs because of the equipment we have.”
Jusic cited his relationship with Vermeer Iowa as a key factor too.
“I can call up anytime, and I can get what I need. And they’re quality,” Jusic said. “It’s like a quality car. I can count on it, and it’s going to the get the job done.”
Customers have noticed that MJ’s Tree Service gets the job done, too. Jusic remembers being surprised when he was informed his company made the top five of voting for top tree service in central Iowa. And when he found out his company won?
“That call was shocking too,” he said. “But you know, I think it goes to prove how much work I’ve put in. …
“We don’t have 50-ton cranes but what we do have is the customer service, just like Vermeer.”
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