Professional Profile

We created Seed to Summits to help businesses, communities, and professionals throughout the outdoor industry identify opportunities, solve challenges, and reach their full potential.

 

Our approach combines real-world industry experience with strategic planning, operational analysis, relationship development, and grassroots marketing. We don't believe in generic consulting or recommendations that sit on a shelf. We dig into the business, identify opportunities, build a practical roadmap, and help turn that strategy into measurable results.

 

From helping outdoor industry companies improve efficiency and scale, to helping HOAs and CDDs maximize their landscape investments, to mentoring landscape contractors ready to compete at a higher level, Seed to Summits brings an experienced, independent perspective to every partnership.
 

Our philosophy is simple: understand where you are today, define where you want to go, and build the strategy to get you there.

Strategic Growth. Planned Efficiency. Scalable Results.

About Jay Perez

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Jay Perez is one of Florida's increasingly rare natives, born in Sarasota and raised in Palmetto, with deep roots in the Manatee-Sarasota community. He graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Marketing and a minor in Retail Specialization. His connection to leadership and community service, however, began much earlier. As a teenager, Jay became President of ManaTeens, a youth-led community-service organization, ultimately accumulating more than 2,500 volunteer hours supporting organizations and causes ranging from Habitat for Humanity and the Humane Society to beach cleanups and local food programs. His efforts were recognized locally when the City of Palmetto officially proclaimed “Jay Perez Day” in May 2000.
 

That combination of community involvement, curiosity, and relationship building has continued throughout Jay's career. After graduating from UF, he spent approximately 16 years in the retail and consumer-brand world, including significant tenures with Bealls and Guy Harvey, before eventually returning to the Manatee County area and transitioning into Florida's Green Industry. Today, his commitment to the industry extends beyond his professional responsibilities. He serves as President of the FNGLA Manasota Chapter, which serves Manatee, Sarasota, and DeSoto Counties. When FNGLA asked why he volunteers, Jay said he was inspired by the passion of fellow Board members and wanted to be part of something bigger than himself. He has also emphasized engaging students and emerging professionals to help develop the next generation of Green Industry leaders. In 2026, that commitment was recognized statewide when he was named FNGLA Outstanding Chapter Leader.
 

Away from business, Jay's interests reflect much of the same energy and curiosity he brings to his professional life. He enjoys weight training, playing acoustic guitar, traveling, and grilling. His years with Guy Harvey also fostered a lasting appreciation for fishing and the outdoors; an archived Guy Harvey account even documents Jay and his wife fishing for black marlin during an international trip with the Guy Harvey team. Whether traveling, spending time outdoors, working on the next idea, or volunteering in his community and industry, Jay truly believes that RELATIONSHIPS and experiences matter. That perspective is ultimately at the heart of Seed to Summits: help people and organizations recognize their potential, bring the right people together, and leave something stronger than you found it.

Background & Experience

• $9.885+ million in Sales at Bloomings Landscape during my tenure, primarily through large-scale HOA, CDD, COA, and commercial landscape opportunities throughout Southwest Florida.

• Proven Business Growth Leadership 

  • Helped significantly expand Bloomings' market presence while developing new-business strategies, sales processes, proposal systems, client relationships, and long-term growth opportunities.

• Executive & Cross-Functional Experience

  • Worked beyond traditional business development across strategy, marketing, operations, recruiting, technology, customer retention, organizational development, and process improvement.

• HOA & CDD Expertise

  • Extensive experience working directly with Boards, Property Managers, Landscape Committees, developers, and community stakeholders on multimillion-dollar landscape maintenance programs.

• RFP & Proposal Strategy

  • Developed and managed complex landscape RFPs, pricing strategies, contract negotiations, Board presentations, renewals, service optimization programs, and competitive positioning.

• Operational Efficiency & Margin Improvement

  • Experienced in identifying unnecessary services, workflow inefficiencies, pricing opportunities, and operational improvements designed to increase profitability without sacrificing customer experience.

• Strategic Planning

  • ​Strong believer in converting opportunities into actionable 1-, 3-, and 5-year business plans with measurable objectives, accountability, and scalable processes.

• Marketing & Brand Development

  • ​Experience spanning grassroots marketing, digital strategy, branding, customer acquisition, website development, social media, proposal development, industry events, sponsorships, and relationship marketing.

• Guy Harvey Leadership Experience

  • ​Previously held senior leadership responsibilities within the nationally recognized Guy Harvey brand, gaining extensive experience in sales, marketing, licensing, retail, e-commerce, product development, and organizational growth.

• $15M+ Collegiate Business Development

  • ​Helped build and develop the Guy Harvey Collegiate Program, which grew into an approximately $15 million annual business at its peak.

• $5M+ E-Commerce Growth

  • ​Helped develop Guy Harvey's direct-to-consumer e-commerce operation into approximately $3 million in annual revenue, providing extensive experience in digital marketing, customer acquisition, merchandising, and database-driven marketing.

• FNGLA Industry Leadership

  • ​Served as President of the FNGLA Manasota Chapter, participated in FNGLA's Emerging Leaders Program and Marketing & Membership Committee, and developed relationships throughout Florida's Green Industry.

• Award-Winning Industry Leadership

  • ​Recognized as FNGLA Chapter Leader of the Year, reflecting a commitment to industry development, volunteer leadership, collaboration, and advancing Florida's professional Green Industry.

• Record-Setting Event Development

  • ​Helped develop, market, sponsor, and execute major FNGLA fundraising initiatives, including a Sporting Clay Tournament that generated approximately $53,715, becoming the highest-revenue chapter-run event in FNGLA history.

• Team Building & Mentorship

  • ​Experience recruiting, developing, coaching, and mentoring employees while creating processes designed to improve accountability, communication, and organizational performance.

• Landscape Contractor Development

  • ​Experienced in preparing teams for HOA/CDD RFPs, Board presentations, pricing strategy, account management, executive communication, relationship development, and long-term client retention.

• Technology & AI Integration

  • Focused on utilizing emerging technology and AI to improve research, proposal development, marketing, communication, visualization, process documentation, and overall organizational efficiency.

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