What It Really Takes to Build a Lawn Business in NZ | Matt Petheram

Matt Petheram left a secure job to launch Lifestyle Lawns, an artificial grass business, after spotting a shift in the New Zealand market. Despite initial scepticism around "plastic grass," he and his wife Haley took an enormous leap of faith—selling their house and investing everything into the business while expecting their second child.

Three years on, they've built a team of eight and established themselves as industry leaders by tackling the main customer concerns head-on: appearance, heat retention, safety, and odour. They've expanded from residential installations to major sports facilities, including a recent 2,400-square-metre project at Hines school.

The journey hasn't been without challenges. Matt describes the constant balancing act between family and business, admitting to the emotional toll of "choosing who to let down" each day. He credits Haley's empathy and support as fundamental to their success, highlighting how their complementary skills create the perfect partnership.

Rather than franchising, they've adopted a collaborative approach with regional partners across New Zealand. Matt's proudest achievement isn't financial success but creating a business with heart—one that values its team, delivers quality without compromise, and builds meaningful relationships.

As they look towards their five-year milestone, Matt reflects on how far they've come from those early days of uncertainty: "We took that risk and made it work. I'm really proud of where we're at and who we are."