Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyler Cole
Hi Tyler, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
For 16 years, I was deep in the aviation industry—military and corporate—doing everything from building engines to flight-testing new software. My career was technical, structured, and, on paper, impressive. My wife and I built our lives around it, taking turns carrying the load as we pursued education and career advancements. But something felt off.
I was working 12-hour days for a job that, while respected in my field, had no real meaning to my children. I was spending my days serving people I would never meet, working on products I would never use. The prestige of my title meant little outside the walls of my office, and I began to question: What was I really building?
A glimpse of something different came when Hurricane Matthew hit. I took a year off to help a friend in the arborist community and saw firsthand what it meant to provide a tangible service. We cleared roads, helped neighbors, and rebuilt parts of the town we all loved. It was exhausting work, but it was fulfilling. I wasn’t just processing reports—I was making a direct impact.
I eventually returned to the corporate world, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had left something meaningful behind.
Fast forward four years, and a frustrating search for a stump grinder led me to an unexpected turning point. I struggled to find someone to do the work, and when I finally did, they overcharged, underdelivered, and nearly dared me to do better.
So I did.
That night, I bought a stump grinder and a trailer. Southern Crab Stump Grinding was born—not from a business plan, but from a mindset shift. I realized I didn’t want a career that pulled me away from my family. I wanted to serve the people I share this town with, the ones I see at the grocery store, in the carpool line, and at the park.
Now, I specialize in stump removal, turning rough patches of land into clean slates for new growth. I facilitate tree care from planting to removal, but my focus is the final step—the one that allows homeowners to move forward. It’s rewarding, not just because of the work, but because of the conversations, the connections, and the community that comes with it.
Leaving the corporate world gave me something I never had before: time. Time to be a present father, time to lead the local Cub Scout pack, time to volunteer with the Girl Scouts (yes, cookies are involved). My time is now spent helping my neighbors, sharing stories, and playing an active role in my children’s lives—something no job title could ever replace.
Southern Crab Stump Grinding isn’t just about removing stumps; it’s about building something better—in my yard, in my community, and in my life.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Smooth roads make for soft feet. True endurance—the kind that sets people apart—comes from walking paths that others avoid. Every successful entrepreneur has blazed their own trails, facing discomfort, sacrifice, and more tough conversations than they can count.
For years, I watched others carve out their own paths in life, pursuing something with such relentless passion that giving up wasn’t an option. I envied that fire, that purpose. I wondered what it would be like to build something that truly mattered.
Then I remembered.
I remembered how it felt to help my community after Hurricane Matthew. I remembered the satisfaction of working with my hands, seeing the immediate impact of my efforts, and knowing I was directly helping my neighbors. When the opportunity arose to start my own business, the decision became clear—I would give whatever it took to create something meaningful.
And I did.
Every shovel full of dirt I hauled out by hand, every log I dragged on a busted dolly (until I could afford a working one), every sore muscle I earned along the way—it all reinforced one thing: obstacles and challenges don’t just test us, they refine us. The struggle made the service better. The effort made the results matter more.
I often joke that one of the hardest challenges I faced wasn’t the physical labor, but convincing my wife that leaving my career as a flight test engineer to start a stump grinding business was a good idea. To be fair, it probably sounded crazy. Walking away from a prestigious job to pursue something so different, so uncertain, wasn’t exactly the logical next step.
But logic doesn’t build dreams—commitment does.
Southern Crab Stump Grinding was never just about removing tree stumps. It was about creating something of my own, something that mattered. It was about building a business that prioritizes people over profit, quality over shortcuts, and relationships over transactions. It was about being present for my family, engaged in my community, and fulfilled in my work.
As you know, we’re big fans of Southern Crab Stump Grinding. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Southern Crab Stump Grinding wasn’t born out of a business plan—it was born out of frustration and a challenge.
In March of 2021, my family needed some stumps removed from our property. What should have been a simple task quickly turned into an exhausting search. Calls went unanswered, options were limited, and when we finally hired someone, the experience was worse than expected—overpriced, poorly executed, and ultimately incomplete. We had to ask them to come back and fix their mistakes.
When they reluctantly returned to finish the job, I asked, “Is this really the level of service you give all your customers?” Their dismissive response stuck with me.
“Yeah, sure you will,” they scoffed when I said I could do better.
As mentioned before, that night, I bought a stump grinding machine.
From that moment on, I was committed—not just to doing the job, but to doing it right. Stump grinding became my specialty, but my work extends beyond that. Whether it’s clearing a hazardous tree stump, preparing a yard for sod, or making space for new growth, I see every project as more than just removing wood from the ground. It’s about restoring balance, creating opportunity, and helping people take the next step in their vision for their property.
The tree care business is unique. Most customers only need the service once—after all, you can’t remove the same stump twice. That’s why every job is about more than just the work itself. It’s about trust. It’s about understanding what people need, even when they may not have the right words to explain it. Anyone can learn to operate a machine, but not everyone takes the time to truly care.
For me, it’s about connection. I enjoy talking with my neighbors, learning their stories, and being an active part of the community.
One of the most common questions I get is about the name—why “Southern Crab”? It’s simple. “Southern” represents home, tradition, and hospitality. “Crab” is a nod to the town where I grew up, where I now live and work, and to something that has always brought me joy. The name might not make sense at first, but people remember it. And if they ever forget my name, all they need to do is look for “that crab guy,” and they’ll find me.
In the past four years, Southern Crab Stump Grinding has built its reputation not through advertisements, but through word of mouth. Quality work speaks for itself, and we encourage our customers to share their experiences. This isn’t just a business—it’s a service to the people I live alongside. We’re not just here to remove stumps; we’re here to take care of our community, one job at a time.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Be still, my ever-aging Millennial heart! We love our books and podcasts, do we not?
The beauty of my work is that while my hands stay busy, my mind has room to roam. Whether I’m grinding stumps under the scorching sun or clearing space for new growth, there’s always time to appreciate a good playlist or dive into a thought-provoking podcast. And yes—I still use Pandora.
Music is a powerful companion. Some days call for electronic chill vibes to keep things steady, while others demand hard rock to push through the heat and exhaustion. There’s something about matching the rhythm of work with the rhythm of sound that makes even the hardest jobs feel a little lighter.
But when time allows, I lean into something else: stories. Stories of success, of failure, of people turning seemingly mundane jobs into something extraordinary. I’ve always been fascinated by niche markets and overlooked careers—the kind of work that flies under the radar but keeps the world turning. Chris Guillebeau has done an excellent job capturing these alternative paths, and his books and stories remind me that success isn’t a straight road. It’s a winding path full of unexpected turns, and those who embrace the journey often find the most fulfillment.
Then there’s my endless desire to learn—because why stop now? Andrew Huberman’s podcast keeps me scratching that itch, delivering deep dives into human behavior, science, and self-improvement. And if all else fails, my “watch later” playlist on YouTube is a chaotic mix of ancient Egyptian lore, guru debunkings, and mind-blowing science facts. Honestly, I might need a personal day just to evaluate my tastes.
At the end of the day, my work is about more than just tree stumps. It’s about staying curious, growing in new directions, and appreciating the stories—both my own and those of the people I meet. Whether it’s a new podcast, a fresh playlist, or an unexpected conversation with a customer, there’s always something to learn, something to enjoy, and something to carry forward into the next chapter.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.southerncrabllc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southern_crab
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SouthernCrabLLC
