Krystal Talley, co-founder of TCG Property Care, launched her business in 2017 with a vision to create employment opportunities for underserved communities in Washington, D.C. With a background in real estate development and a personal commitment to community service, Krystal’s journey is marked by her dedication to social entrepreneurship.
“I had a lot of family members that grew up in foster care, or my grandmother took care of a lot of foster care. Children,” says Krystal.
We saw that a lot of them had hard times maintaining jobs or careers, and they constantly were struggling with unemployment. So we wanted to start a company that could hire people.
Life Asset was key to overcoming the challenges she faced, her innovative approaches, and the major lessons learned throughout her entrepreneurial journey.
Early beginnings of TCG Property Care
Krystal Talley transitioned from a career at the U.S. Postal Service, where she managed real estate portfolios, to social entrepreneurship. Her experiences, including family involvement in foster care, ignited her passion for creating jobs in underserved populations. This commitment to community empowerment became the foundation of TCG’s mission.
When Krystal and Wade first started TCG Property Care in 2017, they faced significant financial hurdles. Krystal recalls, “We didn’t have business credit, so we had to rely heavily on our personal income.”Â
Both Krystal and Wade left their stable jobs in the federal government to pursue their dream. They initially drew on their savings and received support from family and friends, but meeting payroll was challenging. “We were running a weekly payroll while waiting 30, 60, or even 90 days to get paid for our projects,” Krystal explains. This precarious financial situation forced them to think creatively about funding their business.
Life Asset saves the day
Accessing traditional loans from larger banks proved difficult due to their lack of business credit. “We struggled with trying to secure lines of credit,” Krystal says. The financial landscape for small businesses often leaves entrepreneurs like Krystal and Wade feeling isolated and unsupported. However, they discovered that grants could provide a lifeline. “DC had numerous grants available, and we participated in pitch competitions,” Krystal continues. “Even small grants of $5,000 made a big difference for us at that time.”
Their perseverance paid off when they encountered Life Asset, a nonprofit organization that assists small businesses. “We met them at a DC event, where we learned about their programs for building business credit and providing small loans,” Wade recounts. The ability to take out small loans under their business name was transformative:
We took out business loans that counted for the business, allowing us to pay for essential expenses like insurance and payroll.
For Krystal, the catalyst to their successful business began with the “loans we were taking out with Life Asset. The payments were small, so we could afford to pay it back. And also, it was a good interest rate.”
Ultimately, Life Asset was the game-changer that they truly needed.
They weren’t always able to make it to networking events due to their schedules, but Krystal still recommends that “it’s good to network when you have an idea or business. Just talk to others; look at the resources available to you. And that could eliminate some of the mistakes that we made if we had known about them sooner.” She also explained how many of her local communities were full of resources and mentors who were aware of Life Asset’s benefits.
As TCG Property Care began to stabilize financially thanks to Life Asset, the couple focused on scaling their operations. Their initial strategy emphasized building a strong maintenance pipeline, which ensured consistent work for their crew. “Maintenance contracts were key to our sustainability,” Wade notes. “We knew we needed to keep our team busy to grow.”
However, they soon realized that their hiring practices needed refinement. Initially, they took risks by hiring inexperienced workers for demanding tasks, which sometimes led to project delays and losses. “We learned that it was crucial to hire experienced team members while still providing opportunities for those looking to enter the workforce,” Krystal says. This realization marked a turning point for TCG, allowing them to balance skill development with the need for reliable labor.
The period of transition, challenges, and partnerships
Throughout their journey, partnerships with nonprofit organizations remained a cornerstone of TCG’s success. Krystal and Wade continued to engage with Life Asset, which provided ongoing support. Wade shares,
We could always count on them for advice and funding opportunities. The loans we received allowed us to pay down debt and reinvest in the business.
As they built a reputation for quality service, TCG Landscaping gained more contracts, enabling them to focus on larger projects and further expand their workforce. “Our first major construction project was a 90-unit townhome community,” Wade recalls. “Successfully completing that project validated our capabilities and opened doors for future work.”
Currently, Krystal explains that “Life Asset have always been a great partner with us because, even to this day, we’re still able to pay the loans back that we get from them yearly, and we’re able to borrow again as needed. We want to always maintain that relationship with them just because they’ve been a great partner and it’s kept us going forward.”
One significant challenge they faced was managing the seasonal nature of landscaping work. “In the winter months, business would slow down, and we had to find ways to keep our employees engaged and paid,” Wade notes. To counter this, they diversified their service offerings, adding snow removal and winter maintenance contracts. “This adaptability helped us maintain a steady income throughout the year,” Krystal adds.
Through these experiences, they identified key lessons that shaped their business philosophy. “Understanding your cash flow is vital,” Wade advises. “It’s important to be transparent with your team about the company’s financial health.” This honesty fostered trust within their team and helped create a collaborative environment where everyone worked toward common goals. They implemented regular financial check-ins to discuss progress and challenges, ensuring that all employees felt invested in the company’s success.
Krystal also emphasizes the importance of maintaining a strong customer relationship. “Customer service is everything in this industry,” she states. “We make it a priority to communicate clearly and address any concerns promptly.” This focus on customer satisfaction has led to numerous referrals and repeat business, which are essential for growth in a competitive landscape.
TCG Property Care and now Community Impact
Beyond their business growth, Krystal and Wade are passionate about making a positive impact in their community. They actively participate in local events, offering landscaping services for community projects and engaging with youth. “We’ve spoken at local high schools and participated in community clean-up days,” Krystal says. “It’s important for us to give back and inspire others to pursue their dreams.”
Their commitment to social responsibility is reflected in their hiring practices as well. TCG Landscaping aims to provide employment opportunities to individuals who may face barriers in the job market, including returning citizens. “We believe in providing a second chance,” Wade states. “By offering training and support, we help individuals gain the skills they need to succeed in the workforce.”
To enhance their community engagement, Krystal and Wade have established partnerships with local nonprofits that focus on job training and skills development. “We work with organizations that help prepare individuals for the workforce, providing them with hands-on experience in landscaping,” Krystal explains. This collaboration not only benefits the community but also helps TCG cultivate a skilled workforce.
They also emphasize the importance of environmental sustainability in their operations. “We strive to use eco-friendly products and practices whenever possible,” Wade notes. This commitment not only attracts eco-conscious clients but also reinforces their image as a responsible business in the community.
The Future of TCG Property Care
Looking ahead, Krystal and Wade have ambitious plans for TCG Landscaping. “We want to continue to pay ourselves, of course,” Krystal jokes, but the seriousness of their goals is evident. “We aim to expand our landscape construction projects and further establish our maintenance contracts.”
They also plan to deepen their relationship with Life Asset, which has been instrumental in their growth:
We want to maintain our partnership. Their support has allowed us to scale our operations and make informed financial decisions.
In addition to expanding their project scope, Krystal and Wade are committed to nurturing their team. “We want to provide ongoing training and career advancement opportunities for our employees,” Krystal emphasizes. “Our goal is to help them build a fulfilling career in landscaping.” They plan to introduce a mentorship program within the company, allowing seasoned employees to guide newer team members, fostering a culture of growth and collaboration.
Another future focus for TCG Landscaping is the integration of technology into their operations. “We’re exploring software solutions to streamline our project management and scheduling,” Wade explains. “This will help us be more efficient and provide better service to our clients.” They aim to adopt tools that can assist in resource allocation, financial tracking, and customer relationship management.
TCG Property Care and Life Asset
 The success of Krystal and Wade’s TCG Property Care is a powerful testament to the vital role that Life Asset played in their entrepreneurial journey. Faced with significant financial challenges early on, the couple struggled to secure traditional funding sources. However, their discovery of Life Asset marked a turning point, providing them not only with access to small loans but also with invaluable guidance in building business credit.
 Life Asset’s support empowered Krystal and Wade to navigate their financial hurdles effectively, enabling them to pay essential expenses and maintain payroll during their most precarious times. This financial backing was instrumental in stabilizing their operations, allowing them to focus on scaling their business. Beyond just funding, Life Asset connected them to a community of resources and mentorship, which further fueled their growth.
 As they continue to thrive, Krystal and Wade are committed to nurturing their relationship with Life Asset, recognizing it as a cornerstone of their success. Their story exemplifies how nonprofit organizations can provide critical support to small businesses, fostering resilience and sustainability. With Life Asset’s continued partnership, TCG Property Care is not only poised for future expansion but also dedicated to making a lasting impact in their community.
