My name is Raymond Jordan, and I’m the founder of Spikes Out Tree Care.
We’re a Charlotte-based company of certified arborists dedicated to expert tree removal, debris removal, and fostering a healthier urban canopy. At our core, we’re focused on protecting what matters most—we prioritize the removal of dangerous trees that pose a risk to life and property.
I come from a long line of arborists; you could say it’s in my blood. I’m the third generation in my family to work in this industry, and I started as a young boy working alongside my great uncle. But my journey to starting this business wasn’t straightforward. I initially pursued a career in finance, but my heart wasn’t in it. I always had the dream of starting my own business, even if I didn’t think it would be in tree care. I just knew I wanted something that was mine.
So, I decided to go all-in on what I knew best. I earned a degree in Horticulture and spent time working for other tree companies around Charlotte, learning everything I could about the business—from climbing techniques to client relations. In 2016, I took everything I had learned and founded Spikes Out Tree Care.
A defining moment for me and my company was our response to Hurricane Helene in Asheville. Seeing the devastation firsthand was tough, but witnessing the community come together was something I’ll never forget. It solidified our mission: to be a company that genuinely helps people. We’re not just removing trees; we’re helping our neighbors recover and feel safe. It’s also why we encourage every client to put trees back into the ground whenever possible.
A few years in, I knew we were ready to grow, but I needed a better roadmap. That’s when I joined the Scale Up CLT program. It was one of the most valuable decisions I’ve made. The coaches challenged me to step outside of the day-to-day work and truly look at my business. I learned how to analyze our numbers, figure out which jobs were most profitable, and see where my energy was best spent. The biggest lesson was that time is really valuable. You have to buy it back. The program gave me the confidence to hire key people, allowing me to work on the business, not just in it. The relationships I built with other successful entrepreneurs in the program were just as valuable; they taught me to solve problems faster and think bigger.
Today, we’re growing our team of certified arborists and are proud to be approaching our 10-year anniversary in 2026. The journey to get here hasn’t been easy. People who want to start a business need to know that. There will be days you lose money and lose sleep. As I like to say, it’s not easy. It’s worth it to me, but it’s not easy. It’s a tough business, but I wouldn’t do anything else.