Meet Shawn Cutroni of New England Aquatic Landscaping in Central Massachusetts

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawn Cutroni.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Started the company when I was 19, in 2007. I wanted to build a really cool pond for my Mom as a Christmas present so the following spring I went to the closest big box hardware store and bought what I thought I needed. Some liner, hose, and a pump… it ended up being a disaster but it was a huge learning lesson and what essentially sent me down the path I am on today.

In my industry we call it being bit by the water bug. Building backyard koi ponds and waterfalls has become my passion. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. It’s a contagious hobby too. My company has morphed itself into a family business. My Dad was the first on board to help me when I needed a hand here and there but when I deployed to Afghanistan with the 1-182nd Infantry in 2011 my Dad took over to keep it going until I could get back. That’s when my Mom came aboard and they have been a huge part of our success ever since. I couldn’t do it without them and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

I’ve built water features all over the country with some of the greatest artists in the water gardening industry and been part of some major landmark builds at places like the Shedd Aquarium and the Lincoln Park Zoo. I also had the opportunity to be on Nation Geographic Wilds Pond Stars while working with Aquascape Inc. during one of my mentorships.

I have been very fortunate in the ten years I’ve been doing this to rub elbows with the people I have and experience these opportunities. It all shows in my craftsmanship and the experience I am able to share with my customer.

As one of the few Master Certified Aquascape Contractors in New England it is our responsibility to grow this industry and to make sure people know what a pond done right looks like and set the precedent for the experience associated with living the water feature lifestyle.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Owning a business has its ups and downs. Growing pains are a normal part of the process. Hiring the right people and training them is difficult as you grow because there aren’t a lot of people who know this trade.

That’s not a unique problem to us though. I imagine every business experiences that. One of our bigger challenges and one I think is unique to our industry is most people who hear backyard pond think of a black plastic preform tub that has a little bubbler and turns green in a week. Unless you have seen what a professionally installed and maintained water feature looks like you would have no idea how beautiful and natural they can look. So educating the general public on what right looks like has been our biggest hurdle, nationwide for our industry as a whole.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with New England Aquatic Landscaping – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We are a Master Certified Aquascape Contractor and we specialize in the construction, maintenance, and repairs of backyard koi pond, waterfalls, & fountains.

We are a combat veteran owned company based in central Massachusetts and our main areas of operations are Middlesex County Ma and Norfolk County Ma. However we have amazing clients all over Massachusetts as far as Provence Town and up into New Hampshire as well.

We are known for creating one of a kind living works of art that look as though they were created thousands of years ago by Mother Nature. I am very proud of the product my team and I produce but I am much more proud of the lasting relationships we have made with our customers. We change lives with what we do and it’s what keeps us going and pushes us onward and upward. This job would be nothing if it weren’t for the awesome people who hire us and continue to invite us back to their homes.

We build great water features but we also build great relationships.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Our future looks bright. Every year we grow and are doing bigger and more advanced projects. We are hired by new awesome people every year and we have to hire new employees to accommodate. I don’t see any slowing down in our future.

Contact Info:

• Website: iloveponds.com
• Phone: (774) 437-1160
• Email: ne.aquascape@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/i_love_ponds/
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/iloveponds/
• Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/new-england-aquatic-landscaping-cherry-valley
• Other: https://www.houzz.com/pro/ilovepondss/i-love-pondscom

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