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From Mowing Lawns to Major Projects
When Kobi Wright started Done Wright Co three years ago, he was mowing lawns in Longreach. Today, he runs an arboriculture and vegetation management business servicing a vast region of outback Queensland, and he's just getting started.
We recently caught up with Kobi in Brisbane while he was checking out new equipment and attending an industry expo. Here's what he shared about building a business in regional Queensland, tackling the skills shortage, and looking after good people.
Starting Small, Thinking Big
Done Wright Co began as a landscaping and lawn care operation. But Kobi had bigger plans.
"We started off just landscaping and mowing lawns, then did a bit of study and got into arboriculture," he says. "Now we're AQF Level 2, 3, and 5 qualified. We've got some pretty good equipment."
Today, the business handles tree work, irrigation, and large-scale landscaping projects across Central West, North West, and South West Queensland from Longreach to Hughenden, Tambo to Emerald.
"Wherever the work takes us, we're prepared to make the move and travel to it."
The Biggest Challenge? Finding the Right People
Like many businesses across Australia, Done Wright Co faces an ongoing challenge: finding people willing to do the hard work.
"Manpower, finding people who are willing to roll up their sleeves, get a bit dirty, and work hard. That's probably the hardest thing."
Kobi's solution? Invest heavily in equipment.
"We're quite equipment-heavy. We spend a lot of time making sure we invest money in the right equipment to do the job properly. We're trying to replace the manpower shortage with efficient equipment, so we can do larger jobs quicker and more safely."
Growing Smart
To justify the travel distances involved in servicing such a vast region, Kobi has embraced digital marketing.
"We've started with a new advertising mob doing Meta ads. They're doing a fantastic job generating leads for us. That's how we justify travelling the distances we do—getting the work before we actually get to the towns."
His advice to others starting out in small business?
"It's a lot of work for sure. Don't rush your purchases; make the right decision the first time. It costs more money to do it twice. And when you find good people, make sure you look after them."
Looking After Good People
One of those good people is Lance, Kobi's right-hand man.
Lance came to Australia to work on farms and found himself 100km north of Longreach. A chance introduction led to a few days of work with Kobi, which quickly turned into 45-hour weeks.
"The opportunities he's presented to me are amazing," Lance says. "I've got my Cert III in Arboriculture now, hands-on experience from the start. I'm working with things I never thought I'd see myself work with."
Kobi has also supported Lance's visa sponsorship application, helping him work toward permanent residency in Australia.
"Kobi has facilitated all of the sponsorship from his end, which is absolutely brilliant. I'm so grateful."
Lance's future plans? Keep learning, upgrade his skills, powerlines training is next, and potentially move into technology or canopy cover projects down the track.
The Takeaway
Done Wright Co is a great example of what's possible when you combine ambition, smart investment, and a commitment to looking after your team. For regional businesses facing similar challenges, Kobi's approach offers a practical roadmap: invest in the right equipment, market strategically, and hold onto the good people when you find them.
We're proud to work with clients like Done Wright Co, which is building a thriving business in regional Australia. From bookkeeping and tax to strategic advice and planning, WLW Group helps you grow with confidence.
Nijo Antony
Director
