By: Rick Breeding, Owner of Waterloo Turf Houston
Before I ever rolled out my first piece of artificial turf, I already knew what it meant to build something from the ground up. For twenty-two years, I served as a Navy Seabee, the construction arm of the United States Navy and the premier building force for the Department of Defense. My work took me to every corner of the globe and into every type of environment imaginable: From constructing vital infrastructure in active war zones, to leading humanitarian projects that brought electricity, clean water, schools, and hospitals to communities in need.
My assignments were rarely simple. I worked alongside Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams, operated within the State Department’s Technical Security Program, and supported Navy SEAL units. I ran transportation logistics operations both at home and abroad, leading and mentoring military and civilian teams from multiple countries. No matter the mission, the rules were the same: execute with precision, adapt to the unpredictable, and get the job done.
When I took off the uniform, that mindset didn’t go away, I just needed a new mission. That mission became Waterloo Turf. More than just a turf installation company, it’s a brand built on teamwork, high standards, and operational excellence. Specializing in high-performance synthetic turf solutions for residential, commercial and athletic spaces, they’ve built a strong reputation for delivering exceptional customer service and creating transformative outdoor spaces.
What drew me into joining Waterloo Turf was the culture. From day one, you become part of a network of owners who share ideas, trade lessons, and push each other to do better. The team is dedicated, the mission is clear, and the vision is something I can get behind. In this business, hard work, grit, and resilience aren’t just nice to have, they’re the standard.
I first learned about Waterloo Turf through The Honor Foundation, a career transition program for U.S Special Operations Forces that turns military experience into private sector success and future leadership opportunities. That’s where I was introduced to Brian Beers and the Waterloo leadership team. From our first conversation, I knew I’d found something special. A team-oriented business where leaders are expected to inspire and help others grow, values I developed and refined in the Navy. And the 10% discount for military veterans was an additional sign that they respect and support those who have served.
Today, I’m proud to be one of Waterloo Turf’s founding franchisees. I run my business with the same discipline used in the Navy, and my days are a constant mix of challenges. One hour I’m managing ad campaigns and community outreach, the next I’m streamlining business operations. I handle sales pitches, estimates, materials orders, on-site project management, crew leadership, quality control, and accounting. In the military, you don’t have one job; you have twenty, which is why I now thrive in my ever-changing day-to-day.
After serving, I wanted a new mission. Something that demanded the same focus and discipline, and business ownership delivered that. The situations are different, but the mindset is the same: control what you can, adapt to what you can’t, and keep moving forward no matter the conditions. That’s how I operated in uniform, and that’s how I run my business now. I push my team to have this same mindset so that together we can gain new levels of success.
Growing a multi-million-dollar business from scratch isn’t easy, but with the right people, the right system, and the right mindset, it can be done. That’s what I’m building here in Houston, Texas. The same skills I used to build bases, keep missions on track, and lead teams in the world’s most challenging environments are the ones I use to grow my business every day. The mission may be different now, but my drive to succeed hasn’t changed one bit.