Owners of The Synthetic Grass Store, LLC, Bonnie and Stephen Mull (left and center), along with Stephen’s business partner and co-owner of Arizona Turf Masters, Doug Porter.

An intricate-cut design in the courtyard of a property in Desert Hills, Arizona, created with The Synthetic Grass Store LLC’s Daytona turf.

As most great company origin stories begin, co-owner of The Synthetic Grass Store, LLC Bonnie Mull says, “It’s kind of a funny story.” She continues, “It all started because of bunny rabbits.”

A Synthetic Grass Solution

Tired of bunnies eating the grass, plants and drip system at his home in Northern Phoenix, Bonnie’s husband, Stephen Mull, began searching for a solution. During his search, Stephen was introduced to the world of artificial grass. Not only would artificial grass provide a bunny-proof solution, but it would also allow the Mull’s landscaping to remain green year-round despite their home’s desert location.

However, after making just a few calls, it became clear that there was a need in Arizona for more synthetic-grass installation companies. All the companies that Stephen contacted said it would be weeks before they could make it to his home for an installation.

Determined to fill the service gap, Stephen approached his friend Doug Porter and asked if he’d be willing to start a synthetic-lawn installation business. Stephen lacked any prior experience in the industry, but he figured his finance background coupled with Doug’s hands-on experience as a foreman and manager would prove sufficient to start a company. In 2006, Stephen and Doug installed their first synthetic lawn in Phoenix, marking the beginning of Turf Masters LLC (doing business as Arizona Turf Masters).

A New Problem

For two years, Stephen and Doug worked tirelessly to establish Arizona Turf Masters as a key player in the local synthetic-lawn installation industry, designing and executing some of the most advanced and realistic lawns in Arizona. However, in 2008, Stephen became consumed by a newly identified problem.

“It wasn’t long before the inefficiencies of the industry became apparent,” Stephen says. “There was no one place that general contractors, landscape architects and installation crews could go to purchase all the materials necessary for a landscape installation.” Stephen explains that before arriving at a project site, it was necessary first to drive all across the valley to compile the required materials—wholesale grass, rental equipment, tools, nails, glue and more.

Thus, Stephen again spearheaded the change he wanted to see—this time with Bonnie by his side. During discussions regarding how to house all the materials in one location without competing with the other installation companies, Bonnie joined forces with Stephen to create yet another solution—The Synthetic Grass Store.

“Stephen and I have backgrounds in finance and real estate, so the concept of artificial grass was quite foreign initially,” reflects Bonnie. “However, it was so exciting to learn each job from the ground up and to see that our idea was actually working. Each new customer—big or small—was an achievement worth celebrating.”

Everything Under One Roof

The Synthetic Grass Store was Arizona’s first, true superstore for wholesale grass, materials, tools and rental equipment. Through The Synthetic Grass store, Stephen and Bonnie simplified the buying process for customers ranging from seasoned landscape architects and general contractors to pool builders and do-it yourselfers. “We became like The Home Depot of synthetic grass,” says Bonnie. “Our customers can get everything they need under one roof.”

In addition to carrying in stock one of the largest selections of grasses, The Synthetic Grass Store also carries the proper infill materials and tools. If The Synthetic Grass Store doesn’t have what a customer needs to create custom turf, the team will place special orders.

It’s no wonder The Synthetic Grass Store has been trusted to provide turf for the “snowy mountain” for the Cleveland Indians Snow Days at Progressive Field, an outdoor playground at the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust day care center, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and a soccer field at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Florence Correctional Center detention facility.

The Synthetic Grass Store’s products are pet-approved, too. Bonnie says the company provided turf for the Animal Medical & Surgical Center in North Scottsdale and the Phoenix Herpetological Society in Scottsdale. The company has also donated to a number of animal rescue shelters in Phoenix and Tucson. In fact, customers are encouraged to bring their pets to a Synthetic Grass Store showroom—or to take home a square of turf for their pets to experience. “Nine times out of 10, we receive a call from a pet owner saying, ‘Our dog loves it!’” Bonnie says. “Or, we receive a photo of a dog rolling around on one of our 2-by-3-square-foot scraps of turf.”

Making Landscape Dreams Come True

As is recommended on The Synthetic Grass Store website, “Let the Synthetic Grass Store help you find the right products and Arizona Turf Masters will make your dreams a reality.” Using products from The Synthetic Grass Store, Arizona Turf Masters has designed and installed custom installations of all sizes and dimensions for both residential and commercial properties on a variety of terrains. Yard, putting green, dog run, batting cage, rooftop deck or football field—the two companies have a proven track record of partnering to create beautiful, functional, cost-effective and maintenance-free spaces for property owners.

Both Arizona Turf Masters and The Synthetic Grass Store have grown exponentially since their humble beginnings in 2006 and 2008, respectively. “So many things have changed in the last 13 years,” Bonnie says. “When The Synthetic Grass Store opened, it was just Stephen and me, and we did everything—we sold grass, rang up customers, loaded vehicles and drove forklifts.”

Today, Arizona Turf Masters installs turf throughout Arizona, and The Synthetic Grass Store has opened five new locations for a total of six—four in Arizona and two in California—each with a 60,000-square-foot showroom and the ability to ship its products nationwide. The two companies employ about 50 people, and in 2018, both companies appeared on the Ranking Arizona list of the Top 10 synthetic lawns and putting greens in Arizona; The Synthetic Grass Store ranked second and Arizona Turf Masters seventh.

A Customer First

Stephen attributes the successes of Arizona Turf Masters and The Synthetic Grass Store to “starting small, growing with integrity and always being dedicated to our customers.”

While Stephen’s roles as boss and co-owner of two companies are important, he is most proud to be a customer. Before co-founding Arizona Turf Masters, Stephen was a synthetic grass customer and entered the industry only after deciding synthetic grass is a product he would be proud to sell. Stephen remains personally committed to each customer and is dedicated to doing what he can to help grow and make his businesses more efficient.

“We believe we are in business with our customers,” Stephen says. “Our contractors and end users depend on our products performing to their expectations, so we ensure we carry products of the highest quality that are curated based on our customers’ needs.”

Stephen and Bonnie’s dedication to their customers hasn’t gone unnoticed. “I’m amazed at how many different ways customers express their appreciation for what we have done,” Stephen says.

It’s common for Arizona Turf Masters and The Synthetic Grass Store to receive between 20 and 40 positive online reviews per month. Such reviews are so highly regarded by Stephen and Bonnie that each month they compile and distribute them to their employees. “They make us feel good about the companies we work for and are a reminder for everyone part of the team that what they are doing is important to somebody,” Bonnie says.

A Focus on Fun

In addition to providing high-quality products and exceptional customer service, Stephen and Bonnie are dedicated to creating an enjoyable company culture. Perhaps the most noteworthy result of this effort is a custom line of T-shirts that include humorous grass puns on the front: “Fake or real? Artificial grass looks and feels so natural it is hard to tell,” “Support your local grass dealer,” “Make Arizona Green Again” and “Got grass?”

From Bonnie’s perspective, “Having fun with what you do every day makes all the difference.”

With Stephen and Bonnie at your service, it’s safe to assume that the assurance offered on another company T-shirt is correct: “It’s OK to fire your lawnmower.”