Exec suite: Jason Merz, Melville

So how has Franz Kafka, the early 20th-century author, influenced Jason C. Merz's career?

For one thing, Merz says, when he was a freshman psychology major at Adelphi University, the class was called on to read Kafka's most famous work, "The Metamorphosis."

"The story had always stuck with me, as it suggests that we shouldn't work like bugs for others, leaving little time for ourselves," says Merz, 35, "and instead work for ourselves with dignity and pride in what we do."

After graduation, Merz went to work for a landscape maintenance firm and, in time, looked to start a business more design-oriented.

The book's title, which can be defined as a change in form, "conveniently makes for a great landscape design company name, as we literally change our clients' landscapes," he says. "[And] we wanted people to lose the image of a local grass cutter." 

Big "wow" factor for your business:
"A cutting-edge design technology that allows our clients to visualize their projects in a virtual reality design program. . . . to ensure [they] are comfortable with and are able to 'see' the vision that we have created for them, before any construction." 

Biggest challenge, apart from the economy:
"Trying to balance a constant need to be the head of the company, be there for all our clients, and yet keep a stable home life." 

Emerging trend in your industry:
All things "green," he says: "such as not wasting rainwater, yet harvesting it and recycling it to be used in our irrigation systems. Also, using permeable paving stones within our design for driveways and parking lots to control water runoff, which will reduce the need for water and pesticides. Also, switching our outdoor lighting to using LED lights has greatly lowered the need for electricity." 

How psychology studies have helped:
Besides his being able to better read people's emotional reactions, he says, "color also has a lot to do with psychology. Yellow is the first color our eye processes, so we like to have bits of yellow in our plantings to give that initial pop upon first glance." 

Most recent book read: 
"I've read just about everything there is to know about the great Vince Lombardi and also just finished 'Irish Thunder: The Hard Life and Times of Micky Ward' about the life of a troubled boxer who rose to be a champion." 

Most fun workplace perk:
"The biggest perk, now that my wife and I recently had our first child, is to make my own hours to get to spend some more time with my family." 

First thing you'd grab if a fire alarm went off in your office:
"My cell phone. Hands down."

CORPORATE SNAPSHOT
Name. Jason C. Merz, president and owner.
Company. Metamorphosis Landscape Design Ltd., Melville.
What they do. "Create spaces for people to take their minds off the daily grind. People come to us to recreate that resort they went to last year, or design a garden like they had growing up as a child. "
Revenue. Over $2 million.
Year-round staff. Five, in roles such as office manager, project manager, design.
Seasonal staff.  15 to 20, in roles such as bricklayer, carpenter, planting design, laborer.