How Marco Polo helped a tree service grow faster, work safer, and build trust without ever meeting clients face to face

The answer came from an unexpected place: Marco Polo, which Chris had originally used with friends. What started as a casual tool quickly became the backbone of his business—a simple yet powerful platform that let him close deals faster, ensure crew safety remotely, and create a culture of transparency, connection, and care.

"Efficiency and clarity — that’s the business value. I can communicate everything with no confusion, and they can revisit it if needed. Less mistakes, more autonomy."

Chris Moore, HingePoint Tree Service

A valley apart, but always in touch

HingePoint Tree Service operates in a 50-mile stretch of rural terrain with no guarantee of 5G. Most clients are second-homeowners who live more than 200 miles away and spend limited time in the area. Traditional communication — phone calls, texts, and in-person meetings—just didn’t cut it. Chris needed something better, more connected.

"Marco Polo became the bridge. It let me show people what I was seeing and thinking—without having to wait for them to show up. There's a lot of trust that I gain from clients by being just totally myself on their job site... it instantly sets our line of communication to be honest."

Early on, Chris used Marco Polo to walk through job sites, recording detailed videos for clients, team members, and even himself. These videos—raw, conversational, and

totally unscripted—helped clients not just know him, but visualize his recommendations. It also accelerated the crew's understanding of job specifics, and allowed Chris to ensure accuracy with key details for proposals. 

"It's not just communication. It's efficiency. It's clarity. It's trust. I'm running a high-touch business in a low-touch environment. And it's working."

Closing deals in 24 hours--with zero in-person meetings

One of Chris’s earliest jobs—on a sprawling 10-acre property—was a make-or-break moment. He had just bought equipment, taken out loans, and needed to land a big contract fast. The client, an out-of-towner, wasn’t planning to visit for weeks. Chris didn’t have that kind of time. 

So, he walked the site, talked through the project on Marco Polo, and sent the video. The client responded with a simple thumbs-up. 

“I’ve never met him in person, but that job gave us three weeks of work, right when we needed it. It bought us the runway to grow.” 

With Marco Polo, Chris routinely closes bids within 24 hours—unheard of in an industry where scheduling delays are the norm. 

“Everyone else is waiting for the weekend to meet clients. I’m already booked and moving on to the next job.” 

A culture of safety and trust

With an on-the-job fatality rate that is more than 5x the United States national average, tree service is one of the most dangerous professions in America. When teams are performing high-risk climbs and operating heavy equipment, Chris knows that communication isn’t just helpful—it’s lifesaving. 

“Psychological safety is critical. My biggest fear is someone getting hurt. Marco Polo helps me set a tone of honesty. If someone feels unsafe or unsure, I want them to tell me immediately — and they do.” 

Even though some of Chris’s crew members are introverted, former Forest Service guys who aren’t big on tech, Marco Polo still works. They watch videos, give simple reactions, and know their boss is present, engaged, and transparent. 

“Even if I’m not on site, they see what I’m doing all day. They see I’m hustling, getting them work. That builds trust.” 

More than a tool--a philosophy

Marco Polo didn’t just help Chris build a business. It helped him build relationships with clients, employees, and friends. 

“I have three of my closest friendships today because of this app. It’s weird—it’s kind of unnatural how close you can get. But it’s meaningful.” 

And for Chris, that’s what business is really about.

Why it works: The business case

"Marco Polo is my unfair advantage."

In an industry with razor-thin margins and sky-high risk, Marco Polo helps HingePoint Tree Service: 

● Close deals faster by providing immediate, personalized, visual walkthroughs 

● Improve operational efficiency by cutting down on repeat site visits and streamlining crew coordination 

● Boost client satisfaction by increasing clarity and reducing miscommunication ● Enhance safety by creating a culture of open, honest dialogue 

● Scale the business by building strong relationships without relying on face-to-face meetings 

Chris is not alone in his satisfaction with Marco Polo – 93% of Marco Polo Pro users say Marco Polo has improved openness, idea generation, and problem-solving in their teams..