Today we’d like to introduce you to Casey Graves.
Hi Casey, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started Drainscapes in approximately 2009 to primarily serve residential storm water needs. Since that time, municipal codes have intensely focused the importance of flooding due to development and urbanization in both heavily populated and rural areas. Indeed, we all have come to understand the importance of Storm Water Management with increased flooding events. Drainscapes now specializes in commercial, neighborhoods, and some residential markets with emphasis on BMPs (best management practices). BMPs are related to all of the storm water facilities built across our area to facilitate the runoff created in storm events. They help prevent flooding, clean the rainwater, and allow existing storm sewer systems to keep up. Drainscapes stewards many of these BMP facilities to ensure that they continue to operate as designed. It’s a great need for our community and environment.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
We sold a prior company three years ago to free our resources to grow our main business. The buyer of that company ran the entity into the ground in less than 18 months. That hurt because of all the time, effort, and sacrifice we exerted to build that company. It didn’t truely affect our current company, but was painful irregardless. We just wish that buyer had listened to our advise instead of “thinking he knew best”.
Our 18 year old nephew Hunter was passenger in a terrible car accident in March of 2025. He is now paralyzed and on a breathing machine. My wife, a friend, and I established “Hunter Strong” as a non-profit organization for him to support his journey. It has helped, but we pray it will further support him as he continues to fight for healing. (There was a decent amount of media coverage for him in 2025). Our community was awesome and incredibly supportive.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Our company, Drainscapes, has the unique ability to offer Storm Water Facility Compliance (BMPs) using our own staff, equipment, and resources with minimal (if any) subcontracting allowing more competitive pricing. Secondly, Drainscapes strives to offer these services without “gift wrapped” markups, thus lowering final costs to the client. We have an extremely informative website that can be of great use for residential, commercial, and institutional clients in need of Storm Water Management. We are a locally owned and operated firm with passion for Storm Water, Jesus, our community, and the environment.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love St Louis history, nostalgia, and culture. From toasted ravioli to baseball fanatics to “highway farty-far”. It’s one of a kind! I dislike the disadvantages of inner-city families (especially kids) with lack of public school resources. I also dislike the business environment that seems to lack attracting businesses to St Louis City proper. Corporations seem to dodge St Louis? Not sure into why, but it’s very apparent.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.drainscapes.com
