Green Side Up

This episode of the Green Side Up podcast features Adam Fullerton, founder of Branded Bull, a branding and marketing agency. Adam discusses the importance of branding for businesses and how to establish a memorable brand identity. He talks about developing logos, websites, and graphic design that represent your business values and solutions. Listeners will learn how to position their company as a...

This episode of the Greenside Up podcast features Ian Wogan of Treesources, a vertically integrated green infrastructure firm that specializes in tree preservation and relocation. Ian discusses the complex process of preparing trees for transplant, including root pruning, irrigation, and using growth regulators. He shares stories of large tree moves, including a 63-inch live oak. Ian talks about t...

Jordan and Jason discuss adventures in Texas, balancing work and play on vacation. They prepare for an upcoming trade show, at the Trees Florida Conference, by planning podcast interviews and giveaways. The friends get personal, discussing health checks, soil amendments, and a new Flexi-Pave installation project. Jordan shares his forestry mowing job and invasive plant control challenges. Jason pl...

This episode of the Green Side Up podcast features Tom from Sherwood Tree Service as a guest. Tom discusses how he got started in the tree industry after moving to the US from England over 20 years ago. He talks about his experience owning and operating Sherwood Tree Service in Tampa, and the transition he has made towards focusing more on palm tree treatment and care. Tom also shares stories abou...

This episode of the Green Side Up podcast discusses workers' compensation insurance in depth with guest Kian Ostovar from Work Comp Specialists. Kian provides an overview of how work comp rates are calculated in Florida and explains options like employee leasing programs. Listeners learn about classification codes, experience modifiers, dividends, and more. The conversation also addresses a costly...

Eric "The Pond Digger" Triplet shares his journey of growing a passion-driven pond business over 35+ years. Starting from aquarium maintenance, Eric evolved his one-man operation into a diversified business installing water features and manufacturing products. He discusses rapid early growth installing over 100 ponds annually, then diversifying services in 2008. Eric also details private labeling...

This episode of the Green Side Up podcast features Jordan and Jason discussing all things equipment used in their landscape and tree businesses. They talk about the two-cycle equipment they use like chainsaws, blowers, and trimmers. They also discuss the brands and models of lawnmowers in their fleet. Jordan and Jason share details about the lifts, compact utility loaders and trucks they rely on....

This episode of the Greenside Up Podcast explores balancing work and life as an entrepreneur. Jordan shares how he gave responsibility to employees while taking his family on vacation. He also discusses managing a forestry project remotely. The episode then dives into the highs and lows of business ownership. Jordan details receiving an award but unexpectedly losing a major contract. Practical str...

This episode features Cody Stickle of RevHike as he discusses the company's sales process for green industry businesses. Cody explains how RevHike handles lawn care, landscaping, and tree service leads over the phone, focusing on understanding customers to provide customized solutions. Jason and Jordan are impressed by RevHike's ability to eliminate overhead costs associated with sales staff throu...

On this episode of the Green Sideup Podcast, Jordan and Jason discuss recent challenges and successes in their businesses. Jordan talks about dealing with a difficult city code enforcement situation over a customer's tree. He also had equipment issues on a job that caused delays. Jason worked on installing an intricate labyrinth paver kit and discussed how his biggest competitor directly poached e...

Old Friends, New Beginnings - Jordan and Jason reunite on the podcast to share the story of how their friendship and landscape businesses began while in college at the University of Florida over 15 years ago. They discuss how they met through a mutual friend, bonded over their hard work ethic, and decided to live together in Alachua where they started Skyfrog Landscape and Independent Landscape fr...

This episode of Green Side Up features a recap of the Florida Chapter International Society of Arboriculture tree climbing competition. Jordan Upcavage and Nick Myers are joined by competitor Colin Kelly. They discuss techniques, mistakes, and close calls from the competition. Colin also shares advice for new climbers and businesses. Tips include getting involved with your local ISA chapter, focus...

Join Jason and Jordan at the Florida ISA Tree Climbing Competition as they provide play-by-play commentary of the Masters challenge event. Hear from Nick Meyers, chair of the competition, as he walks through the scoring and setup. Get an inside look at the techniques of climbers Taylor Pansetti and Colin Kelly as they navigate the challenging course. For landscape and tree care entrepreneurs, this...

This episode features Trey Rolquin as a guest. Trey shares about his career in commercial landscape maintenance and how he focuses on building relationships with clients. He discusses the challenges of staffing crews and dealing with rising costs. Trey also provides advice to Jordan and Jason about opportunities in the commercial landscape industry and how to find and maintain large commercial cli...

Jason and Jordan discuss the fire that destroyed SkyFrog Landscape's shop in August 2021. Jason details the events leading up to the fire, including issues with improper pricing, high employee turnover, and a toxic second-in-command. He then walks through the night of the fire and the aftermath, including discovering it was arson. Jason shares lessons learned around insurance and reviews. Connect...

This episode of Greenside Up Podcast features a discussion about using social media for landscaping businesses. Chris from BeaterMowersLife shares his experience growing an Instagram community and hosting a "Mowing Madness" lawn care competition. Jordan expresses his disinterest in social media but learns tips for getting started. The hosts also cover annual lawn care competitions, building client...

This episode covers strategies for increasing commercial tree and landscaping sales, with a focus on building relationships with property managers. The speakers discuss topics like networking groups, generating commercial leads, dealing with managers who ghost clients, and educating clients. Sales tactics like food deliveries and taking clients to lunch are also covered. Key takeaways include the...

This episode provides an overview of Jordan and Jason's recent jobs and organizational involvement. Jordan shares his experience trying field work, finding it insightful yet challenging to balance with reports. He secured large contracts for tree pruning, plant healthcare, and irrigation. Jason and Jordan discuss renewing involvement with their local ISA chapter. They cover proper crape myrtle pru...

This Green Side Up episode discusses company culture with Jordan Upcavage and Jason Lee. Jordan focuses on work ethic over slogans at Independent Tree Service, emphasizing slow hiring and understanding. He notes complete closures for August and Christmas vacations. Jason agrees on early culture-setting at Sky Frog Landscape, using exercises to define values and mission. He cites cooking for morale...

In this episode, the hosts discuss various challenges facing landscape businesses. They begin by describing an incident of check fraud where checks were stolen from outgoing mail and forged. This leads to a discussion about securing business mail and preventing similar thefts. Next, the frequent problem of license plates going missing from equipment due to damage is covered. Solutions tried by the...

In this episode, Jordan and Jason sit down with Jerry Upcavage to discuss the origins of Independent Tree Service. Jerry shares how he got into landscaping and transitioned his focus to tree work. He describes dangerous early climbing experiences and hiring professional climbers. Jerry also discusses the challenges of a one-man operation and reinvesting profits into equipment. Jordan and Jason lea...

The conversation continues with John Furlong. The guys dive deeper into the nitty gritty of everyday business. Topics include cigarettes and weed, GPS and dashcams, clear communication, and customer education. John lays out the groundwork for 'The White Collar Tradesmen' concept and the importance of the service industry. Connect with the guys at: greensideuppodcast@gmail.com   https://www.instagr...

In this episode, Jason and Jordan are joined by Johnny the Plumber.  John Furlong is a manager for a multi-trade service company.  The guys cover a wide array of topics including plumbing, marketing, customer service, branding, and more.  Just remember there is no such thing as a flushable wipe!   Connect with the guys at: greensideuppodcast@gmail.com   https://www.instagram.com/greensideuppodcast...

This week, Jason and Jordan kick off their new podcast by introducing themselves and the goals of the show. They discuss bridging the gap between the landscape and tree care industries through collaboration and referrals. The hosts also dive into their backgrounds and how they got started in the green industries. Jason shares growing up in a cut foliage operation and Jordan talks about helping out...