Crooked Stripes Podcast

In this episode, Brandon and Cole discuss the importance of staying healthy in the trades, including tips on nutrition, exercise, and injury prevention, as well as insights into trading jobs and the value of proper body care. In this episode, Brandon and Cole dive into the challenges faced by small businesses, infrastructure issues, and the importance of quick lead response in the landscaping indu...

Episode 110 is in the books. Kyle's back and we cover a lot of ground, a truck written off by a mouse, men's mental health, the Waterloo Region water crisis, World Cup turf, and a lawn bylaw documentary that somehow won two awards. June is Men's Mental Health Month and we thought it was worth an honest conversation. Not preachy, just two guys in the trades talking about what actually h...

This one's extra special.. Kyle is out in the field so it's just me and a guy I've been wanting to get on for a while. Rocky Reynolds, former sales manager at Senix, has officially made the leap and started his own lawn and pressure washing business out in Mooresville, North Carolina. Love to see it. We kick things off by dedicating this episode to Kyle Busch and the entire RCR family....

This one's a proper solo catch-up, no guests, no script, just Brandon getting into it. A busy spring, some wins, some headaches, and a local issue that deserves way more attention than it's getting. We get into the Canadian Tire promo collab (a goal from day one, now becoming real), picking up the sprayer, and what a wild start to the season has actually looked like on the ground. Plus a r...

This one’s just us getting back to basics..no big agenda, no overthinking it. Just a real catch-up on life, work, and everything that comes with a busy spring season. We talk about what the past few weeks have looked like, how things are ramping up, and the reality of trying to keep up when everything hits at once. From long days to juggling jobs, content, and life outside of work—it’s all part of...

This week, Brandon is joined by Ezra McCarthy from Green Frog Web Design for a marketing-focused conversation all about turning your online presence into real customers. Ezra breaks down what goes into building a high-converting website, what most service businesses are doing wrong online, and how small changes can make a big difference when it comes to getting leads. The guys also talk through th...

In this solo episode, Brandon sits down during a spring snowstorm (yep… fake spring is in full effect) to talk about what’s really happening in the landscaping industry right now—and how to adapt. After speaking with multiple contractors, one thing is clear: this season may be slower, and those big-ticket projects are getting harder to land. But instead of panicking, it’s time to pivot. This episo...

This week, Brandon and Kyle are joined by Kenny Cooper and Kyle Breiner for a laid-back conversation that covers everything from NASCAR trips and late-night White Castle runs to building a standout lawn and growing on social media. Kenny shares what his day-to-day looks like outside of lawn care, how he balances a full-time job with content creation, and what’s been working for him online. The guy...

Episode 103 kicks off with Brandon and Kyle officially stepping into the spring rush…well, almost. While Kyle is already starting cleanups and gearing up for mowing season, Brandon is still shaking off the last bit of winter up north. The guys dive into what a solid spring cleanup actually looks like from edging, pruning, and mulching to dealing with leftover winter debris. They also swap notes on...

In Episode 102, Brandon welcomes back returning guest Cole Martin (from Episode 99) for a conversation about where the landscaping industry is heading and what the next generation of landscapers should be paying attention to. With Kyle busy trying to sell a mower, Brandon and Cole dive into 2026 landscape trends , lessons from the field, and how young landscapers can set themselves up for success....

In Episode 101, Kyle and Brandon shift from winter mode into spring prep. With warmer weather ahead, they talk about melting snow, lining up cleanup jobs, and getting ready for a busy season. Kyle shares updates from starting a few weeks earlier, including community cleanups and what properties really look like once winter fades. Brandon discusses scheduling commercial work, kicking off with a gol...

Episode 100 of Crooked Stripes is a big one. We’re joined by Ken Morris and Trevor Spencer for a Ferris Factory team conversation packed with business growth talk, equipment insights, marketing strategies, and what’s ahead in the lawn care industry. We dive into how Ferris has been a game changer for our businesses, Ken’s upcoming move to Montana to expand operations, EXPO heading to Florida in 20...

In this episode, Brandon Brubacher hosts Cole Martin from Tri Green Landscape Group. They discuss Cole's journey in the landscaping industry, from starting his own business to joining Tri Green. The conversation covers the importance of design, professionalism, and branding in landscaping, as well as the challenges of winter work and snow removal. They also reflect on their high school days an...

It’s just Brandon and Kyle on this one .. no guests, no script, just real shop talk. The guys break down recent storms, plowing chaos, and what it’s actually like being out all night moving snow. Kyle recaps a big storm he just went through, while Brandon talks about getting back out plowing since the last episode and what those nights teach you about patience, logistics, clients, and pricing. The...

In this episode, Kyle shares his incredible journey to Australia, where he collaborated with Nathan Lawns and Gardens on community cleanups while also exploring the local culture and landscapes. The conversation delves into the challenges of travel, the importance of community service in landscaping, and preparations for the upcoming busy season. Kyle reflects on the lessons learned during his tri...

In this episode of the Crooked Stripes podcast, Brandon Brubacher reflects on his experiences at the World Junior Hockey Championships, discusses the state of Canadian hockey culture, and shares insights on youth hockey development. He also touches on his travel experiences, airport operations, and industry insights related to equipment. The episode concludes with thoughts on future plans and the...

In this episode, Brandon and Kyle reflect on the whirlwind year of 2025, discussing their experiences in the landscaping business, the challenges they faced, and their plans for the upcoming year. They share insights on personal growth, balancing work with family life, and the importance of community engagement. The conversation also touches on sports, particularly the World Junior Hockey Champion...

In this episode, Brandon and Kyle discuss the challenges and successes of their businesses over the past year, focusing on productivity during winter, the importance of smart spending on equipment, and the role of social media in business growth. They reflect on operational efficiency, maintenance for the upcoming spring season, and the significance of community opportunities. The conversation als...

In this episode, Brandon and Kyle discuss their recent experiences in Florida, the challenges of winter preparations, and the importance of taking care of their bodies as landscapers. They share insights on health, nutrition, and energy management, including the benefits of fasting. The conversation also touches on business strategies for the upcoming year, emphasizing the need to improve efficien...

In this episode, Brandon and Kyle discuss the challenges of winter weather, their experiences in Florida, and the importance of efficient landscaping equipment. They also share insights from Brandon's refereeing in hockey, the significance of sports rivalries, and their future business plans. Takeaways: Winter weather can be challenging for landscaping businesses. Efficient equipment like the...

In this episode of The Crooked Stripes, hosts Brandon Brubacher and Kyle Breiner discuss Kyle's extensive journey in the landscaping industry, starting from his teenage years to becoming a successful business owner. They explore the challenges and rewards of running a landscaping business, the importance of quality work, and the satisfaction that comes from transforming outdoor spaces. The con...

In this milestone 90th episode, Brandon and Kyle sit down with Trevor Spencer — the mountain man behind Montana Mountain Made . The crew recaps their wild week at the Equip Expo in Kentucky , where they teamed up for the Stripe Life Truck giveaway . Trevor shares how he went from butcher to business owner, building his brand in the heart of Montana. They dig into the challenges of working where Ye...

In this episode, Brandon Brubacher and Kyle Breiner discuss their experiences at the Equip Expo, including meeting industry peers, testing new equipment, and the excitement of giveaways. They share insights on the importance of networking, the challenges of running a lawn care business, and the camaraderie within the industry. The conversation also touches on personal anecdotes and future plans fo...

We made it to Kentucky, Kyle Breiner and Brandon Brubacher walk around the expo bringing you along the way. Stripe Life gives away their 5th truck. The conversation revolves around the Senix giveaway event at the Equip Expo, featuring interviews with young entrepreneurs, discussions on innovations in lawn care equipment, and the importance of community and networking within the industry. The excit...

In this engaging conversation, Brandon Brubacher and Ken Morris discuss the upcoming expo, the excitement surrounding giveaways, and the behind-the-scenes efforts that go into organizing such events. They delve into the evolution of the Stripe Life brand, the importance of community and connection in the lawn care industry, and share tips for first-time attendees. The conversation highlights the s...