Green Profit Academy Pros Podcast

Join Steve Bousquet as he visits Eastlake, Ohio, for his first on-site episode of the Green Profit Academy Pro Podcast with lawn care legend Don Zerby of EcoLawn. Don shares his incredible 48-year journey in the industry, starting from humble beginnings mowing lawns with a 10-speed bike, to leading a team of 18 and serving nearly 3,000 customers. The conversation dives into the power of mentorship...

This week, host Steve Bousquet dives deep into the pivotal role of mindset during the most challenging stretch in the green industry—the notorious “100 Days of Hell.” As business owners battle burnout, overwhelm, and constant change, Steve introduces practical tools like the Choice Map by Dr. Marilee Adams, which helps leaders and teams shift from a victim mentality to a proactive, learner mindset...

In this episode, Christeen Era is joined by CPA and tax strategist Mary Pierce for an insightful deep dive into the concept of "basis"—a critical but often overlooked topic for business owners. Mary breaks down what basis really is, how it affects S corporation owners, and why understanding your basis can save you from unnecessary taxes and frustration. Drawing from her extensive experie...

In this insightful episode, Steve Bousquet welcomes special guest Chris Snyder, an expert in customer relationship-building and marketing, to discuss the pivotal role of fostering long-term connections with clients. Chris shares valuable lessons from his experience at Walgreens and his consulting firm, emphasizing the need for businesses to move beyond transactional interactions and focus on creat...

In this episode, Christeen Era and Steve Bousquet dive into actionable strategies and insights to help you unlock your business's potential. They discuss the importance of leveraging data-driven decision-making, overcoming operational bottlenecks, and building a resilient mindset as a business owner. Christeen and Steve explore real-world examples, share their personal experiences, and provid...

In this episode, Steve Bousquet navigates through the concept of "cracks and crevices" within a business, using his own experiences from his lawn care and landscaping company to provide actionable advice for growth and stability. Steve delves into critical operational areas like marketing, sales, deliverables, finances, and people, emphasizing the importance of preparation and proactive...

In this episode, Steve Bousquet is joined by long-time friend and industry pioneer, John Huber , to discuss four decades of navigating the ever-evolving green industry. From his work formulating environmentally sustainable products, like the innovative Hudson Valley Natural line, to emphasizing patience, persistence, and passion, John shares invaluable lessons on creating a balanced approach to wo...

In this unique episode, Christeen Era and Steve Bousquet step away from traditional business discussions and dive into the power of books and learning for personal and professional growth. They explore recent reads, including Mel Robbins' Let Them and Don Miguel Ruiz’s The Four Agreements , offering actionable insights on boundaries, assumptions, effective communication, and building healthie...

-In this episode, Christeen Era and Steve Bousquet delve into the often-overlooked yet pivotal process of on-boarding. They unpack why on-boarding truly sets the tone for employee retention, team cohesion, and business success. From pre-boarding strategies to first-day checklists and structured post-hire touch points, they emphasize the importance of creating a welcoming, inclusive, and intentiona...

In this episode, Christeen Era and Steve Bousquet tackle one of the most critical challenges for any business owner – hiring the right team and knowing when to let go. They share actionable insights on how to attract top talent, conduct effective interviews, and implement working interviews to ensure a great fit for your company culture. Christeen and Steve explain the importance of offering compe...

In this episode, Christeen Era and Steve Bousquet provide actionable tips to ensure your business starts the 2025 season on the right foot. From effective marketing techniques like leveraging truck signage, QR codes, and social media, to utilizing platforms such as Google Business Profile to attract more clients, Christeen and Steve cover it all. They also delve into the importance of clear and co...

In this solo episode of the podcast, host Steve Bousquet dives into the themes of “Roar, Review, Rant, and Revere” while sharing insights from his 42 years of experience in the lawn care and landscaping business. Steve reflects on his company's preseason preparations, including setting ambitious goals, conducting extensive team training, and fostering a growth mindset among his staff. He emph...

In this episode, Steve and Christeen dive deep into the critical topic of pricing strategy and how it can significantly impact the profitability and sustainability of your business. They discuss the essential components every business owner must consider, including labor, equipment costs, material markup, and overhead. Christeen emphasizes the importance of understanding utilization rates, seasona...

In this episode, Steve Bousquet is joined by long-time friend and peer, Bob Tunzi of Tunzi and Sons Landscaping, to discuss Bob’s over 30 years of experience in the landscaping industry. From starting his business in the early 1990s after a career change to completing $200,000+ outdoor living projects, Bob shares his journey of growth, challenges, and valuable lessons learned along the way. They d...

In this episode, Steve Bousquet and Christeen Era take a deep dive into an often-overlooked aspect of business success—managing overhead costs. They break down the distinction between direct costs and overhead, explaining how expenses like rent, utilities, administrative salaries, and loan payments can impact your bottom line. With actionable insights, they outline the symptoms of overhead issues,...

In this episode, Steve Bousquet and Christeen Era delve into the power of benchmarking as a tool to drive business success. They break down the concept of benchmarking, its significance, and how it can be utilized to measure performance against industry standards, identify gaps, and foster continuous improvement. From tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) like gross profit margins, sales per...

In this milestone 100th episode, Steve Bousquet and Christeen Era reflect on the journey that brought them here, sharing their most valuable lessons and takeaways from years of entrepreneurship, coaching, and hosting 99 prior episodes. From the challenges of hiring and onboarding to the power of proper delegation, time management, and strategic planning, they dive into the practical insights that...

In this episode of the Green Profit Academy Pro's podcast, host Steve sits down with Rick Wallace, an accomplished entrepreneur running a thriving lawn care business. Rick shares his inspiring journey from starting at age 12 with a push mower to growing his lawn care company to over 8,000 clients, with locations in Georgia and Florida. Together, Steve and Rick dive into the challenges and suc...

In this episode, Steve and Christeen discuss the top five ways small business owners can increase profitability in 2025. They dive into actionable strategies, including how to effectively raise your prices, stop offering low-profit services, and improve your estimating processes. Christeen shares insights on the importance of understanding costs, setting expectations for your team, and avoiding co...

In this episode, host Christeen Era delves into the critical importance of planning and goal setting for achieving business success in today's fast-paced environment. She unpacks the concept of strategic planning and its role in efficiently allocating resources and aligning efforts towards long-term sustainability and growth. Christeen emphasizes the significance of setting clear objectives t...

In this episode, Christeen Era delves into the intricacies of maximizing the sales price of your business, a pivotal concern for any entrepreneur contemplating the sale of their company. Joined by Jim Parker, renowned as the "Lawn Boss" and a seasoned expert in the lawn care industry, they explore the nuances of preparing a business for market, from understanding the critical difference...

Join Christeen Era and Steve Bousquet in this engaging episode as they explore one of Steve's favorite business topics: the Five Functions of Business. As we step into 2025, they delve into how understanding these core functions—Marketing, Sales, Deliverables, Money, and People—can transform the clarity and ease of business operations across industries. Learn how each function contributes to...

Join Steve Bousquet and Christeen Era as they explore the transformative power of Gallup Strengths in both personal and professional settings. As we approach the start of a new year, this episode offers valuable insights into how identifying and leveraging individual strengths can lead to enhanced leadership skills, improved team dynamics, and increased business profitability. Steve shares his per...

In this engaging episode, Christeen Era and Steve Bousquet explore the "Retention Revolution" and discuss how to craft organizational cultures that truly stick. They delve into the critical importance of employee retention, sharing personal experiences and insights on creating a work environment that not only attracts but retains top talent. Christeen highlights how intentional culture-b...

Join Christeen Era and Steve Bousquet as they delve into the strategic steps that lawn application companies can take to maximize profitability. Drawing from their extensive experience in the green industry, they break down essential practices for optimizing daily routines, understanding seasonal cycles, and implementing efficient routing to streamline operations. Christeen and Steve emphasize the...