Kid Contractor Podcast with Caleb Auman

Caleb talks with Sam Gembel regarding the essential principles of leadership and team management within the trades. Gembel emphasizes that business owners must define a clear vision and establish accountability to foster a "settled" company culture where employees feel secure. A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the idea that leaders should never project their personal motivations o...

Caleb speaks with Sam Gembel , an entrepreneur who scaled his Michigan-based landscaping company from a side hustle to a multi-million dollar business. The conversation focuses on the critical shift from being a technician to a leader, emphasizing that business owners must prioritize people and culture over simple task management. Sam argues that the inability to find quality employees is often a...

Caleb explains how transitioning from a heavy workload to a structured business model saved his landscape company from stagnation. He highlights the launch of "Built for Contractors," a coaching program and subscription service designed to help peers implement scalable systems and professional accountability. The discussion emphasizes that business growth requires clear standards and logistical pl...

Caleb talks with Brad and Tammy Miller, the founders of Tandem Marriage. Drawing from their experience running a seven-figure counseling practice and their own 41-year marriage, the Millers discuss how professional success can lead to a "slow drift" that distances spouses. They emphasize that high-achieving business owners often fall into a "provider trap," mistakenly believing financial stability...

Caleb talks with Andy Mulder of Mulder Outdoors about how great communication, showing up, cleanliness, and finishing strong helped build a premium landscaping brand. Andy explains that better clients come when you deliver a better experience, choose professionalism over excuses, and keep improving the details. He also warns that many contractors underprice their work and stresses the importance o...

Caleb and Brittany are discussing the importance of maintaining an abundance mindset during the busy spring season. They encourages business owners to "hold the line" by refusing low-profit projects and trusting that better opportunities will arise through consistent marketing and historical data. The episode includes an AI-assisted segment that defines the difference between acting out of fear-ba...

Caleb interviews Diego López Fernández from One Fifty Three Brand Marketing , a brand strategist who helps landscapers differentiate themselves in a saturated market. Diego argues that contractors often struggle because they sell services based on price and utility rather than uncovering their deeper purpose. He encourages business owners to move past a victim mentality and embrace a heroic identi...

This episode of the Kid Contractor Podcast features Caleb Auman interviewing Tonya Dalton , an expert on purposeful productivity and best-selling author. Dalton challenges the traditional concept of time management, arguing that time itself cannot be managed; instead, individuals must manage their choices, intentions, and energy. She introduces her "five Ps" framework—purge, process, prioritize, p...

Caleb speaks with serial entrepreneur Dwayne Kerrigan , who shares insights from his 40-year career across 31 different businesses. The conversation focuses on the psychological shift from forced discipline to authentic commitment, emphasizing how personal purpose pulls an individual toward success more effectively than constant internal pressure. Kerrigan explains the importance of changing one's...

Caleb interviews Brian Brown, owner of Estate Landscape and Tree in the Lake Tahoe region. Brown details his professional journey, explaining how he transitioned from an employee to the owner of a high-end firm through a strategic buyout. He emphasizes the importance of utilizing business management systems like LMN and the Leandcaper operating system to maintain profitability within a strictly re...

Caleb and Brittany discuss the realities of running a seven-figure landscaping business while navigating major personal milestones and family responsibilities. The couple reflects on a recent trip to Las Vegas for a major construction trade show, using the experience as a backdrop to talk about the challenges of professional growth, entrepreneurship, and maintaining a strong family life. A signifi...

Caleb and Brittany are podcasting from Las Vegas during the ConExpo construction trade show. They discusses their business operations, including the launch of a new coaching group and Brittany's upcoming presentation on business growth. A significant portion of the conversation focuses on financial maturity, where they credit budgeting software and CFO services for transforming their company from...

Caleb and Brittany record this episode live from CONEXPO 2026 in Las Vegas, discussing how their landscaping business evolved from small beginnings into a highly mechanized, technology-driven operation. Caleb explains how growing a company forced him to overcome his natural introversion and develop the confidence to price work correctly. The conversation dives into the importance of self-confidenc...

In this episode, Caleb breaks down how the health of your business directly reflects your leadership, discipline, and personal development. Key topics include: Personal development as the foundation for self-realization and self-awareness Clearly defining what a "win" looks like for yourself and your company The importance of carving out time for focused, deep work Dollar-bracketing systems to ens...

In this episode, Caleb sits down with Nick Bartolo, founder of Essential Partners, to discuss what business owners need to consider when thinking about selling their company. Nick breaks down: The decision to sell and conducting a "possible path analysis" — evaluating revenue, EBITDA, and overall business valuation. Thinking beyond the sale price — retirement planning, ensuring your investments ca...

In this episode, Caleb talks about choosing the right equipment and building the right team. He explains how company assets — from tools, machines, and vehicles to productivity apps like CompanyCam and LMN (Landscaper Management Network), down to something as simple as a good pair of gloves — all play a critical role in operational efficiency. At the same time, he emphasizes building a team that c...

In this episode, Caleb talks about having the bravery to stay disciplined — even in a slow economy with revenue pressure — and choosing the right clients. He emphasizes focusing on your ideal ICP, working with people who understand and value your work, and only taking on projects that are truly worth doing — purposeful and intentional, rather than driven by short-term fear. https://www.elitenetwor...

Noah Auman is back on the show, and he and Caleb don't hold back—digging into AI, business, conspiracies, and plenty more down the rabbit hole! https://www.elitenetworks.us Auman Landscape on YouTube Primed For Growth www.companycam/kcpodcast  Company Cam-  50% for 2 months! Linktree/AumanLandscape @aumanlandscapellc www. CycleCPA.com    Use code:  Auman  and save $200 when signing up. LMN Softwar...

Dirt Gear Co.'s Devin Dyer joins the show for a deep dive into business, trench safety, and more! https://www.instagram.com/dirtgearco/?hl=en https://leanscaper.com/ Auman Landscape on YouTube Primed For Growth www.companycam/kcpodcast  Company Cam-  50% for 2 months! Linktree/AumanLandscape @aumanlandscapellc www. CycleCPA.com    Use code:  Auman  and save $200 when signing up. LMN Software  Save...

A great conversation with Benji Carlson from Leanscaper! https://leanscaper.com/ Auman Landscape on YouTube Primed For Growth www.companycam/kcpodcast  Company Cam-  50% for 2 months! Linktree/AumanLandscape @aumanlandscapellc www. CycleCPA.com    Use code:  Auman  and save $200 when signing up. LMN Software  Save on onboarding! Code:  AUMAN  

William Johnston of Johnston Construction returns to the show to talk about his transition from the landscaping world into dirt mining. https://johnstonconstruction.co/ Auman Landscape on YouTube Primed For Growth www.companycam/kcpodcast  Company Cam-  50% for 2 months! Linktree/AumanLandscape @aumanlandscapellc https://leanscaper.com/ www. CycleCPA.com    Use code:  Auman  and save $200 when sig...

Jerry Schill, the president and co-owner of Schill Grounds Management joins the show! https://leanscaper.com/ https://schilllandscaping.com/blog/author/jerry-schill Auman Landscape on YouTube Primed For Growth www.companycam/kcpodcast  Company Cam-  50% for 2 months! Linktree/AumanLandscape @aumanlandscapellc www. CycleCPA.com    Use code:  Auman  and save $200 when signing up. LMN Software  Save...

Live from the Leanscaper Revenue Intensive, Caleb sits down with Frank Bourque—an award-winning hardscape professional, speaker, writer, consultant, and entrepreneur with a deep business background. With 20 years as a contractor, Frank has owned and managed multiple multi-million-dollar companies. https://leanscaper.com h ttps://www.frankbourque.com Auman Landscape on YouTube Primed For Growth www...

Sam Fink from Avid Landscapes joins the show! LeanScaper Revenue Intensive  (January 20 & 21, 2026 in January 20 & 21) Auman Landscape on YouTube Primed For Growth www.companycam/kcpodcast  Company Cam-  50% for 2 months! Linktree/AumanLandscape @aumanlandscapellc www. CycleCPA.com    Use code:  Auman  and save $200 when signing up. LMN Software  Save on onboarding! Code:  AUMAN

Sam Fink from Avid Landscapes joins the show! LeanScaper Revenue Intensive  (January 20 & 21, 2026 in January 20 & 21) Auman Landscape on YouTube Primed For Growth www.companycam/kcpodcast  Company Cam-  50% for 2 months! Linktree/AumanLandscape @aumanlandscapellc www. CycleCPA.com    Use code:  Auman  and save $200 when signing up. LMN Software  Save on onboarding! Code:  AUMAN