The Cost of Doing Business

Jeremy Morales of Morales Masonry & Landscaping has been pounding the pavement for years in this industry, working out in the field, hustling to make it. Today he tells his story on how he realized the work will always be there and started making some business and lifestyle changes. Today he's realizing his lifelong dream of getting his pilot's license and flying his own plane. Give him a follow a...

Jon Valenta is just one of those disciplined, price-driven guys who have built a beautiful 3 man company, ...and is closing 10 out of 10 proposals. Dude, that even blew my mind. Listen in to hear how he does it. Jon shares his proposal process more in-depth at the Contractor Summit 2024 in Dayton Ohio! Contractor Summit Give Jon a follow at: Instagram (@generalpavingstones)   General Pavingstones...

Jim and James Womer are an incredible SynkedUP success story. I loved listening to it. On today's episode, they take us on their journey as a team, and the challenges of handing responsibilities from one owner to another. Transferring knowledge that's bottled up on one brain; to another brain trying to unpack and learn the process. Give the Womer boys a follow! Instagram (@womerlandscapinginc)   F...

The boys at Top Rock started off on their own, and worked as a pair for a while. Just recently they hired their first employee. We discuss their thought process behind adding employees, and how they think about structuring their crew and equipment setup. Give them a follow at:  Instagram (@2018toprockdesign)   SynkedUP  - Landscape Business Management Software  https://synkedup.com/  

Description: Corey and Collin Schindler are truly role models of what we mean when we say #thrivenotsurvive at SynkedUP. Their story is both so relatable, and inspiring. Long story short, they went from being reactive in their decision-making, to strategic. They spent $5k a year on SynkedUP, and made $100k in additional profit in their first year. If you ask them, they'll tell you it felt like spe...

Today I get to hang out with Rusty Metsker from Three Trails in Kansas City. We discussed the most efficient model for structuring crews and setting crews up for success. Give Rusty and his team a follow at  https://www.instagram.com/ threetrails   If you're interested in learning more about SynkedUP, check us out:  SynkedUP  - Landscape Business Management Software  https://synkedup.com/

Caleb and Jack from Kindred Outdoor Solutions have dived into the entrepreneurial rollercoaster together as a 50/50 partnership, and they're doing really well. This intrigues me, as I know the 50/50 partnerships are controversial. But Jack and Caleb give us a peek into how it's working, what the challenges are, and the decisions they've made that have really benefitted the business. Give them a fo...

Today I got to interview Manny Neves from the Construction Life Podcast for my own show. Manny was a general contractor for years and started his podcast out on the job sites. Obviously, my background is in landscaping, so what I wanted to do was to pick his brain on what challenges he saw in contractors succeeding from his background as a general contractor. Listen in to the conversation and give...

Seth Wharton from Get Mowtivated and Weston Zimmerman discuss the 2 different business models of subcontractors vs building your own team. The pros and cons, and the "swirling pot of catch 22s" as Seth said.  Listen in, and give Seth and his team a follow at  Instagram (@getmowtivated)  and  Get Mowtivated   If you're interested in learning more about SynkedUP, check us out:  SynkedUP  - Landscape...

Today I get to sit down with Mike Pletz from  @howtohardscape  on Instagram. I interviewed him on what his business + online presence looks like, how he got started, and what his vision is for his hardscape and online business. Give him a follow to be inspired on some awesome hardscape projects. Instagram (@howtohardscape)   If you're interested in learning more about SynkedUP, check us out:  Synk...

I got to sit down with Trevor Lott from Elevated Pines in Salt Lake Utah. He gave us an overview of how he got started in this industry, and how he eventually took over the business from his dad. He gave us his take on the battle of maintaining both production efficiency without sacrificing quality. He wrapped up by giving us his take on what it's like onboarding with SynkedUP. Give Trevor a follo...

John Minahan from Blackdog Stone & Landscape in Park City UT was one of the first business owners to hop on board with SynkedUP. I got to interview him and pick his brain on what he saw in SynkedUP, and why he chose to jump on board with such an early-stage company. We got into interesting discussions on building systems and processes as his business grew. Give John a follow! https://www.instagram...

Justin and Landon from Alpha Outdoors in Springfield MO started as high school friends, doing some side jobs together to earn cash, and today are successful business partners. There were some bumps in the road though - we dig into how they evolved and worked to define clear roles for themselves, so that the business had processes that could help them grow and scale successfully. Give them a follow...

I sat down with Don Fouce and he shared his startup journey of his landscaping company in Indiana. With $600k in revenue, 1 full-time employee, and 3 part-time employees, he's winning. Listen to his story on how he's doing it, and the meaning he's finding beyond just the financial success. Instagram (@foucelandscaping)   https://foucelandscaping.com/   If you're interested in learning more about S...

Dan Preston is a talented craftsman from Wisconsin and started working with SynkedUP last year, we have a real conversation about the struggles and pitfalls we all deal with as owner-operators in the landscape and hardscape industry. Dan is a true artist, doing some of the best work in the country. Give him a follow: Instagram (@prestonhardscapedesign)   Hardscape Mentor Link Tree   If you're inte...

Hunter Hutchinson from Haven Outdoor gives us a peek into his 10-yr journey in his landscaping and outdoor living business. He started with nothing ten years ago, borrowing equipment to get started. Today he's focused on building the systems and processes, transitioning from owner-operator to business owner. Give Hunter a follow  Instagram (@havenoutdoorstn)   Swimming Pool Contractor Kingston Spr...

Jamie Feie from Supreme Scapes in Ohio shares his story on the garage fire they experienced, losing a bunch of equipment, and how they overcame the challenge. We also unpacked his growth journey, where his mindset is now 13 years in, and how they're building a solid foundation with their team. Give them a follow! Instagram (@supremescapes)   Supreme Scapes - Cincinnati Landscaper   If you're inter...

Chris Reisenberg from Cincinnati Ohio learned the ropes of customer service and property maintenance at a large company. When the company got sold, and he felt inhibited in doing his best work for customers, he decided to take the plunge and go into business for himself. Listen in and follow the journey on this episode! Give Chris and his team a follow at: Instagram (@reisenlawn) https://www.reise...

Steve Kidwell from Ohio has been laser-focused on evolving his business and optimizing for his vision of the type of business he wants to build. ...and he was a hardscape and pool company... that stopped doing hardscaping. Listen in for Steve's line of thinking and why he did that. Steve and his team have built an incredible machine. Last year they did multi million revenue with a 3 man team for a...

I caught up with Luke Eggebraaten, founder of Phaser Marketing, and picked his brain on what the 3 phases of marketing look like for landscape and excavation companies. Spoiler alert, some of the most powerful things you can do are free. All they require is "getting it done". (Which of course requires discipline or a process) Give Luke a follow at  Instagram (@phaser_marketing)   Digital Marketing...

Sam Rankin from Etch Outdoor Living in Ankeny, Iowa, is going all in on building a business. We talk about his mindset and vision on how he is achieving that goal. We discussed building a business from scratch vs buying a business to grow. We also dug into how he is providing a place for his team to grow, rewarding loyalty and skills vs seniority. Give Sam and his team a follow at  https://instagr...

Brian Schmauder took over the company he worked for during the shutdown. We unpacked that journey and the challenges he had to overcome transitioning from being an employee to an owner. He's retained 100% of his employees this year as well. So something is going well! Give Brian a follow at:  Instagram (@delraylandscapes)   Del Ray Landscapes If you're interested in learning more about SynkedUP, c...

Trey Chilcoat rode quite the roller coaster with his company, going from 4 guys one season to 12 guys, and back to 4 guys the third season. When he went back to the 4 crew size, his revenue per man went from $110k per man per year to $350k per man. We did a deep dive into the lessons learned during that experience. Give Trey a follow at  Instagram (@fromthegroundup17327)  and check out his website...

Aaron Ashton runs Thunderbird Landscaping in Pittsburgh PA. Talking to Aaron, you can see his love for what he does on a daily basis. In our conversation, we discuss the challenges he's faced in hiring and keeping good employees, and when people go out on their own. We also covered what "winning" looks like for business systems for a 2 man show, and how to free up time for the owner to do more of...

Alex Bulow was a master craftsman, no doubt about it. He spent many years in the industry as an employee, but then, in spite of his reluctance, ended up owning his own business. We talk about that journey, and what it takes to succeed. And owning a business, instead of the business owning you. Follow Inca Stone at  Instagram (@inca_stone)   Pittsburgh, PA Hardscape and Landscape | Inca Stone   If...