The Landscaper's Guide to Modern Sales & Marketing

Most landscapers load up their trucks, roll up to a job site, and get to work. But what if your “job site” is a rooftop 40 stories above the streets of New York City—with no easy way to get plants, soil, or even tools up there? That’s the daily reality for John Mini Distinctive Landscapes, a team that transforms urban spaces into lush, thriving environments in one of the most challenging places to...

Some folks think keeping a landscape healthy just means dumping more fertilizer and cranking up the sprinklers. But that’s like throwing steak on the grill without seasoning—it’s not gonna turn out the way you hoped. That’s why at NALP’s Elevate conference in Charlotte, NC, Jack Jostes caught up with Dr. Eric Brown, a PhD agronomist from Massey Services, to talk about what really makes plants thri...

Most landscapers think they have a handle on their numbers—until cash flow problems, unexpected equipment costs, or skyrocketing overtime smack them in the face. In this episode of The Landscaper’s Guide, Jack Jostes talks with Steven Bach from Bach Business Partners (BBP) about the financial traps that cost landscapers money every single year—and how to avoid them. One of the biggest mistakes? Co...

Rolling out new software at your landscaping company? It can either transform your business—or turn into an expensive headache. At NALP’s Elevate conference, host Jack Jostes caught up with Aspire CEO Mark Tipton to unpack the real challenges behind implementing new systems and making them work. Mark explains exactly who Aspire is designed for and why some companies thrive with it while others str...

What if you could get more done with the same team—and without the stress? In this episode of The Landscaper’s Guide, Jack Jostes sits down with Mark Tipton, CEO of Aspire, and Whitney Griffin, Senior Product Owner, to talk about the biggest challenges landscapers face, from labor shortages to vendor management. They share real-world strategies for improving efficiency, streamlining operations, an...

What does landscaping have to do with alligator hunting? More than you'd think! In this episode of The Landscaper’s Guide, Jack Jostes talks with Jason Lee, owner of SkyFrog Landscape and co-host of the Green Side Up Podcast, about how he balances running a thriving landscape business in Florida while wrangling gators in his free time. Spoiler alert—both require patience, skill, and a solid p...

How do you grow a landscaping company without selling your soul—or your business—to private equity? In this episode of The Landscaper’s Guide, Jack Jostes chats with Kelly Slater, the newly promoted CEO of Pleasant Landscapes, about building leaders, planning for a future of employee ownership, and why she’s sticking to her roots (literally). Kelly shares how her team is developing junior leadersh...

What if your landscape could lower stress as easily as a good sunset on the prairie? In this episode of The Landscaper’s Guide, Jack Jostes chats with Daniel and Rome from Avesso Studio, the Dallas-based duo transforming homes inside and out. They’ll show you how thoughtful design can wrangle chaos and create calm, both in your backyard and beyond. From anxiety-lowering water features to the hidde...

Are your sponsorships rolling away like tumbleweeds, leaving your bottom line dry? In this episode of The Landscaper’s Guide, Jack Jostes shares seven essential tips to help snow and landscape companies turn sponsorship dollars into measurable results. Whether it’s a trade show, webinar, or local event, these strategies will grow more than just brand awareness! Learn how to craft offers that stick...

What do you want your life and business to look like next year? In this special year-end episode, Jack Jostes teams up with his longtime business coach, Wayne Herring, to reflect on the wins, challenges, and lessons of 2024. Tune in for actionable insights to help you prepare for 2025. From launching a record number of websites to leveraging AI for efficiency, Jack shares how Ramblin Jackson hit m...

Ever wonder what separates good landscapers from GREAT ones? Spoiler: It’s not just about cutting grass! In this episode of The Landscaper’s Guide, host Jack Jostes interviews Aaron Wolfe, owner of Wickenburg Landscape. With over 40 years of family legacy, Aaron spills the secrets to running a standout business built on punctuality, eye-catching photography, and unforgettable client relationships....

Ever wonder how to turn a seasonal lawn care business into a thriving operation? In this episode of The Landscaper’s Guide, Jack Jostes chats with Clint Baxter, owner of Green Seasons Lawn and Tree Service. Live from Elevate 2024, Clint shares how he’s grown from a 200-customer buyout to serving over 2,000 loyal clients. Clint reveals his strategies for tackling the highs and lows of seasonality....

What does it take to create AWARD-WINNING landscape designs that prioritize sustainability? In this episode, join Jack Jostes at Elevate 2024 as he catches up with Ryan Snyder, General Manager of GreenWeaver Landscapes. Together, they dive into how Ryan’s team is redefining landscaping in southeastern Pennsylvania—and racking up national awards for it. GreenWeaver recently snagged a Silver and Bro...

Water: it’s not just life-sustaining—it’s landscape-defining. In this episode of The Landscaper’s Guide, dive into the heart of water conservation and its growing influence on the green industry. With states across the U.S. facing new challenges, how can landscapers adapt and thrive in an era of shrinking water rights and evolving policies? Meet Jacob Stankich, COO of Fisk Lawnscapes and a key mem...

What if the future of your business was sitting in a classroom or working on a small family farm right now? In this episode of The Landscaper’s Guide, host Jack Jostes interviews Jason Davis—a farmer, educator, and lifelong advocate for agricultural education. Jason shares his unique perspective on blending teaching, farming, and building connections with the next generation. Jason runs a farm spe...

Are you ready to hear how one basement meeting sparked the creation of an industry-defining association? In this episode of The Landscaper's Guide, Jack Jostes chats with Rick Kier, one of the founding members of the Snow and Ice Management Association (SIMA). Rick shares the captivating story of how eight determined individuals came together in Erie, Pennsylvania, with a vision that would ev...

Curious about what it takes to build a sustainable snow and landscape business in today’s market? In this episode of The Landscaper’s Guide, Jack Jostes sits down with Scott Lesak from Kasel Rocks Landscape Co. at the SIMA Symposium to talk about sustainable growth, the importance of continuous improvement, and how to create a team that genuinely cares about the success of the company. Scott share...

What advice would you give to your younger self if you could go back in time? In this episode of The Landscaper’s Guide, Jack Jostes sits down with Michael Anderson of Snow & Ice Pros, live from the SIMA Symposium, to discuss the lessons he’s learned throughout his career in the snow and landscape industry. From humble beginnings buying a broken lawnmower as a kid to becoming an industry exper...

Last week, we wrapped up the 5th Annual Landscapers Summit—a full-day virtual event packed with innovative insights for snow and landscape businesses. In this special episode of The Landscaper’s Guide , I’ll be sharing some of the top highlights from The Summit, including practical strategies to help you thrive in 2025 and beyond. You’ll hear from industry experts like Steve Bousquet, Lex Mason, J...

Is AI the missing tool in your snow and landscape business? In this special episode of The Landscaper’s Guide, Jack Jostes sits down with John Paganini of CrewTracker Software, live from the 2024 SIMA Symposium in Pittsburgh. They explore how AI, like CrewTracker’s innovative Help Desk chatbot, is changing the way businesses manage snow and landscape operations, from streamlining HR processes to o...

In this special Rambler Takeover episode of The Landscaper’s Guide, our Sales and Marketing Manager, Jamie DuBose, takes the reins while Jack Jostes is off the trail. The Ramblin Jackson team takes over to share key insights from working with landscape businesses across the country. We’re counting down to the 5th Annual Landscaper’s Summit, happening on October 10, and diving into what you can exp...

In this episode of The Landscaper’s Guide, Sales and Marketing Manager Jamie DuBose steps in as host to chat with Joshua Gillow, founder of Yes Express and host of the Sales Made Simple podcast. Joshua, a featured speaker at the upcoming Landscaper’s Summit, shares powerful strategies on how adopting a hospitality mindset can transform your landscape business—boosting both customer retention and s...

In this episode of The Landscaper’s Guide Podcast, host Jack Jostes takes us to Nashville, Tennessee, for a special property showcase recorded during our annual Ramblin Retreat. We’re featuring a backyard transformation at the home of Peggy and Gary, designed and built by Mike Pruitt and the team at Master’s Landscape Design. From a luxurious pool to creative softscaping and a beautiful covered st...

In this episode of The Landscaper's Guide, we dive into the rich history of Alpine Gardens, one of Colorado's longest-standing landscaping companies. Jack Jostes sits down with Jack Fetig, the founder, his son Nate, now the owner, and their sales manager Kris Nylander. Together, they share stories of the vintage tools and artifacts that helped build their business over the last 45 years....

In this episode of The Landscaper's Guide, we're recording from Dallas, Texas, with two heavy hitters in the irrigation and landscape industry. Jack Jostes interviews Lex Mason, President of Weathermatic, and Chase Cook, CEO of SMC Landcare, to explore how Weathermatic’s SmartLink technology is reshaping the future of irrigation management by slashing labor costs and conserving water.  Y...