The Mulder Life Podcast

Andy shares how steady growth, hard work, and smart business decisions are helping him live the American dream through landscape success. He covers updates on the new shop, managing two busy crews, an upcoming open house and equipment demo day, advice on buying used equipment, a change in landscape edging, and future opportunities for the business. 🚨  Engcon Demo Day & Shop Open House  🚨 Saturda...

Andy looks back on the Landscape Masterpiece project and how it shaped the future of Mulder Outdoors. He talks about why that job still feels like a pinch-me moment, how great work opens doors, and why 12 years of consistency, craftsmanship, communication, and customer service matter more than any single project. Andy also shares honest thoughts on hiring, answering the phone, giving clients bad n...

For a Father's Day special, Andy shares a personal list of 60 lessons his late father taught him—ranging from practical skills with tools, trucks, boating, and work ethic to marriage, parenting, leadership, faith, and family dinner—explaining his hope that sharing it encourages better fathers and preserves family memories. 🚨  Engcon Demo Day & Shop Open House  🚨 Saturday, July 25 RSVP here: http...

Andy answers questions about Hydra Buckets and Beacon Hill Smooth pavers, then reflects on "Would you hire yourself?" sharing how past landscaping experience, family values, and Christian faith shaped his work ethic. Andy says he would hire himself for reliability, attitude, communication, and leadership, while admitting he wants to improve vision casting, communication, and tone under stress. 🚨 ...

In this episode, Andy interviews Anthony LaFata, the co-owner of A&D Equipment and a veteran of the excavation industry. The discussion highlights how specialized attachments, such as screening and crushing buckets, can revolutionize landscaping and construction by increasing profitability and streamlining material management. LaFata shares his personal history as a second-generation excavator, il...

Andy returns after Memorial Day with a recap of a rainy Engcon Demo Day trip to Bozeman/Belgrade, Montana, updates on his crews, and a first-time strip-lighting install under coping. He also previews the free July 25 Engcon Demo Day/Open House at Mulder Outdoors in Crown Point, Indiana, with sponsors, equipment, food, kids activities, giveaways, and RSVP perks at mulderoutdoors.com . Listener ques...

Andy unveils details for a free Engcon Demo Day/Open House on July 25 in Crown Point, Indiana, including RSVP-only event T-shirts, equipment demos, family activities, food, and attending vendors. He shares how busy the season is, why he's prioritizing time and spending less effort on social media, and describes his daily routine, reliance on to-do lists, and staying focused on design and estimatin...

Andy shares that business is extremely busy with estimating and design work while running two crews. He gives detailed updates on his new shop nearing completion (doors, railings, water softener, plumbing, painting timing, and upcoming concrete apron prep) and announces a public grand opening/open house with an Engcon demo day on July 25 from 9 AM–4 PM CST with free food, activities, and demo exca...

Andy shares lessons from a month of operating two install crews plus a maintenance crew during the busiest spring of the company's 12 seasons. He explains that adding a second crew means he can't work hands-on in the field, spends far more time driving and managing projects, must stay two steps ahead with materials and communication, and needs the right people in the right roles to maintain qualit...

A shop can be a great asset, but it is not the thing that makes a landscape business successful. Andy breaks down how Mulder Outdoors operated for roughly a decade using shipping containers for storage, salt, tools, equipment, and yard organization while keeping overhead low and avoiding unnecessary debt. This episode traces the real progression from a small driveway setup to multiple containers,...

Spring is moving fast, and so is the business. Andy shares what it looks like to lead through a packed season while balancing jobsite demands, team development, hiring decisions, client follow-up, and the ongoing build-out of the new shop. This solo conversation centers on the realities of running a growing landscaping company without losing sight of quality. Andy breaks down how he thinks about c...

Andy hosts a live Q&A episode covering landscaping, equipment, and business updates, including progress on his new shop build (epoxy office floors, drop ceiling, plumbing/HVAC work, and delayed interior ceiling work) and the start of the season with spring cleanups, mulching, drainage, seeding, and the first mowing day. He discusses current crew structure, whether to hire for a dedicated second cr...

Andy returns after missing two weeks due to illness and a family vacation to Utah. He shares how spring is ramping up at his landscaping business with strong leads, major projects (including a 400-ton natural stone pond job), and considers hiring while emphasizing trust in his crew. Andy gives a detailed shop build update (painted offices, upcoming epoxy floors, utilities and interior metal progre...

In tis "Best of" episode, Andy provides an update on business operations and personal projects. He shares his strategy for pre-purchasing equipment like forklifts and floor scrubbers ahead of a new shop build to manage future financial strain. He also discusses contractual warranties, the importance of maintaining price integrity against cheaper competitors, and the value of reliable staffing for...

Andy provides a comprehensive update on his landscaping business and the ongoing development of his new company shop. He details technical construction choices, such as the benefits of using open-cell spray foam and his decision to install epoxy flooring in the office spaces. Despite facing recent weather delays and logistical hurdles with utility companies, he remains optimistic about the regiona...

Andy interviews Sal Bustos Villa, the owner of Calco Partners , a specialized hardscaping and concrete business in California. The discussion highlights Sal's transition from general landscaping to high-end commercial and residential concrete projects, including complex structures like retaining walls and custom outdoor kitchens. Sal explains his business philosophy, emphasizing the importance of...

This episode features an in-depth conversation between Andy and veteran landscaper Erik Helm , owner of Grounds Master. Helm recounts his professional journey starting from childhood lawn mowing to managing a large-scale excavation and hardscaping fleet in Montana. The discussion highlights the devastating impact of the 2008 economic crash, which forced Helm to downsize his staff and equipment, le...

Andy has a powerful conversation with Alex Bulow from Inca Stone . The episode centers on Bulow's professional evolution from a decade-long employee to the owner of a specialized landscaping company focused on high-end natural stone projects. Alex emphasize the importance of knowing business numbers for profitability and maintaining a small, high-quality team to preserve personal freedom. They als...

Andy kicks off the new season with special guest Weston Zimmerman from SynkedUP . They discuss the importance of resilience, effective business practices, and the role of technology, including Artificial Intelligence, in the landscaping industry. Andy shares his experiences with snow removal contracts, managing cash flow, and the value of having a strong support system. They also explore the chall...

Andy discusses various aspects of managing hisbusiness, ranging from equipment preferences to long-term planning. He emphasizes the importance of documenting shop inventory through photos to assist family and insurance companies in case of emergencies. Mulder also shares his frustrations with hiring challenges, specifically detailing a recent instance of being "ghosted" by a potential employee. Te...

Andy offers expert guidance on the importance of technical innovation, sharing how adopting open graded base systems and durable concrete edge restraints significantly improved his project longevity and reduced warranty claims. Beyond field work, the discussion emphasizes financial discipline, advising contractors to scale slowly, prioritize job costing through specialized software, and avoid unne...

Join us for this special "Best Of" episode where Andy delivers his comprehensive recap of the SynkedUp Summit, sharing key insights and actionable takeaways from this pivotal industry event. Plus, we dive into the tough reality of entrepreneurship as we discuss proven strategies for navigating those inevitable hard days that test every business owner's resolve. Essential listening for entrepreneur...

This "Best Of" episode explores the essential strategies for maintaining a professional and organized jobsite in the landscaping industry. Andy highlights how effective communication with crews and clean work areas directly impact client impressions and overall profitability. The discussion covers practical tips such as using specialized equipment like street sweepers and tool trailers to minimize...

Where does every dollar actually go? In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on my business finances to answer one of my most frequently asked questions: How do I manage cash flow without going crazy?   I break down the exact system I use to keep our finances healthy, including why I split our money across five specific bank accounts to ensure we never run dry. Plus, we switch gears from 'sa...

In this special live episode Andy recaps the past year, reviewing significant projects, equipment upgrades, and achievements through the lens of his Instagram feed. The episode includes numerous giveaways from the podcast's generous sponsors. Highlights cover diverse landscaping and excavation projects, the exciting development of Andy's property, and insights into the business's growth and operat...