In this episode, Mike Arnold from Creekside Outdoor Living shares his journey of building a successful landscaping business from the ground up. Starting in 2008, Mike implemented system-based strategies to scale his company into one of the top landscaping businesses in North America. He and Kevin discuss the key elements of team-building, leadership development, and the role of authenticity in business success.

Episode Highlights:

• The power of social media in establishing a strong presence

• The work behind building a credible and lasting business

• Developing people into leaders within your company

• The importance of authenticity in sales and customer relationships

In this podcast episode, Rich Thiebaud from LMN shares his journey in the landscape industry, providing valuable insights and tips for business growth.

Rich discusses the importance of effective marketing, having a top-notch website, asking the right sales questions, and building customer relationships. He emphasizes the value of automation and repeatable processes through software like LMN.

With a background in various roles from laborer to general manager, Rich also highlights the importance of training, employee onboarding, and maintenance renewals. The episode also covers his personal life balance, vendor partnerships, and the benefits of professional support in marketing and sales.

00:25 Introducing Rich Thiebaud from LMN

00:55 Rich's Journey in the Landscaping Industry

02:16 Transition to LMN and Role as VP of Sales

02:49 The Benefits of LMN Software

06:25 Challenges and Solutions in Adopting LMN

11:45 Effective Sales Strategies for Landscapers

14:18 Understanding Customer Needs and Design Value

16:26 Balancing Family and Business

19:38 The Importance of Vendor Partnerships

25:23 Working with Mark Bradley: Insights and Experiences

27:55 Future of the Industry and Advice for Entrepreneurs

29:44 Improving Sales and Job Costing

32:37 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, Jacob and Kevin Scott chat about finding balance while growing your business and personal life.

Highlighting the importance of carefully managing your calendar, effective time management, and strategic delegation, Kevin shares practical tips for balancing entrepreneurial demands with family commitments.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

— The most important element of hiring the right people

— The real cost of sacrificing your personal life for your business

— The significance of community and accountability.

Visit thewealthylandscaper.community to access the 20 point Efficiency Scorecard and other resources in our free community of landscape entrepeneurs!

00:00 Introduction to Finding Balance

00:46 Challenges of Balancing Life and Business

01:57 Kevin's Personal Strategies for Time Management

06:57 The Importance of Delegation

11:31 Prioritizing Personal Time

20:30 Getting Started with Life Design

In this episode, we chat with Tommy Cole from McFarlin Stanford.

Tommy, an executive coach specializing in the landscaping industry, shares his journey from landscape architecture to construction and eventually to executive coaching.

We dive deep into the importance of company culture, disciplined scheduling, and the right timing for hiring. Tommy unpacks the services his firm offers, including bookkeeping, recruiting, and peer group programs, which support business owners in the landscape industry.

Tommy and Kevin share their insights into the current state of the landscaping industry, with sharp insights on how to navigate the tough challenges in today's market.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Welcome and Guest Introduction: Tommy Cole

00:47 Tommy's Career Journey

04:15 About McFarlin Stanford

07:54 Challenges and Solutions in Landscaping

12:27 The Importance of Company Culture

17:14 Industry Trends and COVID Impact

21:45 Navigating Competitive Markets

22:32 Providing Value Beyond Numbers

24:27 The Importance of Design in Landscaping

27:16 Integrating AI in Design

29:09 Setting Client Expectations

32:13 Balancing Work and Personal Life

35:12 Discipline and Intention in Business

38:42 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, Kevin explores the importance and benefits of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for business efficiency and growth. The discussion highlights how implementing and methodically updating SOPs has significantly contributed to the growth of Muskoka Landscapers, doubling its annual revenue.

Kevin shares his journey from initially overlooking the value of SOPs to becoming a firm believer in their potential to improve accountability, streamline processes, and enhance communication within a business. Kevin and Jacob dive into the nuances of creating SOPs for different roles and tasks, and how well-implemented SOPs create an environment of long-term improvement.

In this episode, Kevin shares how to give your team actionable, mindset-shifting strategies. Discover the importance of sharing your vision, rewarding efforts, involving team members in problem-solving, setting clear and realistic goals, and much more. This video covers 10 essential tips that will improve your business and enhance your team's engagement and accountability. For additional resources, visit thewealthylandscaper.community and take our 20-point questionnaire.

00:00 Introduction to How to Make Your Team Think Like An Owner

00:20 Share Your Vision

00:32 Reward Efforts

00:54 Involve Them in Problem Solving

01:14 Set Clear and Realistic Goals

01:38 Make Accountability Normal

02:01 Communicate the Why

02:28 Celebrate Wins Big and Small

03:03 Reflect on Failures Without Blame

03:37 Offer Continuous Learning

04:08 Lead by Example

04:41 Recap and Final Thoughts

05:13 Call to Action

Kevin explores the top five crucial metrics to help your landscaping business run efficiently. Learn how to effectively track total sales year after year, maximize your net margin, measure revenue per hour, utilize job costing, and manage equipment costs and utilization. Discover how these metrics can enhance decision-making, boost team engagement, and improve overall business performance. Tune in for practical insights and actionable steps to elevate your business operations.

00:00 Introduction to Business Metrics

00:19 Top Five Metrics Overview

00:24 Metric 1: Total Sales Year After Year

01:11 Metric 2: Net Margin

02:40 Metric 3: Revenue Per Hour

03:29 Metric 4: Job Costing

04:52 Metric 5: Equipment Cost and Utilization

07:05 Conclusion and Next Steps

Mark Bradley is a landscaping legend and tech titan–building the leading job management platform for landscapers through LMN.

In this episode, Kevin and Jacob chat with Mark about his journey. The conversation highlights the crucial lessons Mark learned on his journey to multimillion-dollar success in the industry–with wisdom on the importance of systemizing operations, developing a dedication to continuous learning, and the role of mentorship in getting your business to the next level.

Learn more about how to build a million-dollar landscaping business at https://thewealthylandscaper.community!

00:00 Introduction

01:30 Challenges and Growth in the Landscaping Industry

07:27 From Nuclear Industry to Landscaping

08:12 Building a Business: Early Struggles and Successes

13:48 The Importance of Design and Quality

20:01 Creating Freedom Through Business

29:04 Systemizing for Growth

35:58 Mastering Revenue Per Hour

37:19 Finding High-Value Jobs

40:32 Efficiency in Paver Projects

43:31 The Importance of Budgeting

48:21 Scaling and Mentorship

57:01 Transition to Tech and LMN

01:06:40 Key Entrepreneurial Lessons

01:16:12 Final Thoughts and Gratitude