Kid Contractor Stories

Lessons Learned from a Landscaping Software Entrepreneur

kid contractor podcast synkedup Dec 18, 2024

In our latest episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Weston from Synced Up, a budgeting and estimating software company. Weston has an incredible background - starting out as a laborer and crew leader at a landscaping company, he eventually helped develop an internal software tool that revolutionized their operations. This led him to eventually transition out and start Synced Up, with the mission of enabling prosperity for contractors through better financial management. One of the key takeaways from our conversation was the importance of understanding your numbers as a contractor. Weston shared how he and the team at his former company struggled with the same challenges I faced early on - not having a good handle on overhead costs, not tracking time and resources accurately, and ultimately losing money on jobs. Implementing budgeting and job costing software was a game-changer for them, and it's something I'm so passionate about now. Weston also spoke candidly about the...

Lessons from a Young Landscaper

kid contractor podcast malvern lawn care Dec 18, 2024

I'm always on the lookout for inspiring stories and valuable insights from entrepreneurs in the green industry. In our latest episode, I had the privilege of interviewing Ethan Seeley, the 24-year-old owner of Malvern Lawn Care. In just 4 short years, Ethan has grown his company to over $2 million in revenue with 15 full-time employees. Needless to say, I was blown away by his incredible accomplishments at such a young age. What struck me most about Ethan was his maturity, work ethic, and commitment to continuous improvement. From implementing weekly leadership meetings to seeking out mentors and coaches, Ethan has clearly prioritized building a strong foundation for his business. He understands that sustainable growth requires more than just hustling - it takes strategic planning, smart hiring, and a relentless focus on optimizing operations. One of the biggest takeaways for me was Ethan's approach to time management. As someone who has struggled with this myself, I was impressed...

Lessons from a Lawn Care Entrepreneur: An Interview with Sean Spencer

kid contractor podcast spencer lawn Dec 18, 2024

In the latest episode of the Kid Contractor Podcast, host Caleb Auman sat down with Shawn Spencer, one half of the husband-wife team behind Spencer Lawn Care. As the owner of a thriving lawn care business and a successful YouTube channel, Shawn shared valuable insights into entrepreneurship, work-life balance, and personal growth. One of the key takeaways from the conversation was Shawn's approach to diversifying his income streams. In addition to his lawn care operations, Shawn and his wife Savannah have ventured into real estate, owning a storage facility and various rental properties. Shawn emphasized the importance of not putting all your eggs in one basket, explaining how the storage facility provides a consistent cash flow that helps sustain the business during slower seasons. Another fascinating aspect of the discussion was Shawn's journey with product development. As the inventor of the "Flex Shoot" - a shoot blocker for lawn mowers - Shawn shared...

🎉 Black Friday & Cyber Monday: Unbeatable Deals for Hardscapers! 🎉

cyber monday the hardscape academy Dec 02, 2024

It’s that time of year! Black Friday and Cyber Monday are here, and so are our BIGGEST SAVINGS EVER at The Hardscape Academy! Whether you’re an experienced contractor or just starting in the hardscape industry, these deals are your chance to elevate your business without breaking the bank.

Here’s what we’ve got lined up for you:

50% OFF All Training Videos and Forms

From mastering paver installations to building retaining walls, seat walls, and more, all our top-notch training videos and forms are HALF PRICE! This is your opportunity to invest in your skills and your team at an unbeatable discount.

FREE Coaching Call with Caleb

When you book an In-Person Training between November 29 and December 6, you’ll receive a FREE 1-on-1 Coaching Call with Caleb Auman himself! Get expert advice tailored to your business and take your operation to the next level.

The Everything Bundle – Just $549!

Why choose when you can have it all? For a limited...

Grit, Growth, and The Green Industry

commercial landscaping green industry Dec 02, 2024

I'm always excited to sit down with fellow green industry professionals and learn from their experiences. In our latest episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Alexander, the owner of Alexander the Great Landscaping (ATG), and I have to say - his story is truly inspiring.

Alexander's journey started out as a young entrepreneur, using a custom-built lawn cart attached to his bike to mow lawns in his neighborhood. Over the years, he's transformed his business from a one-man lawn care operation into a full-service landscaping company focused on design, installation, and maintenance.

What struck me most about Alexander's story was his unwavering grit and determination. Running a business is no easy feat, and he's faced his fair share of challenges along the way. But his military background has instilled in him a drive to push through adversity and keep moving forward.
One of the things I really admire about Alexander is his balanced mindset. He understands the importance of...

Powerful Strategies to Elevate Your Landscape Business

commercial landscaping lmn Dec 02, 2024

I recently had the opportunity to attend a powerful mastermind event that left me brimming with valuable insights to share with my fellow landscape, design, and construction professionals. One of the core lessons that really struck a chord with me was the importance of clearly defining your purpose and vision for the business. Whether that means reaching $1 million in revenue or building a more balanced lifestyle, taking the time to get crystal clear on your 2, 5, and 10 year goals is absolutely crucial. This vision will serve as the guiding light to keep you focused and making the right decisions along the way. Another concept that really resonated was the idea of viewing our team members as partners, not just employees. I've moved away from the "family" mentality, because the reality is that there may come a time where someone's values, vision, and drive no longer align with ours. By fostering a true partnership mindset, we can have those honest conversations about growth...

Landscaping From Far Away

Uncategorized Nov 07, 2024

In a recent episode of the Kid Contractor Podcast, host Caleb Auman interviewed Martin from Hodder Landscaping, a landscaping company located in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada. This conversation provided a fascinating glimpse into the world of landscaping in a far-flung corner of North America. Martin shared that he started Hodder Landscaping 15 years ago, after initially pursuing a more traditional university degree. He found his true passion in the hands-on world of landscape management and design. Today, Hodder Landscaping offers a full suite of services, from lawn care and maintenance to hardscaping and snow removal. Despite the geographic distance, Martin's business faces many of the same challenges and opportunities as landscaping companies in the United States. He discussed the importance of building strong relationships with equipment suppliers like Kubota, who have provided excellent service and support over the years. Martin also touched on the role of technology, using...

Talking with Mark Bradley, Live from The Morning Show at Equip Expo 2024

equip 2024 lmn mark bradley Oct 29, 2024

In our latest episode of The Kid Contractor Podcast, recorded live at the Equip Expo 2024 Morning Show, I had the privilege of sitting down with Mark Bradley, the founder of LMN and TBG Landscape. Mark's story is nothing short of remarkable. He started his landscape business at just 23 years old, and in his very first year, he managed to do $1 million in revenue. Yes, you read that right - $1 million in year one! How did he achieve such astounding growth right out of the gate? As Mark explained, the key was his deep experience and expertise in the trades. Having grown up working in construction, plumbing, and landscaping, he already possessed the technical skills to take on large, complex projects. This allowed him to hit the ground running and deliver exceptional work from the very beginning. But Mark's secret sauce wasn't just his hands-on know-how - it was his ability to build and develop a team of driven, growth-minded individuals. He emphasized the importance of hiring people...

Equip 2024 Expo Recap: Connecting with the Company Cam Team and Industry Peers

equip 2024 equip expo Oct 25, 2024

This annual Equip Convention is always a highlight for me, as it allows me to connect with industry peers, discover the latest innovations, and gain valuable insights to share with my listeners. One of the most meaningful interactions I had was with the team from Company Cam, a sponsor of my podcast. I've been a big advocate for their photo documentation app, as it has been an integral part of my own contracting business. At the show, I had the chance to chat with Lucas, who is on the onboarding team at Company Cam. Lucas shared some exciting new features that the app has recently rolled out, including an archive function to easily access older job photos, as well as AI-powered tools to generate daily summaries, progress reports, and walkthrough notes. As someone who relies on Company Cam daily, I was thrilled to learn about these enhancements that will streamline my workflow even further. Beyond connecting with the Company Cam team, I also enjoyed the opportunity to network with...

Lessons from a Vivid Dream

entrepreneurship Oct 18, 2024

In our latest episode, I found myself reflecting on a vivid dream I had recently, and the powerful lessons it holds for anyone facing challenges in their business or personal life. The dream began with a monstrous, terrifying creature chasing me. In that moment of fear and adrenaline, I made the decision to turn and run straight at the creature, rather than flee. To my surprise, as we were about to collide, the creature simply vanished into thin air. This dream got me thinking about the principle of facing your fears head-on, rather than avoiding them. So often in life, we're tempted to put off difficult tasks, shy away from confrontation, or let our anxieties paralyze us. But as I shared on the podcast, that's usually the worst thing we can do. Whether it's a tough conversation with a client, a daunting new project, or any other obstacle, the best approach is often to square your shoulders, take a deep breath, and charge straight into it. More often than not, the thing we're...

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