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...

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...

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...

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...

In a recent episode of the Kid Contractor podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Doug Ryan, a 21-year-old landscaping contractor who has grown his company to an impressive $700,000 in revenue in just a few short years. Doug's story is one of grit, hustle, and a relentless drive to succeed. At such a young age, he's already navigating the complexities of managing a growing team, juggling commercial and residential clients, and tackling the financial challenges that come with rapid expansion. As I listened to Doug share his experiences, I couldn't help but be inspired by his passion and determination. One of the key takeaways from our conversation was the importance of having a solid financial plan in place, especially as a business scales. Doug acknowledged that he's had to learn some tough lessons when it comes to managing cash flow, overtime costs, and equipment financing. It's a common struggle for many entrepreneurs, but Doug's willingness to be transparent about...

In our latest episode, the discussion centered around a major equipment purchase decision that my wife Brittany and I have been wrestling with - the addition of a Contop LN 150 and potential machine control integration. This decision has been weighing heavily on my mind, as I see it as a critical investment that could significantly impact the future trajectory of our company, Auman Landscape. On one hand, I'm excited about the capabilities this technology would bring - the ability to accurately capture site data, create 3D models, and integrate with our excavator's controls could be game-changing for improving efficiency, accuracy, and the quality of our work. However, as the pragmatic one in our partnership, I also have reservations about the significant financial investment, especially given the uncertain economic climate we're facing. I don't want to make an emotional, "shiny object" purchase that could stretch our resources too thin, particularly as we look to grow our team in...

My recent discussion with Jeremiah Jennings of Growing Green Landscapes was one of those can't-miss episodes. Jeremiah and I dove deep into the world of equipment - from his recent purchase of a 4x4 truck to his acquisition of a micro mini excavator. As landscapers, we both understand the importance of having the right tools for the job, but Jeremiah really opened my eyes to just how transformative the right machinery can be. The micro mini excavator in particular piqued my interest. Jeremiah shared how this compact, nimble machine allowed him to tackle a challenging shrub demo job during the peak of summer heat - a task that would have broken the morale of his crew if they had to do it all by hand. Instead, the micro mini ripped through the dry, compacted soil with ease, saving his team from backbreaking labor and allowing them to complete the project in a fraction of the time. Hearing stories like that really drives home the value of investing in equipment, even if the upfront...

Last week, I experienced a bit of a health scare that really drove home the importance of being prepared for the unexpected. It all started on a fairly normal Wednesday - I was working on some projects around the office when I suddenly started feeling off. A strange, stabbing pain in my abdomen had me doubled over and struggling to get comfortable. At first, I thought it might be something like testicular torsion, a painful condition I had heard about from a friend. But after going to the ER and getting some tests done, the doctors delivered a different diagnosis - my appendix was inflamed and needed to come out. Apparently it was on the verge of rupturing, so they scheduled me for emergency surgery the next day. Let me tell you, those hours leading up to the surgery were no fun. The pain was excruciating, and I just felt awful. But as soon as they removed that pesky appendix, I started feeling so much better. It was amazing how quickly the relief set in once that problem was taken...

In our latest episode, I delved into a topic that is rarely discussed openly - the hidden sacrifices that come with building a successful company. It's easy to look at the shiny exterior of a thriving business and be envious of the perceived success. But as I shared, the road to get there is often paved with personal sacrifices that many don't see. Things like strained marriages, fractured family relationships, lost friendships, and abandoned hobbies are all too common among entrepreneurs and business owners. As I candidly admitted, my own marriage to my wife Brittany has weathered its fair share of challenges due to the demands of running a company. The friction and stress can be immense, and it takes a tremendous amount of humility to overcome those obstacles. But I firmly believe that nothing - not even the pursuit of business success - should come at the expense of the family unit. That is a line I'm unwilling to cross. What I've realized is that true, lasting success isn't just...

In our latest episode, I had the privilege of sitting down with Ken Deemer, the co-founder of Local Roots and FRWRD Coaching. Ken's story is truly inspiring. Over the past 11 years, he and his business partner Patrick have grown Local Roots into a $9.5 million landscaping and hardscaping company. But the truly remarkable part is how they've done it - by keeping their focus on their personal goals and values, not just the bottom line. Through Forward Coaching, Ken works with other entrepreneurs in the green industry to help them achieve the same kind of balance. It's all about getting clear on your true aims in life, and then aligning your business decisions to support those aims. As Ken put it, it's easy to get distracted by the "shiny objects" of business growth, but the key is maintaining that higher-level perspective. One of the things that really struck me was Ken's willingness to say no to certain opportunities that didn't fit his vision. He talked about how they made the tough...