Project Management Tools That Work! with Andy Mulder

I'm always eager to learn from successful business owners in the green industry. In our latest episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Andy Mulder, the owner of Mulder Outdoors, a thriving landscaping company in Indiana. Andy's story is one of perseverance, strategic thinking, and a relentless drive to build something great. Over the course of our conversation, he shared insights that any entrepreneur can learn from. One of the key takeaways was Andy's approach to building his new facility. Rather than trying to manage the entire construction project himself, he made the conscious decision to hire a general contractor. As he explained, his priority needs to be running the core landscaping business - not getting bogged down in the details of building a new shop. This resonated with me, as I've seen firsthand how easy it is for business owners to get distracted by shiny new projects, only to see their main revenue streams suffer as a result. Andy recognized that his time and energy is best spent focused on sales, operations, and leading his team. Bringing in experts to handle the construction allows him to maintain that focus. Another area where Andy demonstrated wisdom was in his approach to organization and efficiency. He talked about the importance of making it easy for his crews to find the tools and materials they need on the job site. This level of forethought prevents countless hours of wasted time searching for misplaced items. I was also struck by Andy's patience and resilience as he navigated the bureaucratic process of developing his new property. He knew going in that working with local government agencies would be a slow and frustrating experience, but he remained committed to doing things the right way. That kind of fortitude is essential for any entrepreneur embarking on a major growth initiative. Overall, my conversation with Andy reinforced the notion that running a successful contracting business requires a delicate balance. You have to be willing to invest in the company's future, while also safeguarding the core operations that generate revenue today. It's a tricky dance, but Andy seems to have it figured out. I'm grateful that he was willing to share his experiences so openly. Entrepreneurs in our industry can learn a lot from Andy's thoughtful approach to leadership and strategic planning. I know I certainly did.