A Shop Fire, Route Density, and the Power of Data-Driven Decisions

Hey folks, Caleb Auman here, back with another behind-the-scenes look at The Kid Contractor Podcast. Every episode, I get the chance to sit down with some of the best in the industry, and Episode 580 was no exception. I had Jamie from Supreme Scapes in the studio, and let me tell you—his story is one you don’t want to miss.

From Humble Beginnings to a $1.8 Million Business

I always love hearing how businesses get their start, and Jamie’s journey is no different. He kicked things off back in 2011 with a simple setup—one mower, a tiny trailer, and an old F-150. Sound familiar? A lot of us in this industry started out with just the basics, pushing through long days and figuring things out on the fly.

But here’s where Jamie stood out—he didn’t just stay in survival mode. He was hungry to learn, grow, and build a system that worked. That’s how he scaled from $25K in revenue his first year to a projected $2 million in 2025. That’s the kind of growth that doesn’t happen by accident—it happens by making smart, intentional moves.

Route Density: The Secret to Mowing Profitability

One of the biggest takeaways from our conversation? Route density. If you’re in lawn care, you know that windshield time is the silent killer of profitability. Jamie had the same realization years ago—he was driving 45 minutes to mow just three properties.

The fix? He cut loose the outlying properties and focused on building a client base in a tight area. Today, his mowing crew can knock out 80 properties in just a square mile. That’s efficiency at its finest.

If you’re in the lawn care game and you haven’t seriously considered your route density, now’s the time. Trust me, your margins will thank you.

Data-Driven Decision Making: Know Your Numbers or Pay the Price

A big theme in this episode was the importance of data-driven decision-making. Jamie’s business didn’t grow to nearly $2 million by guessing—he tracks everything.

One example? Their weekly crew leader roundtable meetings. Every week, they break down:

• Job progress
• Efficiency
• Equipment needs
• Financial performance

It’s one thing to work hard—it’s another thing to know exactly where your money is going and how to make sure it’s working for you. If you’re not using some form of job costing software, you’re flying blind.

The Shop Fire That Changed Everything

One of the biggest moments of our conversation was hearing about the fire that wiped out their shop. In 2021, Jamie and his team lost everything. It’s one of those nightmares that no contractor ever wants to live through.

But here’s what’s amazing—they rebuilt smarter. Instead of just throwing things back together, they used it as an opportunity to rethink their setup. It’s a hard lesson, but one that makes or breaks a business. When disaster strikes, do you fold, or do you find a way to come back stronger?

Company Culture: Hiring Right and Leading Well

Another thing that stood out about Jamie’s business is his focus on company culture. It’s not just about getting work done—it’s about building a team that works together and thrives.

A few things they’ve nailed:

• Promoting from within. Instead of hiring outside managers, they look for leaders on their team and give them the opportunity to grow.
• Regular team meetings. They’ve structured meetings to be open discussions, where team members can bring ideas and help shape the direction of the company.
• Work-life balance. His wife, Lucy, has been instrumental in organizing operations, ensuring the team runs efficiently without burnout.

Too many contractors overlook company culture, but it’s the key to long-term success. A business built on solid leadership and a strong team is one that lasts.

Final Thoughts: Build with Intention

I walked away from this conversation with a ton of respect for Jamie and the way he’s built SupremeScapes. His story is proof that with the right mindset, systems, and team, you can scale your business without burning yourself out.

So if you’re a contractor out there grinding every day, ask yourself:

• Are you tracking your numbers?
• Are you making data-driven decisions?
• Is your route density making you money or costing you?
• Are you building a culture that attracts and retains great employees?

If not, take a page out of Jamie’s book and start making those changes today.

Stay strong, folks. Keep pushing, keep learning, and keep building the business you dream of.

Until next time,
- Caleb Auman