On our latest episode of the Kid Contractor Podcast, I had the opportunity to dive into a topic that's been top of mind for me lately - the importance of elevating quality and design in our work. It's no secret that the landscaping business can be highly competitive, with clients often looking for the lowest price. But I've come to realize that prioritizing quality and thoughtful design is key to delivering exceptional results and building a sustainable, profitable business. On this episode, I sat down with my son Zeke to review some industry trade journals and discuss how we've been shifting our approach. Gone are the days of trying to simply save our clients money by cutting corners on materials and craftsmanship. Instead, we're focused on using the highest quality products, even if it means our bids may be a bit higher. The way I see it, investing in quality upfront pays dividends in the long run. Not only does it result in landscapes that stand the test of time, but it also...

I recently sat down with my father-in-law, Mark, for another episode of the Kid Contractor Podcast, and it was a real eye-opener. As someone who has been in the HVAC and commercial refrigeration business for over 30 years, Mark has a wealth of knowledge and experience that I'm always eager to tap into. One of the key things that stood out to me in our conversation was the importance of mindset when it comes to running a successful business. Mark shared how he read the book "The Richest Man in Babylon" years ago, and it really resonated with him. The idea of consistently saving a portion of your income, no matter what, is something that he's carried with him throughout his career. We also discussed the challenges of dealing with personnel and the human element of running a business. As Mark put it, he often felt like he was just a "glorified babysitter," constantly putting out fires and making sure his team was on the same page. But he emphasized the importance of putting in that...

In our latest episode, I had the chance to dive into some deep topics that have been weighing heavily on my mind lately. The discussion started with a reference to a class that my wife Brittany attended a while back on the concepts of love and respect in relationships. The core idea is that men inherently crave respect from their partners, while women need to feel loved. When we get that dynamic wrong, it can send a relationship into a downward spiral. This really hit home for me, as Brittany and I have been going through a bit of a tense period in our marriage recently. We've both been so focused on the demands of work and keeping our business running smoothly that we haven't always been as present and attentive with each other as we should be. It's a good reminder that no matter how much is on our plates, we have to keep our priorities straight and make sure we're nurturing our most important relationship. The conversation then shifted to the role that money and material...

In today's episode of the kid Contractor podcast, I went live on instagram and had some great interaction with our followers. One of the key topics we dove into was the importance of minimizing material waste. As anyone in the green industry knows, it's all too easy for a boneyard of leftover supplies to accumulate, eating up valuable space and resources. I shared some of the strategies we've implemented at Auman HQ, from being diligent about returning materials to vendors to finding creative ways to repurpose or donate excess. We also explored the benefits of outsourcing material delivery versus having our team handle pickups. By crunching the numbers, it became clear that the cost savings and time efficiency of professional delivery far outweighed the alternative. We also touched on our beloved "Vibe Patio" - the outdoor oasis we've created at our headquarters to showcase the power of thoughtful design and functionality. I explained how this space serves as a...

In our latest episode of the Kid Contractor Podcast, my co-host (and wife) Brittany and I dove deep into some of the key financial lessons we've learned over the years. One of the biggest takeaways was the importance of having a solid handle on your overhead costs and labor hours. We use a system called "multiple overhead recovery" where we carefully budget out our annual overhead expenses and then ensure we're recovering that across the billable hours of our crew. It's so easy to underestimate how much it really costs to run the business, and if you're not vigilant about it, those overhead costs can quickly eat into your profits. We also discussed the risks of "floating" expensive equipment like excavators and dump trucks on the road. While it's great to have that capability for big jobs, the liability of having hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of machinery out there is substantial. One fender bender with an uninsured driver could wipe out an entire project's profits....

In our latest episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jeff Graf, the owner of Fence Connections and Majestic Fence, as well as his accountant, Rosina Barkman. The conversation centered around the importance of managing the financial side of your contracting business - something that I'll admit has been a constant challenge for me over the years. Like many contractors, I started out focused solely on the work, without giving much thought to the numbers. It wasn't until I nearly went bankrupt that I realized the critical role that financial management plays in the success of a business. Listening to Jeff and Rosina discuss their approach to project-based accounting, overhead recovery, and cash flow projections was a real eye-opener. Rosina emphasized the importance of creating accurate estimates that account for all costs, including overhead and a healthy profit margin. She also stressed the need to track expenses in real-time, rather than waiting until the end of a job to assess...

On the latest episode of the Kid Contractor Podcast, I talked with Ryan Finnell from Earth N' Stone to discuss his company's use of the unique ANTS trailer. As an ambassador for this specialized piece of equipment, I was excited to get Ryan's take on the pros and cons of incorporating it into his business. Ryan described the ANTS trailer as a "miniature hydraulic live bottom trailer" - essentially a dump trailer with a conveyor belt system that allows for efficient material unloading and delivery. After initially being skeptical of the trailer's usefulness, Ryan decided to take the plunge and add one to his fleet. It didn't take long for him to recognize the benefits. The biggest pro Ryan highlighted was the ability to easily deliver palletized materials like stone, soil, and sod without needing a forklift or additional manpower. The conveyor belt allows him to simply back up to the job site, activate the hydraulics, and deposit the materials right where they need to go. This...

In our latest episode, we dive deep into the importance of clear communication and managing expectations - both with our team and our clients. One of the key takeaways I emphasized is that "unmet expectations are premeditated resentment." It's so easy for resentment to build up silently when we assume our team or clients will perform a certain way, without explicitly communicating those expectations. This can lead to frustration, strained relationships, and ultimately, lost business. Brittany and I discussed specific examples, like when we assumed a client would understand certain project details were included, only to have them get upset later on. We realized the importance of over-communicating every single expectation, no matter how obvious it may seem. Whether it's the color of stone, the timeline for completion, or even something as simple as sweeping the sidewalk at the end of the day - it all needs to be spelled out. Another area we focused on was optimizing our contracts and...

As my wife Brittany and I continue to navigate the ups and downs of running a successful contracting business, I find myself constantly seeking out wisdom and inspiration from other entrepreneurs who have been in our shoes. In our latest episode of the Kid Contractor Podcast, I had the chance to share some of the most thought-provoking soundbites I've come across recently - insights that have really struck a chord and helped shape our mindset and approach. One quote that has stuck with me is from Elon Musk, who described starting a company as "staring into the abyss and eating glass." That sentiment really captures the rollercoaster of emotions we've experienced - the exhilarating highs of landing a big project or seeing our team excel, but also the constant stress of facing potential failure and having to tackle the most difficult, unpleasant problems in the business. Musk's words reminded me of the importance of having a high pain tolerance and feeling truly compelled to do this...

I'm always eager to bring on industry experts who can share their unique perspectives and experiences. In our latest episode, we had the privilege of speaking with Nate, a 24-year veteran of the hardscapes industry. Nate's journey has taken him from being a contractor himself to now working on the licensing side with Rosetta Hardscapes. His insights into the evolution of the industry were truly eye-opening. We discussed the shift towards more efficient labor practices, the rise of younger contractors with fresh ideas, and the benefits of large-format retaining walls like Rosetta's products. One of the most fascinating aspects of our conversation was Nate's explanation of the manufacturing process behind these massive concrete blocks. The use of polyurethane molds and wet casting techniques allows for incredible detail and precision, something that's simply not possible with traditional dry cast methods. As someone who is passionate about the industry, I found Nate's perspective on...