What a weekend, folks! As we wind down from the long Independence Day celebrations, I can't help but reflect on the deeper meaning behind the holiday. This year, I dove into the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights on the podcast. It's been eye-opening to revisit these foundational documents and remember what our Founders fought for. Between the barbecues and fireworks, I hope you all took a moment to appreciate the freedoms we enjoy. It's easy to take them for granted, but our liberties are precious and worth protecting. Next year, let's make it a point to say "Happy Independence Day" instead of just "Happy Fourth." It's a small way to keep the spirit of 1776 alive. As we head back to work tomorrow, let's carry that patriotic spirit with us. Remember, we're all created equal, with unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Here's to freedom, America. Let's make the most of it!

As a seasoned contractor, I've seen firsthand the pitfalls of choosing the cheapest option. Recently, a client's experience with a low-cost concrete pad reminded me why quality should never be sacrificed for price. When we cut corners to save money, we often end up paying more in the long run. Whether it's unreliable equipment that wastes time on job sites or subpar materials that deteriorate quickly, the initial savings rarely justify the headaches and additional expenses down the road. I've learned this lesson the hard way, like when I installed cheap lighting fixtures for a budget-conscious client. The constant repairs and service calls ate into any profit and damaged my reputation. Now, I only use high-quality products like WAC Lighting, even if it means a higher upfront cost. To my fellow contractors: invest in quality tools, materials, and labor. It's not just about the immediate job - it's about building a sustainable, reputable business. And to homeowners: remember that the...

Boy oh boy, what a project that last pond cleaning job turned out to be! When I first bid the job, I thought it would be a straightforward dredging job to clear out some sediment. But little did I know the challenges we would face - from unstable mud conditions, to equipment issues, to nearly running out of fuel at the end. This was by far the largest pond cleaning job we've taken on, clearing over 300 cubic yards of debris from a commercial stormwater basin. Going in, I knew the scale was bigger than our usual jobs, but I underestimated some of the complexities involved. Working in and around water brings its own set of safety concerns that you don't face on a typical hardscape project. And moving that volume of material presented logistical problems I hadn't fully planned for. Through the ups and downs of the job, I learned some valuable lessons. Proper planning is critical for these types of jobs - from assessing site conditions, to mapping out material removal. The right...

I'm excited to share that Brittany and I just made our first investment property purchase outside of our commercial shop. We've had our eye on acquiring an industrial zoned parcel for a couple years now, waiting for the right opportunity. Well, that opportunity finally came up when a neighboring landowner approached us about buying the one acre lot next to our shop. It's been overgrown for a while, but I can already envision the potential once we get it cleaned up. The property is perfectly situated for a laydown yard rental, giving local contractors a place to store equipment and materials. While it's a relatively small investment for now at just one acre, this represents an important step for our business. We're always looking for ways to diversify our revenue streams beyond just construction projects. Renting out this space will provide another source of passive income as our customer base continues to grow. It also feels good to check another goal off our vision board. Brittany...

I can't believe we've reached 500 episodes of the Kid Contractor podcast! It feels like just yesterday that I was recording that very first episode in my dining room with Brian and Emily from Stump Plants. So much has changed since then but one thing has remained - my commitment to bringing you insightful conversations with top professionals in our industry. For this milestone 500th episode, I decided to call up some of our most memorable guests from over the years to get a glimpse into where they are now. It was so fun to catch up with Josh Sutton, Alicia & AJ Brentzel, Jon Pajak, and many others. I also got a chance to thank those who were instrumental in launching the podcast like Mr. Producer and Brian Fullerton. In addition to reminiscing, I asked each guest about any business "fallacies" they once held that turned out not to be true. Many mentioned assumptions about how growth works or that bigger equals more successful. It was fascinating to hear different perspectives on...

I was excited to have Zach Taylor back on the podcast again today. Zach is always such a pleasure to talk to - he's got a great sense of humor and an incredible work ethic. I love hearing about all the adventures he gets himself into! This time, Zach shared about an amazing trip he took to visit our friend Jimmy Starbuck in Australia. I couldn't believe the details of Zach's 24 hour travel day just to get there - over 23 hours on planes from Boston to Melbourne. But he said it was all worth it to spend time with Jimmy and see the operations at Starbuck Excavation firsthand. Zach gave us a glimpse into Australian culture and the differences he experienced. From driving on the opposite side of the road to enjoying new foods, Zach took it all in stride. I was surprised to learn that Australia isn't nearly as dangerous as the memes make it out to be! Zach didn't encounter any deadly animals on his trip. It was fascinating to hear about Jimmy's multi-million dollar plant hire business. I...

I recently had the pleasure of hosting experts Amy Dutt, Mark Dilly on my podcast for a discussion about native plants and sustainable landscaping practices. As someone who has long focused on providing low-maintenance options to clients, I was eager to learn more about how we can incorporate nature-friendly designs.

What struck me most was the alarming data presented on the current extinction crisis. With so much wildlife struggling due to habitat loss, it's clear we need to make changes. But I was glad to hear that small modifications, like adding a few native plant species or reducing turf areas, can make a meaningful difference.

Hearing the science behind concepts like wetland design and water filtration through soil also gave me a new appreciation for natural systems. Who knew that simple dirt could cleanse water as it travels underground? It's amazing what nature provides when we allow its processes to function. Mark gave some great insights! Check out his work with ...

Episode 487: Stepping Up to the Next Level

This week's episode of the Kid Contractor Podcast focused on empowering our teams to take the initiative and drive our businesses to new heights. I discussed how Tyler here at Auman Landscape has been given the opportunity to independently sell his first hardscape project, representing a big step forward for him and our company. Taking that initial step out of our comfort zone is so important for growth.

I also shared about receiving some negative feedback on social media recently. While criticism can be tough to handle, blocking negativity is important for my own mental well-being and that of our brand. At the end of the day, we're all works in progress - myself included.

It was great catching up with Levi too about our plans for the week ahead. I hope this episode inspires you to invest in your team members and push boundaries like never before. Every journey starts with that first step. Wishing everyone a productive week! Listen to the...

In a recent Kid Contractor podcast episode, we discussed some of the challenges that come with being self-employed. One thing we touched on was a instagram post by @chriswillx on Instagram outlining 10 reasons why working for yourself can really suck sometimes. I wanted to highlight a few of those reasons here to give you all a taste of what we covered.

The first reason is that as the business owner, you're the only one holding yourself accountable. There's no boss looking over your shoulder making sure things get done. It's all on you to stay motivated and push through, which can get exhausting.

Another is that there's never really an "off" switch - there's always more work to be done. It's hard to fully detach from the business, even when you're trying to take time off.

Attaching your self-worth to the success of the business is dangerous too. When things aren't going well financially, it can really take a toll on your mental health and confidence.

Creating your own...