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 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...

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 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....

As a business owner in the landscaping industry, I'm always looking for ways to protect my company and stay ahead of the curve when it comes to emerging technologies. That's why I was thrilled to have my brother Noah, a I.T. and cybersecurity expert, join me on the latest episode of the Kid Contractor Podcast. In our conversation, Noah and I dove deep into the critical importance of safeguarding your company in the digital age. With the rise of sophisticated cyber threats, it's more important than ever to leverage advanced tools and strategies to defend against hackers and secure your operations. Noah shared his insights on how technologies like AI and two-factor authentication can be game-changers in protecting your business. We discussed real-world examples of companies that have fallen victim to devastating hacks, and the steps they could have taken to prevent such breaches. As a landscaper, I know firsthand how easy it can be to get caught up in the day-to-day grind and overlook...