Kid Contractor Stories

Are You Willing to Change?

business commercial landscaping Jan 31, 2025

As I reflect on the topics covered on a recent episode of the Kid Contractor Podcast, the overarching theme that stands out to me is the importance of being willing to change as a business owner. Too often, we get stuck in our ways and become resistant to making the necessary adjustments to improve our companies. We complain about the problems we face, but are unwilling to put in the hard work to address them head-on. One of the articles discussed highlighted this perfectly - "I am the problem, not my customers, not my employees, not the market. I must be willing to change." That really hit home for me, as I know I've been guilty of that mindset at times. It's easy to point fingers at external factors, but the reality is that we have to look inward and be honest about where we need to improve. Whether it's getting our finances in order, revamping our sales process, investing in better equipment and training for our teams, or any number of other areas - we have to be willing to make cha...

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Project Management Tips for Your First Big job!

business commercial landscaping mcfarlin stanford tommy cole Jan 02, 2025

When I had the chance to sit down with Tommy Cole from McFarland Stanford, I knew this was going to be an episode packed with valuable lessons. Tommy's background is incredibly impressive - from cutting his teeth in landscape design and civil construction to eventually leading multi-million dollar projects and coaching businesses across the industry. The breadth of his experience was evident as he walked us through some of the key principles that have allowed him and the companies he's worked with to succeed, even in the face of major challenges. A few of the biggest takeaways for me:

The power of over-communicating through weekly recaps. As Tommy explained, it's critical to provide clients with consistent updates on progress, upcoming plans, and any outstanding issues. This not only keeps them in the loop, but also creates a paper trail that holds you accountable.
The importance of setting clear expectations with subcontractors upfront. By conducting pre-construction meet
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Project Management Tools That Work! with Andy Mulder

andy mulder business commercial landscaping entrepreneurship hardscaping Jan 02, 2025

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 en...

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Grit, Growth, and The Green Industry

commercial landscaping green industry Dec 02, 2024

I'm always excited to sit down with fellow green industry professionals and learn from their experiences. In our latest episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Alexander, the owner of Alexander the Great Landscaping (ATG), and I have to say - his story is truly inspiring.

Alexander's journey started out as a young entrepreneur, using a custom-built lawn cart attached to his bike to mow lawns in his neighborhood. Over the years, he's transformed his business from a one-man lawn care operation into a full-service landscaping company focused on design, installation, and maintenance.

What struck me most about Alexander's story was his unwavering grit and determination. Running a business is no easy feat, and he's faced his fair share of challenges along the way. But his military background has instilled in him a drive to push through adversity and keep moving forward.
One of the things I really admire about Alexander is his balanced mindset. He understands the importance of livi

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Powerful Strategies to Elevate Your Landscape Business

commercial landscaping lmn Dec 02, 2024

I recently had the opportunity to attend a powerful mastermind event that left me brimming with valuable insights to share with my fellow landscape, design, and construction professionals. One of the core lessons that really struck a chord with me was the importance of clearly defining your purpose and vision for the business. Whether that means reaching $1 million in revenue or building a more balanced lifestyle, taking the time to get crystal clear on your 2, 5, and 10 year goals is absolutely crucial. This vision will serve as the guiding light to keep you focused and making the right decisions along the way. Another concept that really resonated was the idea of viewing our team members as partners, not just employees. I've moved away from the "family" mentality, because the reality is that there may come a time where someone's values, vision, and drive no longer align with ours. By fostering a true partnership mindset, we can have those honest conversations about growth opportuniti...

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The Crucial Lesson: Identifying the Decision Maker in Commercial Landscaping Projects

commercial landscaping decision maker project success Jul 26, 2023

In the fast-paced world of commercial landscaping, every decision counts. A single misstep can have far-reaching consequences for the project's success. Caleb's recent experience serves as a vivid illustration of the importance of identifying the decision maker early in the process.

In a last-minute commercial job, Caleb encountered a significant setback when he failed to accurately identify the final decision maker. As a result, the project's budget was unexpectedly slashed, leaving him and his team scrambling to adapt. This unfortunate turn of events could have been avoided had Caleb taken the time to ascertain the true decision-making authority from the outset.

The incident underscores a valuable lesson for all professionals in the commercial landscaping industry. By determining the key decision maker at the project's inception, teams can streamline communication, align their proposals with the client's vision, and avoid costly delays or budget reductions. Clear communication chan...

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Understanding The Joys and Pains of Commercial Landscaping

commercial landscaping landscaping Mar 13, 2023

In the world of landscaping, there are two main branches of work – commercial and residential. While both have their unique challenges and benefits, they can often require different approaches and skills. In this blog post, we will explore the joys and pains of commercial work, as discussed with our guest Chad during episode #321 of Kid Contractor podcast.

Commercial work refers to landscaping projects that are undertaken for businesses or public spaces, such as parks, schools, and government buildings. Residential work, on the other hand, is landscaping for private homes. While some landscaping companies specialize in one or the other, many offer both services. It all comes down to the preferences of the business owner and the type of clients they want to work with.

One landscaper, who was interviewed on the Kid Contractor podcast, shared his experience of moving from primarily residential to commercial work. The landscaper explained that he was drawn to commercial work because of t...

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