As a business owner, finding the right type of vehicle to meet your needs can be a challenge. You want something that is functional, organized, and can handle the demands of your job. One option often considered is a service body truck. These trucks are designed to provide ample storage space for tools and equipment, making them a popular choice for those in the trades. But is a service body truck right for your business?

On a recent episode of The Kid Contractor Podcast, Caleb talked with guest Jeremiah Jennings about his own experience with a service body truck. He acknowledged that service body trucks may not be the most aesthetically pleasing option, but they make up for it in functionality. The built-in toolboxes and compartments provide ample storage space for all of your equipment, making it easy to stay organized and efficient on the job.

However, he also pointed out that a service body truck may not be the best choice for every business. Depending on your needs, a traditiona...

During a recent episode of the Kid Contractor Podcast, guest Dan Wheeler shared his experience in the fence industry and discusses the revolutionary technique that is changing the industry - the driving post technique.

Dan shares how his company, River City Fence, had their best year yet due to their increased efficiency and optimization. He attributes this success to learning from other experts in the field, including those on social media, and implementing their techniques. One of the techniques that has made a significant impact on their business is the driving post technique.

Dan explains that in areas where concrete frosting heave is an issue, such as up north, driving posts has been a proven and reliable technique for over 65 years. However, it was not widely known until recently when a fence company manager started sharing their techniques on social media. The driving post technique involves driving a post anywhere from 5-20 feet into the ground using a core machine and then s...

Landscaping might seem like a harmless job, but accidents can happen at any time. Whether it's a small injury or a major incident, it's important to be prepared for any situation. This is why having the proper safety equipment is crucial. In this blog post, we'll discuss the importance of safety equipment in landscaping based on a true story shared by landscaping professional, John Pajak on Kid Contractor Podcast episode #312.

In 2016, John had a brand new lawnmower with a Kohler engine. While doing leaf cleanup, leaves started piling up on top of the horizontally mounted muffler. This led to a fire breaking out, but fortunately, John had recently purchased new fire extinguishers and was able to put out the fire before it caused any serious damage. John realized the importance of having the right safety equipment readily available and easily accessible.

This incident is just one example of the need for lawn care professionals to have basic safety equipment such as fire extingui...

In a recent podcast episode, Caleb was joined by his brother, Noah Auman. Noah is the owner of an IT support business and in this conversation, he shared what it's been like navigating the big shifts in his business over the last 12 months. He also revealed that he has made some significant changes to his business model by cutting out the residential walk-in storefront and focusing more on commercial clients. Despite these changes, Noah shared that his business is now stable and the shift has been successful.

Noah's story highlights the challenges that many small business owners face in navigating uncertain times. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many businesses to rethink their operations and adapt to new realities. Noah's decision to pivot his business model and focus more on commercial clients is a prime example of the type of bold action that is necessary for business survival.

As Noah mentioned, his company is still doing some light residential work for people they have done wor...

Setting goals is an important part of achieving success in any aspect of life. Whether you are looking to grow your business or improve your personal life, setting clear and achievable goals is the key to making progress. In a recent podcast episode, Caleb and Brittany discuss the importance of setting one, two, and five-year goals personally, financially, and for the company.

At first, the conversation was a bit heated because Brittany was not confident in the goal they had set for themselves. Caleb reminded her that a goal must be something that you are passionate about and confident in achieving. This led to a decision to set a specific date to discuss and set their goals.

Caleb and Brittany discuss the importance of setting a timeline for achieving your goals. Whether it is a meeting with a client or a date with your spouse, putting it on the calendar ensures that it will happen. This also applies to achieving your goals. Setting a specific date for achieving your goals will help...

Starting a business at a young age can be challenging, but for two 18-year-old twins, it's a story of determination and hard work. These young entrepreneurs run a successful commercial maintenance company that offers services ranging from landscaping to snow removal. With a team of two crews, they manage to maintain 200 properties and remove snow from 70 accounts every week.

The company started as a summer job to make some extra money, but it quickly escalated into a full-fledged business venture. The twins didn't come from a wealthy family and wanted to finance their own activities and entertainment, so they started working and saved their earnings. As the business grew, they realized the potential and decided to keep it going.

Word of mouth played a significant role in the growth of the business, and in the past six months, Google has also helped with local marketing and attracting new customers. With their hard work and determination, the twins have managed to make a name for them...

Building a shop or any type of property can be an exciting and exhilarating process. From the first moment of breaking ground to the final touches, every step of the way holds its own unique moments of excitement. For those who are passionate about building and construction, the whole process can be an adventure.

For Brittany, the coolest thing about building a shop was the moment when they drilled holes for the building and put the posts in place. This was the moment when they could get a feel for the size of the building and see it starting to take shape. Another memorable moment was putting the mailbox in and making it feel like the property was truly theirs. The mailbox, while small, was a symbol of ownership and a personal touch that made the building feel like a home.

Another exciting moment was when the offices were framed out, even before the drywall was installed. This was a chance to see where their desk would go and imagine what the final product would look like. For those...

Starting a business can be a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with highs and lows. For one entrepreneur, the journey started with a simple lawn mowing business in 2007. However, as the business evolved and started taking on wall projects, the owner fell in love with the hardscaping aspect of the business. Despite this newfound passion, the business struggled to make a profit with the wall projects. The owner understood maintenance well, but just couldn't seem to make the numbers work.

That's where Amanda stepped in, pushing the business to get rid of the maintenance aspect and focus solely on the hardscaping. This decision came with some hesitation as the business relied heavily on one large commercial contract for grass maintenance, but the owner knew that it was a necessary step to ensure long-term success.

Making this change was not easy, as the business had to give up a significant portion of its income. However, the owner was optimistic about the future and knew that the transi...

2020 was a year like no other, and the construction industry was not immune to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses were forced to navigate a rapidly changing landscape, including sudden shutdowns and decreased demand for services. In this blog post, we’ll explore how one construction company navigated the challenges posed by the pandemic and ultimately found success.

The beginning of the pandemic was uncertain and scary, with the mayor of Kansas City cracking down on non-essential workers. In this uncertain environment, the construction industry was deemed essential, allowing companies to continue working. However, as the pandemic took hold and the economy struggled, many clients began to cancel projects, leading to decreased demand for services. The company was able to keep its head above water by pivoting to stormwater management work, which was deemed essential and allowed them to continue operating.

As the pandemic continued, business began to pick back up. The com...

Swimming pools are a great addition to any home, providing a place to relax, exercise, and entertain guests. But, as with any big investment, it's important to make sure you're getting a quality product that will last. Here are some things to consider when putting in a new pool.

1. Quality of the product The number one thing to keep in mind when putting in a new pool is the quality of the product. It's important to start with a high-quality product that is built to last. Look for a manufacturer with a good reputation and a long-standing track record of producing durable and well-made products. Additionally, make sure the manufacturer offers a good warranty, so you're protected in case of any defects or problems with the pool.
2. Leveling the pool Installing a level pool is crucial to ensuring that it looks good and performs well. A level pool will be more aesthetically pleasing and will also reduce the risk of leaks and other issues. Make sure to take the time to level the pool bef
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