Kid Contractor Stories

Lessons in Leadership from the Dave Ramsey EntreLeadership Master Series

dave ramsey entrepreneurship Jan 16, 2025

I’m always on the lookout for insights and strategies that can help green industry professionals like myself take our businesses to the next level. That’s why I was thrilled to have Jadon Wise, the Operations Leader at Arbor Care Lawn & Pest, back on the show to share his experience attending the Dave Ramsey EntreLeadership Master Series.

Jadon is no stranger to the podcast—this was his third time joining me, and it’s clear he’s someone deeply committed to continuous learning and growth, both personally and professionally. When he told me he had the opportunity to attend the prestigious EntreLeadership event, I knew we had to get him on the show to unpack all the valuable lessons he took away.

What struck me most about Jadon’s experience was the sheer intensity of the 5-day program. From in-depth sessions on time management and core values to thought-provoking discussions on tackling uncomfortable conversations and making better decisions, the Ramsey team left no stone unturned...

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...

You Are The Captain! Lessons Learned from Talking Numbers with John Pajak

business entrepreneurship john pajak Jan 02, 2025

In a recent episode of Kid Contractor podcast, I had the pleasure of chatting with my good friend John Pajak, the numbers guru behind the Profits with Pajak podcast.

John and I covered a lot of ground when it comes to truly understanding your business numbers. It's a topic that gets thrown around a lot, but as John pointed out, "knowing your numbers" means so much more than just pricing your services. It's about tracking key performance indicators, understanding your cost of customer acquisition, and projecting the lifetime value of each client.

One of the biggest takeaways for me was the importance of not cutting corners, even on the small stuff. I shared a recent experience where I trimmed the "fat" on a couple of minor line items for a large project, only to end up losing money on those very items due to callbacks and unexpected costs. John reinforced that every dollar matters, and you have to be willing to build in that buffer to account for the unknowns.

Another valuable less...

Lessons Learned from a Landscaping Software Entrepreneur

kid contractor podcast synkedup Dec 18, 2024

In our latest episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Weston from Synced Up, a budgeting and estimating software company. Weston has an incredible background - starting out as a laborer and crew leader at a landscaping company, he eventually helped develop an internal software tool that revolutionized their operations. This led him to eventually transition out and start Synced Up, with the mission of enabling prosperity for contractors through better financial management. One of the key takeaways from our conversation was the importance of understanding your numbers as a contractor. Weston shared how he and the team at his former company struggled with the same challenges I faced early on - not having a good handle on overhead costs, not tracking time and resources accurately, and ultimately losing money on jobs. Implementing budgeting and job costing software was a game-changer for them, and it's something I'm so passionate about now. Weston also spoke candidly about the sacri...

Lessons from a Young Landscaper

kid contractor podcast malvern lawn care Dec 18, 2024

I'm always on the lookout for inspiring stories and valuable insights from entrepreneurs in the green industry. In our latest episode, I had the privilege of interviewing Ethan Seeley, the 24-year-old owner of Malvern Lawn Care. In just 4 short years, Ethan has grown his company to over $2 million in revenue with 15 full-time employees. Needless to say, I was blown away by his incredible accomplishments at such a young age. What struck me most about Ethan was his maturity, work ethic, and commitment to continuous improvement. From implementing weekly leadership meetings to seeking out mentors and coaches, Ethan has clearly prioritized building a strong foundation for his business. He understands that sustainable growth requires more than just hustling - it takes strategic planning, smart hiring, and a relentless focus on optimizing operations. One of the biggest takeaways for me was Ethan's approach to time management. As someone who has struggled with this myself, I was impressed by h...

Lessons from a Lawn Care Entrepreneur: An Interview with Sean Spencer

kid contractor podcast spencer lawn Dec 18, 2024

In the latest episode of the Kid Contractor Podcast, host Caleb Auman sat down with Shawn Spencer, one half of the husband-wife team behind Spencer Lawn Care. As the owner of a thriving lawn care business and a successful YouTube channel, Shawn shared valuable insights into entrepreneurship, work-life balance, and personal growth. One of the key takeaways from the conversation was Shawn's approach to diversifying his income streams. In addition to his lawn care operations, Shawn and his wife Savannah have ventured into real estate, owning a storage facility and various rental properties. Shawn emphasized the importance of not putting all your eggs in one basket, explaining how the storage facility provides a consistent cash flow that helps sustain the business during slower seasons. Another fascinating aspect of the discussion was Shawn's journey with product development. As the inventor of the "Flex Shoot" - a shoot blocker for lawn mowers - Shawn shared the challenges of navigating t...

🎉 Black Friday & Cyber Monday: Unbeatable Deals for Hardscapers! 🎉

cyber monday the hardscape academy Dec 02, 2024

It’s that time of year! Black Friday and Cyber Monday are here, and so are our BIGGEST SAVINGS EVER at The Hardscape Academy! Whether you’re an experienced contractor or just starting in the hardscape industry, these deals are your chance to elevate your business without breaking the bank.

Here’s what we’ve got lined up for you:

💥 50% OFF All Training Videos and Forms

From mastering paver installations to building retaining walls, seat walls, and more, all our top-notch training videos and forms are HALF PRICE! This is your opportunity to invest in your skills and your team at an unbeatable discount.

🎉 FREE Coaching Call with Caleb

When you book an In-Person Training between November 29 and December 6, you’ll receive a FREE 1-on-1 Coaching Call with Caleb Auman himself! Get expert advice tailored to your business and take your operation to the next level.

🚨 The Everything Bundle – Just $549!

Why choose when you can have it all? For a limited time, get ALL of ou

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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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