Shredding in Steamboat: A Recap of Our Wild Colorado Sledding Adventure

colorado snowmobiling Feb 27, 2024

Hey all! Caleb here checking in with a recap of our wild Colorado sledding adventure. We just wrapped up recording a multi-part podcast live from Steamboat Springs about our trip over the past week.

Joining Brittany and I for the ride were Jeremy Swihart, Bill and Courtney Cipparone, the Tournoux brothers, and Andy Mulder as we spent six days tearing it up on the mountain. The terrain out here was no joke, with some huge open fields and steeper slopes than we're used to. A guide helped get us to the good spots, though I definitely have more to learn when it comes to sidehilling and tricks.

It wouldn't be one of our trips without some good crashes too. I definitely took the worst tumble, launching off a jump and rolling the sled over multiple times. Thankfully it was only some minor damage but it gave me a good scare. Safety is no joke out there in the backcountry.

Be sure to listen to the full podcast for all the details on our adventures, mishaps, and high jinks. I'm already...

Continue Reading...

5 Essentials Every Contractor's Truck Needs for Emergency Preparedness

landscaping safety Feb 05, 2024

Hey everyone, Caleb here with another episode of the Kid Contractor Podcast. On this episode I had my good friend Bill on the show to discuss an important topic - safety gear and equipment that every contractor should have on their trucks.

As many of you know, Bill has been a paramedic and firefighter for over 18 years, so he's seen it all when it comes to emergency situations. I wanted to have him on to get his expert advice about the basic supplies we should all carry to be prepared for any medical issues that may come up on the job.

We went through a list of essentials like tourniquets, large fire extinguishers, first aid kits, eyewash stations, and more. Bill also emphasized the importance of training with your crew on how to use these items properly. You never know when you may need to respond to an emergency, so it's critical that everyone stays proficient.

It was a really informative discussion. I hope all of you will take the time to review the items we talked about...

Continue Reading...

A Budgeting Breakthrough

budgeting Jan 29, 2024

Hey everyone, Caleb and Britt here with an update on our latest episode of the Kid Contractor Podcast. We just got back from an incredibly insightful trip to LMN Landscape headquarters in Canada where we spent the day with owner Mark Bradley.

Mark walked us through his proven process for crafting detailed organizational charts and budgets that drive real growth. We poured over our own operations and identified key positions we could add to take work off our plates and free up our time. With Mark's guidance, we projected realistic sales goals and worked backwards to build a budget that will allow us to hit our targets while maintaining healthy profits.

It was eye-opening to see how the numbers come together when you plan everything out in advance. We left feeling motivated and equipped with new strategies to scale our business. In our meeting with Mark, every question we had was answered and we learned so many lessons from his experience.

We can't recommend highly enough that other...

Continue Reading...

Hitting the Road for Business Mastery - A Joint Perspective

Uncategorized Jan 25, 2024

Hey everyone, Caleb and Brittany here checking in from the road. We just wrapped an amazing hardscape class weekend where we learned so much that will help take our business to the next level.

One of our biggest takeaways was how crucial budgeting software is for pricing jobs accurately. So many contractors leave money on the table without tracking costs properly. We're excited to implement what we learned from Andy Molder on simplifying processes too.

It was great connecting with other professionals. A huge thanks to our sponsors for supporting the event. Now we're driving to Canada for another mastermind, hoping our travel goes smoother than last time!

Listen to the full episode here:https://kidcontractor.libsyn.com/ep-455-adapt-to-new-technology

Continue Reading...

Letting Go to Level Up

As our business has grown, one of my biggest challenges has been learning to delegate more responsibility to the team. I've always enjoyed getting my hands dirty in the workshop and being involved in every project detail. But to truly scale, I realized I needed to start turning people loose.

In episode #450 of Kid Contractor Podcast, I discuss one of my hardest lessons yet - letting the guys organize my workshop. For years, that space was my domain and I had a very specific vision for how everything should be arranged. But we were falling behind on other priorities while I put it off. So I made the difficult choice to step back and let the team take charge.

It wasn't easy watching them make changes to my system. In my head, I had critiques for almost every move. But I bit my tongue and trusted the process. To my surprise, they came up with some great new ideas I never would have considered. The space is cleaner and more efficient than ever before.

I also share a story about a...

Continue Reading...

Fine-Tuning Our Processes For Maximum Efficiency

As our business continues to grow, Britt and I have been laser focused on optimizing our systems and standardizing communication across crews. On this week's episode we really dug into two areas that have been top of mind - daily updates from jobsites and financial management strategies.

Being able to plan for each day is so important when juggling multiple projects. We've tried a few different methods for end-of-day reports but weren't fully satisfied. After discussing the pros and cons, taking photos directly in Company Cam seems like the best fit. Not only will it provide a quick virtual check-in for me, but that permanent record will be invaluable for looking back at past jobs.

Proper financial oversight is another huge piece of running a successful business. We weighed options like fractional CFO services that could take us to the next level. While the value they provide is undeniable, the price tag may not be there yet as we continue to grow our top line. Still, the...

Continue Reading...

Focusing on Fundamentals in 2024

landscaping Jan 03, 2024

Caleb and Brittany Auman discuss their goals for returning to business fundamentals in the new year on their latest Kid Contractor podcast episode. Some key areas of focus include improving communication both within the team and with clients, implementing a more solid scheduling system, and bringing on a fractional CFO to help manage finances. Tune into the full episode to hear more details on their plans and strategies for prioritizing the core aspects of running the business.
Listen to the full "Ep 446. Back to the Fundamentals" episode here:https://kidcontractor.libsyn.com/ep-446-back-to-the-fundamentals

Continue Reading...

Caleb Takes Us Along on a Mobile Estimating Roadshow

In the latest episode of the Kid Contractor Podcast, host Caleb Auman brings us along for a mobile estimating roadshow. Listeners get a first-hand account of Caleb's process for meeting with potential clients to discuss upcoming projects.

We hear Caleb discuss the importance of clear communication when it comes to creating estimates and setting expectations with clients. He emphasizes labeling every detail in proposals to avoid any confusion down the road. Caleb also stresses the need to get excited about potential projects in order to get clients excited as well.

The episode follows Caleb from one appointment to the next as he pitches patio and hardscaping jobs. We learn about his tips for reading a site and addressing any concerns clients may have. Caleb also explains his strategy for following up and making sure the client understands the proposal.

If you're looking to improve your estimating and client communication skills, this is a must-listen episode. Tune in to hear...

Continue Reading...

2023 Year in Review

Caleb and Brittany Auman sat down recently to analyze the key metrics and financials for their lawn care and landscaping business over the past year. In this episode of the Kid Contractor Podcast, they dive into the numbers to compare 2023 to 2022. They discuss areas like sales, expenses, fuel costs, equipment repairs and more. Getting a look under the hood at the financial performance gives valuable insight.

One interesting finding was that while sales were up 13% year-over-year, fuel costs remained nearly flat. They also saw a significant drop in equipment repair bills. By evaluating trends in different expense categories, they hope to identify opportunities to streamline operations further. A yearly financial review is crucial for assessing what's working well and where improvements could be made.

Be sure to listen to this episode to gain perspective on how Caleb and Brittany evaluate their business results. Hearing their analysis and discussion of the metrics that drive their...

Continue Reading...

Priming Your Business for Growth

On a recent episode of the Kid Contractor Podcast, Caleb and Brittany Auman sat down with Alicia Brentzel this week to discuss Primed for Growth, a new program designed by Brittany and Alicia. Primed for Growth is an 8-week course that helps contractors create strategic plans and goals to take their businesses to the next level in 2024.

Brittany and Alicia discussed what Primed for Growth includes, such as vision and goal planning, creating marketing plans, forecasting, budgeting, and more. They'll cover topics like hiring, leadership, and accountability. The program features weekly educational sessions and check-ins to ensure plans are implemented.

Contractors of all sizes can benefit from Primed for Growth. Brittany, Caleb, and Alicia stressed how taking the time to plan can transform companies and boost profits. Don't miss this opportunity to prime your business for growth in the new year.

Listen to the full episode with Caleb, Brittany, and Alicia here.

Learn more and sign up...

Continue Reading...
Close

50% Complete

Two Step

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.