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...

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...

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...

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

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...

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...

Caleb recently hosted Kyle Robertson, Tyler Kaufman, and Matt Phillips in the Company Cam studios after they attended one of his Hardscape Academy events. In a new episode of the Kid Contractor Podcast, Caleb catches up with the trio to get their thoughts on the Academy and how they have applied what they learned to their businesses. Kyle, Tyler, and Matt discuss the equipment they use, how they handle billing and invoicing, and things they have discovered about being self-employed contractors.

All three attendees found the Academy extremely helpful for expanding their knowledge of hardscaping techniques and designs. Tyler especially wanted to learn more about patios and retaining walls to add to his excavation and drainage work. Matt is looking to branch out from his lawn care company into more complex landscape installations. The Academy gave them both new skills and ideas to take their businesses in new directions.

Caleb also draws out valuable lessons from their experiences...

In the latest episode of the Kid Contractor Podcast, Caleb interviews Chase Gallagher, the 22-year-old founder and owner of CMG Landscaping. CMG Landscaping is based in Chester County, Pennsylvania and does over $1.8 million in annual revenue. Chase shares how he got his start in landscaping at just 12 years old, when he made flyers and distributed them around his neighborhood to find lawn mowing clients.

As a teenager, Chase worked part-time for another landscaper to gain experience in the industry. By 18, he had sold his lawn care business and transitioned fully into landscape construction projects like hardscaping, drainage work, and plantings. Chase credits his success to always putting in extra hours of work, whether that's following up with clients or spending evenings doing paperwork and planning. He also emphasizes the importance of marketing through social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook.

Now at 22, Chase runs an eight person crew with a fleet of trucks and...