I recently sat down with my father-in-law, Mark, for another episode of the Kid Contractor Podcast, and it was a real eye-opener. As someone who has been in the HVAC and commercial refrigeration business for over 30 years, Mark has a wealth of knowledge and experience that I'm always eager to tap into. One of the key things that stood out to me in our conversation was the importance of mindset when it comes to running a successful business. Mark shared how he read the book "The Richest Man in Babylon" years ago, and it really resonated with him. The idea of consistently saving a portion of your income, no matter what, is something that he's carried with him throughout his career. We also discussed the challenges of dealing with personnel and the human element of running a business. As Mark put it, he often felt like he was just a "glorified babysitter," constantly putting out fires and making sure his team was on the same page. But he emphasized the importance of putting in that...

In our latest episode, I had the chance to dive into some deep topics that have been weighing heavily on my mind lately. The discussion started with a reference to a class that my wife Brittany attended a while back on the concepts of love and respect in relationships. The core idea is that men inherently crave respect from their partners, while women need to feel loved. When we get that dynamic wrong, it can send a relationship into a downward spiral. This really hit home for me, as Brittany and I have been going through a bit of a tense period in our marriage recently. We've both been so focused on the demands of work and keeping our business running smoothly that we haven't always been as present and attentive with each other as we should be. It's a good reminder that no matter how much is on our plates, we have to keep our priorities straight and make sure we're nurturing our most important relationship. The conversation then shifted to the role that money and material...

In our latest episode of the Kid Contractor Podcast, my co-host (and wife) Brittany and I dove deep into some of the key financial lessons we've learned over the years. One of the biggest takeaways was the importance of having a solid handle on your overhead costs and labor hours. We use a system called "multiple overhead recovery" where we carefully budget out our annual overhead expenses and then ensure we're recovering that across the billable hours of our crew. It's so easy to underestimate how much it really costs to run the business, and if you're not vigilant about it, those overhead costs can quickly eat into your profits. We also discussed the risks of "floating" expensive equipment like excavators and dump trucks on the road. While it's great to have that capability for big jobs, the liability of having hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of machinery out there is substantial. One fender bender with an uninsured driver could wipe out an entire project's profits....

As a business owner in the landscaping industry, I'm always looking for ways to protect my company and stay ahead of the curve when it comes to emerging technologies. That's why I was thrilled to have my brother Noah, a I.T. and cybersecurity expert, join me on the latest episode of the Kid Contractor Podcast. In our conversation, Noah and I dove deep into the critical importance of safeguarding your company in the digital age. With the rise of sophisticated cyber threats, it's more important than ever to leverage advanced tools and strategies to defend against hackers and secure your operations. Noah shared his insights on how technologies like AI and two-factor authentication can be game-changers in protecting your business. We discussed real-world examples of companies that have fallen victim to devastating hacks, and the steps they could have taken to prevent such breaches. As a landscaper, I know firsthand how easy it can be to get caught up in the day-to-day grind and overlook...

As a seasoned contractor, I've seen firsthand the pitfalls of choosing the cheapest option. Recently, a client's experience with a low-cost concrete pad reminded me why quality should never be sacrificed for price. When we cut corners to save money, we often end up paying more in the long run. Whether it's unreliable equipment that wastes time on job sites or subpar materials that deteriorate quickly, the initial savings rarely justify the headaches and additional expenses down the road. I've learned this lesson the hard way, like when I installed cheap lighting fixtures for a budget-conscious client. The constant repairs and service calls ate into any profit and damaged my reputation. Now, I only use high-quality products like WAC Lighting, even if it means a higher upfront cost. To my fellow contractors: invest in quality tools, materials, and labor. It's not just about the immediate job - it's about building a sustainable, reputable business. And to homeowners: remember that the...

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...

Brett is the owner of Eikenbary Landscape. His journey to entrepreneurship is one that is familiar to many. The desire to pursue one's passion, to find fulfillment in one's work, and to make a difference in the world are all powerful motivators that can drive people to take risks and pursue their dreams.

Brett had been working at a good company, with a steady job and good benefits, but he wasn't getting fulfilled. He had always been passionate about lawn and landscape, and slowly started to learn more about hardscapes as well. After discussing it with his wife Chase, they finally decided to take the leap and start their own business. The decision to start a business is never an easy one. It requires careful planning, a solid strategy, and a lot of hard work. Brett and Chase knew that if they were going to do it, they wanted to do it right. They spent a lot of time thinking about the branding and vision of their business, and when they finally set a launch date, they went...

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...

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...

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...