The Ultimate Landscape CEO - Jeffrey Scott: Recent Episodes

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Jason Lee runs Skyfrog Landscape, a $3M full-service design/build/maintenance company out of Gainesville, Florida, and sits down with host Jeffrey Scott to unpack a wild few years in business — including overcoming a building fire, being a FNGLA state chapter head, alligator hunting as a side hobby, and rebuilding his leadership team from the ground up. The conversation moves fast between hard-won lessons on insurance gaps, partnership fallout, and operational fixes, all delivered with the kind of dry, no-excuses attitude that makes the episode feel more like a beer-in-hand debrief than a polished interview.

Takeaways:

• Skyfrog origin — named after founder Joe Vasquez’s Marine recon callsign; Skyfrog Landscape and Skyfrog Tree Service are separate companies that cross-refer business.
• Office fire (2021) — an employee committed arson to hide check fraud; Jason discovered he had no contents or extra-expense insurance.
• Insurance lesson — always carry contents and extra-expense coverage before you need it.
• Partnership fallout — a handshake equity deal with an employee who never built his side of the business led to a costly buyout; get an attorney, always.
• Property co-ownership — four owners on the fire-damaged building meant a 3-1 outvote on rebuild decisions; clear operating agreements matter.
• Maintenance division fix — went from $26/hour throughput and 41% inefficiency to ~14% after joining a peer group and re-tracking labor hours.
• Team rebuild — added business development, a new designer, and split sales/operations into separate roles.
• Greenside Up Podcast — 2 years running, led directly to a marketing partnership (Intrigue Media) driving recent lead growth.
• FNGLA leadership — active in the Front Runners chapter, set to become incoming president.
• Alligator hunting — 20+ year hobby now doubling as informal client/relationship building.
  The post Overcoming Hard Lessons on Insurance, Arson, and Bad Partnership Agreements with Jason Lee appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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As your landscape company grows, your people challenges evolve. In this episode, Mitch Katz sits down with Katie Magoon, owner of People Solutions Center, to discuss how HR can become a strategic advantage instead of just a compliance function. Katie and Mitch discuss the key HR milestones growing landscape companies face, how hiring and leadership needs change at different revenue levels, and why culture should be built intentionally—not left to chance. They also dive into the true cost of a bad hire, how to define roles before you recruit, and practical strategies for attracting, selecting, and developing the right people. Whether you’re hiring your first office manager or building a leadership team to scale your business, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you build a stronger company through better people.

The post HR Leadership and People Solutions with Katie Magoon and Mitch Katz appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Scott Hollister, Editor-in-Chief of Landscape Management Magazine (published by North Coast Media, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio), joins Jeffrey Scott to break down the 2026 LM150 — the industry’s ranking of the 150 largest landscaping companies. This year’s list hit nearly $22 billion in combined revenue, up 18% year over year, but the real story is private equity: who’s consolidating the industry, why some top-10 giants are actually shrinking, and how a 2009-vs-2026 comparison reveals just how much the business has changed. They name names, debate organic growth vs. acquisition-fueled growth, and preview upcoming changes to the LM150 rankings.

It’s not too late to join us — but tickets are moving fast. Save your spot today: Summer Growth Summit in Detroit, MI. August 18–20, 2026 – https://jeffreyscott.biz/summer-growth-summit-26/

Key Takeaways

• LM150 hits nearly $22 billion in combined revenue, up 18%
• 33 companies post 20%+ growth; 4 companies grow 100%+ via PE-backed acquisitions
• Some top-10 giants flat or shrinking despite $500M+ revenue
• Why private equity needs organic growth, not just acquisitions
• Revenue floor to make the list climbs from $6M (2009) to $20–23M (2026)
• Top 20 companies growing faster (4.4x) than the list cutoff (3.1x) since 2009
• LM considering a PE-backed vs. organic-only segment
• Possible new “Top 25 Private Companies” and lawn-care vs. residential splits
• Case studies: Shield Landscape Collective and Bland Landscaping
• Rising Stars and Forty Under Forty: LM’s newer recognition programs
  The post LM150 Exposed: Why the Biggest Landscaping Companies Are Growing Fastest (And Some Are Shrinking) with Scott Hollister appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Jeff Korhan, founder of Treemendous Landscape Company® (suburban Chicago) and now marketing strategist at TrueNature.com, brings over 20 years of hard-won experience running a residential design-build landscape company — and another decade helping green industry companies sharpen their brand, win better clients, and grow with intention. Jeff went from corporate America (chemistry and oil) to building an award-winning landscape firm, then transitioned into consulting, speaking, and authorship. In this episode, he gets into the strategies that actually moved the needle for his business and how landscape company owners can apply those same principles today — including how AI is completely flipping the SEO playbook and what you need to do about it right now.

Key Takeaways:

• Brand your process, not just your company — Jeff named his design-build method the “Intelligent Landscape System,” which opened doors, justified design fees, and attracted top talent who wanted a system to follow
• Use awards strategically — Winning industry awards (including a NALP Grand Award) forced his team to raise their standards and gave them real proof points to back up premium pricing
• Turn educated clients into your sales force — Teaching clients the why behind your methods (proper pruning, engineered hardscapes, etc.) made them vocal advocates who referred the right kind of customers
• Communication is a competitive weapon — Consistent follow-up, newsletters, and multi-channel outreach built relationships that competitors couldn’t touch, especially when most didn’t even call back
• Stop obsessing over the competition — Jeff’s biggest mindset shift was focusing on what made him unique rather than reacting to what competitors were doing or charging
• The AI SEO shift is real and it’s now — Forget keyword stuffing; Jeff explains why landscape companies need an “AI summary page” on their website written in plain conversational language so ChatGPT, Gemini, and other LLMs can accurately recommend and describe your business
• Meaningful work drives longevity — When Jeff chased commercial contracts against his company’s residential identity, he lost good people; going back to their core niche turned everything around
• Strategy vs. a plan — Most companies have a to-do list, not a real strategy; Jeff breaks down what it actually means to build conditions for success and align your team around a shared vision
  The post Stop Chasing Competitors and Start Building a Category of One — Jeff Korhan’s Blueprint for Landscape Companies appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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If your estimators are buried in takeoffs, passing on bids because there just isn’t enough time, or manually counting plants for hours on end — this episode is going to hit close to home. Jeffrey Scott sits down with Michael Ding, founder of Bobyard, a San Francisco-based AI-powered takeoff and estimating platform purpose-built for the construction and landscape industry. Michael breaks down how Bobyard uses computer vision models (not your typical ChatGPT-style AI) to read complex construction drawings and automate the most time-consuming parts of the estimating process — cutting takeoff time by 50% to 70%, and in some cases 80%. They dig into how the technology actually works, why landscaping was the most difficult construction niche to crack, the real ROI for companies of all sizes, and what it means to increase the “leverage” of every estimator on your team. Michael also opens up about his leadership philosophy — from hiring only high-caliber talent with a brutally rigorous interview process, to the discipline of repeating your vision until your team is tired of hearing it. Whether you’re a $2M owner doing your own takeoffs on weekends or a $20M company with a full estimating team, this conversation will change how you think about AI, bidding strategy, and business growth.

TAKEAWAYS

• AI takeoff software vs. traditional estimating tools: Bobyard uses computer vision models — not large language models like ChatGPT — to visually interpret construction drawings the way a human estimator would, making it uniquely suited for the non-standardized, highly complex world of landscape plans.
  50%–80% faster takeoffs are real and demonstrable: Bobyard runs live demos using the prospect’s own drawings, completing in 20 seconds what typically takes two hours — so you see the ROI before you ever sign a contract.
• Landscaping is the hardest construction niche to automate — and that’s a competitive moat: Because there’s zero standardization in landscape drawing notation (unlike electrical or plumbing), Bobyard had to solve a foundational AI problem that will now power their expansion into 20–30 additional construction trades.
• Don’t pass on bids because you’re too busy — that’s a tech problem, not a capacity problem: Michael makes the case that passing on a project due to estimating bandwidth has nothing to do with your crew quality or company reputation — and that’s exactly the problem Bobyard was built to fix.
• AI increases estimator leverage, it doesn’t replace them: Bobyard handles the “middle of the workflow” — the counting, quantifying, and flagging of ambiguous decisions — while your estimators focus on the high-value work: relationships, strategy, and winning bids.
• Hiring philosophy that attracts top talent: Bobyard writes custom, insanely difficult interview problems rather than using generic coding tests — and high-caliber candidates actually accept offers because of how rigorous the process is. It signals the company is serious and values intelligence.
• Repeat your vision until people are sick of hearing it: As Bobyard tripled headcount in four months, Michael learned that clearly and relentlessly communicating goals — doubling revenue every quarter — is one of the most critical leadership skills as your company scales.
• ROI looks different depending on your company size: For smaller companies, Bobyard gives owners their nights and weekends back. For mid-size and large firms, it means estimators can shift from clicking on plants to managing client relationships, getting promoted, and driving more revenue.
• The construction industry’s productivity problem is decades old — and AI is the fix: Construction worker productivity has actually declined since the 1970s relative to the rest of the U.S. economy. Bobyard is directly targeting that gap with a product that makes estimating teams 3x more productive. 🎟️ Summer Growth Summit — Detroit, August 18–20 Michael will be on the AI panel live at this year’s Summit — don’t miss the chance to see Bobyard in action and connect with the sharpest minds in the landscape industry. Early bird ends June 26. Save $300 per ticket. Register here: https://jeffreyscott.biz/summer-growth-summit-26/

The post How AI Is Cutting Landscape Estimating Time by 70% — Inside Bobyard with Founder Michael Ding appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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If you’ve ever fumbled through a presentation, relied too heavily on data slides, or watched your team’s eyes glaze over mid-meeting — this episode is your fix. Jeffrey Scott breaks down why storytelling is the most underrated leadership skill in the landscape industry, and how any owner or manager can master it. Drawing from his hands-on work coaching speakers for the Summer Growth Summit, Jeffrey walks you through exactly what separates a forgettable talk from one that moves people to action. Whether you’re addressing five employees or a room of 500, the frameworks he shares here — including a proven 6-point keynote structure — are immediately usable. This isn’t theory. It’s the same playbook Jeffrey uses with real landscape company founders and their teams to turn technical knowledge into stories that stick.

🚨 Super early bird ends May 8th! Register now and save $400 per ticket: https://jeffreyscott.biz/summer-growth-summit-26/

Key Takeaways:

• Why storytelling beats data every time — Facts inform, but stories move people. Numbers go over heads; a well-told story hits the gut and gets remembered.
• The 4 pillars of a strong business story — Every powerful story needs a punchy opening, tension (a real problem), resolution with a lesson, and a clear call to action.
• The 6-point keynote framework — Start with a bang → personal + business intro → define the problem → present solutions → show results → close with a call to action. Use this for any talk, from a 20-minute team huddle to a 45-minute keynote.
• The #1 rookie mistake — Giving away the punchline too early. If you lead with your best result or credential, you kill the suspense. Save the proof for the end.
• Stories every landscape leader should have ready — Your origin story, a time you majorly messed up and recovered, a client win, and a team-pulled-together moment (think: snowstorm, brutal rainy season, late-season scramble).
• Why your clients are your best storytellers — Invite a client to speak directly to your crew. The same message you’ve said 10 times lands completely differently coming from the person writing the checks.
• Humor isn’t optional — It’s a leadership tool. When people laugh, they open up, trust you faster, and are more receptive to what you’re teaching. Self-deprecating humor works especially well.
• How to help non-storytellers find their story — Start with challenges they’ve overcome. Everyone has them. That’s where the gold is.
• Chronology is your friend — Structure talks in time order. It’s the easiest format for both speaker and audience to follow and retain.
  4 ways to get comfortable on stage — Practice in a mirror, present to a small (honest) audience, record yourself, and consider hiring a presentation coach for high-stakes talks.The post Storytelling: A Leadership Superpower with Jeffrey Scott. Learn to Teach, Lead, and Inspire Through Stories appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Troy Clogg, Founder of Troy K. Clogg Landscape Associates, based in Farmington Hills, Michigan, sits down with Jeffrey Scott to share the unfiltered story behind building a $20 million landscape and snow business from the ground up. Troy started the way most of us do — knocking on doors as a teenager, cutting grass four square miles at a time. Fast forward a few decades and he’s closing in on $20 million in revenue, with his first employee still on the crew after 40 years, a supply house built around a hot pink de-icer, and a company culture rooted more in humanity than P&L margins. He pulls back the curtain on what actually drove his growth — from offering full-time salaries in the trades before it was common, to running door-hanger campaigns with handwritten notes, to an upcoming acquisition that marks his first real move away from purely organic growth. He’s also refreshingly honest about what doesn’t work: he straight-up tells you the supply house doesn’t make money and why most contractors shouldn’t open one. Troy is a co-host at the Summer Growth Summit, August 18–20 in downtown Detroit — and if you’re a landscape or snow business owner ready to stop guessing and start scaling, this episode is your preview of what’s coming.

🎟️ Super early bird ends May 8th! Register now and save $400 per ticket. 👉 https://jeffreyscott.biz/summer-growth-summit-26/

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Starting from zero works — if you’re willing to knock on doors. Troy built a base of 447 customers within four square miles as a teenager using nothing but door knocking and flyers — no internet, no social media, no shortcuts.
• Paying full-time salaries before it was industry standard was a game-changer. Offering year-round employment in the trades was rare in Troy’s early days — and it’s a big reason why his first employee, Greg, is still with him after 40 years.
• Employee retention is a culture decision, not an HR strategy. Troy attributes his long-tenured team to transparency, high expectations, safety, security, and genuinely caring about people — treating the business more like a family than a corporation.
• Snow and design-build drive the highest margins. Troy breaks down which parts of his business are most profitable — snow removal, design-build, tree work, and fertilizer all lead, while lawn cutting has become increasingly tight.
• The supply house is a passion project, not a profit center — and Troy will tell you that straight. He’s transparent that the supply yard rarely makes money, and cautions other contractors to think hard before opening one unless the motivation isn’t primarily financial.
• Hot pink branding wasn’t a gimmick — it became a philanthropic movement. The Hot Pink De-icer started as a product and grew into a charity-driven brand identity that now funds community fundraisers and gives Troy a platform to give back while building business.
• Door hangers + handwritten notes still work in 2025. Troy still uses neighborhood door-hanger campaigns combined with personal handwritten messages when crews are working nearby — and he measures results to prove it.
• Organic growth is powerful, but smart acquisitions can accelerate it. Troy has grown almost entirely through organic means, but reveals he’s about to sign his first acquisition deal — a strategic move for good people in a great location.
• Authenticity is your brand. From the hats he wears to still cutting his own grass with a vintage mower, Troy’s identity and business identity are the same — and he credits the years he tried to be different as the ones that didn’t go well.
• The Summer Growth Summit in Detroit is the place to dig deeper. Attendees will get a company tour, meet the long-tenured crew, see how Troy designs his facility for both summer and winter operations, and hear him speak on branding, charity, and scaling.🔗 Link mentioned by Troy Clogg: https://hotpinkhelpers.com/

The post From Door Knocking to $20M+: Troy Clogg’s Blueprint for Building a Landscape Empire The Right Way appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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In this episode, Jeffrey Scott sits down with Ivan Katz, founder of Great Lakes Landscape Design just outside Detroit, Michigan. Ivan’s been in the game for 37 years, but he’s moving like he’s just getting started. They dive into four surprise questions—from what he wants attendees to notice during his new facility tour, to the one thing he believes he does better than almost anyone else (hint: it’s not just design work). Ivan gets real about the hardest transition he’s made: moving long-time, loyal employees off his leadership team and bringing in outside talent without blowing up the culture. He also calls out where too many contractors settle—especially around training and promoting people into roles they’re not ready for. Plus, Ivan shares why he keeps bringing big teams to the Summer Growth Summit year after year, and what’s changed now that he’s co-hosting. If you’ve ever struggled with scaling, loyalty vs. performance, or keeping your team hungry, this one’s for you.

Summer Growth Summit (Aug 18-20):
The super early bird discount ends May 8th. For more info and to register, click this link: https://jeffreyscott.biz/summer-growth-summit-26/

Key Takeaways:

• Facility as a growth tool: Ivan’s new 33,000 sq. ft. space isn’t just bigger—it’s designed around workflow, team movement, and intentional growth. He’s staying disciplined to avoid “deferred maintenance” creep.
• 70%+ repeat business isn’t luck: Most of their revenue comes from existing clients, and over a third is recurring contract work. They treat projects like annuities, stretching big visions over multiple years.
• Hardest move? Removing legacy leaders: Ivan pulled four long-term employees off his leadership team—including a 24-year vet—to make room for new thinking. It was emotional, messy, and necessary.
• Where owners settle: Promoting a good foreman to production manager without real training. Ivan says the industry gets complacent—real growth means building people up intentionally, not just filling seats.
• Bringing the whole team to a summit: Ivan’s not just attending the Summer Growth Summit anymore—he’s co-hosting. He’s using the event as a catapult, giving his people speaking slots, Slack channels, and real ownership over the experience.
• Being present > being busy: After losing his phone and dealing with IT outages, Ivan’s doubling down on showing up fully—with family, team, and clients. Clear words and real presence beat speed every time.
  The post Building a Growth Machine: A Landscape Founder’s Raw Take on Leadership with Ivan Katz appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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In this episode, Jeffrey Scott sits down with Desiree Bouchard, Integrator and General Manager, and Ellen Moore, Director of Continuous Improvement — both from Great Lakes Landscape Design in the Detroit, Michigan area. These two have built one of the most intentional leadership structures in the green industry. Des shares how she rose through the ranks over 13 years, from office support to becoming the obvious choice for integrator when the company adopted EOS. Ellen brings an unconventional background — from nuclear power to an MBA to landscape — and now serves as what she calls “the integrator’s integrator,” diving deep into process fixes so Des can focus on running the company. Together, they break down the real work of operational leadership: building meaningful KPIs, implementing daily huddles that actually stick, standardizing sales estimating in LMN, and using tools like the Five Why’s and tabletop customer journey exercises to eliminate process breakdowns for good. They’re honest about what change management actually requires — patience, persistence, buy-in strategy, and the courage to go through the hard stuff, not around it. If you’re a landscape business owner, integrator, or anyone trying to scale with better systems and a stronger culture, this one is packed with actionable insight straight from the field.

🌱 Great Lakes Landscape Design will be co-hosting the Summer Growth Summit — August 18–20th! Des and Ellen will both be speaking, and you won’t want to miss it.

👉 Grab your spot here — Super early bird discount ends May 8 – https://jeffreyscott.biz/summer-growth-summit-26/

*Key Takeaways:*

• The “integrator’s integrator” model works. Hiring a Director of Continuous Improvement frees the integrator to focus on operations instead of constant fire-fighting.
• Daily huddles create instant alignment. A 10–15 minute morning check-in with live metrics gives teams a structured moment to flag issues before they become bigger problems.
• Track metrics that actually move the needle. Know what numbers to watch daily, weekly, and monthly — not just what’s easy to pull.
• Standardize your sales estimating process. Inconsistent, individual-driven estimating costs you money. Shared templates and systems keep the whole team on the same page.
• Announcing a change ≠ implementing one. Real adoption requires training, follow-up, and patience. Most leaders move on too fast.
• Walk the customer’s journey end-to-end. A simple tabletop exercise — tracing data from first call to final install — exposes exactly where your process breaks down.
• Scheduling belongs at the leadership level. It takes senior authority to push both sales and production. Don’t delegate it too low.
• Culture and systems have to grow together. Prep your team before the change arrives — buy-in is built before the rollout, not during it.
• Bring your whole team to industry events. When everyone hears the same message, going home and implementing it becomes a whole lot easier.
• Every level of leadership needs a strong second-in-command. It’s not just for owners — it multiplies impact all the way down the org chart.
  The post Inside the Dual Leadership Structure at Great Lakes Landscape Design, with Desiree Bouchard & Ellen Moore appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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In this episode, host Jeffrey Scott sits down with Doug Taylor, CEO of Frontiers Design Build in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Doug shares the fascinating 18-year journey of evolving his business from a landscape design-build firm into a high-performance construction company. He opens up about the real-world challenges of managing two vastly different business models—landscape and construction—under one roof, and how he navigated the financial tightrope to find the perfect balance. Doug also dives into his latest chapter: pivoting into multi-unit affordable housing by applying high-performance building principles. Finally, he offers a masterclass on moving beyond basic AI usage, explaining how he’s built a “knowledge base” to turn AI into a true strategic thought partner for business development and marketing.

Registration is Now Open for the 2026 Summer Growth Summit: https://jeffreyscott.biz/summer-growth-summit-26/

Key Takeaways:

• The Financial Trap: Why mixing a high-margin landscape business with a lower-margin construction business creates forecasting chaos unless you stabilize your overhead model.
• The “Gravy” Strategy: How Doug intentionally shifted to an 80% construction / 20% landscape model, treating the higher-margin landscape work as a stable “gravy” profit center.
• Defining High Performance: An explanation of what high-performance homes are (energy efficiency, occupant comfort, durability) and how they differ from standard builds.
• The Value Over Cost Pitch: How to sell high-performance building by focusing on long-term occupant outcomes and generational durability rather than just upfront costs.
• The Pivot Playbook: Why Doug advises landscapers against simply “dabbling” in winter renovations unless they are willing to acquire outside talent and accept a completely different operational structure.
• AI as a Thought Partner: Moving past using AI to write emails; instead, building a “knowledge base” (uploading SOPs, org charts, and even DISC profiles) to turn AI into a strategic partner for marketing and business development.
  The post Beyond the Backyard: A Successful Pivot Into Home Building & Renovation – With Doug Taylor appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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In this episode, Jeffrey Scott sits down with Christian Ruf, founder of Uncommon Elite and former Night Stalker helicopter pilot with the elite 160th SOAR, to break down one of the most impressive first years in recruiting you’ll hear about — 78 placements in 12 months, serving construction, home services, HVAC, fencing, foundation repair, and more. Christian pulls back the curtain on why special operations veterans outperform conventional hires in blue-collar leadership roles, how he’s built a headhunting firm that completes placements in days instead of months, and the lessons that surprised him most about working with small business owners. From defining outcome-based scorecards before you even post a job, to using military-style case studies as a pre-hire screening tool, this episode is a masterclass in hiring for keeps — not just filling a seat. Whether you’re a $5M landscaping company or a multi-location HVAC operator, if you’ve ever struggled to find a strong operations manager, GM, or sales leader, this conversation is exactly what you need to hear.

Takeaways:

• Who is Uncommon Elite? A veteran-focused executive search firm placing special ops talent — Navy SEALs, Green Berets, Rangers, Night Stalkers — into blue-collar businesses from CEO down to project manager
• Speed that blows the industry average out of the water — candidates sourced in under 10 business days vs. the typical 3–4 month recruiter timeline
• 78 placements in year one — across executive, operations/project management, and sales roles in construction, home services, HVAC, fencing, and more
• Lesson #1: Owners don’t know what they actually need — defining 3–5 measurable outcomes before hiring is the single biggest game-changer for a successful placement
• The case study method — how to simulate the real job before making an offer, straight out of how the 160th SOAR vets its own pilots over 5–7 grueling days
• Recruiting is more relational than transactional — repeat clients now make up the backbone of the business, with some companies returning for 5–7 searches
• Geography is NOT a limiting factor — quality veteran talent will relocate, including to rural and non-metro markets
• Sales roles were a surprise winner — VP and manager-level sales placements in plumbing, HVAC, artificial turf, and fencing opened up an unexpected growth lane
• What vets bring that others don’t — solutions-first mindset, tenacity, urgency, and the ability to problem-solve with zero hand-holding
• Pre-screened for the attributes you want — special ops selection processes already filter for integrity, accountability, and the refusal to quit before they ever walk into your office
• Complacency is the enemy — whether in the cockpit or in business, skipping steps and lowering standards is where things go wrong
  The post Why Your Next Best Hire Might Be a Navy SEAL: Christian Ruf on Recruiting Veterans for the Trades appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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In this episode, Jeffrey Scott sits down with Kelli Anh Shaw, COO of HYRE (HYREup.com), a boutique offshore staffing and virtual assistant management firm based out of Overland Park, Kansas. Just two years old as of January 2026, HYRE has already placed around 80 virtual assistants across client companies and built an internal team of 11 — hitting $1.7M in revenue and proving fast that their model works. Kelli shares the real story behind how HYRE was born — out of a moving company that grew 863% in three years, landed on the Inc. 5,000 multiple times, and then nearly unraveled when the housing market froze. Facing massive overhead with shrinking revenue, her team turned to offshore staffing from the Philippines and Latin America, eventually saving $350,000 annually on admin costs alone. What makes HYRE different isn’t just the placement — it’s the deep discovery process, hands-on onboarding, and dedicated account management that helps landscape, HVAC, plumbing, and other trades businesses actually integrate virtual assistants in a way that sticks. Whether you’re looking to support your sales team with CRM hygiene and cold calling, free up your field managers from scheduling chaos, or find a bilingual assistant to help manage your H-2B workers, this episode breaks down exactly how it works, what it costs, and what to expect in your first few weeks.

Takeaways:

• HYRE was born from real business pain — a moving company near collapse that saved $350K annually after going offshore
• Just 2 years old, HYRE has already placed ~80 VAs and grown to a team of 11 with $1.7M in revenue
• Trades companies (landscaping, HVAC, plumbing, electrical) are HYRE’s bread and butter
• VAs can fill roles across all three areas: sales support, operations, and accounting/admin
• HYRE does a deep discovery process first — they build the role around your company, not the other way around
• Bilingual Latin American VAs are a major asset for landscape companies running H-2B programs
• Pricing starts at $10–$12/hr all-inclusive, with senior-level talent up to $25–$30/hr — no headhunter fees
• Every account gets a dedicated manager handling oversight, payroll, and daily check-ins
• ROI can show up fast — some clients are winning by their very first weekly call
• AI and virtual assistants work best together; the human touch is becoming more valuable, not less
• Get started at HYREup.com — book a discovery call and go in with questions, not a finished job description The post Virtual Assistants for Trades Companies: Supercharging your Sales, Operations, Admin and Customer Service, with Kelli Anh Shaw of HYRE appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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In this Olympics-inspired episode, Jeffrey Scott draws powerful parallels between the 2026 Winter Olympics and running a high-performance landscape business, sharing 10 actionable lessons every CEO can apply right now. From Lindsey Vonn’s fearless leadership under injury to Italy’s surprising rise as a winter sports powerhouse, Jeffrey unpacks how Olympic principles — team synergy, real-time scoring, leaderboards, coaching from the sidelines, and relentless efficiency — translate directly into business wins. He challenges leaders to stop being player-coaches, start building client-facing cultures, obsess over margin efficiencies, and never stop tracking the competition, all in pursuit of building a business that performs like an Olympic team.

Sales Symposium – March 10th. Register before February 26th for special pricing.

https://jeffreyscott.biz/sales-symposium/

Key Takeaways:

• Lead like Lindsey Vonn — Push through adversity and raise the bar for everyone
• Teams go farther — Build synergy through shared training, celebrating, and support
• Coach from the sidelines — Your team needs your guidance more than your hands-on labor
• Real-time scoring — Use KPIs and dashboards daily, not just at month-end
• Post the leaderboard — Visible rankings drive pride and engagement without extra incentives
• Know your home team advantage — Identify, promote, and rally around your unique competitive edge
• Great coaching beats raw talent — The right technique and coach can outperform more talented teams
• Performance over convenience — Build a client-facing culture and make NPS scores as visible as profit
• Margins matter — Obsess over efficiency in sales, operations, and admin
• Track your competition — Mystery shop, visit job sites, and always bring fresh ideas back
  The post Gold Medal Leadership: 10 Olympic Lessons for Building a High-Performance Landscape Company appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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In this episode, Jeffrey Scott sits down with Chase Mullin, CEO of Mullin Landscape located in St. Rose, Louisiana, to discuss the strategic decisions and leadership lessons behind scaling a regional landscape company from roughly $5 million to nearly $30 million in revenue. Chase shares how continuous improvement, tough business decisions, and strategic focus helped drive growth — including dropping hardscape services, eliminating residential divisions, and doubling down on commercial maintenance to improve efficiency and profitability. He explains how outsourcing certain services created operational leverage, how applying the “hedgehog concept” clarified their core strengths, and why regularly inspecting systems and processes is critical even when a company appears successful. The conversation highlights leadership evolution, capacity management, building strong teams, and balancing visionary thinking with operational accountability.

Register for our virtual Sales Symposium, which takes place March 10th, 2026 – https://jeffreyscott.biz/sales-symposium/****

Takeaways:

• Strategic decision-making and continuous improvement in scaling a business
• Why dropping services can accelerate growth and profitability
• Applying the “hedgehog concept” to define core business focus
• Outsourcing vs. in-house services: when to add or remove offerings
• Transitioning from residential design-build to commercial maintenance
• Leadership evolution and empowering senior teams
• Importance of systems auditing and software process cleanup
• Managing growth capacity through people, processes, and strategy
• Trust but verify: inspecting operations without micromanaging
• Lessons learned from rapid expansion and operational challenges
  The post The Discipline of Growth: Using Continuous Improvement to Make Smarter Strategic Decisions with Chase Mullin appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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In this episode Jeffrey Scott tackles the critical topic of sales goal setting in preparation for an upcoming Sales Symposium. He challenges the traditional top-down approach to goal assignment and advocates for a collaborative method where salespeople participate in creating their own commitments rather than simply complying with quotas.

Jeffrey breaks down how to structure effective sales goals by type and month, connect activities to outcomes, and create genuine buy-in from your team that translates to resilience when market challenges arise.

Register now for our Sales Symposium, which takes place March 10th. The early bird ends last week of February.

Takeaways:

• Replace top-down quota assignment with collaborative goal-setting to transform compliance into genuine commitment
• Break sales goals down by month and type (maintenance, enhancements, new sales) rather than using simple annual targets
• Set activity goals as leading indicators to track inputs like phone calls, proposals, and site visits alongside sales outputs
• Monitor both conservative baseline goals and stretch goals to account for natural performance variation across your team
• Involve salespeople in creating monthly targets to enable mid-month adjustments and coaching opportunities
• Align sales goals with production scheduling and revenue planning for company-wide coordination
• Track closing ratios and deal size to connect activity inputs with sales outcomes
  The post The Art to Setting Highly Effective Sales Goals and Achieving Massive Buy-In with Jeffrey Scott appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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In this episode, Jeffrey Scott sits down with Mark Sedley, CEO of Granum, the parent company behind LMN, SingleOps, and Greenius, to explore his entrepreneurial journey and bold vision for the green industry. From knocking on doors as a teenager to leading software platforms serving landscaping and tree care businesses, Mark shares how his background shaped his leadership style, why landscaping is harder than running a software company, and how technology, education, and labor solutions must evolve together. The conversation dives deep into industry fragmentation, the growing complexity of landscape operations, and why training, middle management development, and workforce empowerment are critical for the future of the green industry.

Key Takeaways

• Entrepreneurial mindset vs. caretaker leadership
• Why landscaping operations are uniquely complex
• Tree care vs. landscape market dynamics
• Software consolidation vs. organic growth
• The role of education and middle management training
• Greenius’ evolution into a labor and learning marketplace
• Solving the green industry’s labor and skills gap
• Lessons from scaling and exiting software companies
  The post The Innovative Spirit of Granum (LMN, Greenius and Single Ops) with new CEO Mark Sedgley appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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In this episode, Jeffrey Scott steps away from traditional business strategy to explore a more intentional and sustainable approach to personal goal setting for the new year. Rather than relying on reactive New Year’s resolutions, Jeffrey explains why they often fail and introduces a simple but powerful framework built around four core questions: Who do you want to be? What do you want to do? Where do you want to go? And what do you want to have? Drawing from personal experiences, travel aspirations, family life, health goals, and leadership growth, he shares how aligning personal goals with purpose creates clarity, focus, and long-term momentum. Jeffrey also emphasizes the importance of pacing, prioritization, accountability partners, and borrowing proven business tools like quarterly goals and OKRs to support personal development in 2026 and beyond.

Takeaways:

• Personal goal setting vs. New Year’s resolutions
• The “Be, Do, Go, Have” goal framework
• Aligning personal purpose with professional growth
• Simplifying goals to avoid overwhelm
• Using quarterly prioritization for personal goals
• The role of environment, travel, and exposure in growth
• Accountability partners and shared goal setting
• Removing negative influences to sustain progress
  The post Setting Simple Personal Goals That Move The Needle with Jeffrey Scott appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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In this episode, Dan Simpson, Manager of Product Marketing at Fleetio, joins Jeffrey Scott to break down why fleet and equipment management is one of the most overlooked — yet most volatile — cost centers in landscaping and contracting businesses. Dan shares insights from his hands-on background in construction and years working directly with fleets, explaining how better visibility, preventative maintenance, inspections, fuel tracking, and data-driven decisions can dramatically reduce breakdowns, control costs, and protect margins. The conversation dives into why landscaping companies are also “in the fleet business,” how software and data turn gut-feel decisions into confident ones, and where AI and automation are heading in fleet management.

Takeaways:

• Fleet management as a hidden profit lever
• Preventative maintenance vs. reactive repairs
• Inspections and communication from the field
• Fuel cost visibility and control
• Total cost of ownership for vehicles and equipment
• Reducing downtime and breakdown volatility
• Tracking tools, assets, and accountability
• Using data to make smarter equipment decisions
• Integrations with accounting and ops software
• The future of AI and automation in fleet operations [/digg]

The post Fleet Management Software Explained by Dan Simpson of Fleetio appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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In this episode, Jeffrey Scott addresses the critical relationship between budgeting and business strategy for landscape company CEOs planning for 2026. He identifies a fundamental problem: too many companies treat budgeting as a checkbox exercise rather than a confirmation of their strategic direction. Drawing from his consulting experience with landscape businesses, he walks through ten common disconnects between budgets and operational reality—from unclear owner objectives to poor equipment management and weak cash flow planning. His core message is that effective budgeting requires intentional decision-making about what kind of company you’re building, whether that’s a lifestyle business, a growth company, or a sellable asset, and every financial decision should reinforce that goal.

Takeaways:

• Strategy-Budget Alignment: Budgets should confirm your business strategy, not exist as separate exercises disconnected from how you actually run the company
• Revenue as Capacity-Driven: Revenue planning must be based on actual labor capacity and billable hours, not aspirational goals or ego-driven milestones
• Detailed Gross Profit Analysis: Break down gross profit margins by division and service type rather than using global averages to uncover hidden opportunities and blind spots
• Subcontractor Markup Strategy: Different subcontractors require different markups based on management intensity and how integrated their work is into your final product
• Owner Compensation Planning: Treat owner compensation as a planned business cost with market-based pay plus return on capital, not as whatever’s leftover
• Cash Flow as Separate Strategy: Develop a dedicated cash management strategy including better contract terms, collections processes, and vendor negotiations to ensure the business can sustain itself
  The post Aligning Budgets with Business Strategy: 10 Key Insights with Jeffrey Scott appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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This is a replay of a previous episode featuring Wade and Dustin Vugteveen, owners of DeHamer Landscaping, a $10M+ landscaping firm based in Grandville, Michigan.

They do a mix of snow, maintenance, landscape and irrigation.

We discuss their history of startups, first with a baseball training business and then in retail.

We discuss how hard it was for them early on, and how difficult it is to grow a business as an entrepreneur.

These two have taken a series of risks over and over again, which has allowed them to scale their business quickly. Business is more of a “calling” for them as a people-first company.

You will enjoy stories and their ride.

Apply for our Leaders Edge Peer Group Here.

The post Taking Big Risks with Wade and Dustin Vugteveen appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Join Jeffrey Scott for an insightful conversation with two leaders from Aspire: Mark Tipton, co-founder and former CEO, and Eli Zevin, the current General Manager. Mark shares his 12-year journey building Aspire from a skunkworks project into the leading landscape business management software, while Eli discusses his transition from Service Titan and his vision for Aspire’s AI-powered future. This episode explores leadership transitions, scaling software companies, company culture, implementation challenges, and the revolutionary role of artificial intelligence in transforming the landscape industry.

Takeaways:

• Mark Tipton reflects on his 12-year journey with Aspire.
• Eli Zevin emphasizes the importance of client success.
• The legacy of Kevin Kehoe has shaped Aspire’s culture.
• Leadership requires navigating obstacles and challenges.
• Core values are critical for business success.
• AI technology will revolutionize the landscape industry.
• Simplicity in implementation leads to better outcomes.
• Customer success management is essential for growth.
• Mergers and acquisitions are becoming more common in the industry.
• Aspire is well-positioned to leverage new technologies.
  The post Leadership & Growth Lessons from Aspire Software, with Mark Tipton and Eli Zevin appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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👉 Register for our Financial Masterclass

In this episode, Jeffrey Scott breaks down the complete roadmap to financial mastery for landscape entrepreneurs. Whether you’re running a $1 million or $50 million operation, Jeffrey guides you through ten progressive steps that transform financial confusion into confidence and control. From establishing proper chart of accounts and job-costing systems to implementing gamification strategies and building enterprise value, this episode covers the essential frameworks that separate struggling companies from highly profitable ones. Jeffrey shares real-world insights on how companies have jumped from 5% to 18% net profit through disciplined financial systems, and offers a preview of the upcoming Financial Masterclass, where these concepts will be taught in depth with expert guest speakers.

Here is more information on our Financial Masterclass.
And go here to learn about our coaching and peer groups.

Key Takeaways

• Get financially grounded with proper chart of accounts and close books within 10 days
• Benchmark your performance against budget, last year, and industry peers
• Build a financial operating system with structured reviews and accountability
• Price with confidence using math and courage (target 15% net commercial, 20% residential)
• Optimize for profit by eliminating crew inefficiency, overstaffing, and overhead creep
• Align your team to the numbers through transparency and gamification
• Plan forward using leading indicators and rolling budgets, not just historical data
  The post 10 Steps to Financial Mastery for Landscape Entrepreneurs appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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In this episode, 24-year-old entrepreneur Matthew Woolley, founder of Woolley Outdoors in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, shares his journey from mowing lawns after work to building a company that now generates nearly $4 million in annual revenue. In just four and a half years, Matthew’s success has been driven by his relentless work ethic, willingness to learn, and focus on people. He opens up about his early challenges, key leadership lessons, hiring strategies, and how he manages rapid growth while maintaining balance in his personal life. His story offers practical insights and inspiration for anyone looking to grow their business with purpose and clarity.

Financial Masterclass Sign Up.

Key Takeaways:

• From side hustle to $4M business in under five years through focus, grit, and vision.
• Building systems early and learning to delegate are key to sustainable growth.
• Leadership begins with people—respect, communication, and understanding what motivates them.
• Transitioning from manual processes to digital systems like Jobber and Aspire to improve efficiency.
• The value of joining peer groups for benchmarking, learning, and strategic development.
• Managing rapid expansion while maintaining profitability and financial discipline.
• Balancing business goals with marriage, relationships, and personal well-being.
  The post Four Million in Four Years with Matthew Woolley appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Founder Nate Moses of Precision Landscape Management built his $10 million landscaping company in Greenville, South Carolina, from the ground up—literally. In this episode, Mitch Katz sits down with Nate to uncover how he turned a one-man mowing operation into a thriving business serving high-end residential clients across the Upstate region. From working out of a Honda Accord to leading a multi-branch enterprise, Nate shares the defining lessons, growing pains, and pivotal decisions that shaped his journey.

Listeners will gain insight into Nate’s leadership philosophy, the role of self-awareness in business growth, and how strategic clarity and strong culture fueled Precision’s rapid rise. This episode delivers actionable takeaways for entrepreneurs ready to scale smart and lead with purpose.

Key Takeaways:

• How Nate scaled Precision Landscape Management from a side hustle to a $10M operation
• The impact of self-awareness and vulnerability on leadership success
• Why defining clear roles, responsibilities, and KPIs improves accountability
• How peer groups can accelerate both business and personal growth
• Lessons from five successful acquisitions and how to manage owner transitions
• Precision’s three brand promises: reliability, responsiveness, and doing things the right way
• The importance of financial literacy and understanding business margins
• Why leaders should “run to their weaknesses” and embrace continuous learning
  The post Growing Fast and Smart: The Power of Feedback and Clarity with Nate Moses appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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In this conversation, Phillip Carnuccio, Founder of Clean Peak Landscaping in Westchester, PA., shares his mission-driven journey in the landscaping industry, detailing the evolution of his business from a small operation to a successful $2M model that primarily utilizes subcontractors.

He shares his mission driven approach to building his business and impacting his community. He discusses his strategy for building high-impact relationships with subcontractors, the challenges of pricing and financial management, and the significance of mentorship and community in fostering growth.

Phillip also shares insights on the future of the landscaping industry, emphasizing the rapid changes driven by technology and the need for entrepreneurs to remain centered amidst these developments.

Takeaways

• The business started as a way to pay for college.
• Building relationships with subcontractors is crucial for success.
• Subcontracting allows for leveraging expertise without overhead costs.
• A strong mission can drive business decisions and impact.
• Financial management is key to sustaining growth.
• Community and mentorship play vital roles in business development.
• The landscaping industry is evolving rapidly due to technology.
• It’s important to maintain a balance between growth and personal well-being.
• Recruitment should focus on finding the right fit for the team.
• Pricing strategies should reflect the value provided to clients.
  The post A Fully Subcontracted $2M Business with Phil Carnuccio appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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In the second part of the podcast, Mitch Katz and Jeffrey Scott delve into advanced coaching techniques for individual and team performance. They discuss strategies for giving constructive feedback, the importance of active listening, accountability methods, and ways to keep high performers engaged. They also explore conflict resolution, measuring coaching success, and building trust within teams. The episode concludes with advice for leaders on improving their coaching skills and the benefits of structured peer groups.

Takeaways

• Effective feedback strategies
• The importance of active listening
• Accountability in coaching
• Engaging high performers
• Building trust within teams
• Handling internal conflict
• Measuring success in coaching
  The post Part 2: Unlocking Team Potential: Coaching for Impact, with Jeffrey Scott and Mitch Katz appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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In this special edition podcast, Jeffrey Scott and Mitch Katz share their insights on coaching high-performing individuals and teams to unlock their full potential. They discuss the difference between managing and coaching, the importance of aligning individual and team goals, and various coaching frameworks and models. The conversation includes practical examples, strategies for integrating high performers, and methods to assess current team performance. This episode is part one of a two-part series.

Takeaways

• Defining what it means to unlock potential
• Managing vs. coaching
• Coaching high-performing vs. struggling teams
• Core principles of coaching for peak performance
• Assessing team performance and potential
• Barriers to peak performance
• Integrating high performers into teams
• The importance of onboarding high performers
• Balancing individual and team goals
• Coaching strategies for new teams
• Effective coaching frameworks and models
  The post Part 1: Unlocking Team Potential: Coaching for Impact, with Jeffrey Scott and Mitch Katz appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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In this conversation, Rob Murray, the founder of Intrigue Media, shares his journey in the marketing industry, focusing on how he built a successful marketing firm tailored for landscape entrepreneurs. He discusses the importance of community engagement, effective marketing strategies, and the need for a solid sales process. Rob emphasizes the significance of content marketing and long-term strategies for sustainable business growth, while also providing insights on measuring marketing success and optimizing lead generation.

Takeaways

• Rob’s journey from a unique advertising idea to a successful marketing firm.
• The importance of community involvement in building a business.
• Understanding the marketing funnel: top, middle, and bottom.
• The need for a strong website as the core of marketing efforts.
• Measuring success through lead tracking and attribution software.
• Sales processes are crucial for converting leads into customers.
• Content marketing builds relationships over time and requires patience.
• Only a small percentage of the market is ready to buy at any given time.
• Investing in high-quality backlinks can significantly improve SEO.
• The goal is to serve entrepreneurs better and raise industry standards. The post Building a Marketing Empire: Rob Murray’s Journey appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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In this episode with Scott Frampton, co-founder of Landscape Renovations in Minneapolis, MN, we delve into the intricacies of bid build and design build, two pivotal approaches in the construction industry.

Join us as we explore the strengths and challenges of each method, featuring insights from industry expert Scott Frampton. Discover how choosing the right strategy can impact your business growth and project outcomes. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the field, this episode offers valuable perspectives to help you navigate your path to success.

Scott shares some of his secret sauce that makes his company a leader in the industry especially in bid-build.

The post Bid Build vs. Design Build: Navigating the Path to Success with Scott Frampton appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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John Munie is our guest, owner of Focal Pointe, a $55M company with branches in KC, OK and MO, a thriving company with 625 employees and seven branches. Discover how John started small and scaled his business to $55 million, focusing on emotional connections with stakeholders and maintaining quality and culture. Learn about his unique approach to leadership, the importance of a strong balance sheet, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.

Key Takeaways:

• The significance of connecting emotionally with stakeholders.
• The importance of focusing on the “why” in business.
• Strategies for scaling without sacrificing quality or culture.
• Insights into organic growth versus acquisitions. The post Scaling Success: The Journey of John Munie appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Christian Ruf owns Uncommon Elite, an Executive Recruiting firm. In this conversation, Christian Ruf shares his journey from military service to becoming a niche recruiter for veterans in the business world. He discusses the unique skills and attributes that military veterans bring to civilian roles, including leadership, resilience, and the ability to navigate chaos. Ruf emphasizes the importance of assessing talent based on attributes rather than experience and highlights the challenges veterans face when transitioning to civilian life. He also provides insights into effective onboarding processes for veterans and the value they add to organizations.

Takeaways:

• Christian Ruf transitioned from military service to recruiting veterans.
• He emphasizes the importance of leadership learned in the armed forces.
• Veterans possess unique skills that are valuable in civilian roles.
• The ability to navigate chaos is a key strength of military professionals.
• Recruiting should focus on attributes rather than just experience.
• Veterans are often adaptable and can pivot quickly in business environments.
• Onboarding processes are crucial for the success of veteran hires.
• Military training instills a strong sense of planning and execution.
• There are stereotypes about military professionals that don’t reflect reality.
• Veterans can bring a wealth of experience and skills to various industries. The post Recruiting Top Level Managers from Special Forces, with Christian Ruf appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Matthew Knick is the founder and president of WillowGrove Landscape in Mandeville, Louisiana. His company does $4M in revenue with 40 employees and a 50/50 split between high-end maintenance and design-build.

In this conversation, Matt shares his powerful personal journey from battling addiction to building a values-driven company. He talks about the habits that keep him grounded—like meditation and journaling—and how they help him manage the stress of running a business in a high-pressure industry.

Matt explains how he and his team created a new set of core values that are more than just words on a wall. He shares how they use those values to hire, fire, and even evaluate clients—ensuring alignment across the board. He also digs into how WillowGrove avoids meeting fatigue while running an impressive cadence of focused, productive meetings that drive real results.

Matt discusses the value of surrounding yourself with people smarter than you, his approach to hiring for roles he doesn’t fully understand, and how participating in a JSC peer group has helped him grow as a leader. He emphasizes the importance of creating a culture of ownership and integrity, and how living with purpose—at work and at home—drives everything he does.

Matt opens up about leadership, personal growth, and building a company where people can thrive both professionally and personally. This episode is packed with insight for anyone looking to lead with intention and build something that truly lasts.

The post Leading with Purpose: Matt Knick on Culture, Clarity, and Core Values appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Marcus Sheridan is the author of “They Ask, You Answer” and “Endless Customers,” which show you why and how to use content marketing to become the go-to company on the internet.

In this conversation, Marcus discusses the evolution of marketing and sales in the home improvement industry, emphasizing the importance of understanding today’s buyers, building a trusted brand, and implementing effective pricing strategies. He shares insights from his journey with River Pools and the principles outlined in his brand new book, ‘Endless Customers,’ highlighting the need for transparency, customer education, and adapting to the changing landscape influenced by AI and self-service tools.

Marcus also discusses the importance of pricing estimators and self-service tools in enhancing customer engagement and generating leads. He emphasizes the need for businesses to adapt to modern marketing strategies, including the use of video content and disruption in traditional practices. The conversation concludes with a focus on building trust and taking control of one’s brand in a rapidly changing market.

Takeaways:

• Today’s buyers are more informed and impatient than ever.
• 75% of buyers prefer a seller-free sales experience.
• Building a known and trusted brand is crucial for success.
• Transparency in pricing can differentiate your business.
• Video content is essential for engaging customers.
• Understanding the ‘Big Five’ topics is key to customer research.
• Referral-based businesses need to invest in marketing to scale.
• Your personal brand is more important than your company brand.
• Pricing estimators can significantly increase lead generation.
• AI tools can simplify the creation of pricing estimators. Consistent, higher quality visits lead to better customer engagement.
• Pricing estimators increase customer investment in your company.
• AI tools make it easier to implement pricing estimators.
• Self-service tools are becoming essential for businesses.
• Video content is crucial for brand visibility and engagement.
• Disruption can change industry standards and practices.
• Building trust is fundamental for long-term business success.
• Understanding customer needs is key to effective marketing.
• Businesses must adapt to multiple platforms for brand growth. The post They Ask, You Answer: The Secret to Content Marketing, with Marcus Sheridan appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Jeffrey Scott interviews Jon Rick, the Owner of two landscape firms totaling $3.5M in revenue: J. Rick Lawn & Tree in Colorado Springs, CO, and Dakota OutdoorScapes in Bizmark, N.D.

Jon shares insights into his diverse business ventures, including a couple non-landscape companies. He discusses the challenges of finding the right operations manager, his approach to financial management and profit setting, and strategies for scaling both businesses.

He emphasizes the importance of professionalism as part of his sales advantage and reflects on balancing work and family life after becoming a father. He also highlights the significance of responsiveness in business and the impact of setting clear goals for growth.

In this conversation, Jon Rick discusses the intricacies of managing a landscape business in North Dakota, focusing on efficiency in estimation, seasonal challenges, and profit expectations. He reflects on the balance between growth and stability, the dynamics of his team, and the need for future leadership.

Additionally, he shares insights into his personal life, including family activities and interests, while navigating the complexities of real estate investments and business management.

Takeaways

• His Colorado Springs company focuses on chemical lawn care, while Bismarck specializes in landscape construction.

• Finding a suitable operations manager has been a significant challenge. Jon prioritizes financial management and aims for a minimum 20% profit margin.

• The North Dakota ranch services business has shown substantial growth and potential.

• Professionalism in the landscaping industry can set a company apart.
• Jon balances work and family life after becoming a father.
• Clear growth goals and incentives are crucial for employee motivation.
• Jon handles all estimating for his Bismarck, ND company, ensuring quality control.
• I need to hire a general manager if I want to grow that business.
• I got offered 15 times EBITDA for my business.
• It’s a grind, and I love it. To learn about Jeffrey Scott’s landscape business consulting services, go to: https://jeffreyscott.biz/consulting/

The post Crushing It With 2 Profitable Businesses In Different States with Jon Rick appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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In this conversation, Jeffrey Scott talks to Mary Vales, Chief People Officer at Schill Grounds Management. She shares her secrets to success in HR, recruiting tips, software support, onboarding processes, and of course the importance of company culture.She discusses her career journey, the need for great processes in HR, and the challenges of HR in the field of mergers and acquisitions. She shares the significance of hiring practices (do’s and dont’s) in shaping a successful organization.

Mary emphasizes the need for honesty and critical interview skills when recruiting, and when assessing a company to buy.

Link to Summer Growth Summit:

2025 Summer Growth Summit

Takeaways

· Mary Vales is the Chief People Officer at Schill Grounds Management.

· She emphasizes the importance of being close to the business operations in order to suc

· Compliance and onboarding are critical, but just the beginning in HR success.

· Mary’s career journey includes diverse experiences across industries.

· Hiring practices should focus on finding the right fit for the company culture and the job.

· Mergers and acquisitions require careful due diligence and cultural understanding.

· HR professionals should have a continuous improvement mindset.

· Technology plays a significant role in modern HR practices.

· Honesty in recruitment leads to better employee retention.

For more information on Schill Grounds Management, go here: https://www.schilllandscaping.com/

The post The HR Advantage with Schill’s Chief People Officer, Mary Vales appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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In this conversation, Jeffrey Scott interviews Dave Leff, ex-co-owner of TLC Landscaping (Ontario Canada), and regional manager of Schill Grounds Management. They discuss the journey of Dave’s business over 35 years. They explore the growth strategies, the importance of account management, and the impact of diversification in the landscaping industry. Dave shares insights on the significance of (Jeffrey Scott’s) peer group, the story behind their safety training company Greenius, and the lessons learned from selling their businesses. The conversation emphasizes the value of employee development and the importance of analyzing business numbers for growth.

Link to Summer Growth Summit:

2025 Summer Growth Summit

Takeaways

· Dave Leff has been involved with TLC Landscaping for 35 years.

· The partnership between Dave and Jay has been crucial for the business’s success.

· Diversification in services has helped TLC Landscaping thrive during economic downturns.

· Account management is key to maintaining customer relationships and business growth.

· Peer groups have significantly influenced Dave’s approach to business management.

· Greenius was created to enhance safety training in the landscaping industry.

· Selling businesses requires careful consideration of timing and strategy.

· Employee satisfaction and fair wages are vital for retaining talent.

· Analyzing business numbers is essential for making informed decisions.

· The future looks promising with new partnerships and growth opportunities.

The post Building a Legacy: The TLC Landscaping Journey with Dave Leff appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Jono Fries, VP of Operations for Schill Grounds Management based in Cleveland, OH. Schill is a multi-state 31 branch landscape firm. In this conversation, Jono shares his journey from the restaurant industry to the landscaping business, discussing the challenges and lessons learned along the way. He emphasizes the techniques he learned in restaurants, namely how good systems build good culture. He also discusses team dynamics in achieving success. Jono reflects on his landscape experiences first at Grasscor in Cincinnati, and then at Schill, highlighting the lessons he learned along the way. The discussion also touches on financial strategies and how it impacts team culture.

Link to Summer Growth Summit:

2025 Summer Growth Summit

Takeaways:

• Jono transitioned from the restaurant industry to landscaping after a life-changing experience.
• He emphasizes the importance of systems and processes in business growth.
• Culture can be built into a company through systematic approaches.
• Winning is a byproduct of focusing on doing things right.
• Effective communication is crucial for team trust and success.
• Adjusting to a diverse workforce requires understanding and adaptation.
• Financial strategies must be reevaluated regularly for success.
• Team dynamics play a significant role in company culture and performance.
• Integration of companies requires a common operating system for success.
• Cooking for others is a way to show love and build relationships.

For more information on Schill Grounds Management, go here: https://www.schilllandscaping.com/

The post From Restaurants to Landscaping: Building a winning culture with Jono Fries appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Todd Hardy is the Director of Sales for Schill Grounds Management, a 31 branch company across the Midwest US and Canada. Todd shares his extensive experience in the landscape business, focusing on the importance of servant leadership in sales (business development), the dynamics of managing a sales team, and the significance of company culture and core values. He discusses the challenges of hiring and onboarding business developers, the need for performance management, and how to navigate personal challenges within a sales context. Todd emphasizes the importance of networking and recruiting top talent, and he shares insights on preparing for the upcoming Summer Growth Summit.

Link to Summer Growth Summit:

https://jeffreyscott.biz/2025-summer-growth-summit/

Takeaways:

• Servant leadership is crucial for success in sales.
• A focus on client needs over personal gain drives success.
• Company culture should prioritize employee and customer satisfaction.
• Hiring the right talent takes time and a clear understanding of values.
• Performance management requires consistency and clear expectations.
• Navigating personal challenges is part of managing a sales team.
• Networking is essential for finding top talent.
• Authenticity and presence are key in sales interactions.
• Sales plans should be collaboratively developed and critiqued.
• Continuous improvement is necessary for personal and team growth. The post Building A Successful Sales Team with Todd Hardy appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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In this conversation, Jerry Schill, CEO of Schill Grounds Management, shares his journey from starting a small landscaping business to leading a company with 31 locations. He discusses the importance of team culture, setting big goals, and the challenges of integrating new acquisitions. Jerry emphasizes the value of mentorship and continuous learning, as well as the entrepreneurial mindset required to navigate the complexities of business growth. He expresses excitement for the upcoming Summer Growth Summit, where he aims to showcase his team’s achievements and share insights with others in the industry.

Link to Summer Growth Summit:

https://jeffreyscott.biz/2025-summer-growth-summit/

Takeaways

• You can’t do it alone; teamwork is essential.
• Growth requires setting big, uncomfortable goals.
• Continuous learning and mentorship are vital.
• Integration of new businesses needs a thoughtful approach.
• Stay disciplined and relentless in pursuing goals.
• Surround yourself with experienced mentors.
• Entrepreneurs must be comfortable with discomfort.
• Celebrate team achievements and individual growth.
• Leadership involves preparing others to take over.
• Business is about solving challenges collaboratively.

The post Setting and Achieving Big Goals with Jerry Schill appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Derek Wells is CEO of Wells Lawncare and Landscaping in Bloomington, IN. They do 3M in revenue of a mix of commercial and residential, and are growing over 30%. For more information on Derek Wells and Wells Lawncare and Landscaping in Bloomington, Indiana, visit their website.

In this conversation, Derek Wells shares his journey as a business owner detailing the challenges he faced when he made the difficult decision to let go of half his staff. He discusses the impact of this decision on his business, the subsequent hiring and training challenges, and the systems he implemented to improve accountability and metrics. Derek also reflects on his personal growth as a leader and the influence of his wife in navigating these challenges. In this conversation, Derek Wells discusses his journey of leadership growth, the importance of hiring the right team, and the transition from residential to commercial business. He emphasizes the need for balance between family and work commitments, the value of peer support in business, and the necessity of embracing discomfort for personal and professional growth.

Takeaways:

• Derek Wells runs Wells Lawn Care and Landscaping for 20 years.
• He made the tough decision to let go of half his staff.
• The decision was prompted by frustrations during a snow event.
• Derek realized he had hired the wrong people and held on to them too long.
• Post-staff reduction, they adopted a continuous hiring approach.
• They simplified their training process with ‘pirate maps’.
• Derek learned the importance of accountability in hiring.
• The company experienced a 15% growth after the staff reduction.
• Derek recognized his fear of conflict as a leadership challenge.
• His wife’s influence helped him confront business challenges. Being overly involved can hinder company growth.
• Hiring at the top of the market is crucial for success.
• Surrounding yourself with better people enhances leadership.
• Transitioning to a general manager role can relieve pressure.
• Building relationships is key in commercial business.
• Persistence in following up can lead to unexpected opportunities.
• Balancing family commitments requires intentional planning.
• Peer support provides accountability and shared experiences.
• Embracing discomfort is essential for growth.
• Proactive hiring can set a company up for future success.

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Donn is the owner of 14 yr old Vidosh North, Petoskey, MI, 10M in revenue with 63 employees. Jeffrey and Donn discuss his journey in the landscaping industry, discussing his leadership style, the impact of sports on his business philosophy, and the evolution of his company. He emphasizes the importance of team building, diversifying services, and learning from mistakes, particularly in hiring and financial management. Donn also highlights the significance of implementing profit-sharing structures to motivate his team and ensure the company’s success. In this conversation, Donn Vidosh, Jr. discusses the intricacies of profit sharing and employee motivation, emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability in business. He shares insights on maintaining quality while focusing on profit, the significance of leadership in fostering a positive work culture, and the personal challenges he faced, including a divorce. Donn highlights the value of hobbies for reflection and the role of mentorship in his journey, concluding with a message of gratitude and the pursuit of continuous improvement.

Takeaways

• Donn emphasizes the importance of leadership and team building.
• His background in sports has greatly influenced his business approach.
• Starting from humble beginnings, he learned the value of hard work.
• Diversifying services has been key to his company’s growth.
• Custom fabrication allows for unique offerings in landscaping.
• Learning from mistakes is crucial for business success.
• Hiring the right people is essential for growth.
• Financial mindset shifts were necessary for personal and business success.
• Implementing profit-sharing has motivated his team.
• Peer groups have provided accountability and support. Profit sharing is relative to what employees earn.
• Transparency in sharing company performance fosters teamwork.
• Quality must be prioritized alongside profit for long-term success.
• Mistakes should be openly discussed to promote accountability.
• Leadership requires stepping back from daily operations to focus on growth.
• Personal challenges can impact business resilience and leadership.
• Hobbies provide essential time for reflection and mental clarity.
• Mentorship plays a crucial role in personal and professional development.
• A culture of continuous improvement leads to sustained success.
• Team support is vital during personal hardships

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In this conversation, Zech Strauser shares his journey from struggling in school to becoming a successful entrepreneur in both the landscaping and apparel industries. He discusses his current ventures, including his real estate business, a farm, and the Urture apparel brand. Zech emphasizes the importance of financial accountability, community engagement, and having a clear vision for the future. He also provides valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, highlighting the significance of knowing your numbers and making an impact beyond profits.

Takeaways:

• Zech learned through hands-on experiences and mistakes.
• He transitioned from residential to commercial landscaping during the 2008 financial crisis.
• Financial accountability was crucial for business growth.
• The pandemic forced a reevaluation of business operations and team dynamics.
• Zech’s vision for Urture is to blend urban and nature aesthetics.
• He emphasizes the importance of community engagement in branding.
• Zech believes companies should not define personal identity.
• He encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to think big and articulate their vision.
• Knowing your financials is essential for business success.
• Zech aims to make an impact in the trades and apparel industries.

The post Building Two Brands with Zech Strauser appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Kristi Delima (owner of Snips Landscaping in Ontario Canada) shares her inspiring journey of resilience and determination as she faced a breast cancer diagnosis while managing her landscaping business.She discusses the challenges she encountered, including navigating her health, family dynamics, and business operations.Kristi emphasizes the importance of mental resilience and visualization techniques to beat her cancer. She also shares the support she received from her community and her peers in the Leader’s Edge peer group.Kristi reflects on her future aspirations, the legacy she wants to leave, and offers valuable advice for entrepreneurs facing their own challenges.Key Points:* Kristi was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer but chose to fight. * She utilized visualization techniques to maintain a positive mindset. * Her family and employees were supportive throughout her journey. * Kristi learned valuable lessons about her business during her health struggles. * She emphasizes the importance of having systems in place in business. * Community support played a crucial role in her recovery. * Kristi aims to support others going through similar challenges. * She believes in the power of a clear vision for success. * Despite setbacks, her business has shown growth and resilience. * Kristi’s experience has changed her perspective on life and legacy. The post The Power of Visualization to Beat Cancer with Kristi DeLima appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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How To Successfully Transition Your Landscape Business.

Should you plan to sell your business, or to retire-in-place? Either way, you will need to transform the business in many ways, from accounting to leadership and operations. Plus you will need to negotiate the sale, if you decide to go that route.

In this conversation, Jeffrey Scott (interviewed by Kelly Dowell) discusses the intricacies of selling a landscaping business, including understanding buyer motivations, common myths about selling, alternatives to selling, preparing a business for sale, building a sustainable revenue model, strengthening brand reputation, and key financial metrics for valuation.

The discussion emphasizes the importance of creating a strong business foundation and understanding the market to maximize the value of a business when selling.

In this conversation, Jeffrey Scott discusses essential strategies for business acquisition, emphasizing the importance of financial metrics, strong leadership, and effective negotiation.

He provides insights on evaluating revenue streams, understanding market opportunities, and the complexities of business valuation. Additionally, he addresses the significance of tax implications and offers guidance on family succession planning and post-sale considerations.

Takeaways

• Building a strong business is critical for future transitions.
• Buyers are motivated by job security, expansion, or personal freedom.
• Selling a business is often a lengthy and complex process.
• Myths about selling include misconceptions about speed and ease.
• Alternatives to selling include retiring in place or developing a leadership team.
• Private equity firms prioritize EBITDA and cash flow in their evaluations.
• Recurring revenue models are attractive to potential buyers.
• Brand reputation and market presence are essential for business value.
• Financial metrics like net profit and cash flow are crucial for valuation.
• Understanding buyer motivations can help tailor the selling process. Buy a company with a low mod factor and good safety history.
• A strong leadership team is essential for business success.
• Proving the strength of your team can enhance business value.
• Identifying new market opportunities requires careful analysis.
• Both new revenue and renewal revenue are crucial for growth.
• Valuation is key before entering the market to sell your business.
• Trust and integrity are vital in buyer-seller relationships.
• Competing offers can significantly improve negotiation outcomes.
• Tax implications can greatly affect the sale of a business.
• Family succession planning requires careful consideration and structure.

The post Selling or Retiring-In-Place with Jeffrey Scott appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Jeffrey Scott is joined by client Desiree Bouchard, General Manager of Great Lakes Landscape Design, in Oak Park Michigan. And by Sean Baxter, owner of Lawn and Landscape Solutions (KC) and he is also an Executive Coach at Jeffrey Scott Consulting.

In this episode, Jeffrey Scott discusses the pivotal role of seconds in command with Desiree and Sean. They explore the journey of becoming a second in command, the importance of trust and communication in leadership, and the dynamics of managing teams effectively. Desiree shares her experience transitioning from marketing to integrator, while Sean reflects on his own journey with his second in command. The conversation emphasizes the significance of having a clean plate for effective leadership and the collaborative nature of successful business operations. In this conversation, the participants discuss the importance of trust and honesty in leadership, the challenges of implementing structured systems like EOS, and the cultural shifts that occur when new leadership is introduced. They emphasize the value of peer group support for second-in-commands and the need for accountability in leadership roles. The discussion culminates in practical advice for both second-in-commands and CEOs on fostering effective working relationships and empowering team members.

Takeaways:

• Desiree has been in her role for about seven years.
• The transition to integrator involved building trust with her boss Ivan.
• Implementing EOS provided the necessary structure for growth.
• Desiree’s journey started with identifying process gaps.
• Sean’s second in command evolved through experience and maturity.
• Trust and communication are key in this working relationships
• Having a clean plate allows for better problem-solving by the General Manager
• Cultural shifts can create initial resistance but lead to growth.
• Open communication is key to overcoming team dynamics.
• Peer support (from our Second in Command Peer Group) provides valuable insights and encouragement.
• Accountability should be mutual between owners and second-in-commands.
• Mistakes are part of the learning process in leadership.

The post The Pivotal Role of the Second in Command with Desiree Bouchard appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Join John Phillips (owner, Gardens For Living, Asheville, NC) and his son, as we discuss how they survived the 500+yr flood that hit Asheville, and how they and their landscape team are powering through it.

Their company’s GoFundMe is https://gofund.me/f5ed660d
In this episode, they share their experiences during Hurricane Helene, detailing the unprecedented rainfall and flooding that devastated their community. The conversation covers personal stories of loss, the impact on their business, and the challenges of recovery, including insurance claims and community support.

Shane and John emphasize the importance of getting back to work to help their community heal and rebuild after the disaster. In this conversation, John emphasizes the importance of leadership, employee morale, and community support. They reflect on their experiences during a crisis, the lessons learned about crisis management, and the significance of peer networks. Looking to the future, they share their strategies for rebuilding and innovating, including a focus on stream bank restoration and the need for durable construction practices.

Key Points:

• The storm was preceded by record rainfall.
• Many communities were completely washed away.
• Personal stories highlight the human cost of the disaster.
• The flooding caused significant damage to their home and business property.
• Insurance claims are still being sorted out.
• The nursery suffered the most devastating losses.
• Community support is crucial during recovery.
• Returning to work helps restore normalcy.
• Economic stability is vital for community recovery. The Asheville community is resilient and will rebuild.
• Leadership requires showing fortitude and determination.
• Treating employees with respect fosters loyalty and morale.
• Community support is crucial during crises.
• Peer networks provide invaluable assistance in tough times (John is a member of Jeffrey’s Leaders Edge peer group)
• Preparation for crises includes knowing employee locations.
• Investing in durable materials is essential for future projects.
• Building relationships with neighbors enhances community ties.
• Learning from past experiences can improve future crisis management.
• Stream bank restoration is a growing need in the community.

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Jeffrey Scott is interviewed by Kelly Dowell (owner of Keldo Digital) where Jeffrey discusses various aspects of converting design-build into maintenance clients.

Jeffrey touches on topics such as the role of the enhancement salesperson, the timing of introducing the maintenance account manager to clients, and strategies for kickstarting a weak maintenance division. They also explore marketing methods for maintenance services and ways to showcase the long-term benefits of maintenance. Jeffrey Scott shares many insights from his own business and also from his high-impact peer group community and how it helps landscape companies achieve their goals.

Takeaways from this podcast

• Converting design build projects into ongoing maintenance customers is important for the stability and long-term value of a business.
• Companies often struggle with selling maintenance due to a lack of focus, the wrong salespeople, and a lack of a sales process.
• Clients may opt out of purchasing maintenance due to existing providers, cost concerns, or the belief that the project is maintenance-free.
• Selling maintenance requires selling the need, selling the vision, and selling the maintenance team.
• Structuring maintenance offerings can include tying warranty to maintenance, but including maintenance in the price may not be the best approach.
• Tailoring custom maintenance plans can help meet the specific needs of clients and maximize margins through enhancements.
• Different salespeople should handle design build projects and maintenance, with account managers often selling enhancements. The enhancement salesperson is a separate role with their own crew, and the account manager invites them in to make the sale.
• Robotic mowers can be a way to extend a design build company into maintenance, but it’s not a complete solution.
• Introducing the maintenance account manager to clients should be done strategically, either in the middle or towards the end of a project.
• To kickstart a weak maintenance division, create mini games to track client conversions and offer incentives to the sales team.
• Marketing for maintenance services can be more challenging than marketing for design build, but it’s not impossible.
• Showcasing long-term benefits of maintenance can be done through client testimonials, garden tours, and videos.
• Joining Jeffrey’s Leaders Edge peer group community can provide support, tools, and guidance for achieving business goals in the landscaping industry.

The post Converting Design-Build to Maintenance with Jeffrey Scott appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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In this episode, Mitch Katz and Sean Baxter (Executive Coaches at Jeffrey Scott Consulting) discuss the critical aspects of hiring in the landscape industry.

They explore the common pain points business owners face when considering new hires, the benefits of proactive hiring, and the importance of defining roles and responsibilities.

The conversation emphasizes the need for a clear vision, effective onboarding, avoiding burnout and the potential advantages of hiring from outside the industry. They also highlight the significance of budgeting, tracking metrics and taking action to ensure successful scaling of the business. You need to make money in order to scale!

Takeaways:

• Recognizing when to hire is crucial for business growth.
• Hiring a salesperson can significantly relieve workload.
• Being a bottleneck in operations is a common issue for owners.
• Burnout among staff can be mitigated by hiring appropriately.
• Creating an org chart helps visualize future hiring needs.
• Proactive hiring requires a clear vision for the company.
• Using recruiters can streamline the hiring process.
• Onboarding is essential for the success of new hires.
• Hiring from outside the industry can bring fresh perspectives.
• Regularly tracking metrics is vital for assessing hiring effectiveness.

The post When and Why to Make Your Next Big Hire with Mitch Katz & Sean Baxter appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Craig is the founder and co-owner of Green Side Up Landscaping based in Richmond VA, with a branch in Williamsburg.

He has 36 employees and makes 5M in revenue.

He started cutting grass at a young age and eventually decided to start his own landscaping company. He brought on two partners who complemented his skills and helped grow the business. Craig’s goal was to create a business that allowed him to have more free time, and he has been able to achieve that by being intentional with his schedule and prioritizing personal time.

Green Side Up Landscaping focuses on high-touch, high-tech customer service, using automation and proactive communication to keep clients informed and satisfied.

Craig also implemented a profit-sharing program and emphasizes team collaboration and communication. Craig Attkisson discusses his company’s incentive program and the importance of building relationships with his employees.

He also talks about the challenges of managing multiple software programs and the goal of becoming an employee-run company.

Craig shares his experience in the Leader’s Edge peer group and the value of learning from others in similar situations. He emphasizes the importance of personal health and his hobbies, including mountain biking and using a tonal machine for workouts.

Takeaways

• Starting a business at a young age and saving money can lead to entrepreneurial opportunities later in life.
• Having partners with complementary skills can help a business grow and succeed.
• Being intentional with scheduling and prioritizing personal time can lead to a better work-life balance.
• Providing high-touch, high-tech customer service can set a business apart from competitors.
• Implementing a profit-sharing program and emphasizing team collaboration can motivate employees and improve company performance. Implementing an incentive program can motivate employees to be present, punctual, and produce high-quality work.
• Building relationships with employees is crucial for creating a team-first atmosphere and bridging the gap between management and staff.
• Managing multiple programs can be challenging, and consolidating them into one system can improve efficiency and reduce frustration.
• Participating in a peer group provides valuable insights, accountability, and support from others in similar business situations.
• Taking time away from the business can provide clarity and help identify priorities for future growth.
• Prioritizing personal health and hobbies can contribute to overall well-being and enhance work-life balance.

The post Both Visionary and Integrator with Craig Attkisson appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Bryan Stolz, CEO of Winterberry (Southington, CT), shares his journey from being a junior garden designer to running the company.

Winterberry is a diversified company that offers maintenance, fertilization, irrigation services, landscape design, and golf course irrigation installation.

They have grown from a $10 million company when they were first my client, to a $33.5 million company with 240 employees.

The ownership team consists of three partners who have different skill sets and work well together. Winterberry made the decision to close their retail garden center due to competition from big box stores and a shift in their target market. They have focused on systematizing their processes while still allowing room for entrepreneurialism.

The company has experienced significant growth, with departments like seasonal color becoming independent and generating $1.2 million in revenue.

The conversation explores the organizational structure and culture of the company, focusing on the matrix org chart, dotted line relationships, and the balance between creativity and accountability.

We also discuss the importance of crafting roles to fit people’s strengths, the challenges of communication and involving employees in the decision-making process, and the mistakes and struggles faced by the company.

The future plans include regional expansion, acquisitions, and continuous personal and professional development.

Takeaways

• Opportunities and leaps of faith are important for growth
• Systematizing processes can help manage chaos and allow for scalability
• Closing a retail division can be a strategic decision to focus on core services
• Entrepreneurial spirit can be nurtured within a structured framework
• Departmental growth can be driven by individual initiative The matrix org chart and dotted line relationships can create a loose framework culture that allows for creativity but can be inefficient and less effective at holding people accountable.
• Crafting roles to fit people’s strengths and interests can lead to greater job satisfaction and upward mobility within the company.
• Effective communication and involvement of employees in decision-making processes are crucial for maintaining trust and alignment within the organization.
• Learning from mistakes and being open to change are essential for growth and success.
• Regional expansion and strategic acquisitions are part of the company’s future plans.
• Continuous personal and professional development, including seeking external knowledge and learning skills for the next level, is important for career advancement.

The post From Designer to CEO with Bryan Stolz appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Greyson Walldorff is the founder of Lawn Capital in Decatur, Georgia.He shares his journey of developing an all-electric landscape business dedicated to zero gas, zero toxins and zero noise.His 8 yr old company has 3M in revenue with 25 employees.We discuss his company’s focus on sustainability and their new product, Plan Zero, which is a 100% electric, zero chemical maintenance service.We also talk about the challenges of integrating electric equipment into their operations, and of transforming his fleet and equipment in the process.He explains the financial benefits of using electric equipment, such as lower fuel and maintenance costs, and the potential for higher margins.Greyson emphasizes the importance of business development and customized systems in their growth strategy. He emphasizes the importance of customization and CRM in the sales process and we explore the potential of robotics in landscaping.Takeaways* Lawn Capital is a residential and commercial landscape provider that focuses on sustainability and offers a 100% electric, zero chemical maintenance service called Plan Zero. * There is a growing trend of landscape professionals coming from finance backgrounds, possibly driven by the desire to gain a competitive advantage in the industry. * Using electric equipment can result in lower fuel and maintenance costs, leading to potential higher margins for landscape businesses. * Business development and customized systems play a crucial role in the growth and success of a landscape business. Customization and CRM are crucial in the sales process for landscapers. * The implementation of robotics in landscaping is an area of exploration. * Zero gas, zero toxins, and zero noise are important aspects of sustainable landscaping. * Data and AI integration will play a significant role in the future of the industry. The post Zero Gas, Zero Toxins and Zero Compromise with Greyson Walldorff appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Ivan Katz, founder of Great Lakes Landscape Design, near Detroit, Michigan, shares his experiences in the landscaping industry, including overcoming embezzlement and a major accident.His firm will hit close to 10M in 2024.He emphasizes the importance of trust, loyalty, and investing in employees.Katz also discusses the value of customer service and the impact of his personal mission on his business. The conversation covers topics such as financial management, employee development, and creating a positive work environment.Ivan Katz discusses how his approach to business has changed over the years and the challenges he faces in pulling himself out of sales. He shares his experience of hiring a sales manager and the importance of refining processes and production rates. Ivan also talks about the need to hire salespeople who can build enduring relationships, especially in the commercial sales sector. He emphasizes the value of having a coach and being part of a peer group for learning and accountability.Ivan’s key takeaway is to run your company as if it’s already as big as it will ever be and make proactive decisions with the future in mind.Takeaways

• Trust is crucial in business, and implementing controls and protocols can help prevent fraud and embezzlement.
• Investing in employees and creating a positive work environment can foster loyalty and long-term commitment.
• Listening to clients and focusing on customer service can lead to valuable insights and improved business practices.
• Having a clear personal mission and values can guide decision-making and inspire others.
• Overcoming challenges, such as financial setbacks and accidents, can lead to personal growth and resilience in business. Refining processes and production rates is crucial for business growth.
• Hiring salespeople who can build enduring relationships is essential, especially in commercial sales.
• Having a coach and being part of a peer group provides learning and accountability.
• Running your company as if it’s already as big as it will ever be helps make proactive decisions. The post “I did it my way” with Ivan Katz appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Jim and I discuss his history and background in the landscape industry, and his career extensions into property development and consulting.We discuss his “visionary” appraoch to consulting and the impact it had on his business and life.We discuss his latest book, “The Depressed Motivational Speaker”, and his own struggles with depression and how he overcame them.This podcast is a discussion between the old guard (Jim) and the newer guard (Jeffrey) that came up in his wake.Jim also shares ideas on recruiting from high school and on selling and other topics.Summary:Jim Paluch, former president of JP Horizons, shares his journey from being a landscape architect to becoming a consultant. He discusses his experiences in sales, working with developers, and the importance of building relationships. Jim also talks about the creation of JP Horizons and their various programs, including the Working Smarter Training Challenge. He emphasizes the importance of enthusiasm, creativity, and leadership development in the landscape industry. Jim Paluch shares his experiences of using unique team-building exercises, such as breaking through boards, to help people overcome obstacles. He also discusses his book, ‘The Depressed Motivational Speaker,’ which explores the topic of depression and offers strategies for overcoming it. Jim emphasizes the importance of taking care of oneself, practicing the right things, and focusing on what is happening through us rather than to us. He also encourages business owners to attend association meetings with key team members and to connect with high schools to promote the landscape profession.Takeaways:

• Building relationships with developers and clients is crucial in the landscape industry.
• Enthusiasm and creativity can make business principles more engaging and effective.
• Effective communication and teamwork are essential for success in any organization.
• Leadership development and continuous learning are key to personal and professional growth. Team-building exercises can help people overcome obstacles and build camaraderie.
• Taking care of oneself physically and mentally is crucial for success.
• Practicing the right things and focusing on what is happening through us can lead to positive outcomes.
• Attending association meetings with key team members and connecting with high schools can promote the landscape profession. The post The Visionary Consultant with Jim Paluch appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Ted Carter, is President of Pinehurst Landscape Company in Glen Arm, Maryland. They focus 85% on residential landscape design, build, and maintenance. The company employs around 40 people during peak season and aims to surpass $6 million in revenue this year.

Pinehurst was founded by Carter’s father in 1964. Initially a lawn mowing business, it evolved into a landscaping company. Ted Carter formally joined the company in 2009, following a significant revenue drop during the recession.

We cover many critcal stages of growth that Ted experienced.

Challenges and Adaptations: Ted faced numerous challenges, including financial struggles and a key workforce crisis in 2018 when they didn’t secure H2B visa workers. This led to hiring issues and morale problems, ultimately teaching the importance of company values and aligning staff accordingly.

Financial Health: Over the years, Pinehurst shifted its strategy by focusing on value and realistic project bidding. Ted emphasized the need for accurate job costing and avoided underbidding, which helped stabilize the company’s financial health.

Developing a Leadership Vision: Ted’s leadership journey involved overcoming initial defensiveness and fear, building a supportive team, and setting ambitious goals. His focus on creating a professional work environment and strong company culture has contributed to Pinehurst’s continued success and growth. Carter is actively working on delegating key responsibilities, such as financial management and sales, to trusted team members. His goal is to focus on strategic vision and employee relationships while ensuring the company runs smoothly.

Acquisition Success: Ted Carter discusses Pinehurst’s successful acquisition of a company owning a Christmas Decor franchise. This move not only extended their seasonal business but also brought in skilled employees, contributing significantly to their growth and success. Carter is exploring further acquisitions and diversification into new services like pool installations. He recognizes the potential in expanding their offerings to meet client demands and attract new business.

Employee-Centric Approach: Carter emphasized the importance of a supportive and growth-oriented workplace culture at Pinehurst, focusing on employees’ well-being, personal growth, and ensuring they feel valued and respected. This is a huge cornerstone of their company.

Personal and Professional Integration: Carter highlighted the inseparable nature of personal well-being and professional success for entrepreneurs. He advocates for a balance between work and personal life, believing that personal growth and support directly impact business performance.

Summary

Ted Carter, the president of Pinehurst Landscape Company, shares his journey of taking over the family business and growing it into a successful company. He discusses the challenges he faced during the economic downturn and how he navigated through them. Ted emphasizes the importance of investing in employees and maintaining company culture. He also shares his experience of joining a peer group and the impact it had on his leadership skills. Ted’s story highlights the significance of making the right calls, building confidence as a leader, and embracing growth opportunities. In this conversation, Ted Carter, President of Pinehurst Landscape Company, discusses the company’s growth and talent acquisition strategies. He shares how Christmas lighting has been a successful recruiting tool and talks about the potential for future acquisitions and new services. Ted also explores the importance of engaging architects and home renovators in the landscaping industry. The conversation delves into the significance of pool construction and the potential for fiberglass pools and plunge pools. Ted discusses his role as President and emphasizes the company’s employee-first culture and focus on personal growth. He also touches on the challenges of delegating responsibilities and marketing. Ted expresses his long-term involvement with the company and his passion for sailing. He concludes by expressing gratitude for the team and highlighting the value of peer groups in personal and professional development.

Takeaways

• Investing in employees and maintaining a strong company culture is crucial for long-term success.
• Overcoming fear and making the right calls are essential for business growth.
• Joining a peer group can provide valuable insights and support for personal and professional development.
• Building confidence as a leader is a journey that requires self-reflection and a willingness to learn and adapt. Christmas lighting can be an effective recruiting tool for landscaping companies.
• Engaging architects and home renovators is crucial for business growth in the landscaping industry.
• The construction of pools, particularly fiberglass and plunge pools, presents opportunities for expansion.
• Creating an employee-first culture and prioritizing personal growth contribute to the success of a landscaping company.

The post The Stages of Growth with Ted Carter appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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My guests on this podcast are the real deal: Nag Murty is an aerospace engineer turned serial tech entrepreneur.Jarrett Herold is co-founder and COO of VC-backed startup Electric Sheep, the first large-scale outdoor maintenance company powered by artificial intelligence and robotics.This company is acquiring traditional outdoor service providers and progressively transforming operations by deploying proprietary AI software and robots.Electric Sheep’s approach is designed to automate various physical tasks like mowing and knowledge work like inventory management. Through consolidation and AI-fueled vertical integration, Electric Sheep will become a major player in the $1 Trillion Global Market for outdoor infrastructure services.We speak about all aspects of their business and vision.Fasten your seatbelts and hold on tight.The post The future of landscape maintenance with Electric Sheep: Nag Murty and Jarrett Herold appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Chad Simmons is owner of Playrite, a small but powerful $2M profitable artificial turf company in Knoxville, TNRegarding artificial turf, we discuss his proactive hiring strategy, how he uses competition to drive his business, and how his vendor relationships give him a strategic advantage.Chad is also a BBQ expert, and shares some tips and tricks.You will enjoy our business and personal conversations, and you will be very hungry by the end of this special podcast.The post Artificial Turf & BBQ with Chad Simmons appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Larry Ryan is founder and owner of Ryan Lawn & Tree, based near Kansas City, KS, a 37 yr old company.Larry and his team have grown their firm organically and through acquisition to approx $75M with more growth planned this year.Jeffrey and Larry discuss the 5 most valuable growth strategies that Ryan undertakes, plus many more facets of the business that everyone can learn from.Ryan Lawn & Tree will be the host company for our upcoming Summer Growth Summit in August. For more info, visit our website, www.JeffreyScott.biz or visit https://jeffreyscott.biz/2024-summer-growth-summit/The post Five Strategies for Growth with Larry Ryan appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Greg Crabtree is an author and financial expert, and has built a CPA firm focused solely on the needs of entrepreneurs.

Greg works with entrepreneurs all over the country in a broad range of industries.

He is the author of “Simple Numbers, Straight Talk, Big Profits” and “Simple Numbers 2.0: Rules for Smart Scaling.” He has also contributed to Verne Harnish’s book, “Scaling Up.”

Jeffrey and Greg talk about many financial topics on this podcast, namely, valuation, labor efficiency, return on investment, and many other topics related to running a profitable landscape business — or any privately owned business.

The post Simple Numbers, Straight Talk with Greg Crabtree appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Dennise J. Vidosh owns two Michigan companies, Green Acres Tree farm and RE-TREE, where she has developed five separate divisions serving the tree care space.Dennise is an innovator in the green industry, and a trailblazer in the field of mature tree preservation.Over the course of thirteen years leading Green Acres Tree Farm, Dennise observed a troubling trend in the industry. Magnificent, mature healthy trees were being felled to make way for new construction or due to spatial constraints. This frustrating element had just become an accepted part of doing business. Dennise knew there had to be a better way, a realization that sparked the inception of RE-TREE in 2018.

On this podcast we discuss all five of her services, and her ideas for the future of tree care.Dennise’s mission goes beyond business; it’s a commitment to a more sustainable planet. Her expertise as an ISA certified arborist, coupled with her passion for technology and innovation, drives the valuable solutions she offers to global problems. Every day, she works to redefine the way we approach mature tree preservation, inspiring property owners, green industry peers and communities.

She is the sister of one of my long time clients, Donn Vidosh, and it’s great to learn about their shared family and roots in our wonderful green industry.The post Trailblazing the tree industry with Dennise Vidosh appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Ted Ventre is the sole owner of Hively Landscapes in south central Pennsylvania and northern Maryland.It services high end residential with revenue mix of 33% hardscape, 26% landscape and 41% maintenance.Ted is experienced in both commercial and residential and enjoys serving picky comprehensive wealthy clients the most.We dive into how he came to buy this current business, his approach to delegation, and his unique customer service model.Ted and I discuss some of his favorite sports, and how his membership in the Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association has really changed his life for the better as an owner.The post From Commercial to Residential with Ted Ventre appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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In reflection of the roller coaster year of 2023, Jeffrey Scott highlights seven lessons that significantly impacted the industry. He also shares 10 predictions for you to pay attention to in 2024.The 7 lessons are based on all the coaching and consulting work he does with companies across the US and Canada.Here is a summary of his seven lessons; he dives into important details on all seven.1. Prioritize Cyber Security: 2. Harness AI and Technology: 3. Value Your Residential Business: 4. Revamp Marketing and Sales: 5. Invest in Real Talent: 6. Strengthen Relationships at the Top: 7. Improve Financial Management: The post Lessons from 2023, Predictions for 2024, with Jeffrey Scott appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Tim Johnson is co owner of Tim Johnson Landscaping, a two branch, 10+M mixed-services landscape business situated in Statesville and Charlotte, NC

Tim has experienced all the growing pains, including ’not being on the same page’ with another owner, carrying everything on his shoulders without a strong leadership team, operating reactively, and being overly focused on the top line.

You will learn about his journey solving those struggles, and some secrets of the trade that he has developed.

The post More than a Father and Son Business, with Tim Johnson II appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Marc Nissim is the owner of Harmony Design Group in Westfield, NJ. It’s 18 years old and does $5million in mostly DB business, with 10% maintenance.

Marc shares how he overcame Dyslexia, found his true passion in the visual arts, and opened up a design business. He then pivoted from a design only to design-project mgmt, to design-build that relies on sub contractors, and now he it taking it further.

We discuss his super powers, his journey to high profit, and his goal of helping others with learning disabilities.

The post Overcoming Dyslexia with Marc Nissim appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Jeffrey Scott, author, investor and founder of Jeffrey Scott Consulting, talks about “giving back” to charities and the community, from five unique angles.1. The true meaning of Thanksgiving, and how you can live it every day.2. How we pledged to raise money for charity from our Summer Growth Summit, and the results of that pledge.3. Why giving back is good for you personally and your business, based on scientific studies and personal experience,4. When is the right time to start giving back?5. Two secrets to giving back, to help you do a better giving.The post Walking the Talk, Giving Back with Jeffrey Scott appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Wade and Dustin Vugteveen are owners of DeHamer Landscaping, a 10M+ firm in Grandville, MI.

They do a mix of snow, maintenance, landscape and irrigation.

We discuss their history of startups, first with a baseball training business and then in retail.

We discuss how hard it was for them early on, and how difficult it is to grow a business as an entrepreneur.

These two have taken a series of risks over and over again, which has allowed them to scale their business quickly. Business is more of a “calling” for them as a people-first company.

You will enjoy stories and their ride.

The post Taking Big Risks with Dustin and Wade Vugteveen appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Ted Lucia is majority owner and President of the $13M Lucia Landscaping Inc., headquartered in Roseville, Michigan.

Lucia Landscaping began as a small business in Metro Detroit and has rapidly expanded over the last 20+ years. Among other methods, this rapid expansion is attributed to diversification, making external acquisitions, and remaining dedicated to company culture and a clear vision of growth and profitability.

Jeffrey and Ted explore how he overcame significant challenges as a youth, and how he uses those lessons to drive his growth.

We dive into strategies around recruiting, acquisitions, and his “one team” approach to culture building.

Ted is a fan of technology, processes and becoming best in class, and this all comes through on the podcast.

The post Drive and Compassion with Ted Lucia appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Steve Griggs is the founder and owner of Steve Griggs Design, based in Baluvelt, NY. He is author of the best-selling book, “Straight Dirt”.

Steve is the original OG (“old guard”) and very direct, and shares the straight dirt on contracting and how to work with high-end clientele.

Jeffrey and Steve dive into his journey from contractor to design/project manage only.

Steve is not your average designer; he has decades in the business as a contractor and is now focused on his design to transform ordinary outdoor spaces into extraordinary masterpieces. With decades of experience and a discerning eye for detail, Steve has become one of New York’s premier landscape designers.

Steve and Jeff also discuss his coffee table book, Straight Dirt, and how he uses that in his marketing and sales process.

The post The Straight Dirt from the original OG, Steve Griggs appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Scott Lamon owns the 17 yr. old firm, Tynic Landscaping in Southwick, MA.

His firm revenues 3.5M with almost 50 people at peak including PT help; they do 60% commercial and 40% residential.

Jeffrey and Scott discuss all the different jobs he had before he got into the green industry: fishing lobster, selling insurance, building spec homes. Scott then dives into the journey of how he built his leadership team and added stability with 4 key hires.

Scott shares with us his financial journey, figuring out how where and to make money in this Industry, including getting his team on board with open book management.

The post Building a team and a profitable business with Scott Lamon appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Matt Hunter is the owner of New Garden Landscaping & Nursery in Greensboro, NC. Matt and his teams run a 12+M highly diversified business with three locations. Jeffrey and Matt discuss Matt’s rise from laborer to salesperson to branch manager to General Manager to Owner. You will learn about personal growth, making big business decisions, […]

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Sean Baxter, owner, Lawn and Landscape Solutions in Bucyrus, KS, joins Jeffrey Scott to discuss how peer groups have changed both of their lives, and the lives of many of members in Jeffrey Scott’s LEADER’S EDGE peer groups. Jeffrey shares some history of how the Leader’s Edge to started and the main pain points that […]

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Justin Queen is owner and founder of Sales Engine, a marketing firm for the home services markets. He has 10 employees and is located in Wilmington, NC Jeffrey and Justin discuss how the old marketing model is broken, and how it needs to be addressed with a “results first” approach. Justin explains how he scientifically […]

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Brodie Brunner is the Executive Vice President (and co-owner) of Weathermatic. They are the “World’s leader in smart water technology.” Weathermatic was founded in 1945 and is located in Dallas, TX. They have 150 employees and revenues slightly under $50M. Jeffrey and Brodie discuss how the irrigation industry has changed dramatically over the past couple decades, and […]

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Kevin & Tim join Jeffrey to discuss how they are growing their companies by selling pools and/or being part of the pool sale.  Kevin Werbrich is owner of Werbrich’s Landscaping in Cincinnati, OH. Tim O’Connor is head of Design/Build at LCI Landscapes in Columbus, MN We discuss all aspects of being in the pool business […]

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Jeffrey talks with Loriena Harrington (Beautiful Blooms Landscapes, WI) and Shanna Scordo (Earthcraft Landscaping, PA),  about the future of women in the landscape industry. We cover 3 topics. Turning points in Loriena’s and Shanna’s careers, sharing negative and positive experiences. Barriers to attracting and retaining more women into our industry. What you can do to […]

The post Strong Women in Lawn & Landscaping, with Loriena Harrington and Shanna Scordo appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Chris DiStefano is the CEO of DiStefano Landscaping in Burlington, VT. Founded in 2004, his 65% design/bid-build company has grown to 7M with 55-60 employees. Chris and I explore his company’s steady growth process, starting with his dad and mom impacting his love of landscape as a child. From the time he could walk, he helped out at his family’s ornamental […]

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The economic winds are changing in different sectors and geographic areas around the country.

Even if the economy remains strong in your neck of the woods, you will appreciate the savvy ideas that Jeffrey shares to tighten down your systems and approach.

Jeffrey Scott (founder, Jeffrey Scott Consulting) discusses what he is seeing and shares specific advice that he has given to his coaching clients recently on how to overcome and address the lack of lead flow and revenue.

He shares marketing and sales ideas, and tips on better managing by the numbers, that will help any business in any economy.

The post 18 Ways To Pivot with Jeffrey Scott appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Chris O’Bryan is co-owner and President of Limbwalker Tree Service & Lawn Care, based in Louisville, KY.

It’s a 20 year-old, 5M business that is 60% Tree service, with the rest spread over lawn services, PHC and mosquito control.

Chris is a true visionary and thinks outside the box. You will get inspired by the management ideas he has implemented in his firm.

Jeffrey and Chris discuss his 2018 reset, his pandemic reset in 2020, his unique team “pod” structure inside his company, his unique bonus structure and unique definition of leadership.

Chris is a crazy leader, crazy like a fox.

The post Thinking Outside The Box with Chris O’Bryan appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Mark Smith is the owner of Smith Lawnscapes, a 5.4M business in St. Johns, Michigan.

Mark truly loves to snowmobile, but a snowmobiling accident changed Mark’s life, and his approach to how he managed his business.

Mark and Jeffrey discuss his journey of growth and transformation, with all it’s ups and downs.

Mark is a down-to-earth guy who talks heartfelt about changes and investments he has made in his business.

He promoted his sale manager to the role of second in command, and this has allowed (and forced) Mark to rethink his role yet again.

The post A Life-Changing Snow Mobiling Accident with Mark Smith appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Mike Bogan returns for a follow up podcast to dive deeper into the nuts and bolts of Landcare.

Mike shares with Jeffrey the business philosophy of People First that drives their growth.

Jeffrey and Mike discuss Landcare’s core values, purpose and systems, high lighting what makes the business different. They discuss profit sharing vs incentives and commissions. They end with a discussion about making work as enjoyable as life.

Mike Bogan is President and Co-Owner of Landcare, based in Frederick, MD. It’s a 24-year-old company that Mike joined 8 years ago as CEO. He and his leadership team have transformed Landcare into a profitable, fast-growth company.

Landcare has 70 locations and 3800 employees.

Mike is a veteran of the industry yet with the enthusiasm of a startup.

The post Landcare’s Business Philosophy with Mike Bogan, Part 2 appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Paul is the CEO of Sun Valley Landscaping based in Omaha, NE. The company is 27 years old, has 62 employees, and is roughly 7.5M in revenue.

Paul’s firm does a large mix of services, commercial, residential, snow, supply yard, etc.

Paul has personally done it all, run his company remotely, merged with another company, and he has constantly pushed himself to be a better leader.

Paul and I have known each other for many years, and we get deep, talking about personal things, hobbies, as well as business.

As CEO of Sun Valley Landscaping, Paul Fraynd leads the company’s growth and strategy while maintaining its core values and operating in a way that would make his Mom proud. Starting his business while completing his business degree at Creighton University, Paul purchased a $50 garage sale mower and employed his Mother as one of his first part-time employees. He takes these early lessons and now applies them to grow his team of 60+ landscape professionals.

Paul was recognized as Midlands Business Journal’s 40 under 40 and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Landscape Professionals.

From the beginning, Paul has looked for ways to help the community while being a role model for his industry and the city he loves – Omaha.

The post Vulnerable leadership with Paul Fraynd appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Mark Ables is the owner of 48-year-old Ables Landscapes in Charleston, SC.

The company has 55 employees and does around $7M in residential design-build-maintenance.Mark bought the business from his father and modernized its approach to management and growth, but first, he had to transform from owner-operator to CEO of his business.Jeff and Mark discuss two key hires that helped him grow, his innovative “dream manager” position in his business and other unique employee benefits.We discuss his faith-based approach to business and a faith-based peer group of which he is a member.We end with some great predictions for the industry and a short discussion of surfing.The post Helping Employees Achieve Their Dreams with Mark Ables appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Brian and Brad are co-owners of New Castle Lawn & Landscape, based in Birdsboro, PA.

The company is 28 years old and revenues $10M.

Brian founded the firm and then hired Brad, and ultimately invited him to become a 50% partner in the business.

In this podcast, we discuss their roles, their journey, and how they make it work.

They have done an excellent job building a culture and have become a Destination Company® where they do not have a problem recruiting or hiring and their turnover is low. This has lead to almost 100% client retention as well.

Jeffrey, Brian and Brad also discuss their future plans, along with the innovations they have implemented along the way.

The post The Power of Partners, with Brian Cuccaro and Brad Stephenson appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Troy R. Clogg, CSP is the owner of Troy Clogg Landscape Associates, in Wixom, MI. Troy started Troy Clogg Landscape Associates in the early 80’s with a mower & a dream

With more than 30 years of knowledge and experience in snow and ice management practices, Troy is recognized as an industry expert.

Jeffrey and Troy dive deep into snow, helpful for those of you who are experts and for those who want to learn more.

Troy is a serial entrepreneur, and on this podcast, you learn about more than just snow: landscape, tree services, deicer, and his supply business.

Troy is also a fervent believer in philanthropy; we discuss that as well in the end, along with some predictions for the industry.

The post Thriving in Snow with Troy Clogg appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Mike Bogan is President and Co-Owner of Landcare, based in Frederick, MD. It’s a 24-year-old company that Mike joined 8 years ago as CEO. He and his leadership team have transformed Landcare into a profitable, fast-growth company.

Landcare has 70 locations and 3800 employees.

Mike shares with Jeffrey how he and his team turned around the company, and why they took it privately (bought the company) and why they will never sell it.

Mike started at Brickman and saw all the changes to that company and the industry. He is very passionate and tells all, sharing great insights into the history of our industry and how to grow oneself and one’s business.

Mike is both a veteran of the industry with the enthusiasm of a startup.

The post The Organic Growth Method with Mike Bogan appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Darin Brockelbank is the founder of MetroGreenscape, a Charlotte, NC landscape firm that he built and sold before the pandemic. He was a longtime client of Jeffrey’s, and after reading the book, Built To Sell, he decided to transform his business so he could scale it and sell it, in order to spend more time with […]

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Darin Brockelbank is the founder of MetroGreenscape, a Charlotte, NC landscape firm that he built and sold before the pandemic. He was a longtime client of Jeffrey’s, and after reading the book, Built To Sell, he decided to transform his business so he could scale it and sell it, in order to spend more time with […]

The post Built to Scale with Darin Brockelbank appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Jerry runs Schill Grounds Management, a 29 years old firm with 74M in revenue and 18 locations. He started with his brother as a small mixed-service business in Cleveland, OH, then in 2012, he started to shift to commercial landscape and snow. Recently, he decided he would bring in financial backing, and in the last […]

The post Should You Sell or Should You Buy with Jerry Schill appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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On this special edition we turn the tables, and you hear Jeffrey Scott interviewed by longtime landscape client Sean Baxter. Sean and Jeffrey discuss Jeffery’s origin story, how he got his first job at 7 years old, and his next job at 13 years old in the green industry. You learn about the role of his family […]

The post “What’s Jeffrey’s Story” with Sean Baxter and Jeffrey Scott appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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On this special edition we turn the tables, and you hear Jeffrey Scott interviewed by longtime landscape client Sean Baxter. Sean and Jeffrey discuss Jeffery’s origin story, how he got his first job at 7 years old, and his next job at 13 years old in the green industry. You learn about the role of his family […]

The post “What’s Jeffrey’s Story” with Sean Baxter and Jeffrey Scott appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Britt Wood is the CEO of the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP). We discuss the role of associations and predictions on the future of the green industry (including H2B). This podcast will shed light on becoming more productively involved in your local/regional associations.

The post A Better Industry Future with Britt Wood appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Larry founded Ryan Lawn and Tree (Merriam, KS) 35 years ago. It has 10 locations producing over $55 Million with around 500 employees. It is a faith-forward business that he sold to his employees (ESOP) and operates using the Great Game Of Business (open book management.) His employees enjoy full-time careers, and he shares his […]

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In July 2022, Jeffrey held a webinar on the topic of Navigating an Uncertain Economy, where he shared 8 proactive strategies for attaining financial resilience and staying on top of your game in your market. These eight strategies are helpful to hear regardless of how the economy is doing, good for all seasons and all […]

The post Navigating An Uncertain Economy With Jeffrey Scott appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Kyle Cahill is founder and chief horticulturist of Grow and Company, a Houston TX based, multi-service residential landscape firm with 50 employees and almost $5M in revenue. Jeffrey and Kyle discuss the dynamics of charging time and material (the basis for Kyle’s company) and we also discuss his unique slow-growth strategy which involves two acquisitions. […]

The post Episode #198 Time and Materials with Kyle Cahill appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Jeff McManus is the Director of Landscape Services at the Univ. of Mississippi with 70 direct reports. He owns his own landscape business and is the author of the best-selling book “Growing Weeders Into Leaders”. Currently he teaches leadership development to companies across the green industry and beyond. We discuss in this podcast how he […]

The post Episode #197 Growing Weeders into Leaders with Jeff McManus appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Chase Mullin is founder of $18M Mullin Landscape based in New Orleans, LA with a branch in Baton Rouge. Chase got into business to help clean up after Hurricane Katrina 15 years ago, and his growth has been like a hurricane, picking up strength and momentum as he grows. He and I dive into the […]

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Matthew Gramer is the founder and majority owner of NatureWorks Landscape Services in Walpole MA. He has honed the focus of his business on the high-end residential client, and proactively staffs the business with key employees. This including a General Manager from when his business was still small. Matthew is an industry veteran who started […]

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Jeffrey Scott shares with you 9 kick butt tools and strategies you can use to increase your team’s performance right now, whether it is spring, summer or fall. Jeffrey cuts right to the chase, and shares actionable ideas you can put to use right away. Need we say more? It’s short, so take a listen!

The post #194 9 Ways To Kick Butt In The Heat Of The Season With Jeffrey Scott appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Sean Baxter is the founder of Lawn and Landscape Solutions, in Kansas City, MO. Sean shares his personal journey of surviving family challenges when he was a teenager, how he found horticulture and mentors, and how he transformed his passion for life into a growing landscape empire. He reveals how he first focused on surviving […]

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Brian Ham is the previous owner of Santa Rita Landscaping, Tucson, AZ. He built the business with his brother, got crushed in the great recession, and then rebuilt the business and took on a partner, and finally sold the 20M business one week before the pandemic hit. Brian was a member of Jeffrey’s Peer Group, […]

The post Episode #192 A 35 Year Run with Brian Ham appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Dr. Charlie Hall is the “Ellison Chair in International Floriculture” at Texas A&M University. He is the foremost economist in the green industry. Jeffrey and Dr. Hall discuss supply chain outlook, inflationary outlook, workforce development and consumer spending. They also grade the Fed, talk policies and politics, with a focus to doing your best work and […]

The post Episode #191 Economic Predictions for 2022 with Dr. Charlie Hall appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Keith Freeman, co-founder, and CEO of Green Group Companies in Raleigh, NC, joins in on Jeffrey’s podcast. In this episode, we discuss his unique business model of buying lawn care companies but leaving the original brand intact.  Keith and his partner have developed a “loose-tight” approach to binding these firms together with technology, marketing/sales, and […]

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Jennifer Lemcke is the CEO of Weedman, a lawn care franchise system that has franchisees across the USA and Canada. They are the second-largest lawn care company in North America with their sights on being #1. Jeffrey and Jennifer discuss Weedman’s history, management style, and their new venture in robotic mowing. They also discuss Weedman’s […]

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Jeffrey Scott shares with you 7 lessons he learned working with landscape professionals from around the US and Canada over the past year. He touched on these in his newsletter and elaborates here, giving extra insight. You will also hear 7 questions to ponder in 2022 to make yourself more successful and relevant in this […]

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Brandon Lair is managing partner of the Site Group in Dayton, OH, a 26 year old company doing $5M in revenue. Jeffrey and Brandon discuss balancing out his partnerships, and focus the majority of our time diving into the role of the Super Foremen who are able to act like project managers of their own […]

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Caramanico and Sons is a multi generational, 14M business based in Philadelphia, PA, that has figured out how to create extreme ownership and accountability without being extreme. In fact the owners of this firm are exceptionally nice, and have learned how to empower their staff. Jeffrey and John Caramanico Jr. discuss the family dynamics and […]

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Jeffrey Scott speaks with these two landscape entrepreneurs about their experiences hiring a Human Resource manager. Arnie Arsenault is managing partner of A. Arsenault and Sons, and Dustin Wolfe is owner of Artistic Grounds, both located in Massachusetts. Arnie and Dustin are interesting examples of this challenge given their relatively small size, and yet they […]

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Blair Walton runs a large, fast-growing, technology-forward design-build maintain company in Wilmington, NC. He shares his experience as “the host” of a recent Leader’s Edge peer group run by Jeffrey Scott, where over a dozen landscape business owners descended on his company to review it and learn from it. You will hear him talk about […]

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Dale Drier is the General Manager for Drost Landscape (MI), a multi decade, multi division company where he started as a laborer, and grew into this position of GM to help grow and transform the company. Jeff and Dale talk about many the facets of being a second in command and we also discuss how […]

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Joshua Gámez is the founder of East Coast Facilities, based in Allentown, PA. It is merely 5+ years old, already 20 million and growing super fast. Joshua is turning the industry on its head by creating a front-line focused company. The business is uniquely diversified with multiple branches spread between northern snow country states and southern […]

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Jeffrey Scott invites two of his clients and excellent landscape entrepreneurs, Chris Vedrani (Planted Earth Landscaping, MD) and Ted Lucia (Lucia Landscaping, MI) to share their experiences in fully staffing and growing their businesses in such a tight labor market. These two guests share unique strategies and techniques for managing a successful year; with ideas […]

The post Episode 181 – Recruiting, Retaining and Making Money in a Tight Labor Market with 2 Special Guests appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Krisjan Berzins is CEO of Kingstowne Lawn & Landscape in Alexandria, VA. He runs an 8M fully residential business serving 3500 active clients. The business was started with another partner whom he bought out, and now is run by his leadership team fully. Jeffrey and Krisjan discuss how he almost sold his business, how it […]

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Matt Hiner is the “Chief Yardist” at Hiner Outdoor Living in Colorado Springs, CO. He runs a 3M+ residential design build and water feature business that he started 13 years ago. Jeffrey and Matt discuss what makes his business unique, namely his extraordinary success on social media, his unique niche with water features and a […]

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In this 2nd episode with Dr. Charlie Hall, you will learn more about the economics of landscaping, with both global and national issues impacting the industry. Dr. Hall grew up working on a nursery in Western North Carolina. He is currently is a professor in the Department of Horticultural Science at Texas A&M University. Dr. […]

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Lisa Fiore is Founder & CEO of LandscapeHub, a B2B online marketplace she created and launched in July 2017. A fourth-generation nursery professional, Ms. Fiore realized there was an opportunity to digitize the entire procurement process for the green industry.  Ms. Fiore was previously President of Fiore Landscape and Nursery Supply (FLNS), a century-old nursery […]

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Heather Dirksen is President of the $35M Arbor Masters, with 9 branches in five states. Heather is driven, with many careers: First in the military, then as a civilian air traffic controller, then at the age of 29 she started a flight school to subsidize the cost of flying and earn her commercial rating. After […]

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Mike Haynes founded The Loving Companies and has a unique niche in growing sod and landscaping for builder homes. He has 9 branches in the south east. Mike’s simple and humble start as a middle schooler with a dream and a push-mower in the early 2000’s has led to what has become one of the […]

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John Puryear, President of Puryear Farms, a commercial and residential landscape firm with over seventy full time employees servicing the Nashville Metropolitan Area since 1991. Their base is a 100-acre nursery located on the banks of the Cumberland River. Jeffrey and John discuss his courageous change of company culture from paternalistic to leadership team, and […]

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Jeff Rossen is the majority owner of Rossen Landscape, an $8 million firm specializing in high-end residential design, construction and maintenance. It is 100% focused on developing a culture and processes that result in loyal clients in the affluent Great Falls, Virginia, market, a short drive from Washington D.C. Jeff Rossen, President, and CEO, drives […]

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Strong business values and ethics have enabled Enviroscapes to grow from its first $5.00 per week mowing client into a multi-million dollar landscape company that ranks in the top 2% of all landscape companies nationwide. At fourteen, owner Todd E. Pugh began mowing lawns to earn spending money and begin saving for college. After graduating from […]

The post Episode #172 – Building Branches and Culture, Recruiting Science, and Giving Back with Todd Pugh appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Mike Hommel (President) of Designs By Sundown.  Under his leadership, Designs By Sundown in Denver Colorado has grown from 2 employees in 1985 to reach revenues of $31,000,000. To this day, Michael is still the driving force behind the day to day operations of the company; he has built a leadership team from the brightest […]

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Making high profit requires more than achieving solid gross profit margins, it means gaining the most profit you can from each hour of your production staff’s labor. Jeffrey has been a student of this concept for years and has brought together two high-performing clients to discuss this approach: Doug Taylor (Owner of Frontiers Design & […]

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As President and CEO of Bland Landscaping Company in Apex, NC. Kurt Bland has seen and experienced many sides of the landscape Industry since he first joined his family business at 15years old. Kurt and I discuss what it means running a Private Equity backed company and how he and his brother Matt stay involved […]

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Traven Pelletier is the Owner of Lotus Gardenscapes. Lotus Gardenscapes is an award-winning design/build, maintenance and tree company located in Dexter, MI. Traven is an artist at heart, and a highly creative hardscape designer who has built a hugely successful firm that attains high profits with its highly customized, artistic design build work. Lotus Gardenscapes […]

The post Episode #168 – Selling Highly Creative Design Build For High Profit with Traven Pelletier appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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George Tucker is owner of LanDesign in MO. Founded in 2002, it is one of the most progressive, well-known green industry businesses in the St. Louis region specializing in commercial and residential landscape projects with a services arm and a new irrigation division. George has hired a CEO and a COO to run the business, […]

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Dr. Charlie Hall is the top economist in the Green Industry. He is a passionate speaker on all things green (money and plants.) Growing up in the industry on a nursery in Western North Carolina, Dr. Hall currently is a professor in the Department of Horticultural Science at Texas A&M University. He has degrees in […]

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This is the second pillar from Jeffrey Scott’s book, Become a Destination Company®. A Roadmap to Attract, Motivate, and Retain Great Employees. Live a Culture of Excellence In this episode, Jeffrey will show you what you need to do as a company to create a Culture of Excellence. To attract and retain great people, you […]

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Kevin McHale is the President and co-owner of McHale Landscape Design, MD. He started the business with his brother 40 years ago. Now, it is a $30M residential business with 300 employees spread over 6 locations. McHale’s business is  unique for three reasons: A strong branch network all focused on residential work Ample in-house crews […]

The post Episode #164 – Two Brothers Grow Residential Firm To $30M and 6 Branches with Kevin McHale appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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This is the first pillar from Jeffrey Scott’s book, Become a Destination Company®. A Roadmap to Attract, Motivate and Retain Great Employees. Nurture Your Company By Making Vision an Action Verb.  In this episode, Jeffrey explains why attracting, motivating, focusing, and retaining great employees starts and ends with a concrete and compelling vision.  If you […]

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Teddy Russell, owner, and CEO of Russell Landscape Group, based in Atlanta, runs a $40M company with 8 locations and 465 employees. He is the second-generation owner of a fabulous, southeastern enterprise growing with the growth goal of $100M. Teddy has made growth look easy, with his highly attuned relationship selling approach, and understanding of […]

The post Episode #162 – Growing to $100M “Three Million at a Time” with Teddy Russell appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Jason Craven has built a mega-successful company (Southern Botanical) in the heart of Texas. At 12 years old, he started mowing lawns to earn money for a new bicycle. In 1995, he turned this endeavor into a company that includes 280+ team members who share the same devotion to quality that the company was founded […]

The post Episode #161 Building a Driven, Caring $30M+ Company with Jason Craven appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Paul Reder is the President, CFO, and Marketing Manager of Reder Landscaping. He owns this business along with his two brothers, Dave and Mike. He started working for the business as a teenager back in the seventies, mowing lawns and working the nursery. The big lesson they all learned from their dad, Walt Reder Sr., […]

The post Episode #160 – Building An Effective Sales Team with Paul Reder appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Dr. Charlie Hall is THE top economist in the Green Industry. He is a passionate speaker on all things green (money and plants). In this podcast, we discuss economic trends, the future of landscaping, the impact of the elections and the under utilized benefits of landscaping in marketing. Having grown up in the industry, on […]

The post Episode #159 – The Future of Landscaping With Economist Dr. Charlie Hall appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Join Shawn Edwards, President of A+ Lawn and Landscape in Des Moines, Iowa and Jeffrey Scott for a conversation on building a highly-diversified, high-profit landscape business. Shawn is a serial entrepreneur, likes to work hard and play hard, and has enjoyed success in multiple industries. Shawn and his team (including 4 other minority owner/managers) have built […]

The post Episode #158 – Building A Multi-Ownership Team With Shawn Edwards appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Is joining a peer group the right move for you? Join Jeffrey Scott and three inspirational landscape business owners, to explore the value and impact of peer groups on their business and lives. Seneca Hull, Franz Witte Contracting, ID;  Paul Reder, Reder Landscaping, MI; and Greg Wildeboer, Whispering Pines Landscaping, ON As long time members […]

The post Episode #157 – The Power of Peer Accountability appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Jim McCutcheon, CEO of Highgrove Partners, Atlanta, GA (200 employees, $20M in revenue) is widely regarded as a landscape industry expert and a dynamic pioneer. Besides his landscape firm, Jim and his wife Erin started Copiana, an organization that brings local food production to people and places.  It’s a unique business model exposing people to […]

The post Episode #156 – Why Growing to $20M (But Not $40M) Makes Sense appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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As the founder of Drost Landscape in Petoskey, MI, Bob Drost has been reinventing landscaping since the company was founded in 1991. His pioneering spirit helped build Drost Landscape; and his integrity, innovativeness, and commitment to quality have ensured continued success with each passing year. Jeffrey and Bob discuss how he grew his company from […]

The post Episode #155 – Growing from $5M to $15M with Bob Drost appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Paul Saginaw is the co-founder of Zingerman’s, a highly diversified food enterprise known for its innovative high-end service and out-of-the-box management practices. Paul and Jeffrey discuss what makes Zingerman’s truly unique, and how other business owners (in the green industry) can copy and learn from the Zingerman’s model. Paul shares his current struggles and how […]

The post Episode #154 – The Magic of Zingerman’s and the Art of Diversification appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Phil Key, President and Partner of Ruppert Landscape, and board member of the National Association of Landscape Professionals, has a unique impact on our industry. Phil started working part-time at Ruppert Landscape when he was 15, and full time for over 22 years with 30+ years industry experience. He and Jeffrey Scott discuss what makes […]

The post Episode #153 – Staying Small While Scaling to $200M+ with Phil Key appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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As a true industry leader, Bob Grover, CEO of Pacific Landscape Management has built a business that is one of the fastest growing  privately owned companies in Portland, OR. Jeffrey Scott and Bob Grover discuss how his company is responding to Covid-19, his predictions for the next 24 months, and what his long term strategies […]

The post Episode #152 – Growing Commercial Maintenance with Bob Grover appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Frank Mariani is the owner of the largest residential landscape firm in the country. It all started back in 1954 when Frank’s dad Vito Mariani came to the US from Italy. As an industry leader, Frank’s passion is professionalizing the industry and mentoring the next generation. Jeffrey Scott and Frank Mariani discuss how Mariani Landscape is […]

The post Episode #151 – Conversation With Frank Mariani, Owner of Mariani Landscape appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Your ego affects your risk-taking, willingness to accept feedback and others owning your success. In this podcasts, Jeffrey discusses this topic.

The post Episode #150 – Your ego is sabotaging you appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Are you fixing problems or exploiting opportunities? In this podcast Jeffrey discussed these concepts and how to accelerate your growth.

The post Episode #149 – Why leaders exploit opportunities appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Without the proper level of accountability there is no positive impact on your company. Listen to Jeffrey’s insights and his description of the 5 levels of accountability.

The post Episode #148 – The domino impact of accountability appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Why do most strategic goals fail? In this podcast Jeffrey shares his critical insights to make sure your strategic goals are achieved.

The post Episode #147 – How to turbo-charge your strategic goals with this reframing tip appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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There is a huge trend in the landscape business. Listen to this podcast to find out what it is as it will impact your future.

The post Episode #144 – My 2019 landscape industry prediction: #1 appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Jeffrey has just gone through a profound exercise of finding out what sets him apart. Listen to this fascinating podcast as you are sure to learn new insights about his business and yours.

The post Episode #143 – What sets you apart? appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Are there things you should say goodbye to and perhaps even eradicate to increase the joy in your life?

The post Episode #142 – You should move every year appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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There is a huge importance in understanding the need for an organization chart. Find out the reasons in this podcast.

The post Episode #140 – The organization is the problem appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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There is a profound difference between individuals with low trust vs. those with high trust and the impact on the success of their companies. Listen to this podcast where Jeffrey shares his insights and how to develop higher trust.

The post Episode #139 – Low trust is strangling your company appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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What are you doing and should be doing to avoid challenges in your business from getting out of control and what lessons are there to learn from the Boeing fiasco?

The post Episode #138 – The Boeing Fiasco appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Which business model and mindset are you emulating and which one should you?

The post Episode #137 – Costco or Amazon? appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Why we need more women in leadership.

The post Episode #136 – Strong father strong daughter appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Taking continual calculated risks is the only way to stay relevant. Listen to this podcast and find out why.

The post Episode #135 – Take continual calculated risks appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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People are attracted to happy and optimistic leaders. Are you one of these leaders? In this podcast Jeffrey reveals the essence of laughing.

The post Episode #134 – Laugh everyday appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Even the best need direction and guidance. Discover why in this podcast.

The post Episode #133 – Have A players as direct reports appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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What metrics do you use to measure your business progress, goals and success?

The post Episode #132 – Follow your own metrics appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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How good are you at listening to your gut and should you?

The post Episode #131 – Using courage and intuition appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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What can you do to build the team that takes you into the future? Listen to this podcast where Jeffrey shared his key insights.

The post Episode #130 – Building your team to achieve your future appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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What kind of team are you building? Are they young and exuberant or more mature and sage or perhaps a combination of both? Listen to this podcast and to Jeffrey sharing his insights.

The post Episode #129 – Balancing Exuberant vs. Sage Advice appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Do you have a financial planner and do you have at least 3 diversified sources of income? In this podcast Jeffrey discusses his insights on how to build your financial security.

The post Episode #128 – Building financial security appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Raising fees is one of the fears of testing the market. Listen to this podcast and to Jeffrey revealing others and what to do about them.

The post Episode #127 – Test the Market appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Are you avoiding the difficult and critical conversations? What is it doing to your business and why you should have them immediately?

The post Episode #126 – The difficult conversation appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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What should you do to avoid your strategy from failing? Listen to this podcast and find out.

The post Episode #125 – Why your strategy will fail appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Do you have enough leads and if so are you able to convert them? Listen to this podcast and Jeffrey’s distinctions.

The post Episode #124 – Sales problem or a marketing problem appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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n this podcast Jeffery shares five attributes of what it means to think like an owner.

The post Episode #123 – Treat everyone like an owner appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Are you struggling from reaching your next level and what does that have to do with your organizational chart?

The post Episode #122 – It’s all about your leadership team appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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What are the attributes of leaders who finish first and are they all nice?

The post Episode #120 – Do Nice guys finish first? appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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In this podcast Jeffrey discusses the genius of Drucker, what he agrees with and even disagrees.

The post Episode #119 – The genius of Peter Drucker appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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What robotic technology do you use in your business and will it replace your labor?

The post Episode #118 – Labor vs. Robots appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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What made them unstoppable and what could make your company unstoppable?

The post Episode #115 – Lessons from the Red Sox appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Do you want to become a better leader? Communication is the key!

The post Episode #114 – Leadership is communication appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Is your team pulling you down? Are you overworked? In this podcast you will learn the reasons for getting bored with business and how to hit the reset button.

The post Episode #113 – Are you bored with business? appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Having a strategic plan is no guarantee of success. In this podcast Jeffrey shares his insights for a strategic changing plan.

The post Episode #112 – The myth of strategic planning appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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What are the attributes you must evaluate to have strong people on your team?

The post Episode #111 – How to decide your next hire appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Having your unique skillset is one of the reasons to have a COO. In this podcast, Jeffrey reveals the other reasons.

The post Episode #110 – Should you have a COO? appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Both are critical for your business success but how do you determine which one first?

The post Episode #107 – Better systems or better managers? appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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You’d be surprised of the similarities and the most powerful line in the declaration if independence.

The post Episode #106 – Do you have a compelling vision just like our founding fathers? appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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What are you measuring in order to compete in your space?

The post Episode #102 – Competing at 120 miles an hour appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Listen to this podcast and discover why being clear on your future customer is the way to guarantee your future.

The post Episode #101 – Are your future customers in your future? appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Building a sales dream team will change the future of your company. This podcast will reveal how to do so.

The post Episode #99 – Do you have a sales dream team? appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Grow Yourself is the first of three transformational growth insights guaranteed to change your business and perhaps your life. Listen to this podcast and discover all three!

The post Episode #98 – Three Transformational Growth Insights appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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What does measurement have to do with dramatically improving your success?

The post Episode #97 – A players want to be measured appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Operators are in love with tactics while owners are great at good vs. bad strategy. These are just a few of the distinctions. Listen to this podcast and discover the rest.

The post Episode #96 – Transforming from operator to owner appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Listen to this podcast and to Jeffrey revealing why and how to get the momentum you need for success.

The post Episode #95 – Your sales and marketing is all wrong appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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A family business can be your advantage or your inherent disadvantage. What are the 3 ways to turn the disadvantage into an advantage?

The post Episode #94 – The inherent disadvantage in family business appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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What are the critical distinctions between selling the why and the what and what does it have to do with your confidence and your client’s confidence?

The post Episode #93 – Are you selling the why or the what? appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Are you taking the time to view your life and business from the top?

The post Episode #92 – The view from the top appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Having better people is one of the four things that makes you unique. In this podcast, Jeffrey shares his unique perspective.

The post Episode #90 – What makes you unique? appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Tip number 3 is that you need an open learning environment. How does that help developing leaders and what are the other 10 tips?

The post Episode #87 – 11 proven ways to develop leaders appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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What should you do to expand your future?

The post Episode #85 – If you know it’s possible, you can do the impossible? appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Have you been breathing your own exhaust? You may need a plan B!

The post Episode #84 – When plan B stands for better, bolder and brighter appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Are you educating your sales people to truly understand the cost of your business?

The post Episode #83 – Believe the cost, make the sale appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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The profundity of a powerful number 2 in your organization is one of the three key takeaways. Listen to this podcast to find out the others.

The post Episode #82 – My Learning from My Chicago Workshop appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Why should you organize yourself one day at a time?

The post Episode #81 – One day at a time for high achievers appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Listen to Jeffrey share his profound life and business insights.

The post Episode #80 – Seven insights from 2017 appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Who is inspiring you to raise the bar and reinvent yourself?

The post Episode #79 – Leaders have to Reinvent themselves appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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As an owner, are you trying to prove you can do it on your own and why is it hurting your business?

The post Episode #78 – What’s holding you back? appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Are you managing your people or leading them? Who is mentoring your people and who is mentoring you?

The post Episode #77 – Every number 2 needs a  number 1 appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Shining the light and inspiring your client to move forward is the 1st skill of a great mentor. Find out the other two in this podcast.

The post Episode #76 – Three skills of a mentor appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Are you chasing business or does business come to you?

The post Episode #75 – Stop chasing business appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Are you being strategic throughout the year?

The post Episode #73 – The limiting mindset of a seasonal business appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Are you making time and giving attention to gestures of gratitude?

The post Episode #72 – 10 gestures of gratitude appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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When is it the best time to pivot? Listen to this podcast and to Jeffrey’s ideas on this topic.

The post Episode #70 – The Role of the owner and when is it time to pivot? appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Does every employee in the business feel as you have their back and they are a part of the family?

The post Episode #69 – Succeeding unlike Cain and Able  appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Do you know the key to successful negotiation? In this podcast Jeffrey reveals his insights.

The post Episode #68 – The art of negotiation appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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What’s your intentional growth strategy? Listen to Jeffrey’s podcast to learn more.

The post Episode #66 – Intentional growth is like a double espresso appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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There is a potential silent killer in your organization and you better recognize the warning signs. Listen to this podcast so it is not too late.  

The post Episode #65 – Culture And The Silent Killer appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Are you still in love with your business? Whatever your answer, you should listen to this podcast.

The post Episode #64 – Rekindling The Entrepreneurial Spirit appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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In this podcast Jeffrey discusses the 4 categories and why you must start with the end game in mind.

The post Episode #56 – Increasing The Value Of Your Business appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Is your service the cheapest around and does your local masseuse charge more than you?

The post Episode #54 – High Value Selling appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Do you stir the pot often? Learn why you should become a soaring eagle?

The post Episode #53 – Are You A Pigeon Boss? appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Are you apprehensive about raising your rates? Listen to this provocative podcast and to Jeffrey explains why it would improve relationships.

The post Episode #52 – Why Raising Rates Actually Strengthens Relationships? appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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The danger of being emotionally involved in your business and what to do about it?

The post Episode #51 – The Emotional Cost Of Running Your Business appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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In this podcast Jeffrey shares the 5 things you must do to develop the 10 year plan to sell your business.

The post Episode #50 – Your 10 Year Plan To Selling Your Business appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Do you sell at discount or full price? Listen to Jeffrey and the difference between strong and weak selling.

The post Episode #49 – How Strong / Weak Is Your Sales Team? appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Jeffrey discusses the three attributes of a culture of discipline.

The post Episode #47 – Culture Of Discipline appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Jeffrey shares 10 ways to immediately increase your personal earnings.

The post Episode #46 – Increasing Your Personal Earnings appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Jeffrey speaks on the benefits of providing continuous training in your organization.

The post Episode #45 – A Culture Of Continuous Training appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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The post Episode #44 – Me vs. We Sales Management appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Jeffrey shares ten ways to build a winning team by having, managing, and fostering cohesive conflict.

The post Episode #43 – Cohesive Conflict appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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What happens when you bring in a hired gun? Jeffrey discusses how to integrate this person without having a clash of cultures.

The post Episode #41 – Transitioning A Hired Gun appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Jeffrey explains why under-promising and over-delivering doesn’t work and shares tips to give your client an exceptional experience.

The post Episode #40 – Should You Under-Promise And Over-Deliver? appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Jeffrey shares five ways to make sure you get noticed in the marketplace.

The post Episode #39 – How To Stand Out In A Crowd appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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In this podcast Jeffrey examines what value really is to your clients.

The post Episode #38 – Do Your Clients Understand Your Real Value? appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Is your use of time holding you back?  Jeffrey discusses seven ways to increase your output in less time.

The post Episode #37 – Seven Time Management Secrets To Free Up Two Days Per Week appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Today Jeffrey examines two type of cascading inefficiencies and how you can overcome them.

The post Episode #36 – Cascading Inefficiencies appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Jeffrey shares four ways to guarantee business failure.

The post Episode #35 – How To Guarantee Business Failure appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Jeffrey discusses the four inner circles of support needed to be the ultimate CEO.

The post Episode #34 – Building Your Inner Circle appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Jeffrey reveals the two key obstacles that could be holding you back in growing your business.

The post Episode #33 – Growing From Five To Ten Million And Beyond appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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How can you live an abundant lifestyle today? In this podcast Jeffrey explores the seven mindset shifts needed to do so.

The post Episode #31 – Abundance Mindset Elevator appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Jeffrey shows how treating your exiting employees with a celebratory send-off can help your company become a Destination Company®.

The post Episode #30 – Celebrate Losing An Employee appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Jeffrey explains the importance of sharing your company dream with employees to achieve maximum growth.

The post Episode #29 – The Power Of Visioning appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Jeffrey explains why the best time to recruit is when you don’t need new staff.

The post Episode #28 – Should You Become A Recruiting Expert? appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Is it more important to have high value or high performance?  In this podcast Jeffrey explores the differences.

The post Episode #27 – Is It Time To Fire Your Star Employee? appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Jeffrey shares the top five myths that can take your business off course.

The post Episode #26 – Debunking The Five Landscape Myths appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Jeffrey shares the top three ways to experience personal and business growth by using peer groups.

The post Episode #25 – Increasing Your Success With Landscape Peer Groups appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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In this podcast Jeffrey shares the importance of balance in your work and personal life.

The post Episode #24 – The Personal Side Of Business appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Jeffrey cautions against spending valuable time doing tasks that should be delegated to others.

The post Episode #23 – Is Urgency Destroying Your Business appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Jeffrey explains the three keys to successful implementation.

The post Episode #22 – The Implementation Success Model appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Jeffrey explains how you can create an environment where an employee’s motivation can flourish.

The post Episode #21 – You Can’t Motivate Your Team appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Are you a process junkie? Jeffrey reveals three key aspects to successfully implementing processes.

The post Episode #19 – It’s All In The Process appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Jeffrey shares what should (and should not) be in a successful business plan.

The post Episode #18 – The Myth Of Business Planning appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Jeffrey explains why you can’t cut your way to profit.

The post Episode #17 – The Four Jet Engines Of Profit appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Want to accelerate your progress?  Jeffrey shares the seven best practices that will help you do just that.

The post Episode #16 – The Seven Best Practices Of World-Class Landscaping Companies appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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In today’s podcast, Jeffrey shares the five types of accountability.

The post Episode #14 – Let’s Talk About Accountability appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Jeffrey discusses six things to learn about your competition.

The post Episode #13 – How Do You Compare With Your Competition appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Jeffrey stresses that now is the time to discover your numbers and set your goals.

The post Episode #12 – What’s Your Exit Strategy appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Jeffrey reveals four ways to stay ahead of the competition.

The post Episode #11 – Four Ways To Establish Competitive Advantage appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Jeffrey stresses the importance of focusing on results instead of tasks and shares five ways to work on the business.

The post Episode #8 – Working In Your Business Rather Than On Your Business appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Jeffrey explains why the best value and growth of your company can come from ideas from someone who can step back and see the bigger picture

The post Episode #7 – Why Should Outside Organizations Rely On Outside Consultants? appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Where are you in terms of execution? In today’s podcast, Jeffrey shares five ways to ensure execution of your strategy.

The post Episode #6 – Strategy Without Execution Is Failure appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Jeffrey discusses four ways to attract and keep great team members.

The post Episode #5 – Attracting And Retaining Great Teams appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Jeffrey shares three secrets to getting more done in less time.

The post Episode #4 – Time Management appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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Jeffrey reveals five ways to get proactive and grow your profits.

The post Episode #3 – Five Ways To Dramatically Increase Profits appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

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What would you do with more time and extra money? How would that impact your life? Jeffrey shows how it can be done.

The post Episode #2 – A Case Study To Be Proud Of appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.