The LeanScaper Podcast

LeanScaper
  • 5.0 (13)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP

The LeanScaper Podcast is where serious landscape leaders go to grow. If you want new school systems for an old school industry, expertly crafted interviews with world class experts, endless inspiration you’ve come to the right place. Hosted by Benji Carlson and Mark Bradley. New Episodes release every Monday, on every platform.

  1. How to Make Blue Collar Work Sexy Again (Modern Playbook)

    8H AGO

    How to Make Blue Collar Work Sexy Again (Modern Playbook)

    Most trades businesses don’t have a labor problem.  They have a positioning problem.  In this episode, Mika lays out why blue collar work lost status — and what it takes to bring it back: premium branding, professional culture, performance pay, and leaders with swagger.  This is about more than hiring.  It’s about rewriting what the trades represent.  🔥 Standout quotes: • “People are attracted to people — not companies” • “You can’t fake pride” • “Commit… and if you think you’re committed, double down”

    1 hr
  2. The Momentum Flywheel: A Simple System To Get Unstuck

    FEB 10

    The Momentum Flywheel: A Simple System To Get Unstuck

    Momentum isn’t something you summon. It’s something you build.  In this episode, Benji Carlson sits down with mental fitness coach Fyfe Barraclough to explore how momentum actually compounds and why most leaders unknowingly sabotage it.  The conversation moves beyond motivation and into systems: how energy, clarity, alignment, action, and reinforcement interact to either accelerate progress or quietly slow it down.  Inside the episode: • Why momentum feels elusive even when effort is high • The leadership behaviors that quietly kill forward motion • How progress becomes self-reinforcing when built correctly • Why small, visible wins matter more than big pushes • How to spot the real bottleneck in your momentum If progress has felt harder than it should, this episode offers a more precise way to think about how momentum is created — and maintained.

    41 min
  3. How to Choose the Right CRM for Your Landscaping Business

    FEB 3

    How to Choose the Right CRM for Your Landscaping Business

    Most contractors don’t have a software problem—they have a decision-making problem. In this episode of the LeanScaper Podcast, Benji Carlson sits down with Mark Sedgley to break down how to actually implement technology that sticks, why most software ends up unused, and how leaders can build the muscle of better systems thinking in a world full of disruption. Expect to learn: • Why buying software is like buying a gym membership • The #1 mistake that kills software implementations • How to choose tools that support your business long-term—not just today Timestamps: 00:00 – Why most companies waste money on software 05:28 – The gym membership analogy 10:11 – The first question every buyer must answer 17:22 – Software as a force multiplier 20:10 – Why copying peers’ tech stacks fails 36:31 – Why implementation matters more than features 40:33 – Ease of use vs depth of functionality 42:31 – The biggest implementation mistake 53:38 – Leading through disruption

    55 min
  4. The Future of Landscaping: AI, Roll-Ups & Monster Exits

    JAN 27

    The Future of Landscaping: AI, Roll-Ups & Monster Exits

    Discover where the landscaping industry is heading next. In this panel discussion recorded live at our Dallas event, six industry leaders share practical insight into the forces reshaping the future of landscape businesses: technology, private equity, M&A, scaling, leadership, and long-term value creation. Whether you’re building toward an exit, planning your next growth phase, or trying to future-proof your company, this conversation offers a clear look at what’s coming and how to prepare. Expect to Learn: • How tech adoption directly drives higher multiples • What private equity firms actually look for in landscape companies • Why independent operators may be stronger than ever • The systems and metrics that increase enterprise value • What happens after the deal closes • The leadership traits needed for the next decade In this episode: 00:00 – Intro 01:30 – Why tech is reshaping service businesses 08:45 – How private equity views landscaping today 15:20 – Modern M&A strategies and valuation drivers 23:10 – Founder journeys: scaling, timing, and identity 33:55 – Building a business buyers compete to own 41:20 – Protecting culture and people through growth 49:15 – Preparing for the next decade of service entrepreneurship 58:40 – Leadership principles that won’t change 1:05:00 – The biggest risks (and opportunities) ahead Featuring: Nick Bartolo, Essential Partners Jeff Domenick, KeyServ Company Scott Lesak, Kasel Rocks Jonathan Pototschnik Austyn Roth, Lucky Landscaping LLC Mark Sedgley, Granum

    1h 18m
  5. How the Best Local Landscapers Become the Obvious Choice

    JAN 13

    How the Best Local Landscapers Become the Obvious Choice

    If you’re a landscaper trying to grow your business, content isn’t about going viral—it’s about becoming the obvious choice in your market. In this episode, Benji sits down with Brian Fullerton to break down what actually matters when it comes to content, social media, and long-term brand trust in local service businesses. This is not an episode about algorithms or posting hacks. It’s about credibility, consistency, and calm leadership—and why most contractors misunderstand content entirely. Brian shares what he’s learned after nearly a decade of building a community, answering thousands of DMs, and growing a blue-collar business in public. If you’ve ever felt invisible, unsure where to start, or worried about looking stupid online, this conversation will reset how you think about content. You’ll learn: • Why content is now part of your credibility infrastructure • How the best local landscapers become the name clients think of first • Why “going viral” is the wrong goal for service businesses • How to turn real job sites into authentic content—without forcing it • What not to post if you care about trust and professionalism • How to stop worrying about what people think and just start 00:00 Why content now matters more than ever for landscapers 03:10 How customers actually decide who to hire today 06:15 Company A vs Company B: the 3-year content gap 09:45 Why content is a long-term investment, not a test 11:00 Should landscapers start with YouTube, Instagram, or something else? 18:30 The real goal of content: building a community, not followers 24:00 Why chasing virality hurts local service businesses 27:40 Turning daily job sites into real, compelling content 33:45 What not to post if you want trust and professionalism 35:10 Benji’s ICP framework: hires, customers, and partners 40:30 Showing wins and mistakes without losing credibility 46:20 Fear, confidence, and the 18–45–65 rule 49:00 Final mindset shift: nobody is paying attention—and that’s freeing

    48 min
  6. Why Success Still Feels Empty for So Many Business Owners

    JAN 6

    Why Success Still Feels Empty for So Many Business Owners

    Why do so many business owners achieve everything they set out to build… yet still feel a quiet emptiness underneath it all? In this conversation, Benji sits down with Philip McKernan to explore why success often feels misaligned, why old wounds silently shape our ambition, and what it takes to shift from proving yourself to actually living in alignment. This episode is a grounded, honest look at the emotional and psychological patterns entrepreneurs rarely talk about—but deeply feel. In this episode: • Why success doesn’t guarantee fulfillment • How trauma shapes ambition and leadership • The “I’ll show you” fuel that eventually burns out • The three mountains and the cost of staying on the wrong one • How to start reconnecting with work that feels true   Timestamps 00:00 Opening and setup 01:26 Why emotional alignment matters more than achievement 04:16 How trauma quietly drives many entrepreneurs 07:38 The danger of building a life to prove someone wrong 11:14 Understanding ego in a healthier, more honest way 14:26 The myth of “escape velocity” and waiting to feel free 18:53 What it takes to step into the next mountain 27:38 Simple first steps to reconnect with purpose

    45 min
  7. The 4 “Boring” Things That Actually Grow Landscaping Revenue

    12/30/2025

    The 4 “Boring” Things That Actually Grow Landscaping Revenue

    In this episode of the LeanScaper Podcast, Benji sits down with Justin White, CEO of K&D Landscaping, to break down what actually drives revenue growth in a landscape business. Justin shares his journey from being thrust into the CEO role at 25 years old to scaling K&D from ~$1.5M to over $20M in annual revenue. Together, they unpack the boring but powerful principles that create predictable growth—things like standardized sales processes, labor hour management, focusing on what you’re already great at, and spending more time with your A-players.  If you’re tired of chasing shiny objects and want to build a real revenue engine that scales, this conversation is for you.   00:00 – Intro & welcome 01:20 – Justin’s family business story & sudden move into the CEO role 04:00 – Learning leadership the hard way at 25 07:00 – Casting a big vision before you believe it 10:20 – Unhealthy beliefs landscapers have about revenue growth 13:30 – The “boring” systems that actually scale revenue 18:45 – Why standardized sales processes reduce stress 22:30 – Doing more of what your company is already great at 26:45 – Labor hour management as the master KPI 31:00 – How to improve estimated vs. actual labor hours 36:00 – Spending more time with A-players 40:00 – Final rapid-fire insights & closing thoughts

    49 min
  8. The Partnership Playbook That Drives Growth

    12/23/2025

    The Partnership Playbook That Drives Growth

    What if the biggest growth driver for your landscaping business isn’t ads, equipment, or even skill—but partnerships? In this episode of The LeanScaper Podcast, Kevin Scott reveals how 90% of revenue comes from partnerships with architects, builders, vendors, realtors, municipalities, and even customers. Expect to learn: -Why you should never email proposals again -How nagging a single architect turned into $90M of work -Why a deep bench of local partners and friends can you help you weather a challenging market Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro & Studio Bloopers 😂 1:58 – Why partnerships drive 90% of revenue 3:19 – What young landscapers get wrong 8:55 – The partnership funnel (charcuterie boards & donuts 🍩) 11:22 – Why partnerships matter more than ever in today’s economy 13:46 – Finish strong or blow the whole project 16:25 – Stop emailing proposals—always present them live 24:35 – The $90M lesson: persistence pays off 39:43 – Community as the glue of business longevity 44:19 – Kevin’s new role as LeanScaper advisor & final advice

    45 min
See All (34)

5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

The LeanScaper Podcast is where serious landscape leaders go to grow. If you want new school systems for an old school industry, expertly crafted interviews with world class experts, endless inspiration you’ve come to the right place. Hosted by Benji Carlson and Mark Bradley. New Episodes release every Monday, on every platform.

Information

  • Creator
    LeanScaper
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 LeanScaper
  • Show Website
    The LeanScaper Podcast

You Might Also Like