Kid Contractor Podcast with Caleb Auman

Caleb Auman
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  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

A show focusing on a wide range of contractors from the Green Industry to General Contractors and beyond. Your host Caleb, runs a successful 7 figure business with his wife Brittany, and has over 20 years in the industry. "The Kid" has learned some valuable lessons he wants to share with you. The principles discussed will energize and empower you to crush your goals.

  1. 3d ago

    E731. 7 Critical Checkpoints to Hit Before Year-End

    Finish strong and prepare for Q4! The Auman's discuss the transition from a chaotic, "hamster wheel" business model to a structured, system-driven enterprise. Caleb introduces his new "Built for Contractors" mentorship program, which focuses on providing scalable processes and accountability for hardscaping professionals. They emphasize the importance of financial clarity and the courage to fire underperforming service providers to ensure long-term growth. They also review seven critical end-of-year metrics, including profitability, labor efficiency, and backlog management, to help listeners prepare for the fourth quarter. Key Takeaways: Implement structured, scalable systems in both the office and the field instead of relying solely on hard work to escape the endless business hamster wheel. Embrace "clarity is kindness" by letting go of service providers, partners, or employees who aren't performing or communicating well so they have the chance to improve elsewhere. Calculate your true revenue per hour by dividing your gross invoiced revenue by the total paid hours to quickly spot gaps in your estimating and crew production rates. Proactively map out your remaining weeks of capacity and backlog in the fourth quarter to build a realistic schedule that successfully lands the plane by year-end. Begin squirreling away cash and aligning on winter expectations with your financial advisor during the busy season so you can afford to retain your crew during the colder months. Connect with Auman Landscape 📺 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@AumanLandscape 🌐 All Links https://linktr.ee/AumanLandscape 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aumanlandscapellc/ 👷 👷‍♂️ 👷‍♀️ The Hardsacpe Academy https://www.thehardscapeacademy.com/  👫 👩‍❤️‍👨 Together In The Trades https://www.togetherinthetrades.com/  Episode Sponsors 📸 CompanyCam – Get 50% off for 2 months https://companycam.com/auman 💰 Cycle CPA – Save $200 https://cyclecpa.com Use code: AUMAN 🛠 LMN Software – Save on onboarding https://golmn.com Use code: AUMAN 🚜⚙️🛠️ Steelwrist https://linktr.ee/AumanLandscape 🛠 Leanscaper https://leanscaper.com/ 🚜 Equip  https://www.equipexposition.com/ Use code: AUMAN 💰 John Pajak https://johnpajak.com 🧠 🎯 💡 FRWRD Coaching https://www.frwrdcoaching.com/

  2. 5d ago

    E730. $3 Million+ Series | Charlie Kerrigan Founder of VIL Landscaping

    Charlie Kerrigan is a twenty-year-old entrepreneur managing a landscape construction firm in Toronto nearing $3 million in revenue. The discussion centers on the personal evolution required to lead a growing business, emphasizing the dangers of expanding too quickly without maintaining operational efficiency. Kerrigan candidly shares lessons on avoiding excessive overhead, the importance of "leading from the trenches," and why profitability must take precedence over high-end equipment or vanity metrics. He also highlights the value of clear communication and the necessity of addressing difficult conversations to prevent professional stagnation. Key Takeaways: Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty and stay active in the trenches where the real work happens, no matter how much success or scale you achieve. Organize your week with dedicated time blocks on your calendar to gain control over your schedule and ensure your daily actions align with your major goals. Face difficult conversations and ask hard questions immediately, since delaying necessary conflict only multiplies the problems down the road. Put your ego aside and ask for help from mentors, peers, and team members when making big decisions or navigating challenges. Choose to find joy and have fun through the chaos, realizing that things will inevitably go wrong but you always have control over how seriously you take them. Connect with Auman Landscape 📺 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@AumanLandscape 🌐 All Links https://linktr.ee/AumanLandscape 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aumanlandscapellc/ 👷 👷‍♂️ 👷‍♀️ The Hardsacpe Academy https://www.thehardscapeacademy.com/  👫 👩‍❤️‍👨 Together In The Trades https://www.togetherinthetrades.com/  Episode Sponsors 📸 CompanyCam – Get 50% off for 2 months https://companycam.com/auman 💰 Cycle CPA – Save $200 https://cyclecpa.com Use code: AUMAN 🛠 LMN Software – Save on onboarding https://golmn.com Use code: AUMAN 🚜⚙️🛠️ Steelwrist https://linktr.ee/AumanLandscape 🛠 Leanscaper https://leanscaper.com/ 🚜 Equip  https://www.equipexposition.com/ Use code: AUMAN 💰 John Pajak https://johnpajak.com 🧠 🎯 💡 FRWRD Coaching https://www.frwrdcoaching.com/

  3. Aug 5

    E729. Breaking the $3 Million Barrier

    What's Really Holding Your Business Back? In this episode, Caleb and Brittany introduce a series of interviews with leading professionals who have successfully navigated the challenges of reaching and surpassing major revenue milestones. The central message is that mindset is often the first key to business growth. The right mindset pushes owners to seek better systems, experienced mentors, stronger pricing strategies, and new ways of leading their teams. Caleb believes mindset must come first, while Brittany emphasizes that understanding your financial numbers is equally important. Services such as Cycle CPA can help business owners make sure increased revenue leads to real profit, rather than simply producing impressive gross revenue numbers. Key Takeaways: The Owner Can Become the Bottleneck Business owners often limit their own growth by refusing to delegate, holding on to too many responsibilities, or failing to create dependable systems. Strong Systems Support Growth Software such as LMN for estimating and CompanyCam for jobsite documentation can help reduce poor communication, inaccurate time tracking, and other costly inefficiencies. Growth Creates New Leadership Challenges As a company grows, clear policies and Standard Operating Procedures become increasingly important. Caleb and Brittany share a disagreement involving reimbursement for an employee's custom hard hat. The situation demonstrated why growing businesses must move away from emotional, case-by-case decisions and toward consistent policies outlined in an employee handbook. The Million-Dollar Myth Brittany recalls hearing from local contractors that it was nearly impossible to remain profitable after reaching $1 million in annual revenue. A conversation with Mark Bradley helped change that perspective. He explained that growth can remain both sustainable and profitable when the company has the right team, processes, systems, and pricing in place. Ultimately, Caleb and Brittany emphasize that working on yourself is just as important as working on your business. The questions you are afraid to ask may be the same questions preventing your company from reaching the next level. Connect with Auman Landscape 📺 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@AumanLandscape 🌐 All Links https://linktr.ee/AumanLandscape 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aumanlandscapellc/ 👷 👷‍♂️ 👷‍♀️ The Hardsacpe Academy https://www.thehardscapeacademy.com/  👫 👩‍❤️‍👨 Together In The Trades https://www.togetherinthetrades.com/  Episode Sponsors 📸 CompanyCam – Get 50% off for 2 months https://companycam.com/auman 💰 Cycle CPA – Save $200 https://cyclecpa.com Use code: AUMAN 🛠 LMN Software – Save on onboarding https://golmn.com Use code: AUMAN 🚜⚙️🛠️ Steelwrist https://linktr.ee/AumanLandscape 🛠 Leanscaper https://leanscaper.com/ 🚜 Equip  https://www.equipexposition.com/ Use code: AUMAN 💰 John Pajak https://johnpajak.com 🧠 🎯 💡 FRWRD Coaching https://www.frwrdcoaching.com/

  4. Jul 30

    E728. How Strengthening Your Marriage Can Save Your Contracting Company

    Why We Almost Quit Together in the Trades and Why We Never Will. Caleb and Brittany recount their recent experience in Williams, Arizona, where they initially intended to end the conference series due to logistical and financial challenges. However, after witnessing the profound emotional impact on attendees and the strong sense of community it fostered, they decided to continue the tradition. The discussion highlights key themes of vulnerability, spiritual perseverance, and open communication, featuring insights from speakers like Marty Grunder and Casey from Marriage 365.  Key Takeaways: Schedule regular realignment meetings with your spouse to discuss your weekly plans and ensure your personal and professional goals are in sync. Practice the knee-to-knee apology method by looking your partner in the eye and expressing sincere regret for specific actions and how those actions affected them. Adopt the mindset that marriage is a summitless peak, understanding that it requires constant effort and there is always more room for growth. Find a community of like-minded peers in your industry to create a safe space for discussing business challenges and finding mutual support. Develop a bias to act by taking immediate ownership and initiative whenever you encounter a problem that needs to be solved. Connect with Auman Landscape 📺 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@AumanLandscape 🌐 All Links https://linktr.ee/AumanLandscape 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aumanlandscapellc/ 👷 👷‍♂️ 👷‍♀️ The Hardsacpe Academy https://www.thehardscapeacademy.com/  👫 👩‍❤️‍👨 Together In The Trades https://www.togetherinthetrades.com/  Episode Sponsors 📸 CompanyCam – Get 50% off for 2 months https://companycam.com/auman 💰 Cycle CPA – Save $200 https://cyclecpa.com Use code: AUMAN 🛠 LMN Software – Save on onboarding https://golmn.com Use code: AUMAN 🚜⚙️🛠️ Steelwrist https://linktr.ee/AumanLandscape 🛠 Leanscaper https://leanscaper.com/ 🚜 Equip  https://www.equipexposition.com/ Use code: AUMAN 💰 John Pajak https://johnpajak.com 🧠 🎯 💡 FRWRD Coaching https://www.frwrdcoaching.com/

  5. Jul 28

    E727. Why Client Retention is the Secret Weapon for Massive Profit Gains

    This episode of the Kid Contractor Podcast features Andy Wilson, a former law enforcement officer who transitioned into the green industry after surviving aggressive throat cancer. Wilson shares his journey of overcoming ten surgeries and the loss of his voice to build a thriving lawn care business with 140 recurring clients. The discussion highlights essential business strategies such as client retention, route density, and the importance of accurate job documentation through tools like Company Cam. Wilson emphasizes that a successful brand is built on personal reliability and maintaining impeccable records to ensure a business is scalable and sellable. Key Takeaways: Commit to getting back up every time you face a setback and keep pushing forward until you land your one good punch in business or life. Focus on retaining your current clients as it is five times cheaper than onboarding new ones and leads to much higher profit margins. Build a brand based on your personal character and the experience you provide rather than just focusing on a logo. Increase your profitability by prioritizing route density to maximize the amount of money you earn per hour while minimizing travel time. Learn to say no to the wrong opportunities so that you can protect your time and focus on the clients who truly fit your ideal business model. Connect with Auman Landscape 📺 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@AumanLandscape 🌐 All Links https://linktr.ee/AumanLandscape 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aumanlandscapellc/ 👷 👷‍♂️ 👷‍♀️ The Hardsacpe Academy https://www.thehardscapeacademy.com/  👫 👩‍❤️‍👨 Together In The Trades https://www.togetherinthetrades.com/  Episode Sponsors 📸 CompanyCam – Get 50% off for 2 months https://companycam.com/auman 💰 Cycle CPA – Save $200 https://cyclecpa.com Use code: AUMAN 🛠 LMN Software – Save on onboarding https://golmn.com Use code: AUMAN 🚜⚙️🛠️ Steelwrist https://linktr.ee/AumanLandscape 🛠 Leanscaper https://leanscaper.com/ 🚜 Equip  https://www.equipexposition.com/ Use code: AUMAN 💰 John Pajak https://johnpajak.com 🧠 🎯 💡 FRWRD Coaching https://www.frwrdcoaching.com/

  6. Jul 24

    E726. Finding Your Solemn Resolve When Business Knocks You Down

    Caleb shares personal insights on managing a high-revenue construction and landscaping business while navigating the daily pressures of entrepreneurship. The discussion covers the reality of business risks, from high-stakes equipment transport to the uncertainties of working with new contractors. Throughout the podcast, he advocates for strategic delegation, urging business owners to move away from manual labor to focus on growth and leadership.  Key Takeaways: Implement financial tracking tools to gain clarity on your business's true profitability and revenue per hour. Document every stage of a project with photos to prevent communication breakdowns and ensure you get paid for your work. Practice effective delegation by removing yourself from field tasks so you can focus on high-level growth and opportunity. Focus on logistics and preparation before every job to ensure your team has everything they need to be efficient and successful. Confront difficult conversations and ask the hard questions that are necessary to move your professional and personal life forward. Connect with Auman Landscape 📺 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@AumanLandscape 🌐 All Links https://linktr.ee/AumanLandscape 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aumanlandscapellc/ 👷 👷‍♂️ 👷‍♀️ The Hardsacpe Academy https://www.thehardscapeacademy.com/  👫 👩‍❤️‍👨 Together In The Trades https://www.togetherinthetrades.com/  Episode Sponsors 📸 CompanyCam – Get 50% off for 2 months https://companycam.com/auman 💰 Cycle CPA – Save $200 https://cyclecpa.com Use code: AUMAN 🛠 LMN Software – Save on onboarding https://golmn.com Use code: AUMAN 🚜⚙️🛠️ Steelwrist https://linktr.ee/AumanLandscape 🛠 Leanscaper https://leanscaper.com/ 🚜 Equip  https://www.equipexposition.com/ Use code: AUMAN 💰 John Pajak https://johnpajak.com 🧠 🎯 💡 FRWRD Coaching https://www.frwrdcoaching.com/

  7. Jul 22

    E725. Naval Ravikant's Wealth Wisdom: Applying Tech Secrets to the Green Industry

    On this episode of the Kid Contractor Podcast, Caleb reflects on the decision to continue his Together in the Trades events after a successful weekend in Arizona. Auman also explores a series of philosophical quotes from entrepreneur Naval Ravikant, focusing on themes like escaping competition through authenticity and the value of meaningful work. Throughout the episode, Caleb shares personal anecdotes about balancing labor with leadership and the importance of professional development in the green industry. The podcast concludes with a look toward future growth and upcoming training opportunities at the Hardscape Academy. Key Takeaways: Focus on being authentic in your business and service to escape the pressure of competing solely on price or standard offerings. Act on new ideas and inspiration immediately because that creative energy is perishable and fades quickly over time. Delegate routine tasks and busy work to others so you can focus on high-impact activities like building client relationships and scaling your company. Implement clear documentation and photo-sharing systems on every job site to eliminate miscommunication and resolve disputes with facts rather than guesses. Prioritize your personal growth and mindset to ensure you are becoming happier as you age, as that is the ultimate test of success. Connect with Auman Landscape 📺 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@AumanLandscape 🌐 All Links https://linktr.ee/AumanLandscape 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aumanlandscapellc/ 👷 👷‍♂️ 👷‍♀️ The Hardsacpe Academy https://www.thehardscapeacademy.com/  👫 👩‍❤️‍👨 Together In The Trades https://www.togetherinthetrades.com/  Episode Sponsors 📸 CompanyCam – Get 50% off for 2 months https://companycam.com/auman 💰 Cycle CPA – Save $200 https://cyclecpa.com Use code: AUMAN 🛠 LMN Software – Save on onboarding https://golmn.com Use code: AUMAN 🚜⚙️🛠️ Steelwrist https://linktr.ee/AumanLandscape 🛠 Leanscaper https://leanscaper.com/ 🚜 Equip  https://www.equipexposition.com/ Use code: AUMAN 💰 John Pajak https://johnpajak.com 🧠 🎯 💡 FRWRD Coaching https://www.frwrdcoaching.com/

  8. Jul 16

    E724. Why Your Management Style is Throttling Company Growth

    Today Caleb emphasizes that company leaders are often the primary bottleneck to growth, particularly when they fail to delegate or implement standardized operating procedures. Auman highlights how operational waste can become hidden as a firm expands, stressing the financial importance of improving efficiency in daily tasks like site loadouts. To combat these issues, he advocates for high levels of due diligence, including thorough site visits and the use of digital documentation tools like Company Cam. The discussion also touches on the necessity of learning from costly mistakes and establishing a unified "company way" to ensure consistency across multiple crews.  Key Takeaways: Track and eliminate small daily inefficiencies to prevent them from scaling into major financial losses as your business grows. Perform visual site checks at least one week before a project begins to ensure other trades are ready and avoid costly delays. Identify where you are the bottleneck by sharing critical information like schedules so your team can operate independently. Require that all project details be recorded and transcribed rather than relying on verbal phone conversations to prevent expensive misunderstandings. Create a blanket company standard for every task so that quality remains consistent regardless of which team member is performing the work. Connect with Auman Landscape 📺 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@AumanLandscape 🌐 All Links https://linktr.ee/AumanLandscape 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aumanlandscapellc/ 👷 👷‍♂️ 👷‍♀️ The Hardsacpe Academy https://www.thehardscapeacademy.com/  👫 👩‍❤️‍👨 Together In The Trades https://www.togetherinthetrades.com/  Episode Sponsors 📸 CompanyCam – Get 50% off for 2 months https://companycam.com/auman 💰 Cycle CPA – Save $200 https://cyclecpa.com Use code: AUMAN 🛠 LMN Software – Save on onboarding https://golmn.com Use code: AUMAN 🚜⚙️🛠️ Steelwrist https://linktr.ee/AumanLandscape 🛠 Leanscaper https://leanscaper.com/ 🚜 Equip  https://www.equipexposition.com/ Use code: AUMAN 💰 John Pajak https://johnpajak.com 🧠 🎯 💡 FRWRD Coaching https://www.frwrdcoaching.com/

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About

A show focusing on a wide range of contractors from the Green Industry to General Contractors and beyond. Your host Caleb, runs a successful 7 figure business with his wife Brittany, and has over 20 years in the industry. "The Kid" has learned some valuable lessons he wants to share with you. The principles discussed will energize and empower you to crush your goals.

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