5d ago

From Overgrown to Outstanding: Building a Curb‑Appeal Focused Lawn Business

In this episode of The Lawn Care Grow Show, host Mark Lamberth talks with Jonathan Bohnstadt of Positive Lawn Care Solutions in Collinsville, Illinois about how he’s built a curb‑appeal‑driven lawn business that specializes in full cleanups and weekly maintenance while championing entrepreneurship for the people who work with him. Jonathan shares how his company focuses on making properties “look as good as they can from the street” through weekly and bi‑weekly mowing, trimming, overgrowth removal, hedge and bush care, and one‑time full‑yard cleanups, and how he recently added snow removal to turn a seven‑month season (April through September) into a year‑round revenue stream. He explains why he tracks every incoming call and contact in spreadsheets so he can market winter services to past and prospective clients, how he’s grown from solo operator in 2017 to working alongside his nephew while still bringing in acquaintances for work and using those jobs to teach them the basics of running their own business. You’ll also hear his philosophy on trading the certainty of a paycheck for the freedom of signing your own checks, the mindset shifts and after‑hours paperwork that come with that choice, and how clear, honest communication with customers is the foundation behind his stack of five‑star reviews. What you’ll learn on this episode: What Positive Lawn Care Solutions actually does: full cleanups, trimming, overgrowth removal, and weekly/bi‑weekly mowingHow Jonathan stretches an April–September mowing season by adding snow removal and winter workWhy he meticulously tracks every call and contact so he can market both summer and winter services to the same audienceHis journey from solo operator (since 2017) to working with his nephew and short‑term helpers while mentoring them toward entrepreneurshipJonathan’s take on the trade‑off between a traditional job and running a business—and why he still believes “signing your own checks” is worth itThe additional, often unseen work of business ownership: bookkeeping, tracking expenses, and adapting to challenges on the flyHow a 20‑mile service radius around Collinsville helps him stay efficient while still reaching enough homes to growThe communication practices he credits for his reviews: being transparent about what he’ll do, setting expectations clearly, and staying in touch throughout each job

Jul 13

Mowing to More: How a Fort Worth Solo Operator Built a Steady 80/20 Lawn Business

In this episode of The Lawn Care Grow Show, host Mark Lamberth talks with Bobby Conley of Lawn More in Fort Worth, Texas about how he turned years of part‑time mowing into a steady, repeatable business that’s now about 80% recurring lawn maintenance and 20% higher‑ticket project work. Bobby explains how he keeps his core service simple—weekly and bi‑weekly mowing, edging, hedge and shrub trimming, light tree work, and seasonal cleanups—while slotting in landscaping projects, flower bed makeovers, and design work mainly in the fall and winter when grass growth slows. He shares how he first built his customer base with low‑budget tactics like flyers and business cards, then layered on a basic website, social media, and paid online marketing to bring in consistent leads, and why COVID briefly slowed demand when people were home doing their own yards before things rebounded and “took off” again. You’ll also hear his plans to add licensed irrigation work in response to customer requests, how he upsells existing mowing clients into pruning and tree jobs by simply pointing out what he can help with, and his advice to new owners on combining a solid online presence with on‑property conversations to fill an initial route. What you’ll learn on this episode: What Lawn More offers today: recurring lawn maintenance, hedge and tree trimming, flower bed design, and general landscapingHow Bobby balances his work mix at roughly 80% mowing and maintenance and 20% projects that fit best into fall and winterThe simple marketing steps he used to get started: flyers, business cards, and then graduating to a website and social mediaHow adding online advertising and maps listings now keeps the phone ringing with fresh leadsThe way he identifies and offers add‑on work (hedges, trees, bed cleanups) to existing mowing customers without being pushyHow COVID briefly shifted demand as more homeowners did their own yards, and why business surged again afterwardWhy he’s considering getting an irrigation license to meet frequent customer requests and expand his service lineupBobby’s advice for new lawn care owners in 2026: invest early in your online presence, market locally, and price projects by complexity, not just hours

Jul 7

Dialing In Route Density: How Leaf Green Lawn Care Grows Smart in Chicago

In this episode of The Lawn Care Grow Show, host Mark Lamberth talks with Emilio Gallegos of Leaf Green Lawn Care in Chicago about how he’s building a tight, profitable operation by combining recurring lawn care with carefully selected landscaping projects—and then ruthlessly tightening his service area for maximum route density. Emilio shares how his team focuses on core services like mowing, fertilization, lawn treatments, and seasonal cleanups, then layers in higher‑value work such as new garden bed installs, planting, sod replacement, and small retaining walls (kept to three courses and under to stay efficient and sub out the heavy structural work). He explains why, after initially taking anything within a 40‑minute drive, he now concentrates on a few “pod” neighborhoods from Garfield Ridge near Midway up through Berwyn and La Grange, even having hard conversations with legacy clients who fall outside that radius so he can serve a clustered 20‑property day in minutes instead of burning profit on gas and windshield time. You’ll also hear how he and his brother are growing slowly but intentionally, using a mix of branded truck wraps, location‑specific routes, and clever “instant quote” door hangers with QR codes and pre‑filled pricing to win new customers without feeling pushy. What you’ll learn on this episode: The services Leaf Green Lawn Care offers, from weekly mowing and treatments to sod installs and small retaining wallsWhy Emilio targets a 65/35 split between recurring lawn care and one‑time landscaping projects to balance cash flow and profitHow tightening his service area from 40‑minute drives to a few dense “pod” neighborhoods boosted efficiency and reduced fuel costsThe process (and script) he uses to gracefully let go of out‑of‑area clients when routes get too spread outHow he and his brother are hiring slowly and selectively to protect quality, even when demand is highThe role of branded trucks and strong local visibility in generating calls without huge ad spendA behind‑the‑scenes look at his “instant quote” door hangers—complete with QR codes and pre‑priced mowing, mulch, and cleanup optionsEmilio’s advice for new owners on getting their first 10–15 clients using door knocking, simple leave‑behind offers, and low‑pressure, value‑first conversations

Jun 30

Leveling Up Without Burning Out: Gateway Lawn’s 30-Year Growth Lessons

In this episode of The Lawn Care Grow Show, host Mark Lamberth talks with John Mikes of Gateway Lawn & Landscape Inc. in Edwardsville, Illinois about what three decades in the green industry teach you about growth, route density, and quality of life. John shares how his company now runs focused commercial mowing routes alongside commercial and residential landscape install and maintenance crews—including patios, walls, and boulder work—within a tight 20‑mile radius east of St. Louis so windshield time doesn’t eat profits. He explains why about 75% of their work is commercial, why residential landscapes still get extra time and attention (with no money down until the homeowner is happy at the final walkthrough), and how his wife’s “personal gardener” service keeps long‑time clients’ beds and plantings looking like park‑like retreats. You’ll also hear why he intentionally downsized from 25 employees back to a small, long‑tenured team, how “learning to say no” to the wrong properties protects routes and margins, and his advice to new operators: in the beginning, you have to hustle—knock doors, hang flyers, and be hungry. What you’ll learn on this episode: How Gateway Lawn & Landscape structures its crews for commercial mowing plus commercial and residential landscapingWhy John keeps his service area to roughly 20 miles to protect route density and reduce unprofitable windshield timeThe reasoning behind a 75% commercial / 25% residential mix—and why residential landscape installs still get white‑glove treatmentHow a “no money up front, pay when you’re happy” policy builds homeowner trust on landscape projectsWhy John intentionally shrank from 25+ employees back to a small, stable team and what that did for his quality of lifeHow he’s retained key team members for 8–15+ years by taking care of his people so they’ll take care of the customersThe importance of saying “no” to jobs that don’t fit your routes, crew capacity, or business modelJohn’s playbook for getting your first accounts in 2026: door knocking, door hangers, and old‑fashioned hustle to land customers who stay for decades

Jun 22

From Burnout to Booked Out: How “That Lawn Guy” Built a 50‑Client Route in St. Louis

In this episode of The Lawn Care Grow Show, host Mark Lamberth talks with Mark Rodriguez of That Lawn Guy LLC in the St. Charles area of St. Louis about how he walked away from a decade in middle management at a senior living facility and turned a part‑time side hustle into a full‑time solo lawn care business built around freedom, relationships, and smart marketing. Mark shares how he focuses on core services—weekly mowing, light tree and hedge trimming, brush and cleanup work, small grading and elevation fixes—and brings in trusted local help on bigger jobs, while staying personally hands‑on with every yard. He explains how he built his first 10–15 clients through friends, family, and word of mouth, then completely changed his pipeline this year by adding a simple 15‑second video ad, a basic website, and profiles on Google, Nextdoor, Facebook, and Instagram—going from almost no new calls to four or five leads a day. You’ll also hear how he structures his schedule so he can take his daughters to school, text customers proactively when he needs to shift a visit, and use bundled monthly packages for hedge trimming, bed clean‑outs, and weeding to raise revenue without feeling “salesy” to price‑sensitive homeowners. What you’ll learn on this episode: How Mark transitioned from dining services director to full‑time solo lawn care operator after burnout and a layoffThe services That Lawn Guy focuses on today: mowing, light tree and hedge trimming, brush cleanups, and small grading workHow he built his first client base through friends, family, and referrals before ever spending a dollar on advertisingThe exact low‑cost marketing moves that now generate 4–5 calls a day: Google Business Profile, simple website, social media, and a short video adWhy strong communication—calling or texting clients when schedules change—lets him design his own workday while keeping trust highHow he uses “bundles” (monthly pricing that includes mowing plus seasonal hedge and bed work) to increase income and make pricing easier for clientsThe service area he covers in the Greater St. Charles region and why he’ll travel a bit farther for the right long‑term customerMark’s advice for new owners in 2026: start with people you know, do excellent work, ask for reviews, then reinvest in simple ads that keep your phone ringing

Jun 14

Design-Build in Silicon Valley: How FLOR Landscaping Scales Premium Outdoor Spaces

In this episode of The Lawn Care Grow Show, host Mark Lamberth talks with Exequio De La Mora of FLOR Landscaping in San Jose, California about how he built a 25‑person, full design‑build outdoor living company in the heart of Silicon Valley by obsessing over communication, logistics, and client experience. Exequio explains how FLOR specializes in complete exterior transformations—pavers, concrete, porcelain, outdoor kitchens, lighting, planting, and mulch—while deliberately staying out of pools and house remodels, and how a separate DBA, FLOR Property Services, handles select commercial and residential maintenance accounts rooted in his family’s lawn care background. He breaks down their tight geographic focus within about 25 miles of downtown San Jose, why they’ve started trimming distant commercial work to keep projects within 20 minutes of the shop, and how internal roles (sales, operations, project managers, coordinators, three‑person field crews) are structured to keep foremen on site full‑time while the office team handles procurement and scheduling. You’ll also hear his philosophy of “overcommunicate, confirm, confirm, confirm,” how that translates into fast responses, proactive coordination with other contractors, and realistic expectations about project manager availability, and his advice to younger contractors on getting their first 10–15 clients using social media, door hangers, and at‑cost jobs that build a five‑star reputation. What you’ll learn on this episode: How FLOR Landscaping built a design‑build model that does “everything outdoors except pools and the house”The separation between FLOR Landscaping (design/build) and FLOR Property Services (commercial and select residential maintenance)Why they tightened their service area to roughly 20 minutes from downtown San Jose and began shedding far‑flung accountsHow Exequio structures his leadership team: sales, operations manager, project managers, coordinator, and foremen‑led three‑person crewsWhat “responsive scheduling and clear communication” looks like in practice, from instant callbacks to on‑the‑fly trenching help for GCsHow overcommunicating and setting expectations with clients smooths inevitable construction changes and builds long‑term trustExequio’s path from growing up in his father’s lawn care business to running a 25‑plus‑person design/build operation by age 27His playbook for getting started today: talk on camera even before you have jobs, hit neighborhoods with door hangers, do some work at cost, and ask directly for honest five‑star reviews.

Jun 7

Specializing to Win: How Vintage Lawn Service Scales Maintenance and Profitable Extras

In this episode of The Contractor Grow Show, host Mark Lamberth talks with Jacob Romkee of Vintage Lawn Service in San Jose, California about how he and his brother built a high‑review, maintenance‑focused lawn company straight out of high school by thinking like subscription entrepreneurs instead of “Chuck in a truck.” Jacob shares why they intentionally centered the business on recurring weekly and bi‑weekly mowing and trimming, then layered in higher‑margin one‑time services—cleanups, irrigation repair, aeration, and lawn renovation—only after they had two full routes of dependable maintenance that kept cash flowing even in the slow winter months. He breaks down exactly how they’ve collected hundreds of five‑star reviews in just a few years using a simple, scripted walkthrough question (“Is there anything here that would stop you from leaving a five‑star review?”), why they obsessively track feedback metrics, and how that social proof fuels steady growth without racing to the bottom on price. You’ll also hear Jacob’s playbook for getting your first 20 clients on a shoestring budget, his reasoning for adding specialized services like aeration and boiling‑water weed control where there’s almost no competition, and his philosophy that you either have time or money when you start—so you’d better use the time wisely. What you’ll learn on this episode: How Jacob launched Vintage Lawn Service one week after graduation and grew it to two full maintenance routesWhy he chose to prioritize recurring maintenance first, then bolt on one‑time services like cleanups, irrigation repair, and aerationThe psychology‑driven question his crews ask at every walkthrough to fix issues on the spot and turn happy clients into five‑star reviewersHow to get your first 10–20 clients with almost no money using door hangers, in‑person visits, and low‑risk lead platformsWhy specialized services like core aeration and lawn renovation can pay off equipment costs in weeks and face far less price competitionAn inside look at a potential “boiling water + foam” weed‑killing service that is pet‑ and kid‑safe yet premium‑pricedJacob’s warning about competing on price with low‑ball operators—and how to position your business so you never have toHis long‑term view on growth: add specialty offerings your existing clients already want, while letting strong reviews and word of mouth compound over time

May 31

Scaling Evergreen Landscapes: From Teen Mower to 15-Person, Year-Round Operation

In this episode of The Lawn Care Grow Show, host Mark Lamberth talks with David Romanoff of Evergreen Landscapes in Skokie, Illinois about how he grew a one-mower neighborhood gig into a 15-person, full-service lawn, landscape, and snow operation serving Chicagoland within a two-hour radius. David shares how he started as “David’s Lawn Care” in high school, then came back from three years studying in Israel, invested his savings in a first truck, and stacked formal training in botany, horticulture, pruning, and design at the Chicago Botanic Garden to build a company that now handles residential and commercial maintenance, turf care, enhancements, and snow removal. He breaks down how Evergreen separates its work into clear departments—mowing, turf science, pruning, planting/softscape, tree work via arborists, hardscape via subs, and winter snow with both owned equipment and subcontractors—so each crew can specialize and stay efficient, while most core staff stay on the team year-round. You’ll also hear how he thinks about slow-and-steady growth, trusting and empowering employees, and winning reviews: do excellent work, listen for genuine compliments, then make it easy for happy clients to share their experience online. What you’ll learn on this episode: How David grew from “one mower and a few neighbors” to a 15-person landscape and snow companyWhy Evergreen rebranded from David’s Lawn Care and now balances 60% maintenance with 40% enhancements and constructionHow they structure the business into departments: mowing, turf care, pruning, planting/softscape, arborist partners, and hardscape subsWhat goes into high-quality turf care beyond mowing: fertilizers, weed control, grub control, fungicides, and timingHow they run snow removal as an emergency service using a mix of owned plows/equipment and subcontractor capacityWhy David offers winter positions to most of his summer staff to avoid retraining new crews every springHis philosophy of “slow and steady wins the race”: adding crews, equipment, and service area only as systems and people are readyA simple, low-tech way to get five-star reviews consistently: deliver great work, listen for praise, and send a direct review link right then

May 22

From High School Side Hustle to Two Crews: Diamond Lawn Care’s Fast Track Growth

In this episode of The Lawn Care Grow Show, host Mark Lamberth talks with Aiden Sullivan of Diamond Lawn Care in Wentzville, Missouri about how he turned mowing his parents’ yard in high school into a fast‑growing maintenance and landscaping company serving St. Charles County and beyond. Starting in 2022 with a handful of neighborhood lawns, Aiden now runs two trucks, multiple trailers, a full‑time crew of three plus part‑time help, and maintains 90–100 lawns a week alongside two to three landscape jobs per day. He shares how he’s expanding from core services like mowing, fertilization, mulch, trimming, and spring cleanups into drainage work, French drains, and small retaining walls, while learning to step out of the field and run two crews from the driver’s seat of the business instead of the mower. Aiden opens up about the real challenges of scaling at his age—documenting jobs clearly so crews know exactly what to do and what tools to bring, pricing projects after a few painful underbids, and finding dependable help in a competitive suburban St. Louis market—plus how strong communication and five‑star service have kept customers coming back for every new project they dream up. What you’ll learn on this episode: How Aiden grew from mowing his parents’ yard in high school to managing ~100 weekly lawns and multiple crewsThe services Diamond Lawn Care offers today, from mowing and fertilizer to drainage solutions and small retaining wallsWhat changes when the owner stops riding on a crew and starts managing two trucks and teams from the officeHow he’s learning to estimate landscape projects (materials, man‑hours, overhead) after underquoting some early jobsWhy clear job notes, checklists, and tool lists are critical so crews don’t waste time running back for forgotten equipmentThe hiring reality in his area and why he’s considering seasonal guest‑worker programs to solve labor shortagesHow tight routing in St. Charles County and careful service‑area limits keep his mowing operation efficientThe role of reviews, relationships, and “do‑it‑right” quality in turning first‑time mowing clients into long‑term full‑service customers

May 16

From a Prius to $500K: How This Chicago Landscaper Built a 5-Star Business Using Only Google Reviews

Daniel Opalchenski started Fresh Cutz Lawn Care nine years ago with just a Toyota Prius and a lawnmower. In this episode of the Lawn Care Grow Show, Daniel shares how he built a thriving landscaping company in Chicago without spending a dime on advertising. *What You'll Learn:* How Daniel went viral by hauling equipment in his Prius and turned it into free marketing The exact Google Business Profile strategy he used to rank higher than big competitors (with 79+ reviews) Why he intentionally limits growth to 2 crews to keep overhead low and prices fair for customers The 50/50 balance between maintenance and landscape projects that maximizes both income and job satisfaction How to build a sustainable business without expensive advertising by focusing on Google reviews and client relationships Starting a lawn care business with minimal equipment (yes, even a bicycle can work) Daniel's approach proves you don't need massive budgets or huge crews to build a successful lawn care company. His focus on customer relationships, efficient operations, and strategic Google optimization shows there's a smarter path to growth. *Connect with Fresh Cutz Lawn Care:* Website: freshcutz-lawncare.com Phone: 872-888-4224 Location: Chicago, Illinois #LawnCare #Landscaping #SmallBusiness #GoogleMyBusiness #ChicagoSmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #LandscapingBusiness #BusinessGrowth

May 16

Transforming Tiny Brooklyn Backyards with Steel Frames, Ipe, and Smart Design

In this episode of The Contractor Grow Show, host Mark Lamberth talks with Adam Seim of Urban Exteriors in Brooklyn, New York about how he turned a background in finish carpentry, cabinetry, and metalwork into a niche business renovating tight, hard‑to‑access backyards behind 100‑plus‑year‑old brownstones. Adam explains what makes NYC row‑house yards so challenging—no alleys, 20x40‑foot spaces, everything carried through high‑end kitchens and living rooms—and how that’s forced him to operate as much like a white‑glove service company as a contractor, with meticulous dust control, protection, and logistics. He dives into why he prefers welded steel frames with Ipe, concrete curbs, and permeable resin‑bound stone over traditional pressure‑treated framing, how sun, shade, mildew, and freeze‑thaw cycles punish outdoor work in New York’s climate, and what “sustainable” really means when you want a deck or fence to last 30+ years instead of rotting out in ten. What you’ll learn on this episode: How narrow, 150‑year‑old Brooklyn row‑house backyards create unique construction and access challenges Why Adam treats outdoor work like finish carpentry plus logistics, with dust‑collection, zip walls, and floor protection How welded steel frames with Ipe decking and wood infill fences dramatically extend the life of exterior projects Why climate, orientation (sun vs shade), and hyper‑local conditions matter more than product brochures suggest What resin‑bound stone patios are, how they’re built, and where they make sense as a permeable surface The trade‑offs between pressure‑treated lumber, tropical hardwoods, and metal when you care about sustainability How working with high‑end clients and designers shapes material choices, detailing, and expectations Why most of Urban Exteriors’ work comes from word of mouth and long‑term relationships that carry into winter interior projects

May 15

Lawn Care Grow Show Trailer

Welcome to The Lawn Care Grow Show – the podcast built for lawn care professionals and landscapers ready to scale their business in 2026 and beyond. Hosted by Mark Lamberth, a trades industry veteran and business growth strategist, this show goes deep with lawn care business owners at every stage – from single-truck startups to companies generating mid-seven figures annually. What You'll Get: Real conversations with successful lawn care entrepreneursBusiness growth strategies that actually work in the fieldBehind-the-scenes insights into operations, systemization, and scalingThe mindset, habits, and psychology of high-performing business ownersPersonal stories about balancing business with life outside of work Whether you're running your first route or managing a multi-crew operation, each episode delivers actionable insights to help you build a more profitable, sustainable lawn care business. New episodes drop every week. Subscribe now and join a community of lawn care professionals committed to growth. 🔔 *Subscribe* to get notified when new episodes go live 💬 *Comment* below and let us know what topics you want us to cover 🎧 Grab your coffee and let's grow together #LawnCare #Landscaping #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #Podcast

The Lawn Care Grow Show

Episodes

From Overgrown to Outstanding: Building a Curb‑Appeal Focused Lawn Business

Mowing to More: How a Fort Worth Solo Operator Built a Steady 80/20 Lawn Business

Dialing In Route Density: How Leaf Green Lawn Care Grows Smart in Chicago

Leveling Up Without Burning Out: Gateway Lawn’s 30-Year Growth Lessons

From Burnout to Booked Out: How “That Lawn Guy” Built a 50‑Client Route in St. Louis

Design-Build in Silicon Valley: How FLOR Landscaping Scales Premium Outdoor Spaces

Specializing to Win: How Vintage Lawn Service Scales Maintenance and Profitable Extras

Scaling Evergreen Landscapes: From Teen Mower to 15-Person, Year-Round Operation

From High School Side Hustle to Two Crews: Diamond Lawn Care’s Fast Track Growth

From a Prius to $500K: How This Chicago Landscaper Built a 5-Star Business Using Only Google Reviews

Transforming Tiny Brooklyn Backyards with Steel Frames, Ipe, and Smart Design

Lawn Care Grow Show Trailer

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