The Untrapped Podcast With Keith Kalfas Keith Kalfas

In today's episode,  I delved into the critical topic of understanding your worth in the business world. I shared valuable insights on setting boundaries, implementing minimum pricing, and the significance of prequalifying employees. My personal anecdotes and hard-earned wisdom paint a vivid picture of the challenges and triumphs entrepreneurs often face. My message is a powerful reminder that we are the architects of our worth as business owners. It's time to take control, stand firm in our value, and let this session embolden and guide us on our entrepreneurial path.
I started raising the prices on the customers that were outside the service area incrementally without however far they were. It was so hard to do when customers dropped, by and they said, hey. Last year, it was a $1,000 to do all this. Why is it, you know, 12, 1400? And if you have a reason why, and you believe it in your heart, and you know your worth If you believe it in your heart, they'll feel it and you'll get it. And you'll start to get it more and more and more. - Keith 
 
Topics Covered:
00:00 Community recognizes Keith's impact and authenticity.
05:43 Struggling with demanding boss and financial dishonesty.
08:11 Establish boundaries, work smarter, prioritize well-being.
11:16 Set aside 30% for taxes and raise prices.
15:31 Raising prices to cover travel and density.
17:35 Struggles lead to a desire for a better life.
21:00 Overcoming hardship, finding identity, and making accurate decisions.
22:59 Embrace life's challenges and seek rewards.
 
Key Takeaways

🚀 **Know Your Worth**: Keith shares his personal journey of realizing his worth in the landscaping business. Understanding your value is crucial for success in any industry.
📈 **Minimum Pricing**: Establishing a minimum price and not compromising on it is essential. It's about standing your ground and delivering value that matches your worth.
🌐 **Marketing and Advertising**: Keith emphasizes the importance of continuous marketing and advertising efforts. Keeping the hopper full and staying booked are vital for business growth.
 
Resources and Websites: 
🙋♂️Get My Free Landscaping Business Startup Video Series Here👇
Here https://www.keithkalfas.com/Landscaping-Series
Landscaping Course https://keith-kalfas.mykajabi.com/store/8bFERMcs
LANDSCAPING BUSINESS
How to Guide: https://www.keithkalfas.com/16
Get Jobber: https://getjobber.com/im/ambassador-referral/?gspk=a2VpdGhrYWxmYXM4NTIx&gsxid=Rs6pwtznLDcs
Get Ballard: https://www.ballard-inc.com/
Easy Budgeting Blueprint: keithkalfas.com/budget
Smartphone Video Creation Guide: Keithkalfas.com/smartphone
Identifying Your Superpower: Keithkalfas.com/superpower
Become An influencer And Monetize Your Expertise: https://www.keithkalfas.com/influence

In our podcast episode, we delved into the sobering realities of entrepreneurial growth. We explored the complexities of navigating business transitions, emphasizing the critical need to separate personal and business finances. Our discussion shed light on the strategic investment decisions that define success in the competitive landscape of entrepreneurship.
Join me and my friend Dan Platta on this journey through the challenges and triumphs of building a sustainable business, where the sacrifices made for growth are met with unwavering dedication and a steadfast commitment to financial discipline. Tune in to gain invaluable insights into the unvarnished truths of the entrepreneurial journey and the unwavering focus required to succeed in the dynamic world of business.
 
"Know that you are 2 different people. You are a CEO, and you are an owner. We like to use the term owner operator a lot in the service industry, And even that is 2 separate words, and they are 2 different people. We just smash them together like it's the same person. But owners don't have jobs. Owners don't get paychecks. Owners sit on a beach and get dividend checks and check in every once in a while to see what's going on. CEOs or operators have jobs, get a paycheck, show up to work, do the thing, and make operating decisions, which are different than investment decisions."- Dan Platta
 
Topics Covered:
00:00 - Valuable content transformed my business. Grateful mentor.
05:46 - Making profitable decisions is crucial for business.
12:06 - Comedian shares business principles from fishing experience.
17:53 - Leverage debt strategically for business expansion and earn rewards.
23:29 - Submit old PDF to be taxed as S Corp.
28:36 -  Ownership entails investing and overseeing business operations.
36:55 -  Balancing work, fitness, and family responsibilities.
46:21 - Maintaining work-life balance through intentional activities.
53:22 - Dedication to pool upkeep and family enjoyment.
59:04 - Business growth presents financial challenges and increased expenses.
01:01:36 - Delegate tasks, focus on growth and marketing.
01:10:58 - Discussing business growth and profit margin strategy.
01:15:06 - Challenges of business growth and leadership at $1,000,000.
01:21:55 - Analyzing marketing investment and growth strategy risks.
01:23:56 - The entrepreneur's aggressive growth strategy leads to a heavy financial burden.
01:34:05 - Express heartfelt encouragement and courage sincerely and earnestly.
01:35:37 - Struggling as a guest to not take over.
 
Key Takeaways
 Separate and Conquer: Always maintain a clear separation between personal and business finances, which is essential for managing and growing a successful business. Growth Mindset: Embrace the challenges and sacrifices of business growth, understanding that strategic investments and role transitions are vital for long-term success. Financial Finesse: Use debt wisely, prioritize recruitment and marketing over equipment investments, and consider IRS preferences for accrual-basis accounting for high-revenue businesses.  
Resources and Websites: 
🙋♂️Get My Free Landscaping Business Startup Video Series Here👇
Here https://www.keithkalfas.com/Landscaping-Series
Landscaping Course https://keith-kalfas.mykajabi.com/store/8bFERMcs
LANDSCAPING BUSINESS
How to Guide: https://www.keithkalfas.com/16
Get Jobber: https://getjobber.com/im/ambassador-referral/?gspk=a2VpdGhrYWxmYXM4NTIx&gsxid=Rs6pwtznLDcs
Get Ballard: https://www.ballard-inc.com/
Easy Budgeting Blueprint: keithkalfas.com/budget
Smartphone Video Creation Guide: Keithkalfas.com/smartphone
Identifying Your Superpower: Keithkalfas.com/superpower
Become An influencer And Monetize Your Expertise: https://www.keithkalfas.com/influence

In this episode of the Untrapped Podcast, host Keith Kalfas talks to Adam Sylvester, owner of Charlottesville Lawn Care and a successful gutter cleaning business in Virginia. They discuss the challenges and benefits of running multiple businesses, employee management, leadership styles, maintaining work-life balance, and the importance of working on the business rather than in it. Adam also shares valuable insights about becoming a better communicator and leader, focusing on personal development, and creating a simple, fulfilling life. They also highlight the role of Jobber software in streamlining business operations.
 
"You don't get what you preach. You get what you tolerate."
 - Adam Sylvester
Topics Covered:
Adam Sylvester: From Lawn Care to Gutter Cleaning Success
Starting and Scaling Two Separate Businesses
Cultivating Leadership and Building a Positive Work Culture
Effective Communication and Conflict Resolution
Personal Development in Professional Growth
Financial Management and Budgeting
Leveraging Technology and Planning for Growth


Key Takeaways 

Assess Your Current Business: Ensure your existing business is running efficiently and has systems in place to operate smoothly without your constant supervision.
Effective Time Management and Delegation: Successfully handling multiple businesses requires wise time allocation and trusting others to manage tasks that don’t need your direct oversight.
Financial Preparedness: Ensure you have the necessary funds and a solid financial plan to support a new venture, and understand the financial risks involved.
Anticipate Challenges: Be aware of potential challenges such as burnout and stretched resources, and prepare for these obstacles ahead of time.
Recognize the Rewards: Multiple income streams, diversified investments, and increased market presence are some of the benefits of running two successful businesses.
Personal Decision and Planning: The decision to start a second business is personal and requires thorough planning, assessment, and a willingness to take calculated risks.
Stay Motivated: The satisfaction of achieving something few others attempt can be a powerful motivator. Keep dreaming big and stay open to new opportunities.
 
Connect with Keith
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keithkalfas/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelandscapingemployeetrap
Website: https://www.keithkalfas.com/resources
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@keith-kalfas
 
Resources and Websites: 
🙋♂️Get My Free Landscaping Business Startup Video Series Here👇 
Here https://www.keithkalfas.com/Landscaping-Series
Landscaping Course https://keith-kalfas.mykajabi.com/store/8bFERMcs
LANDSCAPING BUSINESS 
How to Guide: https://www.keithkalfas.com/16
Get Jobber: https://getjobber.com/im/ambassador-referral/?gspk=a2VpdGhrYWxmYXM4NTIx&gsxid=Rs6pwtznLDcs
Get Ballard: https://www.ballard-inc.com/
Easy Budgeting Blueprint: keithkalfas.com/budget
Smartphone Video Creation Guide: Keithkalfas.com/smartphone

Identifying Your Superpower: Keithkalfas.com/superpower
Become An influencer And Monetize Your Expertise: https://www.keithkalfas.com/influence

Keith Kalfas, alongside guest Dan Plata of Blue Sky Services, explores critical aspects such as financial management, dividing personal and business finances, and the evolution of the owner's role during growth. It tackles the transition from hourly to commission-based employee compensation, demonstrating how it can boost productivity and align employee incentives with the business's success.
This episode also highlights the significance of managing operational capacity, the financial and structural implications of business expansion, and practical tips on asset management. Furthermore, it addresses the importance of a strategic approach to marketing, recruitment, and maintaining quality over quantity as the business scales. The conversation provides a well-rounded perspective on achieving profitable and sustainable growth, balancing operational efficiency, and navigating the challenges inherent in expanding a service-oriented venture.
 
" If you have the employees right now, your ceiling is unlimited, but if you don't have the employees, you can't go anywhere. You can't keep growing because there's nowhere to go with those phone calls."
 - Dan Plata
Topics Covered:
00:18 - Introducing Dan Plata: The Home Service CFO
 
01:13 - Unlocking Financial Success: 5 Steps to Set Up Your Business
 
15:17 - The Evolution of a Business Owner: From Start-Up to Scale-Up
 
27:14 - Bookkeeping as a Foundation for Financial Clarity and Decision Making
 
38:30 - The Magic Formula: Balancing Capacity and Demand
 
44:01 - Strategies for Managing Business Growth
 
47:41 - Understanding Business Expenses and Budgeting
 
50:25 - Navigating the Inflection Point of Scaling
 
01:22:52 - The Surprising Similarities Between Marketing and Hiring
 
01:31:59 - Scaling Your Business: The Employee Factor
 
01:44:14 - Navigating the Purgatory of Scaling Your Business
 
01:55:28 - Commission vs. Hourly Pay: Optimizing Employee Productivity
 
02:06:16 - Efficiency in Solo vs. Team Work: A Comparative Analysis
 
02:20:17 - Investing in Assets and Equipment: Strategic Approaches
 
02:30:16 - Navigating Tax Savings and Business Investments Wisely
 
Key Takeaways 

Recruiting Investment: Emphasizes the pivotal role of investing in recruiting, sharing a lesson learned about spending significantly more on recruitment the following year, demonstrating how it fuels business growth.
Employee Value: Highlights the crucial role of employees in business success, stressing the need to prioritize hiring and retaining the right employees as they are the key to unlocking business scalability.
Managing Employee Onboarding: Discusses the extensive process of managing employee onboarding, training, documentation, and compliance tasks as a full-time job that demands attention to detail and thoroughness in execution.
Outsourcing Recruitment: Suggests the option of outsourcing recruitment to streamline the hiring process, ensuring that only qualified candidates are presented to optimize time and resources effectively.
Scalability Challenges: Describes the challenges of scaling a business, from the initial investment in infrastructure to managing expanding costs, and the necessity of balancing revenue growth with escalating expenses.
Impacts of Infrastructure Expansion: Explores the financial impacts of scaling infrastructure, touching on the trade-offs between revenue growth and increased operational costs, shedding light on the complexities of financial sustainability during business expansion.
Net Profit Margins: Illustrates the fluctuations in net profit margins as the business scales, exemplifying how revenue growth may not always correlate with increased profitability due to escalating expenses and operational challenges.
Business Evaluation: Advocates for continuous evaluation and adaptation in response to evolving business needs, emphasizing the iterative nature of assessing and

In this video, Keith Kelfas shares comprehensive advice on how to effectively price and execute mulching services in 2024, starting with a baseline charge of $150 per yard installed. He details the process of mulching on a commercial property, emphasizing the importance of direct application to save time and resources. Keith discusses considerations for coverage area based on mulch shred type and suggests using online tools for accurate measurements. He recounts his pricing evolution from $65 to $150 per yard installed, including materials and transportation, and stresses the importance of adjusting mulch quantities around plants and garden design. Keith also covers different mulch types, the issues with red mulch, and the necessity of charging for additional services like bed prepping and mulch removal to avoid suffocating plants. Finally, he highlights the need for clear communication with the client to ensure property boundaries are respected and offers a free workshop for landscapers looking to increase profits.
 
"Mulch isn't just about beautifying landscapes; it's about protecting plants and ensuring their health. Charge accordingly, and let your work speak volumes"
 - Keith Kalfas
Topics Covered:
2024 Mulch Pricing Guide: What to Charge? Efficient Mulching Techniques on Commercial Properties Understanding Mulch Coverage and Calculations Pricing Evolution: From Undercharging to Profit Optimal Mulch Installation Practices and Thickness The Importance of Proper Mulch Application Around Trees Choosing the Right Mulch: Types and Preferences The Business of Mulching: Charging for Removal and Bed Prepping Tips and Workshop Invitation Key Takeaways 

Pricing Strategy: Emphasizes the importance of pricing mulch installation services appropriately. He suggests charging based on factors like material costs, labor, transportation, and overheads. His progression from $65 per yard to $150 per yard reflects the value he attributes to his service and the market demand.
Value Proposition: Beyond mere installation, stresses the value of his service in terms of expertise, quality, and attention to detail. He advocates for charging what's right to reflect the comprehensive nature of the service provided.
Customer Education: Highlights the importance of educating customers about mulch types, proper application techniques, and the potential risks of incorrect mulch usage, such as suffocating plants or promoting fungal infections.
Upselling Opportunities: Discusses the opportunity to upsell additional services like bed preparation, edging, weeding, and plant maintenance. These services enhance the overall aesthetics and health of the landscape while increasing revenue for the landscaper.
Transparency and Honesty: Emphasizes the benefits of being transparent and honest with customers about pricing, scope of work, and potential challenges. This builds trust and credibility, leading to satisfied customers and repeat business.
Continuous Learning: Encourages landscapers to continually educate themselves about best practices, industry trends, and business strategies to improve their services and profitability.
 
 
Connect with Keith
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keithkalfas/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelandscapingemployeetrap
Website: https://www.keithkalfas.com/resources
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@keith-kalfas
 
Resources and Websites: 
🙋♂️Get My Free Landscaping Business Startup Video Series Here👇 
Here https://www.keithkalfas.com/Landscaping-Series
Landscaping Course https://keith-kalfas.mykajabi.com/store/8bFERMcs
LANDSCAPING BUSINESS 
How to Guide: https://www.keithkalfas.com/16
Get Jobber: https://getjobber.com/im/ambassador-referral/?gspk=a2VpdGhrYWxmYXM4NTIx&gsxid=Rs6pwtznLDcs
Get Ballard: https://www.ballard-inc.com/
Easy Budgeting Blueprint: keithkalfas.com/budget
Smartphone Video Creation Guide: Keithkalfas.com/smartphone

Identify

In today's episode, I explored the transformative power of the P.O.P.P method—Passion Overcoming the Pressure to Peacock—while diving into the art of captivating storytelling and authentic engagement. I delved into the significance of leveraging personal experiences, the hero's journey, and the oscillation method to craft compelling narratives that resonate with your audience.
From utilizing smartphones for video creation to mastering content syndication and virtual assistant support, I covered a wealth of strategies to elevate your business's online presence. 
If you're ready to unleash the full potential of your entrepreneurial journey, this session is a goldmine of wisdom. Keep the passion alive and keep creating!"
 
"Before you ever even make videos, you can think about it or write it down. I went and looked in the mirror, and I was like, don't ever be negative. Don't whine or complain, complain on videos, and have the specific things you talk about." - Keith
 
Topics Covered:

00:00 - Overcoming video fears and seeking validation online.
05:18 - Overcoming challenges in starting a landscaping business.
08:25 - Professionals handle job site challenges with expertise.
11:50 - Man leaves to save world, showing personal vulnerability.
13:30 - Crossing the Rubicon leads to irreversible consequences, causing high stakes and anxiety.
16:51 - Friend with huge YouTube following, Brian Barzak, passed away tragically.
22:09 - Started successful business in just 6 weeks.
25:13 - Customize message length for greater impact on the audience.
29:13 - Planning content safeguards personal and business brands.
30:28 - Belief in self leads to emotional response and success.
36:08 - Efficiently outsource content distribution to multiple platforms. Hire help for social media and podcasting.
37:17 - You have 7 days to do it. Take care.
 
Key Takeaways 
Embrace the "P.O.P.P Method—Passion Overcoming the Pressure to Peacock. Use your authentic passion to create engaging videos and connect with potential clients on platforms like YouTube and Facebook. Leverage the Power of Storytelling - Share relatable experiences, overcome insecurities, and build credibility by showcasing your unique journey and the transformation of your business in a compelling narrative. Content Creation Strategies - Utilize simple tools like smartphones, the "oscillation method" for engaging storytelling, and content syndication to create multiple pieces of content from one original piece, eventually building a strong online presence.  
Connect with Keith
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keithkalfas/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelandscapingemployeetrap
Website: https://www.keithkalfas.com/resources
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@keith-kalfas
 
 
 
Resources and Websites: 
🙋♂️Get My Free Landscaping Business Startup Video Series Here👇 
Here: https://www.keithkalfas.com/Landscaping-Series
Landscaping Course: https://keith-kalfas.mykajabi.com/store/8bFERMcs
LANDSCAPING BUSINESS How to Guide: https://www.keithkalfas.com/16 
Get Jobber: https://getjobber.com/im/ambassador-referral/?gspk=a2VpdGhrYWxmYXM4NTIx&gsxid=Rs6pwtznLDcs
Get Ballard: https://www.ballard-inc.com/
Identify Your Superpower: keithkalfas.com/superpower
Free Budget Opt-in: Keithkalfas.com/budget
Smartphone Video Creation Guide: Keithkalfas.com/smartphone
Identify Your Power: Keithkalfas.com/superpower
2-Day Workshop where you level your Landscaping Business to $100K and beyond: Register for the two day workshop (keithkalfas.com)
Discover the 3 Steps To Crush It in Your Landscaping Business: Landscaping Free Video Series - Organic (keithkalfas.com)