Hardscape Growth Hardscaper

Steve Wheatcroft, founder and former CEO of ULS, shares his journey of building a successful landscape maintenance business.

He discusses the six stages of leadership he experienced and the lessons he learned along the way.


Overcoming self doubt and believing in yourself
Wear a helmet, take a bullet
Delegation builds the nation
Blow sh*t up - John Wick part 1
Kiss = "Keep It Simple, Stup*d"
Keep learning and learn to leave

Listen to this week's pod to learn more about these stages of leadership. Try and figure out what stage you are in running your own business and see how you can move on to the next stage!

The Hardscaper High Five was first introduced as part of Hardscaper Showcase earlier in 2023. If you couldn't make it out to one of those events, head over to [https://hardscaper.com/2023-virtual-showcase/] to check it out for free!

We launch new episodes every Tuesday, so be sure to sign up to our Facebook or Instagram page to be the first to get notified!

Have an idea for an episode, or a problem you’d like to see us explore? Hit us up at podcast@hardscaper.com or send us a DM on Instagram @hardscaper_

Click here to download the Get in the Game - 90 Day Quickstart E-Book!



Ryan Markewich shares his experience with open book management and how it builds a team of owners. He explains how he got into the business and the turning point when he discovered The Great Game of Business. Ryan discusses the concept of the company as the product and the importance of transparency and involvement in decision-making. He also talks about the implementation of mini games and the impact of open book management on employee engagement and development.



Takeaways


Open book management builds a team of owners by involving employees in decision-making and sharing financial information.
Setting a clear vision and involving employees in goal-setting is essential for the success of open book management.
Metrics and key performance indicators are essential for measuring progress and driving accountability.

Links


https://rmark.ca/

The Hardscaper High Five was first introduced as part of Hardscaper Showcase earlier in 2023. If you couldn't make it out to one of those events, head over to [https://hardscaper.com/2023-virtual-showcase/] to check it out for free!

We launch new episodes every Tuesday, so be sure to sign up to our Facebook or Instagram page to be the first to get notified!

Have an idea for an episode, or a problem you’d like to see us explore? Hit us up at podcast@hardscaper.com or send us a DM on Instagram @hardscaper_

In this week's episode, we have Sahra Linnemann from The Green Executive discusses the concept of profit first and how it can help contractors in the green industry manage their cash flow and increase profitability.

The profit first approach involves taking profit out of income first and then operating with what's remaining.

Sahra explains the mechanics of profit first, including setting up different accounts for profit, owner's pay, taxes, and operations.

Takeaways


The profit first approach involves taking profit out of income first and then operating with what's remaining.
Proper bookkeeping and tracking expenses are crucial for making informed business decisions.
Regularly review profit and loss reports to assess the financial health of the business and make necessary adjustments.

The Hardscaper High Five was first introduced as part of Hardscaper Showcase earlier in 2023. If you couldn't make it out to one of those events, head over to [https://hardscaper.com/2023-virtual-showcase/] to check it out for free!

We launch new episodes every Tuesday, so be sure to sign up to our Facebook or Instagram page to be the first to get notified!

Have an idea for an episode, or a problem you’d like to see us explore? Hit us up at podcast@hardscaper.com or send us a DM on Instagram @hardscaper_

Rob Green, owner of StoneCraft Designs shares his journey of growing his hardscaping business from a shovel to $5 million in revenue in just 12 months.! He started the business with a simple website and a $200 Facebook ad, landing his first job without even owning a shovel. Rob tells us the importance of commitment to quality and customer education, which led to referrals and more opportunities. Even when facing challenges and losses, Rob's focus on the luxury market and leveraging his existing network helped him turn the business around.

He also tells us why mentorship matters to him. In this conversation, Rob Green shares his journey in the hardscaping industry and the strategies he used to build a successful business. Rob shares insights on analyzing numbers, managing inventory, and building a strong brand.

Takeaways


Commitment to quality and customer education can set a business apart and lead to referrals and more opportunities.
Challenges and losses are part of the journey, but they can be turned into positive learning experiences.
Starting small and taking calculated risks can lead to significant growth in a short period of time.

The Hardscaper High Five was first introduced as part of Hardscaper Showcase earlier in 2023. If you couldn't make it out to one of those events, head over to [https://hardscaper.com/2023-virtual-showcase/] to check it out for free!

We launch new episodes every Tuesday, so be sure to sign up to our Facebook or Instagram page to be the first to get notified!

Have an idea for an episode, or a problem you’d like to see us explore? Hit us up at podcast@hardscaper.com or send us a DM on Instagram @hardscaper_

In this week's episode, we have Johnathan and Dan, co-founders of Creative by Nature. The conversation discusses various topics related to hardscape business growth and optimization. They emphasize the importance of clear communication, setting expectations, and involving clients in the design process. They also discuss the relevance of understanding access, setbacks, and drainage in projects. The conversation highlights the role of support managers in bridging the gap between design and construction. Additionally, they discuss the significance of collaboration, culture, and processes in building a successful team and brand in a saturated market. The conversation covers various topics related to building a successful landscaping business, including the importance of building a strong team and brand, the value of storytelling and branding, the significance of design and personal experience, overcoming challenges and building relationships, the power of pivoting and collaboration, asking for help and networking, and embracing abundance and opportunities.

Takeaways


Building a strong team and showcasing their work can set your landscaping business apart from the competition.
Branding and storytelling are essential for creating a unique identity and connecting with customers.
Collaboration, networking, and asking for help can lead to new opportunities and growth.

This episode was a live recording at our Hardscaper Summit in King of Prussia.

Justin Tal, owner of Creative Design and Maintenance, shares his journey from a maintenance company to a successful hardscaping business. He emphasizes the importance of communication with clients and implementing digital systems for project management. Justin discusses the significance of creating checklists and processes for efficient operations and scaling the business. He also highlights the role of financing in growing the business and the importance of a solid brand, website, and sales process. Justin concludes by emphasizing the value of targeting the right customers and analyzing marketing channels.


Implement digital systems for communication and project management to improve efficiency and client satisfaction.


Create checklists and processes to ensure consistency and streamline operations.


Consider offering financing options to increase sales and attract more clients.


Educate clients on the installation process and project costs to manage expectations and build trust.


Target the right customers and analyze marketing channels to maximize the effectiveness of your advertising efforts.