Kid Contractor Podcast with Caleb Auman

Caleb Auman
  • 4.9 (199)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Semiweekly

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. 14h ago

    E746. Contractor Horror Stories | Harlan Jones (Jones Property Management)

    Get ready for some chaotic real-world incidents with Harlan Jones as he recounts as a new hire drinking a beer during a safety meeting, mistakenly landscaping the wrong property, and accidentally cutting down a neighbor's trees. Harlan also shares expensive operational blunders, including a disastrous truck purchase, an HVAC gas line mishap, and a severe saw accident that ruined a client's pool.  Key Takeaways: Always verify property boundaries and project specifications before starting physical work to prevent costly liabilities and performing unauthorized labor. Do not sacrifice reliability to pinch pennies on critical equipment, because maintaining worn-out assets frequently costs far more than investing in dependable tools upfront. Resist impromptu scope creep and off-contract favors, which introduce severe operational risks without the profit margin required to absorb mistakes. Consistently follow baseline safety precautions, such as chocking trailer wheels and setting parking brakes whenever loading machinery on an incline. Take prompt ownership and communicate transparently when things go wrong, as acting with integrity preserves client trust even during expensive setbacks.   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. 2d ago

    E745. Contractor Horror Stories | Brian Fullerton (Brian's Lawn Maintenance)

    Fullerton recounts a mortifying past mistake where he accidentally sent an inappropriate text message of himself to a group chat that included both his wife and a female client. Despite the initial panic and dread of potential severe consequences, the situation ultimately resolved when the client's husband jokingly confronted Fullerton about the incident. The conversation highlights the unpredictability of entrepreneurship while promoting community events such as the upcoming Lawntrapreneur Academy Live conference. Key Takeaways: Shift your primary focus from the technical mechanics of work to prioritizing the people and relationships that drive your true purpose. Always verify recipient lists and group chats before sending any media or messages to prevent accidental communication blunders. Master your financial numbers and utilize proper management tools to maintain long-term stability and business control. Seek out physical proximity with experienced mentors and peers at live events to accelerate your growth through shared insights. Keep unexpected setbacks and embarrassing moments in perspective, confronting them with humility and humor rather than letting panic take over. 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. Oct 1

    E744. Contractor Horror Stories | Tommy Cole EVP of Industry Relations at LeanScaper

    Veteran contractor Tommy Cole shares a wealth of experience from decades in the landscape construction and civil engineering industries. Tommy recounts numerous job site mishaps, ranging from an accidental skid steer intrusion onto a protected prairie meadow to the astonishing coincidence of plastering the wrong pool on the exact same street. Through these humorous and challenging anecdotes, he emphasizes the critical importance of owning one's mistakes and never complaining about clients. The conversation highlights how vital clear communication and accessible data are for growing a successful contracting business. Connect with LeanScaper. Key Takeaways: Take complete ownership of job site mistakes immediately rather than passing blame onto crew members or subcontractors. Minimize handling materials multiple times to eliminate unnecessary labor costs and boost overall operational efficiency. Move critical project details out of your head and into a shared system so your entire team has visibility into schedules and project expectations. Build client trust through transparency by acknowledging that human errors will occur while guaranteeing you will take responsibility to make things right. Refrain from complaining about difficult clients and instead view their feedback as essential insight for refining your business processes.   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. Sep 29

    E743. The Contractor's Purpose: Why You Don't Need a Wall Slogan to Build a Business That Matters

    Finding deep fulfillment in sharing hands-on trade skills with others, and focusing on raising good humans is what motivates Caleb and Brittany. The couple emphasizes the importance of tracking financial numbers and understanding revenue per hour to make informed decisions and pivot when seasons are slow. They highlight the value of hands-on education through their Hardscape Academy and share personal anecdotes about learning HVAC systems while building their new home. The conversation also explores the concept of finding one's purpose through service, mentorship, and professional excellence.  Key Takeaways: Track your business numbers consistently so you can identify performance gaps early and make necessary strategic pivots. Calculate your revenue targets per employee and man-hour to build realistic growth plans and staffing budgets. Cultivate a broad foundation of knowledge across related disciplines in your industry to recognize quality work and manage projects effectively. Take every opportunity to learn directly from experienced mentors, even when acquiring skills outside your primary area of focus. Focus on sharing your practical knowledge to empower others rather than tying your sense of purpose to superficial milestones. 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. Sep 25

    E742. Don't Be Afraid to Make the Jump: Navigating Year Two of an Excavation Business

    Zach Taylor shares the realities of launching Milania Corp, taking the leap into solo entrepreneurship, managing cash flow, and leveraging past connections. He highlights the importance of leveraging professional networks to secure work while navigating the complexities of cash flow, equipment acquisition, and the multi-faceted role of a solo business owner. Taylor also shares his expertise in trench safety, detailing his efforts to educate the industry through presentations and his leadership role with the nonprofit Crew Collab. The conversation covers the practical difficulties of winter construction and the personal lessons learned from managing residential projects for friends. Key Takeaways: Protect your cash flow by carefully managing project schedules and establishing strict, regular invoicing routines. Never compromise on jobsite safety, and always use engineered trench protection when working in deep excavations. Maintain standard professional protocols and formal contracts even when performing work for friends or family. Select machinery based on actual job specifications and financial math rather than brand loyalty or underpowered rentals. Build a reliable six-month backlog of profitable work before taking on the financial risk of hiring full-time employees. 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. Sep 23

    E741. The Cost of Thinking Small: Why Playing It Safe Kills Growth

    Why making a decision and being slightly wrong beats standing still. Caleb explores how the power of imagination directly shapes the trajectory of a business and personal life. Following a trip to Canada, Auman reflects on a conversation about limiting beliefs and how entrepreneurs often subconsciously cap their own potential. He shares personal anecdotes about manifesting his company's design-build facility while admitting that fear sometimes hindered him from dreaming even bigger. The short episode emphasizes that a current business is often the physical manifestation of past thoughts, urging listeners to expand their vision to reach the next level. Key Takeaways: Expand your mental vision beyond your current circumstances because your business and personal life will always be capped by what you dare to imagine. Identify and dismantle limiting beliefs that hold you back from making high-impact investments in your future growth. Recognize that your employees report to work inside the vision you set, meaning your mental clarity directly shapes their daily environment and potential. Make decisive operational decisions early rather than letting fear or perfectionism delay the structural improvements your company needs to operate efficiently. Commit to continuous learning, open-mindedness, and putting your ego aside so you can break through growth plateaus and expand past past successes. 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. Sep 15

    E740. $3 Million + Series | Carla Policastro Co-Founder Cycle CPA

    Bookkeeper, CPA, or Fractional CFO: Who You Actually Need at $3M+ Caleb and Carla discuss the complexities of scaling a service business beyond the $3 million revenue mark. They emphasize that transitioning from a hands-on owner to a leader requires robust financial infrastructure, delegation, and the implementation of accountability systems. Carla highlights critical financial practices, such as capacity planning, divisional reporting, and monitoring gross profit margins to identify hidden waste. A significant portion of the conversation focuses on the value of sharing financial data with team members to foster a sense of ownership and align employee incentives with company goals. Key Takeaways: Shift from pure hustle to systems and leadership to build the operational infrastructure required to scale beyond initial growth limits. Track monthly production capacity by calculating revenue per labor hour so you can spot and eliminate hidden waste early. Share project numbers with your team to foster crew buy-in, boost accountability, and align incentive structures with actual job margins. Replace bank balance accounting with dedicated ownership over cash management, accounts receivable, and accounts payable. Invest in personal self-development so that your leadership capacity grows in tandem with the demands of scaling the business. 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. Sep 10

    E739. Why Man-Hour Rates and Budgeted Hours Are Your Key to Profit w/ Naylor Taliaferro

    Naylor Taliaferro is a prominent figure in the green industry known as the Lawn Care Rookie. Taliaferro details his transition from retail management to owning a successful lawn maintenance business and founding LCR Media, a platform dedicated to community growth and industry events. He emphasizes the importance of route density, leadership, and specialized services as the primary drivers of profitability and time management. The discussion highlights his "brick by brick" philosophy, advocating for disciplined business growth and the use of budgeted hours to ensure financial success. Key Takeaways: Build your goals one brick at a time instead of letting the massive scale of a project overwhelm and intimidate you. Let your pricing filter your clients so that your rates automatically turn away bargain-hunters and attract premium customers who value quality. Maximize schedule and route density to eliminate wasted travel time, protect your profit margins, and reclaim your personal life. Master a single, scalable specialty that you genuinely enjoy rather than spreading yourself thin and wasting money as a jack of all trades. Discipline yourself to say no to the wrong opportunities so that you always have the time, space, and energy to say yes to the ideal ones. 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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4.9
out of 5
199 Ratings

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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