Married to Landscaping

Yasmin Schaff

Welcome to Married to Landscaping, the podcast for landscapers and the partners who are tired of sacrificing family time for business. I'm Yasmin Schaff, wife, mum of three, and founder of Hive Drive and askWillow - AI-powered software tools specifically designed to help landscapers run their businesses better. After transforming our own landscaping business with AI, automation and smart systems, we're sharing exactly how you can reclaim your evenings and build a business that gives you freedom to spend time on the moments that matter most to you.

Episodes

  1. Oct 2

    Landscaping Royalty: Joel Barnett Joins the Show

    Joel Barnett is the owner of Instyle Gardens, host of The Landscape Show, creator of The Landscaping School, and a multiple award winner at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. In this episode, Yasmin sits down with Joel to talk about running a landscaping business without letting it take over your life. Joel explains why he doesn't believe in "love your job and you'll never work a day." He loves landscaping, but he still dislikes excavation and difficult clients. He also shares how he structures his days: design work at 5am, family first, and keeping your head where your feet are so you can switch off. They also cover: How Joel kept his pipeline full while the market tightened, using builder and supplier relationships and why marketing consistently rather than waiting for things to slow down is where he wants to move the business toBuilding brand awareness through garden shows, The Block, a podcast and InstagramPushing past discomfort to network through Landscape VictoriaWhat it takes to win gold and best construction at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, and why spending the most money doesn't winWhy a 10% price increase won't decide whether you win or lose a job, and why homeowners will pay more for a professional they trustWhy partners who do the books or social media should be paid, and why that cost belongs in your pricingFast quote turnaround, simple tech and AI tools, and keeping clients informed so they stay confident in you Links mentioned in this episode: Joel Barnett Instyle Gardens: https://www.instylegardens.com.au/The Landscaping School: https://www.thelandscapingschool.com/The Landscaping Podcast: https://www.instylegardens.com.au/the-landscaping-podcast From your hosts Ask Willow, AI quoting software built for landscapers: https://www.askwillow.ai/Hive Drive, CRM and automation for landscaping businesses: https://hivedrive.dev/ Enjoyed the episode? Follow the show, leave a rating, and share it with a landscaper who needs to hear it.

  2. Jun 26

    Mastering cash flow in your landscaping business with Dante from Abbaco Accounting

    In this episode, Dante from Abbaco Accounting shares invaluable insights on how landscaping families can improve their business profitability, manage cash flow, and plan for wealth building through proactive financial strategies and smart use of technology. Importance of understanding business numbersDifference between markup and marginManaging cash flow effectivelyUsing software and AI for business efficiencyTax planning and superannuation strategiesPricing strategies and value-based pricingBuilding wealth through business structuresThe role of proactive accounting Show Links: Abbaco Accounting + Advisory -  https://www.abbaco.com.au/Email: admin@abbaco.com.auFree Community: https://membership.hivedrive.devInstagram: @marriedtolandscapingYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQMEdxqVvLzF0Kj6q-xhMjwBook a strategy call: https://hivedrive.dev/book-a-strategy-call

    Mastering cash flow in your landscaping business with Dante from Abbaco Accounting

  3. Apr 27

    From Landscaper's Wife to Industry Leader: Paula Warman's Success Secrets

    In this engaging interview, Paula Wallman, a renowned landscaping industry expert and host of the Limitless Landscaper podcast, shares her journey from landscaper's wife to industry award winner and business coach. Discover practical strategies for scaling your landscaping business, managing time and finances effectively, and shifting your mindset to achieve greater success and freedom: Journey from landscaper's wife to industry award winnerStrategies for scaling a landscaping businessImportance of systems, cash flow, and profit managementMindset shifts for business success and personal freedom Show Links: Free Community: https://membership.hivedrive.devInstagram: @marriedtolandscapingYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQMEdxqVvLzF0Kj6q-xhMjwBook a strategy call: https://hivedrive.dev/book-a-strategy-call Limitless Landscapers Podcast: https://www.thelandscaperscoach.co.uk/the-limitless-landscapers-podcast Paula Warman - The Landscapers Coach: https://thelandscaperscoach.co.uk Email: Paula@thelandscaperscoach.co.uk

    From Landscaper's Wife to Industry Leader: Paula Warman's Success Secrets

  4. Mar 16

    I finally got my husband to update his landscaping website and now I am sharing what worked!

    In this episode of Married to Landscaping, Yasmin challenges the "old-school" approach to business websites, moving away from static brochures toward automated systems that protect your family time. The "Manual Labour" Trap: Many landscaping sites are "bottlenecks" that require the owner or partner to manually answer every basic inquiry via DM or email.Traditional contact forms that say "we'll be in touch shortly" create a lag that causes high-end clients to move to a competitor’s tab.Relying on manual qualification means your business "marketing" is actually just more unpaid administrative work during your evenings. The Three Pillars of a Smart Website: Positioning: Within five seconds, a visitor should know your specialty, your service area, and your general investment level (e.g., separating $5k budgets from $50k projects).Qualifying: A smart site automatically asks for the suburb, project scope, and timeline, "politely declining" leads that don't fit your criteria without you lifting a finger.Converting: High-intent clients should be able to book a site visit instantly via an embedded calendar, even at 9:30 PM, to capture their momentum. The Modern Search Landscape (SEO & AI): Trust Over Keywords: Google and AI tools like Gemini no longer just look for "keyword stuffing"; they scan for authenticity, proof of work, and site speed.AI Search Visibility: If your site is vague or static, it becomes "invisible" to AI tools when a homeowner asks, "Who is the best landscaper for high-end native gardens?".System Strength: In a tightening market, businesses with robust digital systems will outperform those relying solely on "hustle". Show links: Free Community: https://membership.hivedrive.devInstagram: @marriedtolandscapingYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQMEdxqVvLzF0Kj6q-xhMjwBook a strategy call: https://hivedrive.dev/book-a-strategy-callWebsite speed test: https://tools.pingdom.com/Website Audit Prompt (Copy and paste the text below into an AI like Gemini or ChatGPT. Replace the bracketed information with your own details):Act as a World-Class B2B2C Growth Strategist for landscaping businesses. I want to identify 'Quick Wins' for my website: [MY WEBSITE]. Please audit the URL provided and provide an easy-to-follow table output categorised by: Immediate Wins: How to use features like Lead Filters, Automated Site Visit Booking, and Niche-Specific Templates to save time.Trust & Authority Wins: Recommendations for high-quality project imagery, testimonial placement, and E-E-A-T (Expertise, Experience, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) signals.SEO & AI Visibility: Quick technical fixes for title tags, location-specific pages, and AI-search readiness.Output Requirement: Present a table with columns: 'Action Item', 'Platform Tool/Feature', 'Estimated Effort (Low/Med/High)', and 'Projected Impact (1-10)'.

    I finally got my husband to update his landscaping website and now I am sharing what worked!

  5. Mar 10

    Here is exactly how we deliver a high-end experience to win 6 figure landscaping jobs!

    You’ve identified your ideal client… but have you built an experience they’ll actually pay a premium for? If you’re attracting clients who question every detail, push your price down, delay decisions and drain your energy - it might not be your marketing. It might be the experience you’ve designed. In this episode, we break down how to intentionally build an ideal client experience that attracts better clients, converts them faster, and turns one project into five through referrals, especially in a slowing market. Show links:  Free Community: https://membership.hivedrive.devInstagram: @marriedtolandscapingYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQMEdxqVvLzF0Kj6q-xhMjwBook a strategy call: https://hivedrive.dev/book-a-strategy-call

    Here is exactly how we deliver a high-end experience to win 6 figure landscaping jobs!

  6. Mar 2

    When we were intentional about the clients we wanted to serve our business exploded!

    In this episode Yasmin shares expert strategies on how landscapers can identify and attract their ideal high-end clients, build strategic partnerships, and future-proof their business against economic shifts and AI disruptions. Key topics: Identifying ideal clients and building a client filterTargeting high-net-worth neighborhoods and affluent clientsBuilding strategic partnerships with builders, architects, and real estate agentsOrganic marketing strategies including signage, social media, and reviewsAdapting to economic changes and AI disruptions in the industry Show links:  Free Community: https://membership.hivedrive.devInstagram: @marriedtolandscapingYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQMEdxqVvLzF0Kj6q-xhMjwBook a strategy call: https://hivedrive.dev/book-a-strategy-call

    When we were intentional about the clients we wanted to serve our business exploded!

  7. Feb 24

    When we understood the true cost of admin we changed the way we ran our business!

    This episode busts the myth that small admin tasks are harmless, revealing how they cost you time and money. Yasmin Schaff shows how automating these tasks can free up your time, increase profitability, and improve your lifestyle. Key topics covered: The true cost of admin tasks in landscapingHow automation and AI can save time and moneyThe financial impact of admin on business and lifeStrategies to automate repetitive tasksThe mindset shift needed to value time Key takeaways: 30 minutes of admin daily costs nearly a year of your life and close to half a million dollars over a 10 year span!Automating tasks like phone calls, invoicing and follow-ups can free up 120 hours a yearTime is your most valuable asset and should be protectedInvesting in automation can lead to significant financial gains Links mentioned in the show: Free Community: https://membership.hivedrive.dev Instagram: @marriedtolandscaping YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQMEdxqVvLzF0Kj6q-xhMjw Book a strategy call: https://hivedrive.dev/book-a-strategy-call Profitability and Time Audit: https://hivedrive.dev/assessment-tool-page

    When we understood the true cost of admin we changed the way we ran our business!

  8. Feb 22

    Our FIRST step to getting more time, money and happiness in our landscaping business!

    Are you "Married to Landscaping" but feeling like a widow to the business? Have you tried to change things and been met with resistance? Most landscaping families are trapped on a treadmill of manual quotes and late-night invoices, trading their best years for a mounting tax bill. In this debut episode, Yasmin Schaff shares the raw, honest story of how her family escaped the city "rat race" to live a "life by design" on 5 acres, homeschooling three boys and traveling to the UK for three months every year. Discover how Yasmin leveraged her career in global technology to transform Xavier’s business from a "hard-back diary" operation into a systems-driven, 7-figure legacy. It’s time to stop fitting your life into the spare moments the business throws your way and start building a future that provides true time and financial freedom. In this episode, we cover: The Reality Check: Why "working to live" is the only way to escape the chronic unhappiness and stress of the traditional trade model.The Corporate Secret: How technology that once cost millions is now accessible to small businesses to drive down costs and scale with ease.The Turning Point: The moment the business shift happened—not through nagging, but by aligning on family goals and finding a "reason to change." Links mentioned in the show: Free Community: https://membership.hivedrive.devInstagram: @marriedtolandscapingYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQMEdxqVvLzF0Kj6q-xhMjwBook a strategy call: https://hivedrive.dev/book-a-strategy-call

    Our FIRST step to getting more time, money and happiness in our landscaping business!
  • 8 Episodes

About

Welcome to Married to Landscaping, the podcast for landscapers and the partners who are tired of sacrificing family time for business. I'm Yasmin Schaff, wife, mum of three, and founder of Hive Drive and askWillow - AI-powered software tools specifically designed to help landscapers run their businesses better. After transforming our own landscaping business with AI, automation and smart systems, we're sharing exactly how you can reclaim your evenings and build a business that gives you freedom to spend time on the moments that matter most to you.

Information

  • Creator
    Yasmin Schaff
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Yasmin Schaff