Side Hustle Squad

Mike Garvey
  • 5.0 (22)
  • Careers
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to the Side Hustle Squad Podcast with your host, Mike Garvey! My goal is to provide entrepreneurs with all the tools and resources they need to start and succeed in the lawn care industry on the side while working a full-time career. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, or thinking about taking the leap into starting a business, this podcast will help you build and grow. Guests from the green industry and beyond will be on the show to share their experiences and advice. I provide in-depth interviews with successful entrepreneurs, offering insight into what it takes to succeed in running a business. I will also discuss the various aspects of the lawn care industry, from equipment and industry trends to stories and experiences from my own lawn care business successes and failures. You will leave each episode feeling informed, empowered, and ready to hustle. No matter what stage of the journey you're in, the Side Hustle Squad is here to help you succeed. Tune in every week for the latest interviews, tips, tricks, and advice for growing your business.

  1. 3h ago

    Ep 344. The Fall Gold Rush: Our Complete Aeration & Overseeding Marketing Playbook!

    Spring may be winding down, but the smartest lawn care companies are already planning for fall. In this episode of the Side Hustle Squad Podcast, I break down our complete aeration and overseeding marketing strategy at Coastal Fertilization. From email campaigns and customer follow-up systems to Facebook and Instagram ads, direct mail, SEO, Google Business Profile optimization, route-density marketing, and leveraging our existing customer base, I'm sharing exactly how we're preparing to fill our fall schedule before the season even begins. If you're tired of scrambling for aeration work in September, this episode will help you create demand, build momentum, and maximize one of the most profitable services in the lawn care industry. Whether you're a solo operator or managing multiple crews, you'll walk away with actionable marketing ideas you can implement immediately to make this your best fall season yet. Topics include: Email and text marketing campaigns Facebook and Instagram advertising Direct mail and EDDM strategies SEO and Google Business Profile optimization Route-density marketing tactics Creating urgency and scarcity Turning existing customers into aeration and overseeding clients Building a full fall schedule before the season starts Don't wait until fall arrives—start marketing now and position your business for a record-breaking aeration and overseeding season.  🔗 Important Links & Resources 🎙 Side Hustle Squad on Instagram @sidehustlesquadpodcast 🌱 Coastal Fertilization on Instagram @coastalfertilization 💻 Branded Bull Website Design Visit BrandedBull.com 📋 Get Jobber – 20% Off for 6 Months Sign Up Here 🏗 EQUIP Exposition — Save 50% Register Now Use promo code: SIDEHUSTLE at checkout 👟 Save 10% on KUJO Yardwear Shop Now Discount automatically applies 📅 LiveSwitch Book a Demo 📬 PostcardMania Learn More 💵 Relay – Powerful Business Banking for Small Business Owners Learn More

    15 min

  2. 2d ago

    Ep 343. On the Road: Shop Updates, Robotics, North Jersey Growth & What's Next!

    In this laid-back, on-the-road episode of the Side Hustle Squad Podcast, I clipped on the microphones, hit the road for a robotic mower installation, and brought you along for the ride. I'm sharing updates on everything happening behind the scenes, including the progress at the shop, the continued growth of Coastal Fertilization of North Jersey, and the latest developments with ROPED as we bring robotic mowing technology to more customers across New Jersey. I also talk about the recent updates to our mobile showroom trailer, upcoming installs, and some of the exciting events on the horizon, including attending Naylor Taliaferro's Profit Accelerator event and other opportunities to connect with entrepreneurs and contractors throughout the industry. No formal interview this week—just a real-time conversation from the driver's seat about business growth, new opportunities, lessons learned, and what's coming next for Coastal, ROPED, and the Side Hustle Squad community. If you've ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes while building multiple businesses, this episode is for you. Buckle up and come along for the ride.  🔗 Important Links & Resources 🎙 Side Hustle Squad on Instagram @sidehustlesquadpodcast 🌱 Coastal Fertilization on Instagram @coastalfertilization 💻 Branded Bull Website Design Visit BrandedBull.com 📋 Get Jobber – 20% Off for 6 Months Sign Up Here 🏗 EQUIP Exposition — Save 50% Register Now Use promo code: SIDEHUSTLE at checkout 👟 Save 10% on KUJO Yardwear Shop Now Discount automatically applies 📅 LiveSwitch Book a Demo 📬 PostcardMania Learn More 💵 Relay – Powerful Business Banking for Small Business Owners Learn More

    17 min

  3. Jun 11

    Ep 342. The Spring Slowdown: Why This Might Be the Most Important Time of the Year!

    The spring rush is over, the phones aren't ringing quite as much, and many business owners start wondering what's next. But what if the slowdown isn't a problem? What if it's actually an opportunity? In this episode, Mike discusses why the weeks and months following the spring rush can be some of the most valuable of the entire year. From evaluating what went right (and wrong) during the busy season to planning fall marketing campaigns, building systems, strengthening relationships, and investing in personal growth, this is the season where great companies separate themselves from average ones. Mike shares lessons from Coastal Fertilization and ROPED, including how he's using this time to expand into new markets, build partnerships, prepare for fall aeration and overseeding campaigns, and create opportunities that may not pay off for months—or even years. If you've been feeling uneasy because things have slowed down, this episode will help you shift your mindset, embrace the season you're in, and use the summer months to set yourself up for a stronger fall and an even bigger year ahead. 🔗 Important Links & Resources 🎙 Side Hustle Squad on Instagram @sidehustlesquadpodcast 🌱 Coastal Fertilization on Instagram @coastalfertilization 💻 Branded Bull Website Design Visit BrandedBull.com 📋 Get Jobber – 20% Off for 6 Months Sign Up Here 🏗 EQUIP Exposition — Save 50% Register Now Use promo code: SIDEHUSTLE at checkout 👟 Save 10% on KUJO Yardwear Shop Now Discount automatically applies 📅 LiveSwitch Book a Demo 📬 PostcardMania Learn More 💵 Relay – Powerful Business Banking for Small Business Owners Learn More

    12 min

  4. Jun 9

    Ep 341. Paul Jamison interviews Mike at the Rehlko Event in Louisville, KY!

    At the Rehlko Guinness World Record event in Louisville, Kentucky, Paul Jamison turns the microphone around and interviews Mike Garvey about one of the biggest moves of his entrepreneurial journey—launching ROPED (Robotic Outdoor Power Equipment Distributors). In this conversation, Mike shares the vision behind bringing robotic mowing and battery-powered equipment to the green industry, why he believes automation is the future of landscape maintenance, and what it takes to introduce new technology to contractors, municipalities, schools, and property managers. 🔗 Important Links & Resources 🎙 Side Hustle Squad on Instagram @sidehustlesquadpodcast 🌱 Coastal Fertilization on Instagram @coastalfertilization 💻 Branded Bull Website Design Visit BrandedBull.com 📋 Get Jobber – 20% Off for 6 Months Sign Up Here 🏗 EQUIP Exposition — Save 50% Register Now Use promo code: SIDEHUSTLE at checkout 👟 Save 10% on KUJO Yardwear Shop Now Discount automatically applies 📅 LiveSwitch Book a Demo 📬 PostcardMania Learn More 💵 Relay – Powerful Business Banking for Small Business Owners Learn More

    24 min

  5. Jun 4

    Ep 340. Spring Rush Recap, Business Updates & Preparing for the Rest of the Season!

    In this solo episode of The Side Hustle Squad Podcast, I share a behind-the-scenes update on everything happening across my businesses. I talk about the growth and progress of Coastal Fertilization & Weed Control, the exciting developments at ROPED (Robotic Outdoor Power Equipment Distributors), and the launch of Coastal Fertilization of North Jersey. I also discuss my upcoming trip to Texas to celebrate the grand opening of Marshall Lawn Solutions' new facility, where I'll be connecting with great industry leaders, including John Pajak. With the spring rush beginning to wind down, I reflect on what worked, what we've learned, and how we're shifting our focus toward the next major opportunity: fall aeration and overseeding season. I break down some of the marketing strategies we're planning to use, including Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM), customer retention tactics, and how we're preparing now to finish the year strong. 🔗 Important Links & Resources 🎙 Side Hustle Squad on Instagram @sidehustlesquadpodcast 🌱 Coastal Fertilization on Instagram @coastalfertilization 💻 Branded Bull Website Design Visit BrandedBull.com 📋 Get Jobber – 20% Off for 6 Months Sign Up Here 🏗 EQUIP Exposition — Save 50% Register Now Use promo code: SIDEHUSTLE at checkout 👟 Save 10% on KUJO Yardwear Shop Now Discount automatically applies 📅 LiveSwitch Book a Demo 📬 PostcardMania Learn More 💵 Relay – Powerful Business Banking for Small Business Owners Learn More

    12 min

  6. Jun 2

    Ep 339. Inside Equip Expo 2026 with Kris Kiser: What's New, What's Next, and the Move to Orlando

    In this episode of The Side Hustle Squad Podcast, I sit down with Kris Kiser, President and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute and the driving force behind Equip Exposition, to discuss everything happening at the industry's biggest event. We dive into what attendees can expect at Equip Expo 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky, October 20–23, including new features, expanded hands-on experiences, networking opportunities, and how the show continues to break attendance records and evolve each year. We also discuss the future of Equip and the major announcement that the show will begin a two-city rotation in 2029, bringing Equip to Orlando, Florida for the first time.   Whether you're a contractor, dealer, manufacturer, or entrepreneur in the green industry, this episode provides an inside look at where the industry is headed, why Equip continues to grow, and how you can maximize your experience at this year's show. 🔗 Important Links & Resources 🎙 Side Hustle Squad on Instagram @sidehustlesquadpodcast 🌱 Coastal Fertilization on Instagram @coastalfertilization 💻 Branded Bull Website Design Visit BrandedBull.com 📋 Get Jobber – 20% Off for 6 Months Sign Up Here 🏗 EQUIP Exposition — Save 50% Register Now Use promo code: SIDEHUSTLE at checkout 👟 Save 10% on KUJO Yardwear Shop Now Discount automatically applies 📅 LiveSwitch Book a Demo 📬 PostcardMania Learn More 💵 Relay – Powerful Business Banking for Small Business Owners Learn More

    26 min

  7. May 28

    Ep 338. The Wake-Up Call: Lamont Hairston on Hip Replacement, Recovery & Building a Business That Can Run Without You!

    In this episode of The Side Hustle Squad Podcast, we sit down with Lamont Hairston from Hairston Property Management to talk about something every business owner eventually faces — health, recovery, and the importance of having a backup plan. Lamont opens up about dealing with hip pain for more than two years before ultimately undergoing a full hip replacement surgery. We discuss the physical and mental toll it took on him, what recovery has looked like, and how it forced him to think differently about his business operations. This episode is a reminder that as entrepreneurs, we often push through pain and put ourselves last while focusing on customers, employees, and growth. But what happens when your body tells you to slow down? We also dive into: Why every business owner needs contingency plans in place Delegating work and building relationships with trusted companies Creating systems so your business can survive without you The importance of yearly physicals, blood work, and preventative healthcare Thinking long-term instead of just surviving the daily grind Lessons learned from being forced to step away from the field A powerful conversation about health, leadership, and building a business that supports your life — not one that completely depends on you. 🔗 Important Links & Resources 🎙 Side Hustle Squad on Instagram @sidehustlesquadpodcast 🌱 Coastal Fertilization on Instagram @coastalfertilization 💻 Branded Bull Website Design Visit BrandedBull.com 📋 Get Jobber – 20% Off for 6 Months Sign Up Here 🏗 EQUIP Exposition — Save 50% Register Now Use promo code: SIDEHUSTLE at checkout 👟 Save 10% on KUJO Yardwear Shop Now Discount automatically applies 📅 LiveSwitch Book a Demo 📬 PostcardMania Learn More 💵 Relay – Powerful Business Banking for Small Business Owners Learn More

    36 min

  8. May 26

    Ep 337. Catching Up with Cornell Mack: Spring Rush, Live Events & What's Next at Equip Expo

    Recorded live from Louisville, Kentucky, at REHLKO's Guinness World Record event, Mike sits down with Cornell Mack for a wide-ranging conversation on business, leadership, and building community through live events. Cornell shares insights from his recent meetup event, the lessons learned from bringing entrepreneurs together, and why face-to-face connections continue to be a game changer in today's digital world. The conversation also dives into the realities of the spring rush—how business is performing, the challenges that come with growth, and the systems that help keep everything moving forward. Plus, Cornell gives an update on upcoming projects, what he's focused on for the rest of the year, and what attendees can expect from him at this year's Equip Exposition. Whether you're in the middle of your busy season or looking for inspiration from someone who's building both a business and a community, this episode delivers practical insights and plenty of motivation. Topics include: Lessons from hosting live events and meetups The power of networking and community Managing the spring rush Business growth and leadership Upcoming projects and opportunities Looking ahead to Equip Expo 🔗 Important Links & Resources 🎙 Side Hustle Squad on Instagram @sidehustlesquadpodcast 🌱 Coastal Fertilization on Instagram @coastalfertilization 💻 Branded Bull Website Design Visit BrandedBull.com 📋 Get Jobber – 20% Off for 6 Months Sign Up Here 🏗 EQUIP Exposition — Save 50% Register Now Use promo code: SIDEHUSTLE at checkout 👟 Save 10% on KUJO Yardwear Shop Now Discount automatically applies 📅 LiveSwitch Book a Demo 📬 PostcardMania Learn More 💵 Relay – Powerful Business Banking for Small Business Owners Learn More

    29 min
See All (344)

5
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Side Hustle Squad Podcast with your host, Mike Garvey! My goal is to provide entrepreneurs with all the tools and resources they need to start and succeed in the lawn care industry on the side while working a full-time career. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, or thinking about taking the leap into starting a business, this podcast will help you build and grow. Guests from the green industry and beyond will be on the show to share their experiences and advice. I provide in-depth interviews with successful entrepreneurs, offering insight into what it takes to succeed in running a business. I will also discuss the various aspects of the lawn care industry, from equipment and industry trends to stories and experiences from my own lawn care business successes and failures. You will leave each episode feeling informed, empowered, and ready to hustle. No matter what stage of the journey you're in, the Side Hustle Squad is here to help you succeed. Tune in every week for the latest interviews, tips, tricks, and advice for growing your business.

Information

  • Creator
    Mike Garvey
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    344
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023
  • Show Website
    Side Hustle Squad

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