IM Landscape Growth Podcast
Episodes
John Dalton: Why Most Landscaping Brands Stay Invisible
01 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
00:00 – Intro & Guest Background John Dalton shares his 30-year marketing journey and transition into landscaping. 02:00 – Why Marketing Fails ...
Steve Reynolds (River Valley): Why Most Contractors Stay Stuck at $1–2M
15 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
00:02 – Intro + Background Steve’s 28-year journey in the green industry Started with zero experience, learned by doing 02:18 – Early Busine...
Steve Wheatcroft: The Truth About Scaling (No One Talks About)
09 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
00:01 – Intro + Background Steve’s 35+ years in the landscape industry Built and exited multiple businesses, scaled to $104M 01:36 – The Ori...
Brad Stephenson : Build a Business That Runs Without You
24 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
00:31 – Intro + why Brad’s perspective mattersBrad’s lived experience + coaching across many companies brings “outside-in” clarity.01:18 –...
Jim Shimon, Willow River Company: The People Playbook Behind $15M+ Growth
17 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
00:31–01:20 — Intro + why Willow River Company “means more than people think” 01:20–03:34 — Origin story: family landscaping business →...
Bob Roman (Fire by Design): How to Differentiate in a Sea of “Me Too” Contractors
10 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
00:01 – Intro + why Bob stands out: Rob tees up Bob as a rare “actually differentiated” operator. 00:49 – What Fire by Design does: Custom fi...
Justin White (K&D): Clarity of Vision = Faster Growth (Here’s the Playbook)
03 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
00:31 - Intro: Justin White joins the show 01:08 - “Born into it”: early days in landscaping + discovering the sales side 02:52 - 2015 turning p...
Scot Eckley (SEI): How Specialization Turns a Landscape Business Into a Category Leader
27 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
00:01 – Intro + guest setupRob welcomes Scot Eckley and frames Scot as a standout example of strong positioning in landscaping.00:41 – What SEI do...
Mike McCarron, ImageWorks Landscaping: The Systems Every Sub-$1M Company Misses
20 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
00:31 – IntroductionMike McCarron, owner of ImageWorks Landscaping, joins the show and shares his background in an ultra-competitive DC-area market....
From Fragmented to Scalable: Marketing Lessons for Contractors | Karol Wyman
12 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
00:00–01:30 – Introduction to Karol Wyman and the concept behind Outdoor Coffee Shop01:30–04:45 – What Outdoor Coffee Shop is and how it conne...
James Hatfield (LiveSwitch) on Using Video & AI to Close Deals Faster in Home Services
17 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
00:00–01:55 — James Hatfield’s BackgroundBlue-collar upbringing, early entrepreneurship in painting and power washingStruggles with bookkeeping ...
How Granum is Rewriting Landscape Software, Insights from CEO Mark Sedgley
09 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
00:31 — IntroRob welcomes Mark Sedgley and tees up his multi-decade journey leading software companies.01:35 — Mark’s Origin StoryFrom helping b...
Richard Sperber (Sperber Landscape): How to Grow a Billion-Dollar Company Without the Apps
05 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
00:00 — The core problem: obsession with outputs over inputsRichard opens with the danger of short-term financial pressure and how it erodes learnin...
Culture, Systems, Profit: Snow Industry Lessons w/ Martin Tirado (SIMA)
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
00:00 – Welcome & introRob introduces the IM Landscape Growth Podcast and guest Martin Tirado, CEO & Executive Director of the Snow and Ice Manageme...
Dominick Mondi Shares Operational Secrets for Growth
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
00:00 – IntroWelcome and introduction to Dominick Mondi.01:25 – Early Lessons in GrowthDominick shares experiences that shaped his approach to sca...
One Question, Big Results: Chris Dyer on Feedback Loops That Win
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
00:31 – Intro. Why Chris Dyer’s lifelong pursuit is improving the human experience at work. 01:17 – Origin story. Entrepreneur, “accidental a...
How to Build a Winning Mindset (and Stop Getting Stuck) – Frank Bourque
31 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
(00:00) – Welcome back: Rob introduces Frank Bourque, business coach and former landscape company owner.(01:00) – Why mindset matters more than sy...
Darren Oostdyk: Scaling Doverscape to $2M With Just Four Employees
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
00:31 – Rob introduces guest Darren Oostdyk, founder of Doverscape Design & Build.01:33 – Darren shares his journey from mowing lawns to running a...
The #1 Growth Constraint in the Green Industry | Aaron Whitener of ACE Outdoor
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
00:31 – 02:30 | Intro + OriginsRob and Aaron reminisce about meeting on a beach in Mexico. Aaron shares his start cutting grass at 16 and how a side...
Sergi: Landscaping CEO’s Secret to Growth: Fixing the Leader Bottleneck
02 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
TimestampTopic01:04From Hobby to CEO: Tiffany Sergi's journey to leading Landscapes by D&J after quitting nursing school to take over the business.02:...
The $30M Lawn Empire: Kurt LaButte's 46-Year Growth Playbook
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“I was the bottleneck. The biggest growth constraint was me learning to get out of the way.” - Burt LabutteResources Mentioned in This Episode:Tod...
Scott Grams: Solving Labour Shortages and Middle Management Challenges in Landscaping
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"Just like you wouldn’t expect to change the culture with just one person, the same goes for landscaping—true transformation comes when we embrace...
Financial Strategies in the Green Industry with David Whittaker
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"Recruiting is like shaving. If you don't do it all the time, you're going to look ugly." - David Whittaker - quoting Tennesee Football Coach Phillip ...
Paul Fraynd: Landscaping Success and Lessons Learned
06 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"The business is out there, not on a computer screen. It's about connecting people with the work they love." - Paul FrayndResources Mentioned in This ...
Scaling Past $1.5M: The Key Hire That Changed Everything for Pika Landscapes
28 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“I didn’t know what a yard of topsoil cost—but I knew how to learn fast and hire smart.” - Adam NeilsonResources Mentioned in This Episode:The...
Kevin Butler & Jame Toribio on Growing The Outdoor Living Company
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"Consistency in customer experience, from $7,000 to $70,000 projects, is what makes us stand out." — Kevin ButlerResources Mentioned in This Episode...
Meet Al Perreault of Green Collar: From Side Hustle to Industry Leader
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“I was all in—there was no turning back. It had to work, so we built it to work.” — Al Perreault of Green Collar LandscapingResources Mentione...
Ashly Paladino on Growing Sun Valley Landscaping from $1M to $10M+
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“Most small businesses get stuck because the owner is in the way—and that includes being afraid to let go.” — Ashly PaladinoResources Mentione...
Turning Data into Dollars for Landscaping Businesses - Paul Demarco of Intrigue
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“If we can predict the result of our work within a 5% margin, that’s the bee’s knees.” — Paul DemarcoResources Mentioned in This Episode:SAL...
Jeff McManus (University of Texas): How People Growth Drives Landscaping Success
03 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“How do we make our people successful? Not just making money, but giving them purpose, so they know they matter and belong.” — Jeff McManusResou...
From $0 to $16M: Nathan Helder on Scaling Without Losing Your Life
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“Leadership maturity is the growth constraint. If the business needs to change, you have to change.” — Nathan HelderResources Mentioned in This ...
How Caleb Scaled Third Space by Hiring Smarter, Not Buying More Gear
30 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“You can say you can’t afford to hire—but I’d argue you can’t afford not to.” — Caleb KangasResources Mentioned in This Episode:Knowledg...
Million Dollar Business? Start with Your Habits – Ultimate Landscape Academy
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:Ultimate Landscape Academy – Andrew’s coaching platform helping landscapers design businesses (and lives) that...
From Overwhelmed to Organized: How Admin Support and Systems Saves Your Sanity – Advanced Admins
15 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“Half of business is just answering the phone. If you’re not, you’re losing money.” — Johnny DayResources Mentioned in This Episode:Advanced...
Running a $4M Tree Biz with Humor, Hustle & Big Nuts – Jordan Upcavage
15 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“If you’re not making enough money—just charge more.” — Jordan UpcavageResources Mentioned in This Episode:GS TrackMe – GPS and camera tra...
What Separates Landscape Companies That Grow from Those That Stall – Kim Hartman
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“You can teach horticulture. You can’t teach passion for people.” — Kim HartmanResources Mentioned in This Episode:Aspire & LMN – ERP platfo...
Mark Tipton’s Guide to Growing and Managing a Landscape Business Efficiently
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“Once you get your pricing model right, you’ll see how much you’re losing on jobs that looked profitable.” — Mark TiptonResources Mentioned ...
Sal Hernandez on Scaling Smarter, Not Harder (GroXmart)
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“The biggest bottleneck is usually the owner. If you want it done right—write it down, shoot a video, and delegate.” — Sal HernandezResources ...
Heather Jerrard on Crushing Fear and Owning Your Growth (My Landscape Artist)
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“You already know what to do. You're just afraid to do it.” — Heather JerrardResources Mentioned in This Episode:Hops and Hedges – Heather’s...
Rob’s 5 Rules for Growing a Landscaping Business to $1M
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“You don’t say 'trust me' — you show it by doing what you said you’d do, when you said you’d do it.”Resources Mentioned in This Episode:Ma...
Robert Clinkenbeard Reveals the $20M Mistake Most Landscape Owners Make
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“The landscape industry is such a great industry—people are more than happy to share their knowledge if you ask.” — Robert ClinkenbeardResourc...
Jon Gohl on the Landscaping Companies Built to Win in 2025 (and the Systems Behind Them)
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“Every company is like a Special Forces unit. I worked for a former Navy SEAL for five years in disaster response management. And there was always a...
Overworked and Over-involved? Stephen Mazelis Finally Stepped Back—and Business Took Off
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:Bob Maffei – Landscape consultant and mentorNALP (National Association of Landscape Professionals)LINLA (Long Is...
Want to Be in the Top 1% of Landscaping Companies? Brian Hamilton Spells It Out
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“If you can manage people well and serve your customers like a maniac, you can screw up everything else and still grow.” — Brian HamiltonResourc...
AI, EQ, and Parke Kallenberg’s Secrets to Smarter Landscape Sales
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“When people say no, it’s not “no”—it’s K-N-O-W. They don’t know the value yet.” — Parke KallenbergResources Mentioned in This Episo...
Landscaping Owners: If You’re Doing It All, You’re Doing It Wrong—Peter Guinane Explains Why
12 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“We put up a mantra in the office for us to become the least needed people in the organization. That was our motto.” — Peter GuinaneResources Me...
Want More Sales? Try Saying ‘No’ More Often – Doug C. Brown on Smart Selling
21 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“The master prospector will always outsell the master closer—because if you don’t have the right buyers in front of you, no amount of closing sk...
Landscaping? Nope. You’re in the People Business – with Jeffrey Scott
21 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“Stop seeing yourself as a landscaper who hires people. Start seeing yourself as a people developer who happens to do landscaping—and watch your b...
Hiring Landscapers? Jill Odom Says If They Bring a Pocket Knife, They Might Be a Keeper
04 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"You can teach someone how to install pavers, but you can’t teach integrity. Either they have it, or they don’t.” — Jill Odom Resources Menti...
Firing on All Five Cylinders: Jeffrey Domenick’s Framework for Growth
28 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“In many ways, landscapers are industry professionals first and salespeople second, but teaching them how to sell effectively can change their busin...
The Great Game of Landscaping: Ryan Markewich’s Formula for Success
20 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“Your business is a promise delivery system—when everyone understands the promises, you’re more likely to deliver.” — Ryan MarkewichResource...
Green Industry Grit: Jason Lee’s No-BS Approach to Growing a Landscape Business
14 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“The biggest thing holding entrepreneurs back is the six inches between your ears.” — Jason LeeResources Mentioned in This Episode:E-Myth Revisi...
Laying the Foundation for a Customer-Obsessed Business with Chris Yancey
07 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode Notes“We didn’t just want to create a product; we wanted to change the way hardscapers work.”Resources Mentioned in This Episode:Perma E...
Why You’re Stuck: Jordan Daneker on Overcoming Barriers in the Green Industry
19 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“Every day I got on that mower, I was valuing myself at $14 an hour. It wasn’t about the mower—it was about the tasks I chose to take on. To gro...
Ross Peterson: Moving Soil, Solving Problems, and Scaling Big Ideas
05 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“Friction is anything that takes more time than it feels like it should, and solving those inefficiencies can transform how businesses operate.” –...
“It’s Never Crowded Along the Extra Mile”: Leadership Insights from Shane Humble
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“It’s never crowded along the extra mile.” – Shane HumbleResources Mentioned in This Episode:Elevate Conference: A resource for finding innova...
Angelique Robb on SYNKD, Waste, and Her Unique Journey from Oil to Landscaping
19 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“Landscaping combines science, creativity, and grit—it’s not just a job; it’s an art form.”Resources Mentioned in This Episode:SYNKD Website...
Bridging the Gap Between Vision and Budget: Alex Zalewski on Transparent Pricing, Team Culture, and More
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“Doing the right thing in every instance not only builds trust but reshapes the culture of your organization and your community.”Resources Mention...
Evolving Your Leadership for Big Growth: Lessons from Mark Bradley
05 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“Your business is a reflection of you and your leadership. When the business hits a wall, it’s usually because you’ve reached the limit of your ...
Will Joyce on Navigating Growth and Legacy in a Family Landscape Business
29 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“The work is secondary; the human experience trumps all. If we build for people, we build something lasting.”Resources Mentioned in This Episode:B...
Market Insights with Steve Wolf: How to Attract and Retain Top Talent
22 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“If you invest in your people, provide them with career development opportunities, they’re far more likely to stick around and grow with your comp...
Shaping a New Blue Collar Culture with Mikayel Ter-Grigoryan
15 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“Great culture is self-policing. You don’t police your culture; a great culture polices itself, and the people within it hold each other accountab...
How to Let Go and Grow: Matt Bell’s Guide to Business Leadership
08 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"By structuring the business so I’m not needed day-to-day, I’ve empowered my employees to grow and thrive. It’s allowed me to focus on what I lo...
How Mindset, Team, and Time Can Transform Your Landscape Business with Grant Harrison
04 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“You cannot grow your business without leveraging your team. Trusting people isn’t just a leadership trait, it’s a growth strategy.”Resources ...
From Industry Collaboration to Youth Engagement: The Future of Landscaping with Britt Wood
24 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“Your job as a leader is to make your people successful. You have to figure out what's holding them back and work with them to help them succeed.”...
Unlocking Success: Jeffrey Scott on Leadership & Growth
19 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“Confidence and mindset are the keys to unlocking business growth. When you surround yourself with the right people and trust your team, scaling bec...
Lessons in Growth: Trust, Delegation, and Sales with Marty Grunder
17 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“Success begins and ends with people. If you focus on building relationships and influencing others, everything else falls into place.”Resources M...
Educate to Elevate: The Landscape Industry's Future with Linda Reindl
16 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Introduction to Linda Reindl and the Florida Nursery Growers and Landscape Association (00:00 - 01:22): Linda shares her journey from marketing profes...
Navigating Challenges and Opportunities in Landscaping with Andrew Gross
16 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the IM Landscape Growth podcast, host Rob Murray talks with Andrew Gross of the Mariani Premier group about his transition from maj...
Transitioning from Craftsman to Business Owner in Landscaping with Weston Zimmerman
29 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Introduction and Background of Weston Zimmerman (00:41 - 03:06): Weston discusses his early experiences at Tussie Landscaping and the inefficiencies t...
Alan White speaks on the Role of Landscaping in Urban Health and Climate Adaptation
27 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Episode NotesIntroduction (00:00 - 00:25): Introduction of Alan White, President and CEO of Turf Systems, and his roles in various landscaping and env...
The Landscape of Opportunity: Building a Career Destination with Dean Morales
21 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode features Dean Morales, founder of Heritage and Company, sharing his 23-year journey from starting a lawn maintenance service in college t...
From Ground Up: Michael Pletz's Blueprint for Landscaping Business Excellence
14 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode features Michael Pletz, a seasoned entrepreneur in the hardscaping industry, as he shares his journey from working at a stone yard to fou...
Solving the Labour Puzzle in Landscaping: Training and Development in the Landscaping Industry with Matt Crinklaw
25 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode of the IM Landscape Growth podcast features Matt Crinklaw, co-founder of Greenius and now part of LMN, discussing the importance of train...
Soil to Software: The Role of Technology in the Green Industry with Ed Hansen
18 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode of the IM Landscape Growth podcast features Ed Hansen, a seasoned entrepreneur in the green industry, discussing his journey and insights...
Harvesting Potential: Essential Insights for Landscape Entrepreneurs with Jud Griggs
11 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Introduction to Jud Griggs: Jud shares his extensive background in the green industry, starting from his education in landscape architecture and horti...
Green Horizons: Russell Wood on Enhancing Landscaping Careers
07 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Career Transition: Russell discusses his shift from commercial landscaping to leading the Alabama Nursery and Landscape Association, motivated by labo...
Mastering Green Industry Sales with Neal Glatt
31 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Neil Glatt's Background: Glatt discusses his entry into the green industry during a difficult job market in 2009. His experience spans from working wi...
Beyond the Business: Creating Community in Landscaping with Joe Salemi
24 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Career Journey: Joe reflects on his diverse experiences, ranging from negotiating significant deals to consulting with hundreds of landscape companies...
Paul Zammit Reflects on 20 Years at a Garden Center & His Shift to Teaching
17 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Industry Evolution: Paul recounts the dramatic changes in the industry, like the diversity explosion in perennials, and emphasizes the need for collab...
The Kaizen Way to Business Success with George Urvari
03 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Join host Rob Murray for a deep dive into the world of effective leadership with George Uvari from Knowledge Tree Consulting. Discover the power of Ka...
Harnessing Association Power for Industry Growth Elizabeth McMurray
26 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Elizabeth McMurray, CEO of the Florida Swimming Pool Association (FSPA) and Rob discuss the challenges the pool and spa industry face in terms of work...
Rooted in Tradition, Growing in Innovation: Rob Weins Horticulture Journey
19 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Rob chats with Rob Wein Jr., co-owner of Clearview Horticultural Products and the Growers Chair for the BC Landscape Nursery Associati...
Andrew McCurry on Innovation and Training in Landscape Business
12 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Andrew McCurry is the Owner at Father Nature Landscapes of Tacoma. Father Nature is a landscape design/build & consulting firm that seeks to increase ...
Scott Tolson on Nurturing Leadership in Landscaping
05 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Scot Tolson, a leader in the landscaping industry and General Manger at Lawn and Landscape Solutions. Rob and Scot delve into the keys to successful l...
Building a Landscape Business with a Foundation in Architecture: Kristopher Dabner
29 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Kristopher Dabner is the founder of Greensman in Kansas City. Rob and Kristopher explore the challenges of finding qualified employees in the landscap...
From Green to Gold: Navigating Business Growth in Landscaping with Frank Bourque
03 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Frank Bourque is a business consultant and coach in the green industry. Rob and Frank discuss the importance of effective processes and systems, under...
Transforming Landscaping Businesses with Strategic Coaching: Warren Coughlin
24 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Warren Coughlin is an incredible business coach with a passion for entrepreneurship. In this episode, he explains the concept of “whack a mole” an...
Creating a Customer-Focused Culture for Business Growth with John Spence
24 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
At 26, John Spence was the CEO of an international Rockefeller foundation and has since become recognized as a business leader across the world.Now, h...
No Dickheads Allowed: Building a Positive Company Culture with Ivan Katz
24 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Rob and Ivan, of Great Lakes Landscape Design , discuss Ivan’s 12-month approach to the snow removal portion of his business, the i...
Landscaping Your Team: HR Management with Hilary Harrison
17 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Rob and Hilary Harrison of Unique Landscape Services explore effective HR strategies in landscaping. They discuss onboarding, trainin...
From Groundwork to Growth: Executive Director Jim Landry on Advancing the Landscape Sector
17 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Jim Landry is the Executive Director of Landscape New Brunswick and Landscape P.E.I. In this episode, Rob and Jim discuss the biggest growth constrain...
The Art of Growing: Jacki Hart's Lessons on Building a Landscape Business
17 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, host Rob Murray talks with Jacki Hart, president of Consulting by Hart, who shares her extensive experience in the landscape indust...
From Roots of Success: Navigating Growth and Challenges in Landscaping with Chris Sheer
17 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Chris and Rob discuss how to bridge the gap between language barriers and cultural differences in staff, getting past imposter s...
From Landscaping to Leadership: Jake DeJong's Business Evolution
08 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The inaugural episode of the IM Landscape Growth Podcast features Jake DeJong, a seasoned entrepreneur and business coach, discussing his journey from...