The LeanScaper Podcast

 Learn More About Our Accelerator Programs: https://leanscaper.com/programs In this episode of the LeanScaper Podcast, Benji Carlson sits down with Mark Bradley to break down the five stages of scaling a landscaping business—from startup hustle to legacy enterprise. Mark shares raw stories, painful lessons, and powerful frameworks that every entrepreneur needs to hear. Whether you’re stuck at $500K, fighting to get past $3M, or steering a $20M company, this roadmap will help you scale with clarity, systems, and sanity. Timestamps: 00:45 – Why scaling is harder than people think02:00 – Entrepreneurship = personal development04:03 – The fear of not knowing what’s next08:10 – The Starter Zone ($0–500K): hustle & accidental profit12:36 – Mark’s story: hiring at Home Depot & early struggle22:23 – The Grow Zone ($500K–$3M): the hardest stage30:21 – When your business feels like a plane going down38:56 – Scaling ($3M–$10M): grit stops working46:10 – Hire your mentors & specialists56:54 – Dreamer vs. visionary: the CEO shift1:02:53 – Enterprise & legacy: culture, coaching, and succession1:12:31 – Final advice to Mark’s younger self 

In this conversation, Isaac Barlow, founder of BusyBusy and a trailblazer in jobsite intelligence, dives into the transformative power of accurate data in the trades. He explains why time tracking is vital but often elusive, while emphasizing the cultural shift needed for data-first companies. Isaac shares insights on mitigating bad data, coaching strategies for crew leaders, and how transparency fosters trust and attracts top talent. Best of all, he reveals how data-driven innovation will determine the industry's future success.

Barry Hartman, founder of 505-Junk and leadership coach, shares transformative insights on building a robust leadership team. He emphasizes starting the process sooner than expected to prevent burnout. Hartman explains how to design roles that foster ownership, while noting the importance of culture over credentials in blue-collar leadership. He discusses strategic hiring and when to prioritize internal leaders versus external candidates, ultimately helping businesses thrive without relying solely on the founder.

In this discussion, Asad Zaman, CEO of Sales Talent Agency, shares his wealth of experience in sales hiring, emphasizing the challenges of finding the right talent. He reveals that only 1 in 10 salespeople truly excel, and highlights common pitfalls founders face, like underestimating hiring complexity and structuring improper compensation. Asad advocates for starting small with lead generation and carefully building a talent pool through headhunting. His insights offer a crucial playbook for businesses looking to scale effectively.

Morgan Tate, an M&A advisor at Breakwater M&A specializing in blue-collar exits, dives into the booming landscaping sector as private equity positions itself for opportunity. He discusses how AI's rise is reshaping investor interests, moving focus to tangible businesses. Tate sheds light on maximizing sale prices and demystifies common pitfalls in business valuation. He emphasizes the importance of operational systems, predictability in cash flow, and a strong client base to boost saleability. Essential insights for landscapers thinking about their future!

What happens when you hire a software programmer, not a landscaper, to help run one of the biggest jobs of your career? In this live talk turned podcast episode, Mike Lysecki reveals the behind-the-scenes story of how systems, transparency, and accountability became the backbone of TBG’s success and eventually the foundation for LMN and LeanScaper. From a $5M residential project that ballooned into $12M, to a job interview where Mark opened his QuickBooks and doubled Mike’s salary on the spot, this conversation lays out the real playbook landscapers need to scale smarter. ✅ Why you might want to hire an operator instead of another landscaper ✅ How a $12M project exposed the need for systems ✅ The surprising power of financial transparency in leadership ✅ The first version of the Lean Playbook—and why it still works today ✅ Lessons from 20 years of cutting waste, building teams, and scaling businesses This isn’t theory. It’s the operating system that transformed a company, and can transform yours. 

You don’t run a profitable landscaping business by accident. In this episode, Benji sits down with Robert Gauvreau - CPA, author of The Wealthy Entrepreneur, and founder of Gauvreau Accounting, Tax, Law, Advisory - to expose the eight most common financial mistakes contractors make and how to avoid them. Robert’s firm has worked with over 4,000 businesses across North America, including 700+ contractors, giving him a unique, behind-the-scenes look at what drives sustainable profitability in landscaping. Expect to learn: • Why financial literacy is still taboo in the trades and how to get over it • The biggest “cash flow killers” and how to fix them fast • Why underpricing is not a math problem, but a mindset problem • The truth about taxes and why “I bought it with cash” is just bad business • How to build a simple financial scoreboard to make better decisions Whether you’re just getting your books in order or gearing up for serious growth, this episode will show you how to become the CFO your business needs. Because doing great work is only half the battle. The other half? Knowing your numbers. 🔗 Connect with Robert: https://www.gauvreaucpa.ca/ 📥 Need help? DM us or visit leanscaper.com 

Discover how an effective people plan can save your team from chaos. Benji Carlson shares insights from a challenging year in leadership, highlighting the importance of clear communication and trust. Learn about the common pitfalls contractors face and how to break the blame cycle within teams. Hear real-world reflections from business owners and practical strategies to empower your employees and enhance accountability. Tune in for actionable takeaways that can transform your organization!

In this powerful episode, Benji sits down with Jon DeWaal, Executive Director of Liminal Space, to unpack burnout from the inside out - what it feels like, why it happens, and how entrepreneurs can break free from the grind that’s stealing their energy and purpose. Expect to learn: • What “functional burnout” feels like and how it traps leaders in a life they can’t escape • How burnout hijacks your presence, leadership, and decision-making • Easy-to-spot signs you’re burning out (and what to do about it) • 5 practical strategies to get back your energy and lead with purpose • Why owning your limits can actually build trust and performance in your team This episode cuts to the heart of a common but unspoken problem: the cost of grinding nonstop without pause. Jon gives you the tools to self-diagnose burnout and reframe it not as a failure, but as a signal that it’s time to lead differently. If you’re running low on energy but can’t slow down - this one’s for you. Connect with Jon Learn more at inaliminalspace.org Email: jon@inaliminalspace.org

Justin White, CEO of K&D Landscaping, shares his inspiring journey of turning around a struggling family business. He emphasizes the power of a championship mindset, the necessity of long-term vision, and the value of setting ambitious goals. Discover how 'sweat equity' and resilience set successful leaders apart, along with insights on how private equity is reshaping the landscaping industry. With actionable advice and a focus on discipline, Justin motivates listeners to embrace challenges and take massive action.