Hardscape Growth

It’s easy to do things the way you’ve always done them. But that’s not always a recipe for growth. Especially when you’re not taking into account the newest,   most effective (and most comfortable!) equipment. And let’s not forget about using state of the art software like Trimble Earthworks, designed to make sure the job only gets done as many times as is necessary: once. Listen in as Jeremy Swihart, Owner at J Squared Outdoor Living and Lighting shares his best tips for not only cutting labor costs, but growing his business at the same time.  Join us as we discuss:  Using equipment to lower labor costs  Hiring the right employees to grow your business  Using tilt rotators to maximize equipment’s output  Using Grade Control software to reduce labor on site  Building and making equipment to be more efficient    Having a good relationship with your equipment dealer to reduce downtime  Using project management software to communicate project information with employees  Check out the full episode for Jeremy’s first-hand experience using these pieces of equipment and software to learn about how they’ve transformed his business. Tune in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

On this episode of Hardscape Growth, we’re honored to welcome Jake Baxter, the owner of Lawn Vets Outdoors, and a U.S. Navy veteran and former Reservist.   Jake has poured his blood, sweat, and tears into his highly-regarded and successful company, so there’s no way he’s letting thieves get their dirty hands on his expensive tools and equipment.  He’ll share his military-grade expertise on how you can protect your property and job site, including:  Making the switch to combo locks  Implementing anti-terrorism  RAM methodology  Leveraging your clients’ existing security systems Air Tags, GPS and the importance of visual branding 24-hour video surveillance connected to your smartphone  Investing in the right insurance coverage  Check out the full episode for Jake’s harrowing true story of how these tactical measures just proved how valuable they really are. Tune in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Zach Kitzmiller is the founder of Kitzmiller Design Solutions, based in Ohio. The firm supports design/build professionals across the United States and Canada   and is a great outsource option for all outdoor living designs. His goal? To help design/build professionals win with design.  In this episode, Zach outlines his 3-step process to design:  Set design objectives  Apply common sense  Use designer discretion  We also explore the techniques he uses to differentiate his company, how to educate the homeowner and how to focus on bringing value through every step of the project. Tune in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

In his return to the Hardscape Growth show, Matt Hiner, Owner at Hiner Outdoor Living, takes us deeper into how he’s continuing to build a strong culture by   sharing his vision of what a company that people want to join looks like. We explore the roles of culture, leadership, environment, training, and brand in building a company that people love to work for. Matt also shares his game-changing approach to HR and what impact it has had on Hiner Outdoors.  More information about Matt and today’s topics:  LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthiner/    Company Website: https://hinerlandscapes.com/  Matt is on Instagram at @the_yardist and @hineroutdoorliving  Matt also mentions the idea of a "Destination Company." That concept is based on Jeffrey Scott's book of the same name.  Tune in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Etienne “ET” Leger is the Founder of Paysagiste Leger Landscaptes one of the largest hardscape restoration businesses in Canada and has quadrupled the number of teams he employs and maintains a 40% net profit annually! How does he do it, by placing a tremendous amount of focus and energy on his people. Hiring is one of the biggest pain points in scaling a company and it can be difficult to know whether or not the person you hire will add value to your organization; but ET has found a way to introduce aspects to his culture that has earned him the trust and respect from all of his hires. Etienne “ET” Leger, Founder and Business Owner of Paysagiste Leger Landscapes  Join us as we discuss:  Why hiring someone with little to no experience can be a good thing.  Employee Referral programs.  How to easily identify if someone is a good cultural fit  Tune in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

In business since 1999, Bob Phillips, President of Phillips Contracting, is a long-time Techo-Pro and has attended our Showcase and Summit events for the past decade. He does so because he believes in the importance of learning and experiencing new ideas. It’s why he founded the Hardscape Contractors of America Facebook Group a few years ago. He started the group looking for advice, ideas and inspiration specific to different paver borders and edges. Over time, it has become the place where over 14,000 professionals share their experiences with each other.  In this episode we talk about some of the things he’s learned from the group, as well as some of his most valuable lessons in running his own company for over 2 decades. Specifically, we spend time talking about equipment: renting vs buying and how to make that decision.  Join us as we discuss:  Why Facebook has been huge for Phillips Contracting  Renting vs. buying equipment  Charging for estimates  Tune in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Social media can be crucial for lead gathering—if you use it right. From time-lapse videos to before and after pictures, it all comes down to what brand you’re   trying to build. I invited Sean Collinsgru and Catherine Lippincott from Premier Outdoor Living, to give their take on social media strategies, narrowing down ideal clientele, and using content to grow their reach.  In this episode, we discuss:  The type of content that works best  How to create it  How much time they invest on content vs how much someone just getting started should invest  How their strategy impacts their ability to hire  Tune in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

When it comes to landscaping, you can’t understate the importance of planning. From dumpster availability to material orders, being prepared pays ten-fold. To give their take on planning, working from a van, and staying organized as a small business, I invited Sean Collinsgru and Catherine Lippincott from Premier Outdoor Living, to sketch out their process for success.  In this episode, we discuss:  What led to the decision to create a fully administrative role and hire an industry outsider  Benefits of an outsider on the team  Their customer intake and design initiation processes  The importance of stopping the action to plan, to communicate, and to start growing the business intentionally  Tune in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

A picture is worth a thousand words… That’s nice — but wouldn’t you prefer if it was a thousand leads? Well, it can be… if you step up your social media game. To help you do that, I invited social media maven Vanessa Angell, Owner at Social Media by Vanessa, to lay out a winning path to social success for   hardscapers.  In this episode, we discuss:  The importance of images on social in this industry  How social media fits into — and ultimately shapes — the buyer's journey  The importance of engagement (and more than 3 words)  Tune in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

How often do you speak with your team throughout the course of a project? Sure, at the beginning of the day, everyone is on the same page… But if you’re not   checking in, gradually the plans can start to drift apart. Today, I’m joined again by the team behind the Hardscaper Showcase Case Study Project: Tony   Zambito, Brandon Taunton, Peter Wesholowski, and Tyler Walsh, who discuss the challenges and lessons that came with designing and building the feature-rich   project that will be the focus of the 2022 Hardscaper Showcase and Summit events. We get into why being involved in this project was so important, some of the design considerations and how they impacted the build.  We discuss:  The difficulties that come with new tools and working in such a small space  What the team would do differently if they had to do it again  The importance of organization and communication to the success of any project  And be sure to register for these upcoming events here.