The Ultimate Landscape CEO - Jeffrey Scott

Chris DiStefano is the CEO of DiStefano Landscaping in Burlington, VT. Founded in 2004, his 65% design/bid-build company has grown to 7M with 55-60 employees. Chris and I explore his company’s steady growth process, starting with his dad and mom impacting his love of landscape as a child. From the time he could walk, he helped out at his family’s ornamental tree nursery and landscape business. We dive into his triathlon competition and how that is reflected in his business with his love of metrics and big goal setting.  We discuss how he has team built over the years, promoting vs hiring.  Finally we discuss his recent sports accidents and how his team really took over when he was sidelined.   The post Setting Annual Goals with Chris DiStefano appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

The economic winds are changing in different sectors and geographic areas around the country. Even if the economy remains strong in your neck of the woods, you will appreciate the savvy ideas that Jeffrey shares to tighten down your systems and approach. Jeffrey Scott (founder, Jeffrey Scott Consulting) discusses what he is seeing and shares specific advice that he has given to his coaching clients recently on how to overcome and address the lack of lead flow and revenue. He shares marketing and sales ideas, and tips on better managing by the numbers, that will help any business in any economy.   The post 18 Ways To Pivot with Jeffrey Scott appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

Chris O’Bryan is co-owner and President of Limbwalker Tree Service & Lawn Care, based in Louisville, KY.  It’s a 20 year-old, 5M business that is 60% Tree service, with the rest spread over lawn services, PHC and mosquito control.  Chris is a true visionary and thinks outside the box. You will get inspired by the management ideas he has implemented in his firm. Jeffrey and Chris discuss his 2018 reset, his pandemic reset in 2020, his unique team “pod” structure inside his company, his unique bonus structure and unique definition of leadership. Chris is a crazy leader, crazy like a fox. The post Thinking Outside The Box with Chris O’Bryan appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

Mark Smith is the owner of Smith Lawnscapes, a 5.4M business in St. Johns, Michigan. Mark truly loves to snowmobile, but a snowmobiling accident changed Mark’s life, and his approach to how he managed his business. Mark and Jeffrey discuss his journey of growth and transformation, with all it’s ups and downs. Mark is a down-to-earth guy who talks heartfelt about changes and investments he has made in his business. He promoted his sale manager to the role of second in command, and this has allowed (and forced) Mark to rethink his role yet again. The post A Life-Changing Snow Mobiling Accident with Mark Smith appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

Mike Bogan returns for a follow up podcast to dive deeper into the nuts and bolts of Landcare. Mike shares with Jeffrey the business philosophy of People First that drives their growth. Jeffrey and Mike discuss Landcare’s core values, purpose and systems, high lighting what makes the business different. They discuss profit sharing vs incentives and commissions. They end with a discussion about making work as enjoyable as life. Mike Bogan is President and Co-Owner of Landcare, based in Frederick, MD. It’s a 24-year-old company that Mike joined 8 years ago as CEO. He and his leadership team have transformed Landcare into a profitable, fast-growth company. Landcare has 70 locations and 3800 employees. Mike is a veteran of the industry yet with the enthusiasm of a startup. The post Landcare’s Business Philosophy with Mike Bogan, Part 2 appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

 Paul is the CEO of Sun Valley Landscaping based in Omaha, NE. The company is 27 years old, has 62 employees, and is roughly 7.5M in revenue.  Paul’s firm does a large mix of services, commercial, residential, snow, supply yard, etc.  Paul has personally done it all, run his company remotely, merged with another company, and he has constantly pushed himself to be a better leader.  Paul and I have known each other for many years, and we get deep, talking about personal things, hobbies, as well as business.  As CEO of Sun Valley Landscaping, Paul Fraynd leads the company’s growth and strategy while maintaining its core values and operating in a way that would make his Mom proud.  Starting his business while completing his business degree at Creighton University, Paul purchased a $50 garage sale mower and employed his Mother as one of his first part-time employees.  He takes these early lessons and now applies them to grow his team of 60+ landscape professionals.    Paul was recognized as Midlands Business Journal’s 40 under 40 and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Landscape Professionals.   From the beginning, Paul has looked for ways to help the community while being a role model for his industry and the city he loves – Omaha.    The post Vulnerable leadership with Paul Fraynd appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

Mark Ables is the owner of 48-year-old Ables Landscapes in Charleston, SC. The company has 55 employees and does around $7M in residential design-build-maintenance. Mark bought the business from his father and modernized its approach to management and growth, but first, he had to transform from owner-operator to CEO of his business. Jeff and Mark discuss two key hires that helped him grow, his innovative “dream manager” position in his business and other unique employee benefits. We discuss his faith-based approach to business and a faith-based peer group of which he is a member. We end with some great predictions for the industry and a short discussion of surfing. The post Helping Employees Achieve Their Dreams with Mark Ables appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

Brian and Brad are co-owners of New Castle Lawn & Landscape, based in Birdsboro, PA. The company is 28 years old and revenues $10M.  Brian founded the firm and then hired Brad, and ultimately invited him to become a 50% partner in the business. In this podcast, we discuss their roles, their journey, and how they make it work. They have done an excellent job building a culture and have become a Destination Company® where they do not have a problem recruiting or hiring and their turnover is low. This has lead to almost 100% client retention as well. Jeffrey, Brian and Brad also discuss their future plans, along with the innovations they have implemented along the way.  The post The Power of Partners, with Brian Cuccaro and Brad Stephenson appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

Troy R. Clogg, CSP is the owner of Troy Clogg Landscape Associates, in Wixom, MI. Troy started Troy Clogg Landscape Associates in the early 80’s with a mower & a dream  With more than 30 years of knowledge and experience in snow and ice management practices, Troy is recognized as an industry expert.  Jeffrey and Troy dive deep into snow, helpful for those of you who are experts and for those who want to learn more. Troy is a serial entrepreneur, and on this podcast, you learn about more than just snow: landscape, tree services, deicer, and his supply business. Troy is also a fervent believer in philanthropy; we discuss that as well in the end, along with some predictions for the industry. The post Thriving in Snow with Troy Clogg appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.

Mike Bogan is President and Co-Owner of Landcare, based in Frederick, MD. It’s a 24-year-old company that Mike joined 8 years ago as CEO. He and his leadership team have transformed Landcare into a profitable, fast-growth company. Landcare has 70 locations and 3800 employees. Mike shares with Jeffrey how he and his team turned around the company, and why they took it privately (bought the company) and why they will never sell it. Mike started at Brickman and saw all the changes to that company and the industry. He is very passionate and tells all, sharing great insights into the history of our industry and how to grow oneself and one’s business. Mike is both a veteran of the industry with the enthusiasm of a startup. The post The Organic Growth Method with Mike Bogan appeared first on Jeffrey Scott.