Running your own contractor business is stressful. You gotta learn how to be a warrior and keep fighting to make it work. Not only for your own sanity but for the lives of the people who depend on you. In this episode, we talk about… How Eric met Johnny “Dingo” - The crazy Australian who is now his nephew Johnny pulling through on Eric’s pond build Taking off the quarterback helmet and giving your team responsibilities Eric’s funny hot tub story The chaotic life of a mechanic The process of beco...
Nov 11, 2022•1 hr 42 min
We all love building and maintaining our ponds, however it can get hot outside. One day, it was just so hot, Steve Hasty decided to work on his pond nude. He has never looked back since. Today we talk to The Naked Pond Builder. In this episode, we talk about… Eric skating in the Nude Bowl in Desert Hot Springs Recalling the first time Steve and Eric first met How Steve got free blocks, rocks, and a gazebo for his pond Where Steve keeps his tools since he doesn’t wear clothes How some of Eric’s c...
Nov 04, 2022•1 hr 15 min
Fall prevention will save you mountains of work and money in the Spring. In this episode, Eric and Leslie talk about… What you can do to help your koi fish when their immunity lowers in the Winter Large water changes - Why they are necessary and How to do them The reasons they do not recommend or even offer Fall Cleanouts What do you when your fish population is too big Different food blends for different temperatures Putting a heavy dose of beneficial bacteria in the water treatment Why you sho...
Oct 26, 2022•43 min
Do you love design so much that you would design ponds for free if you could? Do you love creating a beautiful atmosphere for people with your designs? You are not just a designer, you are a visionary. In this episode, Eric and Douglas talk about… Designers joining the industry just to make money Improving mental health due to the atmosphere a beautiful pond can give Cookie-cutter mentality and how it will lead to stagnation Appreciating design drawings done by hand Picking up higher caliber cli...
Oct 21, 2022•1 hr 56 min
Are you a craftsman that struggles with hanging up the tool belt, because you have to take on other business responsibilities? You are not alone. Eric and Tyson have experience with this and offer advice on how to balance being in the field versus being in the office. In this episode, Eric and Tyson talk about… Hanging up the bags once you are managing multiple crews Relinquishing power when taking off the toolbelt Why Eric looks for “intre-preneurs” for his team Tyson changing roles from crafts...
Sep 23, 2022•1 hr 9 min
Production vs Perfection. Sometimes we find ourselves hyper-focused on one or the other. Blending production and perfection is possible when you have the right team working together! In this episode, Eric and Douglas talk about… Douglas’ past work experience in contracting and the nursery field How Eric is more production focused while Douglas is more design focused Appreciating the artistic vision of others Drawing up house designs since elementary school Humility being a necessary trait for pe...
Sep 16, 2022•1 hr 12 min
Ducks may be cute animals, but they require a lot of attention. Eric and Leslie have experience caring for ducks and in this episode, they share helpful information on how to care for these cute critters. They also share their upcoming plans to build a duck habitat on their ranch. In this episode, Eric and Leslie talk about:: The responsibilities involved in keeping ducks at your home Food that causes ducks to have bloating and inflammation Why most people buy ducks without understanding the con...
Sep 09, 2022•50 min
Eric and his family started a wonderful, annual art show event that not only offers a great opportunity to local artists to sell their creations, but also supports wildlife rehabilitation efforts. In this episode, hear them share their love for their annual show, Art In The Arena. In this episode, they discuss: How his appreciation for garage sales inspired the idea for starting the art show The physical location and setup for the event from parking to vendor booths The very affordable rates cha...
Sep 02, 2022•1 hr 12 min
What would you do if you purchased a home and you found out your home came with a pond in the backyard? Well, this is exactly what happened to our guest Laurie Krause. Laurie shares her story of discovering a pond in the backyard of her newly purchased house and all things she has learned about ponds so far. Eric shares his insight on: Discovering a pond in your newly purchased home's backyard Laurie's experience with the Pond Digger team Gathering all information about maintaining ponds Making ...
Jul 29, 2022•1 hr 3 min
Can you put a price on a life? Joshua Simmons shares why safety should be the culture of your life whether you’re at work or at home! Eric shares his insight on: What changed Joshua’s view on safety at work and everywhere else Doing dangerous things carefully and being aware you have one life to live Examples of work-related safety incidents and consequences Experience is knowledge and can help you be more safe Hard hats, safety glasses, and how it only takes one what if to change your life Oper...
Jul 22, 2022•1 hr 14 min
Remodels can be a labor of love instead of a heavy burden. Tyson Matyas shares his story about installing his own pond and learning to be okay with change… Eric shares his insight on: Tyson’s first experience remodeling his entire backyard—the sky was not the limit What specific parts Tyson wants to remodel of his yard and pond Reasons Tyson wants to remodel his pond: maintenance, size, utility, design Importance of understanding the function of your yard before installing a pond Understanding a...
Jul 15, 2022•1 hr 4 min
Today, Eric is joined by Josh Munson, a member of the Pond Digger team. The two show you an inside look at what's really going on behind the scenes — fighting, crying, sweating, bleeding, and the joy of winning. Eric shares his insight on: How Josh found out about the Pond Digger and his interview with Eric for the job Establishing a strong company culture and deepening relationships Encountering Rattlesnakes and Skunks on project sites Josh's interest in Bonsai trees His working experience with...
Jul 08, 2022•59 min
Ever accuse someone of something they didn’t do? Slayer and Tyson join the show and share what they’ve learned about who or what is the most likely to steal koi… In this episode, we talk about… Slayer’s experience of firing a landscaper for stealing koi Realizing crows eat koi-sized fish Predators are real—blue heron like fancy fish Evidence of another wipeout and live-trapping a skunk Understanding the habits of wildlife and who to blame for stealing fish Keep your mind open and don’t believe e...
May 06, 2022•32 min
Eric Twigg joins Eric and shares his experiences in the pond digging industry, what it’s like to go ultra viral on TikTok, and why he just keeps it real and is all about more fish! Eric shares his insight on: Twigg’s first impression of the pond industry and first professional build The value of putting yourself out there and being vulnerable Filtration systems, undergravel grids, and other lessons in pond digging Creating the Pond House—an outdoor living quarters indoors 1 million plus views an...
Apr 29, 2022•1 hr 3 min
Listen to Eric’s recent interview with Laura Reale on the Landscape Marketing Secrets Podcast, where he shares his experiences with TikTok, how to leverage TikTok as a business owner, and why TikTok doesn’t have to be scary! Eric shares his insight on: Observing the evolution of social media platforms When and why Eric started using TikTok Training the algorithm to get what you want from TikTok Eric’s experience of getting 10K followers on TikTok vs. Instagram Details about the new Train with Tr...
Apr 25, 2022•35 min
Brian Fitzimmons recalls how he persevered even after losing his growing business to a fire, and what it takes to successfully manage multiple stores, be the exclusive importer for a major brand, and own over 100 acres for his business… Eric shares his insight on: What it takes to bounce back after a devastating fire Focusing on moving forward instead of on what could have been Shifting from leasing a property to buying 100 acres Making the decision to not depend on one location for business to ...
Apr 08, 2022•36 min
Dave Deponte shares his pond building experience, what he’s learned about losing fish, why Eric is the reason he drinks less, and why it’s okay to be neurotic about your pond. Eric shares his insight on: How Dave became interested in ponds and dug his first pond by hand Dave’s initial unwillingness to hire Eric, until his wife him do it How Dave’s neurotic regimen of pond maintenance keeps him calm Why it’s important to introduce new fish to your pond responsibly How managing the pond helped Dav...
Mar 25, 2022•38 min
Rehabilitating wildlife is second nature to the Pond Digger crew. Listen in as they share how they finally achieved their 501(c)(3) status, what they learned during their first fundraiser and what they have in store for the Pond Digger Ranch Wildlife Rehabilitation Foundation! Eric shares his insight on: From opossums to great horned owls, how Leslie first started in wildlife rehab The evolution of the wildlife rehabilitation community When Leslie’s pet shop was the epicenter of wildlife rehab H...
Mar 18, 2022•1 hr 13 min
Finding the balance between humor and hard work can help create a positive workplace culture. Eric and the guys break down why laughter is just as necessary as productivity. Eric shares his insight on: Balance between having fun vs. being productive Creating a culture of hard expectations mixed with humor The challenge of welcoming new members to your crew Easing in to talking shit and knowing the pecking order Understanding the big picture of winning and when more work is needed Allowing new te...
Mar 04, 2022•1 hr 15 min
Failure can help you learn and grow if you let it. Eric, Tyson and Slayer remind us to shift out of the victim mindset and win from your failures! Eric shares his insight on: Letting failure motivate you instead of dwelling on it How Training with Triplett focuses on re-engaging and moving forward Be 100% behind your brand and learn from projects even if they’re successful Overcoming obstacles when failure’s out of your control The challenge of training employees to make decisions aligned with y...
Feb 11, 2022•1 hr 18 min
Eric and Leslie break down the body language of koi fish and specific visual clues to help keep your fish happy and out of danger. Eric shares his insight on: Signs to look for if your fish breaches the water like Shamu: Breeding Parasites Low oxygen content in the water Understanding common breeding behaviors What flashing is and how it leads to scratching Piping and the importance of proper oxygen levels Realizing the needs of fish change when their size changes Recognizing 3 year pond syndrom...
Feb 04, 2022•34 min
If you want your employees to perform better, they must have effective training. Leslie Triplett explains how employees need the right pressure and release to get the job done right. Eric shares his insight on: Old approaches to horse training and how it compares to terrible employers The history of using new technique of pressure and release training with horses Why training is focused on how horses communicate in the wild Using tiny areas of pressure to get the responses you want Making employ...
Jan 28, 2022•26 min
Of course, you always want the right tool for the job, but do you really need to own the tool? Eric, Tyson and Slayer dive into their favorite tool brands and why it’s so easy (and okay!) to get addicted to collecting tools. Eric shares his insight on: Buying vs. renting tools for DIY jobs Milwaukee vs. DeWalt power tools Painting tools pink and mixing tool brands as the company grows The difference between collecting tools vs. needing tools Supplying and restocking tools for independent craftsm...
Jan 21, 2022•54 min
Working with water can definitely have challenging lows and incredible highs. Eric’s guest today is Justin Siler, a Pond Digger team member who shares what life’s been like since joining the crew and the unique experiences they never saw coming! Eric shares his insight on: How Justin met Eric while doing live auctions for a thrift store Justin’s first days working with Eric and the symbolic utility knife Not being afraid of change and demanding growth The importance of having team members who wo...
Jan 14, 2022•1 hr 4 min
You are probably already familiar with common pond design mistakes, such as making the pond too shallow, making the pond too small, or under-filtering the pond. But today, I am going to share with you the three worst uncommon pond design mistakes to avoid. You might be a little shocked by it! Eric shares his insight on: Tall waterfalls in very flat backyards - it not only looks unnatural but also requires a lot of maintenance, makes quite a bit of splash, and the pond evaporates quickly. Bridges...
Jan 07, 2022•12 min
I’m back and joined with special guest Ron “Slayer” Yelenich to talk about making choices as part of our craftsman series. Eric and Ron share their insight on: How daunting critical decision-making can be for some people. Why getting better at decision-making comes with experience more than anything, but can be teachable to a certain extent. A discussion about consequences and risk management. How life experiences outside the workplace - like the military or sports - can better prepare you to be...
Oct 29, 2021•50 min
The craftsman series continues under pressure . Get ready for a pressure-themed episode, both in the literal sense of the word (ie water pressure) and in the sense of what it’s like to feel pressure as a craftsman. Eric and Tyson share their insight on: The construction side of pipe systems and their pressure needs. For instance - lines need to be pressurized before they’re covered up! A detailed explanation of leak-proofing and the importance of hydrotesting, no matter how experienced you are w...
Aug 16, 2021•1 hr
If you want pond building to be successful, you must have steps in place to know what materials, tools, and labor each project requires so you don’t waste any time, money or energy. Eric is joined by electrician, contractor and DIY guy Ron Yelenich to discuss why logistics matter in pond building, business, and life! Eric and Ron share their insight on: Why sequencing matters when planning and executing your project Ron’s DIY Disaster Episode #45 Excavation, stone work, logistics of machine work...
Jul 02, 2021•54 min
We all know there were shortages of products like toilet paper in 2020 - and this year we are now experiencing shortages of plastics and labor needed to create ponds! In the meantime, demand for ponds has increased with people spending more time at home. It has created quite a unique situation and Eric is joined by swimming pool industry veteran Michael to discuss it. Eric and Michael share their insight on: There have been plastic and resin shortages making it difficult to get supplies to finis...
Jun 20, 2021•47 min
Get ready, because this episode may shock you and shake you up a little bit! It’s all about how working on ponds is a practice requiring trial and error. Hopefully it will inspire you to get your hands dirty, try new things, and finally take that leap you’ve been thinking about! Eric shares his insight on: Getting into ponds from his start caring for fish and everything he had to learn along the way. Pushback Eric ran into from people who didn’t understand why he wanted to try to make money from...
May 21, 2021•31 min
