In this episode of TradesTalk, Justin and Maggie sit down with James , founder of Yard Dawgs Lawn Care , to explore how he turned his Calgary-based lawn care company into a thriving business. James shares how niching down to fertilizer, weed control, and soil enhancements helped accelerate growth, and why their customer-first approach, with guaranteed 48-hour response times, is a game-changer. The conversation dives into Yard Dawgs’ plans to expand into three new cities—Edmonton, Red Deer, and S...
Dec 18, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of TradesTalk, Justin and Maggie are joined by Chase Gallagher , a 23-year-old entrepreneur who turned a lawn-mowing gig into a 7-Figure landscape construction business in the Philadelphia suburbs. Chase shares his journey from mowing lawns at 13 to transitioning into project-based landscaping, highlighting the importance of understanding pricing, overhead, and profitability. Chase also runs CMG University , an online coaching program where he teaches lead generation, marketing, ...
Dec 04, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of TradesTalk, Justin and Maggie sit down with John Vlay , a seasoned leader in the landscape industry, to explore his impressive career and his vision for the future. Starting as an assistant estimator at Jensen Landscape in 1983, John worked his way up to CEO, where he helped transition the company to an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). He shares the benefits and challenges of ESOPs and why Jensen ultimately sold to Monarch Landscape in 2015. John’s post-Jensen career is j...
Nov 21, 2024•55 min•Ep 50•Transcript available on Metacast A special episode drop, with some exciting news!
Nov 06, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of TradesTalk, CEO and co-founder Mark Tipton and Senior Product Owner Whitney Griffin take us through Aspire’s incredible 11-year journey, from a small startup to a powerhouse serving over 1,500 customers in the landscape industry. They reveal how Aspire’s partnership with ServiceTitan has fueled growth, tripling investment in new features like estimate revisions, equipment scheduling, and enhanced site audits. Whitney dives deep into how customer feedback drives innovation, whi...
Oct 23, 2024•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of Trades Talk, Justin sits down with Jason and Tony Batallan, the founders of Property Works, a $35 million commercial landscape empire. The Batallan brothers share their remarkable journey of leveraging their real estate expertise to build one of the most successful landscape businesses in the industry. Listeners will discover how Property Works scaled quickly through strategic acquisitions, while maintaining a focus on professionalism and operational excellence. The Batallan b...
Oct 09, 2024•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, TradesTalk welcomes Matt Budnick, Director of Key Accounts at Cam Property Services, to discuss his role in managing key clients and Cam's strategic growth. Matt explains how Cam has evolved since its founding in 1987, offering eight service lines and focusing on commercial and multifamily properties. He highlights the company's shift in strategy following the Aspire Ignite conference, including changes in compensation programs, leadership rebuilding, and a focus on high perform...
Sep 25, 2024•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of TradesTalk, Justin and Maggie sit down with Greg Herring, founder of The Herring Group, to reveal the secrets to boosting profits and work-life balance for landscape and trade businesses. Greg breaks down why tracking operating profit margins is essential for success and how tools like Aspire can unlock powerful data insights. Learn how early financial expertise and empowering key employees can transform your business, giving owners more freedom and control. If you're ready to...
Sep 11, 2024•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of TradesTalk, Justin and Maggie sit down with Barry Schulman to explore the transformative power of the Predictive Index (PI) in the hiring process. Barry, drawing on his extensive experience in executive search, explains how the PI tool delves into key behavioral drives—like dominance, extroversion, patience, and formality—to ensure candidates are matched with roles where they can excel. Through real-world examples, the discussion highlights how PI can optimize team dynamics, u...
Aug 28, 2024•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this insightful episode of "Trades Talk," hosts Maggie and Justin delve into the unexpected obstacles facing the trades industry, providing practical advice and expert insights. They cover seven main areas: Supply Chain Disruptions: The hosts discuss challenges with irrigation supplies and materials, such as long lead times and the need for substitution approvals. They emphasize planning ahead, maintaining strong vendor relationships, and leveraging buying power for priority access to materia...
Aug 14, 2024•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this transformative episode of Trades Talk, we delve into the art of unlocking time and potential with the guidance of Hilani Ellis, founder of Exceptional Admins. Holani, a seasoned expert in executive administrative partnerships, shares how these relationships can elevate your business to the next level. Hilani Ellis has extensive experience in administrative support, having worked with top executives in the entertainment industry and private equity. Known as the "CEO Assistant Matchmaker,"...
Jul 31, 2024•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this insightful episode of TradesTalk, hosts Justin and Maggie are joined by Matt Garrett, Founder and CEO of TGG Accounting, to delve into the critical aspects of financial management tailored specifically for the trades industry. Matt, with over two decades of experience in finance and a mission to elevate small and medium-sized businesses, shares his wealth of knowledge on how trades professionals can effectively manage their money and maximize profits. Throughout the episode, listeners wi...
Jul 17, 2024•53 min•Ep 38•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of Trades Talk, join hosts Justin and Maggie as they dive into a rich discussion on three pivotal topics for professionals in the trades. First, they explore the upcoming industry events, highlighting their significance and the benefits of attending. Next, they share their insights on managing high growth teams, discussing the challenges and valuable lessons learned along the way. Finally, Justin and Maggie provide an analysis of current business challenges, taking into account t...
Jul 03, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of Trades Talk, we sit down with Scott Crawford, Partner and New Business Development expert at Preferred CFO. Scott brings a wealth of knowledge in strategic financial management, client relations, and business development. We discuss the critical financial strategies tradespeople and business owners need to adopt to ensure profitability and long-term success. From understanding the importance of a forward-looking financial strategy to evaluating your financial team’s capabiliti...
Jun 19, 2024•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of “Trades Talk,” we sit down with Coray Grove, Chief Revenue Officer at Innova Payroll. Coray brings a wealth of experience in payroll and human resources solutions, having spearheaded strategic initiatives that have significantly expanded Innova’s market presence. We delve into his journey from co-founding Integrated Payroll Services to his pivotal role at Innova, discussing the challenges and triumphs of driving revenue growth in a competitive industry. Coray also shares insig...
Jun 05, 2024•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this special Mother's Day episode, join hosts Justin and Maggie as they reflect on their recent travels to various conferences and speaking events. They share intriguing insights and key takeaways from the industry leaders they encountered. Plus, Maggie, a dedicated mother of three and a seasoned leader, reveals her top 5 tips for being a successful working mom in leadership. Whether you're a parent juggling career and family or simply looking for inspiration, this episode offers valuable adv...
May 22, 2024•58 min•Ep 34•Transcript available on Metacast Episode Description: Join us on "Trades Talk" as we sit down with Dan Morrison from EarthCo Landscaping to explore his integrated approach to business success. In this episode, Dan shares his insights on using incentive-based pay to motivate his team, the art of building lasting relationships, and his strategies for delivering high-value services in the competitive landscaping industry of Santa Ana, California. Key topics we’ll cover include: Incentive-Based Pay: Discover how Dan has successfull...
May 15, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Transcript available on Metacast Join us for a revealing episode of “Trades Talk” with Zane Tarence, partner and head of the Technology and Business Services Group at Founders Advisors. With over two decades of experience in mergers, acquisitions, and investment deals, Zane has a keen eye for what makes a business investment-worthy. In this episode, Zane will discuss: •Investment Grade Criteria: Explore the key factors that investors look for in a business and common pitfalls that prevent companies from being investment-worthy....
May 08, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Transcript available on Metacast Join us on this insightful episode of “Trades Talk” as we delve into the world of exceptional customer service and strategic business operations with Clifton Savage, the driving force behind Service Leader Systems. Discover how Clifton’s innovative approaches and system-oriented strategies have revolutionized service businesses, setting new standards in the industry. In this episode, Clifton will cover: •Systemizing Service Success: Learn about the frameworks that have helped businesses streamli...
May 01, 2024•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this enlightening episode of "Trades Talk," we sit down with Jill Odom, the senior content manager for the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP). With years of dedication to the landscape industry, Jill brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing today's landscape professionals. Join us as Jill discusses: Industry Insights: Dive into the evolving landscape industry trends and how professionals can stay ahead in a competitiv...
Apr 24, 2024•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast Join us on "Trades Talk" for a no-holds-barred conversation with Steven Heroux of The Sales Collective in an episode titled “Sales is NOT a dirty word”. This episode takes an unfiltered look at common pitfalls in sales management and provides straightforward advice on turning a struggling sales team into a powerhouse. Steven Heroux brings his extensive experience and a reputation for transforming underperforming sales departments into successful units. In this candid discussion, he will reveal: ...
Apr 17, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Transcript available on Metacast Join us on this episode of "Trades Talk" as we explore the remarkable story of Bruno Freitas, CEO and owner of Empire Pavers in Oakland, California. Discover how Bruno, an immigrant with a vision, transformed his dreams into reality by founding and growing Empire Pavers into a leading provider of beautiful outdoor living spaces. In this episode, Bruno shares His Immigration Journey: Hear about Bruno's personal and professional challenges upon arriving in the U.S. and how these experiences shaped...
Apr 10, 2024•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast Introducing Ryan Englin, a fervent champion for the advancement of blue-collar businesses through superior hiring practices. Drawing from his rich background of observing his father’s exhaustive efforts as an owner/operator, Ryan developed a keen awareness of the intrinsic hiring challenges within the trades. Motivated by these observations, he has dedicated his career to redefining how businesses in these sectors approach the recruitment and retention of frontline employees. Ryan’s insights and...
Apr 03, 2024•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dive into the cutting-edge with “Current Talks in the Trades,” part of the “Trades Talk” podcast series, where industry leaders Maggie and Justin dissect the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI), quarterly planning, and team leadership strategies in the trades industry. This episode is a treasure trove for trade professionals keen on leveraging technology, optimizing business strategies, and fostering team growth for unparalleled success. Listeners will engage with topics like: •AI’s Transformat...
Mar 27, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tune into "Trades Talk" for a groundbreaking episode with Tom Howard, the mastermind behind the phenomenal growth of Lee's HVAC and a pivotal figure in the home service industry. Through this episode we uncover how Tom's strategic use of ServiceTitan software has not only revolutionized his businesses but also set a new standard for operational excellence and customer service across the industry. In this episode, Tom shares his journey from a 15-year-old working in the trades to becoming a VP at...
Mar 20, 2024•58 min•Ep 25•Transcript available on Metacast Episode Description: In this dynamic episode of "Trades Talk," we're thrilled to host Aaron Bowles from Bowles Photography, a visionary in the field of visual marketing for trades and service-based businesses. Aaron shares the lens through which he views the industry, illuminating the power of professional photography and videography in showcasing fieldwork and elevating brand presence on social media. Starting his entrepreneurial journey at the tender age of 15, Aaron's story is not just about ...
Mar 13, 2024•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Lisa shares her journey from her early roots in a family-owned nursery to becoming a leading figure in the green industry's digital transformation. LandscapeHub, born out of Lisa's vision and her response to industry-wide inefficiencies, has emerged as a vital tool for landscape professionals nationwide. Listeners will gain insights into: The Inspiration Behind LandscapeHub: How Lisa's personal and professional experiences led to the creation of a platform that addresses critica...
Mar 06, 2024•59 min•Ep 23•Transcript available on Metacast Join us on "Trades Talk" for an enlightening conversation with Chris Johnson from Azuga, a company at the forefront of revolutionizing fleet management through technology that promotes safety, efficiency, and positive driving behaviors. In this episode, Chris unveils how Azuga is making roads safer and helping trade companies navigate the path to operational excellence by: Cultivating Positive Driving Behaviors: Discover the innovative approaches Azuga employs to encourage safe driving practices...
Feb 28, 2024•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dive into the world of sales excellence with Chris Jennings in this transformative episode of “Trades Talk.” Chris, a luminary in the sales domain and the force behind the Chris Jennings Group, shares unparalleled insights into constructing a sales powerhouse within your service business. This episode is a treasure trove for anyone eager to: Revolutionize Their Sales Approach: Chris unveils the strategies and mindsets that have propelled countless service businesses to soar beyond their sales ta...
Feb 21, 2024•42 min•Ep 21•Transcript available on Metacast In this enlightening episode of "Trades Talk," we're joined by DJ Seeger of Seeger Water, a Texas-based company at the forefront of irrigation and water management solutions. With a deep commitment to sustainability and an eye on the future of our planet's most precious resource, DJ shares the journey and mission of Seeger Water. Under DJ's leadership, Seeger Water has become synonymous with innovation in tackling some of the most pressing water challenges. This episode delves into: The inceptio...
Feb 14, 2024•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast 
