The Lawn Care CEO

Send us a textFrom Firefighter to Full-Time Owner: How Tom Built a Lawn Business That Runs Without Him?In this episode, we're joined by a special guest—Tom Gillespie, owner of Complete Lawn Care out of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Tom recently hit a milestone most lawn care owners only talk about: he stepped completely out of the day-to-day and into the true owner's seat.We break down what it really took to build a business that runs without him. From finding and developing the right General Manager, to building trust, to getting his hiring process dialed in—Tom lays it all out.He shares how he uses his tools, what he actually asks in his one-on-ones, and why a learning culture—not micromanagement—is the long-term strategy that works.If you're serious about building a company that runs without you, this episode is for you!Tom said it best: “The best time to plant a shade tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today.”Watch the episode, then drop a comment with the leadership move you're committing to this quarter.

Send us a textYou Don't Need More Revenue—You Need THISToo many lawn care business owners think the answer to their problems is more sales, more clients, or more revenue. But here's the truth: it's not about making more money—it's about managing the money you already have.In this episode of the Lawn Care CEO Podcast, Head Coach Dan Ralphs and CEO Aaron Suttenfield break down the 6 baby steps every lawn care business must take to go from critical financial condition to true wealth-building mode—and why skipping to step 6 is where most businesses go wrong.This isn't theory—it's what we've lived, coached, and proven with hundreds of companies. You'll walk away with a practical, step-by-step plan to assess your financial health and build a business that not only pays you—but powers your long-term dreams.

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Send us a textIs your lawn care business actually ready to scale—or are you just dreaming about the Boston Marathon while you're still winded from the stairs?In this episode, we walk through 55 critical questions every lawn care business owner should be asking to assess whether their company is actually ready for growth. We're not talking about surface-level fluff — this is the hard look at what's working, what's broken, and what you need to fix before you start chasing big goals.We share the same assessment we use inside our coaching program to help owners get clear on where they stand and what needs to change. Whether you're aiming for $1M or $10M+, it all starts here.

What does it look like to grow a solid business while working through some of the toughest personal battles?In this episode of the Lawn Care CEO Podcast, we sit down with Brent Moore, owner of Outdoor Living Southeast in Valdosta, Georgia. Brent runs a strong commercial lawn care company now, but his story didn't start there. He opens up about his past with addiction, the road to recovery, and how he built his business one step at a time.We get into his shift from residential to commercial work, what it takes to land (and keep) big contracts, and how personal growth shows up in the way you lead and serve your team.If you're building for the long haul, this one's worth a listen.And if you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, check out https://www.redeemedliving.info — there's help out there.

What makes someone actually inspiring as a leader? Not just a good manager, not just someone who gets results—but someone people want to follow.In this episode, we're talking about the heart of the business. The stuff that doesn't show up on a P&L but determines whether people stick around or check out. We're sharing what we believe makes a leader truly inspiring, how to communicate your “wow,” and what messages your team needs to hear consistently.We'll break down the habits and behaviors that help create a strong culture—one where people care, show up, and grow.If you're working on building a team that's all in, this one's for you.

This father-son duo is CRUSHING it—and their numbers prove it.In our latest podcast episode, we sat down with John and Bryce Molloy from Molloy Landscape—a dynamic father and son team who's been putting in the work and seeing amazing results.Since joining our coaching program, John's business has completely transformed—over $500K in profit in just one year, streamlined expenses, and most importantly, total clarity on their numbers. We've also had the privilege of coaching not just John, but also his son Bryce—helping him grow into a confident, capable leader!Tune in now and hear how coaching helped transform their business.

In today's podcast, we're talking about a decision-making model that'll change how you solve problems in your business—especially when you don't know what's really going on.It's borrowed from the way doctors think.They don't react. They assess, diagnose, and treat based on real data—not guesses. That same mindset can help you stop spinning your wheels and start solving the right problems.If you're just reacting to symptoms without fixing the root cause, you're gonna stay stuck in the same loop.This episode will walk you through the steps doctors use to figure out what's wrong—and how you can use that same process to lead smarter, make better calls, and actually move your business forward.

In this episode of The Lawn Care CEO Podcast, we're thrilled to introduce you to our new coach, Miranda!

In this episode of The Lawn Care CEO podcast, Matt Stemmler joins us to talk about mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the lawn care industry. With a background in engineering and finance, Matt brings a unique perspective to helping business owners connect with the right investors. We cover the current state of the lawn care M&A market, the types of deals business owners can explore, what drives valuation, how the sale process works, and the critical role of an industry-focused M&A advisor.Have questions about M&A in the green industry or want to connect with Matt? Reach out to him directly through the links below ⬇️Email Address: matt@principium-whiteoak.comWebsite: https://principium-whiteoak.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattstemmler

When you're starting out in business, it often feels like you're short on time, money, or both.  That's why we're bringing you a little “hack” that changed the game for us in the lawn care industry—hiring a virtual assistant (VA). In this episode, we sit down with our very own VA, Via, who's been handling the back end of The Lawn Care CEO—everything from admin tasks and social media to marketing and day-to-day operations. We're talking about how hiring a VA has changed our business, the benefits we've seen, the costs involved, and why it might be a smart move for you too. Plus, we're excited to introduce our latest offering: Our VA Matchmaking Program! If you're looking to hire your first VA and don't know where to start, we've got you covered. Our program is designed to save you time and guide you step-by-step in finding, hiring, and onboarding the perfect assistant for your business!Learn more about our VA Matchmaking Program here:https://www.lawncareceo.com/vamatchmaking.html

In today's episode, we talk with Jason Dorsey, CEO of Turf Magic, about mergers and acquisitions (M&A) for lawn care businesses. When organic growth slows down, M&A can be a great way to expand. Jason shares how he got into M&A, what to look for when buying a business, and the red flags to avoid.Whether you're a new business owner or looking to grow, this episode covers the basics of business acquisitions and how to decide if M&A is right for you.Follow Turf Magic:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/turfmagicInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/turfmagicgeorgia

In today's video, we're getting back to the basics of running a successful business by focusing on costs and profitability. It's not just about bringing in revenue; you need to know how much it costs to deliver your product or service and ensure that your profits are healthy. Profitability is what allows your business to grow, avoid debt, and stay financially strong.We'll also talk about why it's important to start planning your 2025 budget now. As your business grows, your systems should make you more efficient, but you need to understand the key numbers to keep things on track.If you're currently managing your books on your own and need support, send us an email at info@ceocoach.biz.

In this episode, we're joined by Jonas Olson from Turf Badger, who shares his journey of starting and growing his lawn care business. Jonas shares the importance of having a big vision, getting others to believe in it, and showing them how it can be done. We also discuss the 4 main responsibilities of a CEO: setting the vision, building a strong team, managing money, and running good marketing! Jonas also shares valuable lessons he's learned along the way, like focusing on a smaller market before expanding and doubling down on your efforts for maximum results. Plus, we explore the latest marketing strategies, including the power of social media and how creating content can help grow your business!Don't forget to subscribe to Jonas Olson here:Pest Control Millionaire: https://www.youtube.com/@pestcontrolmillionaireTurf Badger: https://www.youtube.com/@turfbadger

In today's podcast episode, we're talking about something many CEOs experience but rarely discuss—Chronic CEO Fatigue (CCF). It's that feeling of being constantly overwhelmed and stressed as a business leader.Sometimes, feeling overwhelmed comes from making your business too complex. It's not that you can't handle it, but the more complicated things get, the more stressful they become. Simplifying your business can help ease that burden.If you're dealing with Chronic CEO Fatigue, don't be afraid to ask for help. Whether it's from a coach, a friend, or family, getting support can make all the difference. Get to know how you can combat CCF by watching this new podcast episode—we hope this video helps you manage CCF and lead your business with more confidence.

In this episode, we sit down with Greg Harris, the founder of Leap Frog Land Care, who shares his inspiring journey from working for someone else to running his own successful company in the green industry. Greg opens up about how he built strong relationships with his former employers and how these connections helped him when he started his own business.We will explore why building strong partnerships is so important and how these connections can have a big impact on your business. Greg also reveals his approach to building a great team and company culture, sharing when and how he started laying the groundwork for success.Follow Leap Frog Land Care:Facebook: www.facebook.com/leapfroglandWebsite: www.leapfroglandcare.com

In this podcast episode, we're going to help you check the health of your business. Think of us as business doctors, and your company as our patient. We'll look at 5 Key Areas to see if your business is doing well or if it needs some help.What We'll Cover:Leadership: Are you leading your team effectively?Sales/Marketing: How are you bringing in and keeping customers?Team: Do you have the right people in the right jobs?Finance/Bookkeeping: Is your financial setup strong and ready for growth?Customer Service/Production Systems: Are your systems keeping customers happy?By the end of this episode, you'll know how healthy your business is and what steps you can take to make it even better. This is a great opportunity for self-assessment, especially for lawn care business leaders. Let's get started!Get access to our FREE Pricing Profitable Work 101 Course here:https://www.lawncareceo.com/pricing101.html

Find out the best practices for hiring your first employee, from knowing when to hire to ensuring they are well-equipped to contribute effectively to your business. Hiring the right employee can help take your business to the next level. 

In this video, learn how to hire the perfect employees for your lawn care business and improve your overall hiring process! Learn the benefits of slow, committed hiring and how it can make your life easier.Email us at info@ceocoach.biz to get a sample hiring ad that will attract the right candidates! #HiringTips #BusinessAdvice #LawnCare

There are two halves of making sure that we are profitbable, in today's episode we are going to talk about the expense side of the business.  COGs, overhead and debt, oh my!Join us live at AutoCamp in Cape Cod, MA, for a two-day Bootcamp designed to help you grow your lawn care business. This event, in partnership with Harrell's and Spraye, will provide you with the tools and strategies needed for your lawn care business.  Register for free here: https://harrellsllc538.lpages.co/bbb-cape-cod/

Exciting News! Join us for a two-day Business Building Bootcamp designed to help you grow your lawn business with coaching from The Lawn Care CEO, Spraye, and Harrell's.This event is meant to be a one-stop shop to help you understand what it takes to run or scale a successful fertilization and weed control division.All for free!When: August 22 & 23Where: AutoCamp, Cape Cod, MARegister here today: https://harrellsllc538.lpages.co/bbb-cape-cod/

The sad truth is that at the end of the year a lot of lawn care companies don't have any money left in the bank.  We at the Lawn Care CEO are on a crusade to end such things.  In this special two-part episode, we discuss the first of two reasons you too may be left cashless at the end of the year. Get our free Pricing Profitable Work Course Here:https://www.lawncareceo.com/pricing101.html

No matter what your marketing budget, there are certain marketing fundamentals that we should all be getting right.  They are key activities we should maximize and prioritize above all other marketing expenses.  They work for companies that are just getting started and for companies that are scaling.  Time to put fuel in the rocket ship and take off!

A Cornerstone Podcast stands out because it teaches some of the foundational principles that we base all of our other coaching on. If you are going to only listen to one or two of our podcasts, this is definitely one you don't want to miss! Here we give you the overview of all the key things you should think about as a CEO. We have literally helped hundreds of companies scale by using the Elite Business Growth Method that we outline here. Don't miss it!

Have you ever had someone on your team that was a lovable loser. It might have even been a family member or friend. Someone who you love as a person but who is underperforming as an employee. In this episode, we are going to talk about how you handle that situation and create a culture of accountability. We also give details on how to lead your weekly leadership meetings. FYI, if you want the KPI Scorecard we reference, email info@ceocoach.biz and ask nicely for it. 

Have you ever felt like your employees are doing as little as possible? In this episode, hear stories of people who are successfully inspiring their staff to give more... including giving up vacation days and coming in on Saturdays! Some of these tactics may even end up inspiring you to work harder.

Excited to spend time with Sam Bradford who helped to build the incredible culture of Dutch Bros Coffee in Arizona. In this episode, we discuss how we as leaders can begin to craft a culture that retains employees and makes your business a talent magnet!

Fertilization is a profitable division. In this episode, we lay out how a mowing-only guy could start a fertilization and weed control division. With special guest Cort Hall, we talk about various aspects of the fert. business, including: The differences between mowing and fertilization companies, The potential of diversifying services The importance of building a strong team.  Logistics and costs of setting up a fertilizing truck The role of good customer service  The benefits of utilizing a CRM system.

When working in business we should ask ourselves three things to determine the value of any division in our business:Is it simple to deliver?Does it offer recurring revenue?Is it profitable?In today's episode we talk about one division that checks all the boxes and may have you change the way you think about the services you offer.

We put P4P on trial (sort of) and dig into why performance based pay may be a total game changer for your lawn care business.  We ask:What about two-man teams?Will people want to leave?What if quality suffers?WARNING: You may leave this podcast wanting to install performance based pay!

As we travel the country, talking with business owners one of our favorite questions to ask is: "What is the bottleneck?" Or, "What is your #1 roadblock?" The answer often comes back as a one word response, "me". In this episode, we discuss four key behaviors that highly successful CEOs do to remove this pesky bottleneck.  

Over the last 2 months, we have traveled the country getting to know some incredible 1 Million + Lawn Care companies. In this episode we teach you 4 big lessons we learned on the road. And we also start a new crusade!! 

When you go to the hospital the first thing the doctor does is to take your vitals.  What are the vitals that make a healthy lawn care business?  In this episode, we unpack what makes a healthy lawn care business.  This is your chance to take a hard look at your business to see how healthy your business is!

Our welcome to the Lawn Care CEO Podcast!  Here is what you will learn today:Why some small business owners struggle to grow.What is the true definition of Lawn Care Success.One mindset shift that you need to make right at the beginning of your journey to massive Lawn Care CEO success.PS WE hope you like it and stick around for our weekly podcast!