The Beer Garden

Still sending quotes into the void and hoping for the best? It might be time to stop bidding and start building value.

In this episode of The Beer Garden, we're doing a deep dive into how to improve your close rate for landscape maintenance contracts—without lowering prices, adding services, or spending more time on-site. Just smart strategy and better presentation.

We share a real-life example of a contractor who stopped competing...

If your “CRM” is a stack of sticky notes, a chaotic spreadsheet, or just whatever’s rattling around in your brain, this episode is for you.

In this Beer Garden listicle episode, we’re diving into the top 10 things you should look for when picking a CRM for your landscape or snow removal business. Whether you’re making your first leap into software or realizing your current platform is more headache than help, we’re breaking down wh...

It’s a new year, and you’re probably thinking about how to grow your business. But before you throw all your budget at Facebook ads or slap another sign on your truck, it’s time for a little strategy. In this episode of The Beer Garden, Jason introduces a concept he created called the Revenue Growth Pyramid—a smarter framework for growing your landscape or snow removal business.

This episode is all about working with what you’ve al...

The landscaping industry’s labor shortage isn’t getting any better, and let’s be honest—throwing a “Help Wanted” magnet on your truck isn’t going to cut it anymore.

In this episode of The Beer Garden, we’re digging into strategies for hiring in a competitive market—because let’s face it, you can’t scale your business without the right people. Whether you’re a seasoned hiring pro or just desperate to fill a role yesterday, this epis...

Welcome back to The Beer Garden! After a well-earned holiday break (and maybe one too many seasonal beers), we’re kicking off 2025 with our Annual State of the Industry episode. We’re diving into Lawn & Landscape Magazine’s industry report to see what’s sprouting, what’s wilting, and what’s straight-up getting overrun by weeds this year.

What’s Inside:

🍻 Industry Confidence – Are contractors feeling bullish about 2025, or are ...

In this episode of The Beer Garden, we’re breaking down the process of building an effective sales plan for your landscaping or snow removal business. Whether you’re aiming for steady growth or gearing up for your best year yet, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you plan, track, and achieve your sales goals with confidence.

• Understanding Capacity: Lea...

In this Sidecar episode of The Beer Garden, we explore how to implement a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) to streamline equipment maintenance and improve operational efficiency in your landscaping or snow removal business.

We’ll walk through a 5-step process to successfully implement a CMMS:

1. Assign a Software Owner: Designate a single individual to oversee the implementation process and handle ...

In this episode of The Beer Garden, we’re diving into a topic that can transform how you run your landscaping or snow removal business: the importance of standardizing your equipment. From deciding when to buy, rent, or lease to choosing the right tools and streamlining operations, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you save time, reduce costs, and improve efficiency.

• ...

In this short Sidecar episode of The Beer Garden, we dive into a powerful strategic planning tool for owners and operators of landscape/snow businesses: the organizational chart. We’ll walk through how you can leverage an org chart not only to understand your current structure, but also to project and plan for future growth.

What You’ll Learn:

• Build Your Current Org Chart: Begin by mapping out all the roles and responsibilitie...

In this episode of The Beer Garden, we’re diving into the art and science of scaling your landscaping business. Whether you’re aiming for your first $1M in revenue, breaking through the $3M mark, or pushing beyond, this episode offers practical insights and strategies to help you grow smartly and sustainably.

• Why scaling requires you to evolve your mindset and approach.
• The challenges of ...

In this episode of The Beer Garden, we explore the steps to successfully transition the estimating and sales role from the owner to others in the organization. This critical process can free up your time to focus on strategic growth and team leadership while empowering your team to take on more responsibility. Here’s what we cover:

• Common concerns like control over pricing,...

In this Sidecar episode of The Beer Garden, we explore why contractors should shift their focus from lowering prices to increasing the value they provide to their customers. Competing on price alone can be a race to the bottom, but by focusing on value, you can win the right clients, build a strong reputation, and grow your business sustainably. Here’s what we cover:

• Understanding Your Ideal Client: Learn how to id...

In this episode of The Beer Garden, we explore the critical role of a company vision in driving business success, particularly for landscapers and snow removal professionals. A clear and compelling vision isn’t just a lofty idea—it’s a practical tool that guides decision-making, inspires teams, and sets your business apart. Whether you’re just starting or looking to refine your approach, this episode offers actionable insights to h...

In this Sidecar episode of The Beer Garden, we explore creative ways to capitalize on the holiday season to boost your landscape or snow removal business. The holidays aren’t just for retail—they’re a golden opportunity for service-based businesses too. We’ll cover:

Segment 1: Leverage Holiday Sales

•Take advantage of Black Friday and holiday deals on electronics, tools, and software to gear up for the new year.

•Understand how ye...

In this episode of The Beer Garden, we tackle one of the most significant shifts in a professional's career: moving from an in-field employee to a management role. This transition requires more than a change in title—it demands a transformation in mindset, skills, and priorities. Whether you’ve just been promoted or are preparing for this leap, this episode offers practical advice and insights to help you succeed. Here’s what we co...

In this episode of The Beer Garden, we dive into the shift from residential to commercial and homeowners association (HOA) customers—a move that can elevate your business but requires a strategic approach. Whether you're thinking about expanding your client base or have already started the transition, this episode provides practical advice and insights to guide you through the process. We cover:

• Understanding the Transition: Ex...

In this special episode of The Beer Garden, we’re joined by our very first guest, Benji Carlson—a powerhouse in the world of contracting. Benji built a successful College Pro Painters franchise, where he gained recognition for managing the network’s most productive team. He then went on to help over 1,500 contractors across North America as the Assessment Specialist & Content Lead at Breakthrough Academy. Currently, he’s the ho...

In this episode of The Beer Garden, we break down five powerful tactics that can help your landscaping or snow removal business capture the attention of potential customers and stand out from the competition. Whether you're looking to attract new clients or sharpen your sales approach, these strategies will give you the edge you need. Here's what we'll cover:

• Overhaul Your Proposal Package: Learn how to refresh your proposals t...

In this episode of The Beer Garden, we’re getting ready for the winter season by diving into the essential steps every landscaping and snow removal professional should be taking to ensure they’re fully prepped. As the cold months approach, it's critical to stay ahead of the game with a solid plan in place. We’ll cover:

• How to build and maintain a comprehensive seasonal prep checklist to keep operations running smoothly.
• The imp...