The off-season can be a challenging time for businesses in the lawn care industry. With no snow to plow and fewer calls for services, it can feel like there is not much to do. However, this downtime presents a valuable opportunity for business owners to focus on strategic planning and productivity to lay the foundation for growth in the upcoming season. Let's dive into some strategies to make the most of this off-season and set the stage for success.

1. Define Your Path with Clear Goals:

Take advantage of this downtime to define your business's purpose and future. Craft a mission statement that outlines your company's goals and values. Simultaneously, develop a vision statement to encapsulate your long-term aspirations. These statements will not only guide your decisions but will also provide clarity to your clients, setting the stage for a successful season ahead.

2. Optimize Operations for Efficiency:

Analyze your mowing routes, evaluate clientele lists, and identify areas of i...

Today, we're sharing the practical and beneficial aspects of having a bookkeeper as part of your winning team. Carla and Joseph of Cycle CPA are green industry-specific bookkeepers who have helped over 400 lawn care businesses better know their financials.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Introduction to Cycle CPA and background of Carla and Joseph and their experience in the industry
• Importance of having good books and the impact it can have on your business
• Common questions and misconceptions about bookkeeping
• Different tiers and levels of bookkeeping services offered by Cycle CPA
• The value of knowing your numbers and using financials to make strategic decisions
• The competitive advantage of having accurate financials and benchmarking against industry averages
• The importance of budgeting and planning for the future
• Encouragement to take action and seek help with bookkeeping to improve your business.

Want To Listen To More Episodes With Cycle CPA?

• Ep 450. End-Of-Y...

Today we're joined by our friend, Mr. Jolly Rogers, who shares his startup story with his lawn and landscaping business in Orlando, FL. The Yard Pirate brand is related to his company, Flash Of Green Landscaping, which is in its 3rd year and experiencing rapid growth.

In this episode, you will learn:

• The guest, Mr. Jolly Rogers, shares his background and how he got started in the landscaping business.
• He discusses the pirate theme of his company, Flash of Green Landscaping, and his alias, Yard Pirate.
• Mr. Jolly Rogers talks about his experience working with commercial accounts, particularly restaurants, and the challenges of payment terms and communication.
• He shares his plans for 2024, including focusing on the landscape side of his business and marketing efforts.
• The importance of knowing your numbers and streamlining your business.
• He mentions his plans to incorporate lighting services into his company and the benefits of specializing in certain areas.
• The guest highl
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Today, we're sharing insights about 5-6 core topics that you can focus on now to get your business primed for spring. We share notes from a recent Mastermind with Mark Bradley, a series he's conducting across the country. These topics are the core of our businesses, items that we can focus on now to help us prepare for 2024.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Importance of utilizing the off-season to work on the backend of the business

• Suggestions for strategic planning and goal setting

• Importance of creating a mission statement and vision statement for the company

• Working on core values and integrating them into the company culture

• Identifying and addressing areas of waste in the company

• Developing leadership skills and training crew leaders

• Utilizing the off-season to improve skills and knowledge through training and education

• Implementing a budgeting system for better financial management

• Importance of networking and building relation

  ...

Hey, it's Brian!

We're officially one month into the Lawntrepreneur Academy LINK Membership—what an incredible journey it has been!

We've hosted a Facebook Live Hangout, engaged in a productive bidding hour call, had a conversation with the experienced LeRoy Mains, and gathered on Zoom for an insightful coaching call. The LINK community has truly evolved into a tight-knit brotherhood of like-minded individuals, all eager to learn and grow together.

The dedication and drive shown by each of our 120+ members has been nothing short of inspiring. While entrepreneurship often feels isolating, LINK ensures that you're not alone. This community is filled with serious, hardworking entrepreneurs ready to share their insights, expertise, and experiences to support your journey.

Here's what some members are already saying about Lawntrepreneur Academy LINK:

“Just wanted to say I’m very excited for the goals & strategies we have in place for 2024. I’m extremely thankful for this group & what it...

Today we are joined by Adam Fullerton. Adam is the co-founder of Branded Bull and he shares his thoughts about crafting a marketing strategy for a dominating web presence.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Importance of offensive marketing in growing a business
• Strategies for marketing and growing a business in 2024
• The role of a comprehensive marketing plan
• The value of a strong web presence and website
• The impact of cohesive branding and consistent messaging
• The need for investment in business growth
• The benefits of having a strategy and systems in place
• The importance of customer trust and credibility
• The role of a website in providing information and generating leads
• The value of investing in your business for long-term success

Resources Mentioned In The Episode:

• Branded Bull
• Postcard Mania
• Lawntrepreneur Academy LINK
• Help a small business get back on its feet - https://www.gofundme.com/f/ars48y-help-a-small-business-get-back-on-its-feet

Want To Listen ...

Today, we're joined by Paul Capote, owner of PGL, a landscaping company based in Miami, Florida. Paul shares his tips for growth in landscaping, networking, self-development, and what the industry means to him!

In this episode, you will learn:

• Paul Capote, owner of PGL (Paul's General Landscape) and known as the Miami Landscaper on Instagram, shares his journey and business transition from maintenance to design and landscape installation.
• Paul discusses the importance of adapting to changes in the economy and focusing on attracting bigger clients.
• He emphasizes the significance of building relationships and networking with other landscapers in the industry.
• Paul talks about the Landscape Brotherhood Meetup he organizes, which serves as a social gathering for landscapers to exchange information and potentially collaborate on projects.
• The importance of managing debt and cash flow in the business is highlighted, along with the need to maintain good relationships with supplie
...

Today, we're joined by Lucas Wilson, owner of Wilson's Yard Care out of New Brunswick, Canada, sharing his story about starting his lawn care business while also being a full-time student at university. Lucas talks about the opportunity he has to go all in with his lawn care business and how he's been able to navigate his company's growth while still being a full-time student.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Lucas Wilson shares his experience running a lawn care business alongside his studies
• The growth of Wilson"s Yard Care from a small summer gig to a thriving company with over 100 lawns
• The impact of COVID-19 on the business and the increase in demand for lawn care services
• The importance of advertising on Facebook and utilizing community Facebook pages for reaching potential customers
• The challenges of managing equipment and the need for backup equipment
• The importance of communication with clients, especially during weather-related delays
• Lucas' decision to priorit
...

Today, we're discussing how hard work alone isn't a recipe for success, and if you'd like to accomplish big goals in 2024, you'll need to actively strategize on how to get there.

In this episode, you will learn:

• The importance of having a strategy for achieving goals in 2024
• The analogy of the Bugatti and Ferrari to illustrate the need for more than just hard work to achieve success
• Encouragement to set realistic goals and develop a strategy to accomplish them
• The significance of planning and thinking differently to grow beyond being an owner-operator
• The importance of quantifying growth and making decisions based on strategy
• Reminder to do an autopsy of 2023 to analyze what worked and what didn't
• The importance of being realistic in goal setting and seeking advice from those who have achieved success

Want To Listen To More Episodes On Goal Setting?

• Ep 529. Unyielding Resolve: The Warrior Within
• Ep 434. Sprint To The Finish Line!
• Ep 335. Goal Vs Growth Mindset Re...

Today, we're sitting down with Christian Lefley, owner of Windwood Property Services, who shares his tips for mastering branding and social media. Christian has built a great landscaping company in the greater Grand Rapids, MI, area and shares his unique style and approach to create lasting impressions on his prospective customers.

In this episode, you will learn:

• The benefits of having a strong social media presence
• How to use social media to showcase your work and attract customers
• The value of before and after photos and time-lapse videos in the landscaping industry
• The ease and convenience of using smartphones for content creation
• Dealing with haters and negative comments on social media

Want To Listen To More Episodes On Branding?

• Ep 490. Rebranding & Focused On The Future!
• Ep 340. A Pillar In The Community & Why Good Branding Matters - w/ Jeremy Knecht Of JJ Grounds
• Ep 285. $1.5 Million Dollar Lawn & Landscaping Business While Being Debt Free! Interview w/ Al...