Ep 69. Growing a Family-Owned Landscaping Business w/ Joel De La Paz
Release Date: 03/03/2025
Ep 88. How to Stand Out in a Landscaping Company | Ben Zimmerman
The Cost of Doing Business
When you work in the trades, it’s easy to just show up, do the work, and call it a day. But sometimes the way you carry yourself and the pride you put into your craft quietly set you apart. That has been the case for Ben Zimmerman of Tussey Landscaping. In this episode, Weston and Ben talk about what it really looks like to grow inside a landscape company. They get into developing skill through repetition, taking on more responsibility over time, and earning trust by doing things right. They also talk about how filming jobs for YouTube turned into a surprisingly effective sales tool and how...
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Ep 87. Letting Go to Grow: How Trust Built NVS Landscapes | Sean Hotaling & Wes Trumpler
The Cost of Doing Business
When you’ve built your business from the ground up, letting go isn’t easy. But for Sean Hotaling, it was the only way to grow. In this episode, Weston sits down with Sean and Wes from NVS Landscapes to talk about what it really takes to go from a one-man show to a thriving team. They talk about learning to trust others, giving your crew the freedom to figure things out, and trusting your gut when it comes to business decisions. Sean and Wes share what helped them build trust, structure, and profitability, and how using SynkedUP helped make it all run smoother. Give NVS Landscapes a...
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Ep 86. Choose Your Hard: Building a Thriving Business Without Burning Out | Nate Butler
The Cost of Doing Business
"Choose your hard." That’s the phrase Nate Butler lives by. After decades in landscaping and even a stint in the North Dakota oil fields, Nate started Summit Ridge Landscape with one goal: to build something lasting without burning out. He shares how focusing on systems, communication, and hard-earned lessons helped him grow from a one-man show to a thriving design-build company. It’s about more than hard work. It’s about working smart and choosing the kind of hard that moves you forward. Give Nate a follow: If you're interested in learning more about SynkedUP, check us out: ...
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Ep 85. Time Kills Deals: How to Actually Close More Jobs w/ Kalei Duke
The Cost of Doing Business
Kalei used to send a bid and wait, hoping the client would call back. Now he gives every quote a short deadline and it completely changed how many jobs he closes. It’s not about pressuring people. It’s about keeping the conversation moving while the excitement is still there. Time kills deals. The longer they think about it, the colder it gets. Give Kalei a follow on Instagram: If you're interested in learning more about SynkedUP, check us out: - Landscape Business Management Software Follow us on Instagram:
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Ep 84. Building Resilience: Lessons from the Journey of Conklin Landscape Solutions
The Cost of Doing Business
In this episode I sit down with Logan Conklin, co-founder of , to dive deep into the real-life challenges and triumphs of growing a small business. Logan shares candid stories about starting his landscape company, weathering financial setbacks, learning the importance of contracts, and finding success through strategic improvements and faith. Discover how a near business shutdown turned into a turnaround, the vital role of work-life balance, and the rewards of building spaces where families create lasting memories. Tune in for insights, inspiration, and practical tips for entrepreneurs...
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Ep 83. Building Success from the Ground Up: Chris Huser’s Lessons in Landscaping and Leadership
The Cost of Doing Business
I sit down with Chris Huser, founder of for an honest conversation about the realities of running a landscaping business. Chris shares his three-decade journey from mowing lawns to mastering hardscapes, revealing the challenges, pivotal moments, and mindset shifts that fueled his company’s growth. Discover how Chris navigated industry changes, embraced new technology, and built a team that thrives on opportunity and innovation. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration for anyone looking to grow a resilient,...
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Ep 82. Investing in Success: Elliot’s Journey from Playing It Safe to Scaling Up
The Cost of Doing Business
Elliot shares how embracing risk and investing in his business; from marketing and coaching to the right tools, transformed his journey from cautious growth to real success. Hear candid stories about overcoming self-doubt, learning the value of spending money to make money, and the mindset shifts that helped him scale his landscaping company. This episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration for entrepreneurs ready to bet on themselves and take their business to the next level. If you're interested in learning more about SynkedUP, check us out: - Landscape Business...
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Ep 81. Scaling a Profitable Landscaping Business: Marketing, Niching Down, and Project Management with Jesse Weidner
The Cost of Doing Business
I sit down with Jesse Weidner in this episode, owner of , to uncover the real journey behind building a successful landscaping business. In this episode, Jesse shares actionable insights on scaling from a solopreneur to a thriving team, the power of niching down, and how to create a steady flow of qualified leads through intentional marketing strategies. Discover how leveraging tools like SynkedUP transformed his job costing, pricing, and profitability, and learn the essential lessons every entrepreneur should know about project management, team building, and maximizing margins. Whether...
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Ep 80. From the Ground Up: Building a Thriving Landscaping Business with Clayton Canby
The Cost of Doing Business
In this episode of The Cost of Doing Business Podcast, I sit down with Clayton Canby, owner of LLC, to dig into the real-life challenges and rewards of growing a successful landscaping company. Broadcasting from a historic West Virginia dairy farm, Clayton shares his journey from humble beginnings and long days in the field to leading a dedicated team and building a business rooted in hard work, integrity, and smart decision-making. Discover insights on pricing, team culture, letting go as an owner, and why investing in people and the right tools pays off. Whether you’re a seasoned...
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Ep 79. From Mowing Lawns to Margin Mastery: Randall's Journey Into Hardscaping
The Cost of Doing Business
What happens when two buddies in small-town West Virginia go from mowing neighbors' lawns with a John Deere to running a thriving hardscaping company? In this episode, I sit down with Randall from to unpack the raw, unfiltered story behind their evolution from maintenance to installs, how they battled seasonal cash flow nightmares, and the moment they realized hardscaping was their future. We talk about building a team, the pain of being stuck on the job instead of working on the business, and the power of budgeting, proposals, and communication in closing jobs fast. If you're a...
info_outlineI’m at the HNA Expo in Louisville, recording live with Joel De La Paz from Nuñes Outdoor Living, a family-run landscaping business in northern Michigan.
Recording podcasts at tradeshows like this—where we get to sit down with our customers, hear their stories, and learn from their experiences—is one of the most fulfilling parts of what we do.
Joel gets real about the biggest challenges they’ve faced—figuring out their financials, keeping cash flow steady in the off-season, and navigating the dynamics of running a business with family. We dig into how he transitioned from being hands-on in the field to building processes that actually scale, and why networking, mentors, and the right systems (like SynkedUP) made all the difference.
Give them a follow them on Instagram: @nunezoutdoorliving
If you're interested in learning more about SynkedUP, check us out:
SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software https://synkedup.com/
Follow us on Instagram: @SynkedUP