Libsyn Directory

Ep 88. How to Stand Out in a Landscaping Company | Ben Zimmerman

Release Date: 11/24/2025

Ep 93. Why Charging More Didn’t Hurt My Business | Thomas Vanamerongen

The Cost of Doing Business

Most contractors don’t undercharge on purpose. They just don’t see everything that’s actually coming out of their business. In this episode, I sit down with Thomas Vanamerongen of Niagara Waterscapes to talk about the wake-up call that came when he realized his pricing didn’t reflect reality. Thomas shares how starting out at $65 an hour quickly turned into $90, then $110, once all the hidden costs were laid out in black and white. We talk about pricing confidence, head trash, and imposter syndrome, and why letting the market tell you no is better than saying no for yourself. We also...

Ep 92. Growing Too Fast Almost Broke My Landscaping Business | Dan Wanders

The Cost of Doing Business

Growing a business fast sounds great until the bills start stacking up. What matters is what you do once you realize something’s off. In this episode, I sit down with Dan Wanders from Raymar Landscapes to talk about what happens when growth gets ahead of cash, systems, and planning. Dan shares how pushing too fast led to some tough seasons, and how slowing things down, tightening up his process, and paying closer attention to the numbers helped him get back on solid ground. We get into efficiency, equipment decisions, job costing, and the mindset shift that comes with growing at a pace the...

Ep 91. Working Hard Only Works for So Long | More 2025 Highlights

The Cost of Doing Business

This episode brings together more honest moments from The Cost of Doing Business podcast, featuring contractors talking openly about pricing, job costing, and the limits of working harder to make a business work. These aren’t theories or shortcuts. They’re conversations about guessing at pricing, learning the difference between gross profit and real profit, and realizing how small mistakes compound when you don’t truly know what your jobs are costing you. From mindset to systems, this is what it sounds like when contractors reflect on what actually moved their business forward. If...

Ep 90. I Thought I Was Profitable Until I Looked at the Numbers | 2025 Highlights Part 1.

The Cost of Doing Business

This episode brings together some of the most honest moments from The Cost of Doing Business podcast in 2025. Real contractors sharing real experiences about pricing, profit, and the lessons they learned once they finally looked at their numbers. These aren’t theories or quick tips. They’re conversations about underbidding, burnout, growth, and the realization many contractors have after years of working hard without really knowing what their business was costing them. If you’ve ever wondered what it actually costs to run a contracting business, this is what those conversations sound...

Ep 89. How Tussey Landscaping Built a Crew That Stays for 10–20 Years | With Matt Martin

The Cost of Doing Business

Building a crew that sticks around is not luck. It comes from leadership, culture, and doing the small things right year after year. In this episode, Weston sits down with someone who played a huge role in his own start in the industry: Matt Martin from Tussey Landscaping. Weston spent 15 years working under Matt and the Tussey team, and a lot of who he is as a leader today came from those early seasons together. They talk about how Tussey built a crew that shows up, buys in, and stays for decades. They look at what real servant leadership feels like on a job site, why slow and steady growth...

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...

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...

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: ...

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:

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...

TOPICS