3 Questions Lawn Care Business Owners Are Asking Ep. #542
Profits with Pajak
In this episode of Profits with Pajak, John answers three questions that many lawn and landscape business owners eventually face: How do you know when it's time to raise your prices? When should a solo operator hire their first employee? And how do you know whether your business is actually growing or you've simply created more work for yourself? No complicated formulas and no internet-guru answers. Just practical business conversations designed to help you run the numbers and make better decisions. Episode Links: Apple Podcast Listeners- Copy and paste the links below into your browser....
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Don't Buy Equipment Just for the Tax Write Off Ep. #541
Profits with Pajak
Equipment dealers are getting ready to make deals, tax season is approaching, and business owners are hearing the same advice: "Buy it before the end of the year and write it off." But does buying equipment just to get a tax deduction actually make financial sense? In this episode of Profits with Pajak, John breaks down the questions lawn and landscape business owners should ask before making year-end equipment purchases. We discuss Section 179, depreciation, cash flow, financing, equipment utilization, and why waiting until next season may sometimes be the smarter financial move. ...
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Run the Numbers: What Should You Charge in 2027? Ep. #540
Profits with Pajak
How much should you raise your prices in 2027? Five percent? Ten percent? Before picking an arbitrary number, John Pajak argues that you're starting with the wrong question. In this episode of Profits with Pajak, John explains why the best time to begin building next year's pricing is while you're still living through this year's season. From labor and material costs to route density, callbacks, inefficient customers, owner compensation and profit, you'll learn what to document now so you can build 2027 pricing around your actual numbers instead of somebody else's opinion. Run the numbers,...
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Did I Build Myself an Ivory Tower? Ep. #539
Profits with Pajak
Have I become disconnected from the reality of the green industry? After years of surrounding himself with successful business owners, manufacturers, speakers and industry leaders, John wonders whether his perception of the industry has changed. At the same time, one of the most difficult seasons he's faced in years is bringing him right back to the realities of running a small business. In this episode of Profits with Pajak, John examines self-limiting beliefs, hustle culture, professionalism, overwhelm, and why a difficult season doesn't mean you've built a bad business. Sometimes the answer...
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You Worked All Summer. What Did You Keep? Ep. #538
Profits with Pajak
You've been working since spring. The trucks are moving, payroll is getting made, customers are paying, and money is flowing through the business. But how much of it are you actually keeping? In this episode of Profits with Pajak, John walks through a late-summer financial checkup every green industry business owner should perform before September gets away from them. We'll look at revenue, labor, materials, overhead, cash, service profitability and the small financial leaks that can quietly destroy your margins. The year isn't over yet. Pull the numbers, find the problems, and make the...
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Don't Touch the Wire: Know When to Leave It Alone Ep. #537
Profits with Pajak
Sometimes the urge to “do something” can make a bad situation worse. After watching people attempt to deal with damaged power lines following a storm, John draws a powerful parallel to business ownership. In this episode, we talk about the danger of fixing things you don’t fully understand, why activity isn’t always progress, and why the smartest move sometimes is knowing what not to touch. Episode Links: Apple Podcast Listeners- Copy and paste the links below into your browser. Upcoming Events: Equip Expo (October 20–23, 2026, Louisville, KY): The largest trade show in the green...
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Thank You for the Shower Ep. #536
Profits with Pajak
After nearly a week without power or running water, the electricity unexpectedly returned to John's home for about a couple of hours. It was just long enough for his family to experience a little comfort and for John to finally take a shower. When the power disappeared again in the middle of the night, his reaction: gratitude. This is a short reflection on blessings, perspective, neighbors, faith, and learning not to take the ordinary things for granted. Episode Links: Apple Podcast Listeners- Copy and paste the links below into your browser. Upcoming Events: Equip Expo (October...
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Civility and Survival After the Indiana Tornadoes Ep. #535
Profits with Pajak
John describes the harrowing aftermath of severe tornadoes that recently devastated his Indiana community. He shares personal accounts of living without power or running water, highlighting both the beauty of neighbors helping neighbors and the disturbing breakdown of social civility at local gas stations. Pajak reflects on the fragility of modern society when basic resources become scarce, noting how quickly desperation can lead to aggression and greed. Throughout the episode, he emphasizes the importance of maintaining a servant’s heart and exercising self-control during times of extreme...
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Work ON the Business: Events, Equipment Choices, and Elite Clients with Tony Rudolph Ep. #534
Profits with Pajak
John Pajak sits down with Tony Rudolph of Tony’s Lawn Care to talk about building a profitable, tight route in high-end communities, making the shift to battery-powered equipment, and how to stand out from competitors without growing a huge crew. They also break down how to maximize your trip to Equip Expo and why industry events can change the trajectory of your business. Episode Links: Apple Podcast Listeners- Copy and paste the links below into your browser. Upcoming Events: Equip Expo (October 20–23, 2026, Louisville, KY): The largest trade show in the green...
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What I Wish Someone Had Told Me in Year One Ep. #533
Profits with Pajak
If you're in your first few years of business, this episode is for you. John Pajak shares the advice he wishes someone had given him when he was just starting out, from navigating mistakes and long hours to understanding your numbers and staying the course. This isn't a lecture; it's an honest conversation from one business owner to another, filled with practical wisdom that can save you years of frustration and help you build a stronger business from the ground up. Episode Links: Apple Podcast Listeners- Copy and paste the links below into your browser. Upcoming Events: Equip Expo (October...
info_outlineMany green industry owners think they need more jobs to fix their business. The truth? You don’t have a work problem, you have a profit problem. In this episode, John Pajak breaks down why more accounts won’t save you, why pricing is about courage, and the simple steps to flip from work-heavy to profit-focused.
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