Libsyn Directory

Ep 701. Building a Business That Runs Without You

Release Date: 04/28/2026

Ep 705. Clearing the Fog: Lessons on Life, Legacy, and Loss

Kid Contractor Podcast with Caleb Auman

Caleb reflects on the anniversary of his father's passing and the lessons learned from that experience. He introduces the concept of a "fog" that often clouds judgment during times of intense grief, advising listeners to avoid making major life decisions until they can think clearly. Auman honors his father’s legacy by discussing the foundational trade skills, spiritual values, and constitutional principles passed down to him. He emphasizes the importance of prioritizing family time over work, reminding his audience that personal connections are far more valuable than professional...

Ep 704. Slamfire: Are You Your Business, or Is Your Business You?

Kid Contractor Podcast with Caleb Auman

Today Caleb and Brittany discuss the emotional complexities of entrepreneurship and the difficulty of separating personal identity from business performance. The couple shares updates on their landscaping company’s financial goals and their current living situation while building a new home. A significant portion of the conversation focuses on legacy and values, with Caleb reflecting on his father’s stable career as a form of self-sacrifice for family security. They explore the idea that while a business reflects one's personality and work ethic, a person’s ultimate worth is defined by...

Ep 703. Spring Grind Stoicism: Managing Chaos, Exhaustion, and Equipment Failures

Kid Contractor Podcast with Caleb Auman

Caleb and Brittany discuss the operational challenges and triumphs of the spring season. They highlight the importance of their integrated tech stack, specifically using Company Cam for visual documentation and LMN for precise job costing and scheduling. The couple candidly reflects on managing employee accountability, overcoming logistical hurdles, and the mental strain of balancing a high-growth company with family life. Additionally, they promote industry events and educational resources like The Hardscape Academy and Cycle CPA to help other contractors professionalize their bookkeeping....

Ep 702. Why Your Team Should Solve Your Problems (Instead of You)

Kid Contractor Podcast with Caleb Auman

Caleb and Brittany discuss the evolution of their landscaping business and the critical shifts in their leadership mindset. They emphasize the importance of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and established systems as their team grows beyond the original "old guard" of long-term employees. Brittany highlights a pivotal meeting with a mentor that provided the clarity needed to simplify complex business decisions and move past an overwhelming "hamster wheel" of tasks. The discussion explores the power of delegation, showing how giving employees the freedom to solve their own problems...

Ep 701. Building a Business That Runs Without You

Kid Contractor Podcast with Caleb Auman

Growth can stall when every job depends on more labor, more stress, and more guesswork. Caleb and Brittany discuss how their hardscaping business has evolved through better systems, sharper financial tools, and a more intentional approach to people. Instead of relying on manual labor as the default answer, they explore how strategic equipment investments can increase productivity, reduce overhead, and limit the personnel challenges that come with an inefficient workforce. The conversation also digs into the impact of fractional CFO services and specialized software for budgeting, cash flow,...

Ep 700. Why SOPs Matter When Your New Hire Knows Nothing

Kid Contractor Podcast with Caleb Auman

On this episode Caleb discusses the logistical challenges of scaling a seven-figure landscaping business while integrating a completely inexperienced apprentice. He emphasizes that hiring for positive attitude over existing skill sets allows a leader to mold workers without having to break poor habits. To manage this "green" labor force effectively, Auman highlights the necessity of robust organizational systems, including color-coded tools, detailed digital documentation through Company Cam, and structured software like LMN for budgeting. He also explores broader economic trends affecting the...

Ep 699. How to Step Out of the Field Without Losing Control

Kid Contractor Podcast with Caleb Auman

Stepping out of the day-to-day work is not just an operations change. It is a leadership change. Caleb talks with Ryan Markewich of in Canada about what it really takes to move from being the person doing the work to becoming the person leading the business. Drawing from his experience building a successful landscaping company, Ryan explains how open-book management, shared financial visibility, and a clear long-term vision helped create a stronger team and a more scalable company. The conversation centers on a challenge many owners face: staying trapped in the field while trying to grow....

Ep 698. No More Apologies: Taking Control of the Budget Conversation

Kid Contractor Podcast with Caleb Auman

Caleb speaks with green industry veteran . The discussion focuses on professionalism and sales strategies within the landscaping business, emphasizing that customer service starts with internal team culture. Grunder highlights the necessity of screening potential clients and understanding company numbers to ensure profitability and successful project closing. He further explains that physical presentation, such as clean equipment and professional attire, is vital for landing high-value contracts. Additionally, Grunder details his educational ventures, including the and various training...

Ep 697. Why a New Hire’s Failure is 100% Your Fault with Sam Gembel

Kid Contractor Podcast with Caleb Auman

Caleb talks with regarding the essential principles of leadership and team management within the trades. Gembel emphasizes that business owners must define a clear vision and establish accountability to foster a "settled" company culture where employees feel secure. A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the idea that leaders should never project their personal motivations onto their staff, summarized by the mantra "never compare your why to someone else's why." Sam also address the 100% responsibility an organization holds for the success or failure of new hires, advocating for...

Ep 696. Beyond the Paycheck: Building a Culture of Leadership with Sam Gembel

Kid Contractor Podcast with Caleb Auman

Caleb speaks with , an entrepreneur who scaled his Michigan-based landscaping company from a side hustle to a multi-million dollar business. The conversation focuses on the critical shift from being a technician to a leader, emphasizing that business owners must prioritize people and culture over simple task management. Sam argues that the inability to find quality employees is often a reflection of poor leadership rather than a lack of talent in the market. He suggests that owners must build a destination company by providing clear career paths, benefits, and a mission that inspires workers...

More Episodes

Growth can stall when every job depends on more labor, more stress, and more guesswork.

Caleb and Brittany discuss how their hardscaping business has evolved through better systems, sharper financial tools, and a more intentional approach to people. Instead of relying on manual labor as the default answer, they explore how strategic equipment investments can increase productivity, reduce overhead, and limit the personnel challenges that come with an inefficient workforce.

The conversation also digs into the impact of fractional CFO services and specialized software for budgeting, cash flow, and long-term planning. Caleb and Brittany share how clearer numbers have helped them make stronger decisions, while improved hiring practices have raised the bar for team morale, customer satisfaction, and company culture.

Covered in this episode:

• Invest in specialized equipment to replace inefficient manual labor and reduce long-term overhead costs.

• Hire a fractional CFO or utilize professional budgeting software to gain clarity on financial health and plan for future cash flow needs.

• Refine your hiring process to focus on attitude and cultural fit rather than simply filling vacancies with "warm bodies."

• Practice transparent communication with your team when facing high-stress periods to manage expectations and maintain professional morale.

• Reward team excellence by offering financial incentives to employees who are specifically named in positive client reviews.

This episode offers a practical look at what it takes to move a contracting business beyond reactive decisions and toward a more stable, scalable future.