Kid Contractor Podcast with Caleb Auman

A show focusing on a wide range of contractors from the Green Industry to General Contractors and beyond. Your host Caleb, runs a successful 7 figure business with his wife Brittany, and has over 20 years in the industry. “The Kid” has learned some valuable lessons he wants to share with you. The principles discussed will energize and empower you to crush your goals.

Ep 740. $3 Million + Series | Carla Policastro Co-Founder Cycle CPA 09/15/2026

Ep 740. $3 Million + Series | Carla Policastro Co-Founder Cycle CPA Bookkeeper, CPA, or Fractional CFO: Who You Actually Need at $3M+ Caleb and Carla discuss the complexities of scaling a service business beyond the $3 million revenue mark. They emphasize that transitioning from a hands-on owner to a leader requires robust financial infrastructure, delegation, and the implementation of accountability systems. Carla highlights critical financial practices, such as capacity planning, divisional reporting, and monitoring gross profit margins to identify hidden waste. A significant portion of the conversation focuses on the value of sharing financial data with team members to foster a sense of ownership and align employee incentives with company goals. Key Takeaways: Shift from pure hustle to systems and leadership to build the operational infrastructure required to scale beyond initial growth limits. Track monthly production capacity by calculating revenue per labor hour so you can spot and eliminate hidden waste early. Share project numbers with your team to foster crew buy-in, boost accountability, and align incentive structures with actual job margins. Replace bank balance accounting with dedicated ownership over cash management, accounts receivable, and accounts payable. Invest in personal self-development so that your leadership capacity grows in tandem with the demands of scaling the business. Connect with Auman Landscape 📺 YouTube 🌐 All Links 📸 Instagram 👷 👷‍♂️ 👷‍♀️ The Hardsacpe Academy 👫 👩‍❤️‍👨 Together In The Trades Episode Sponsors 📸 CompanyCam – Get 50% off for 2 months 💰 Cycle CPA – Save $200 Use code: AUMAN 🛠 LMN Software – Save on onboarding Use code: AUMAN 🚜⚙️🛠️ Steelwrist 🛠 Leanscaperhttps://leanscaper.com/ 🚜 Equip Use code: AUMAN 💰 John Pajak 🧠 🎯 💡 FRWRD Coaching /episode/index/show/kidcontractor/id/42875855

E739. Why Man-Hour Rates and Budgeted Hours Are Your Key to Profit w/ Naylor Taliaferro 09/10/2026

E738. $3 Million + Series | Kevin Scott President at Muskoka Landscapers 09/08/2026

E738. $3 Million + Series | Kevin Scott President at Muskoka Landscapers Stop Buying Trucks, Start Hiring Office Staff: The "Easy Hard" Choice for Contractors. Caleb talks with Kevin Scott, the founder of and . The conversation centers on the professional evolution required to scale a landscaping business past the $3 million revenue mark. Scott emphasizes that business growth is primarily driven by shifting leadership mindsets, transitioning from a hands-on operator to a visionary leader who prioritizes team development over micromanagement. He details how implementing standard systems and nurturing strategic partnerships allowed his company to manage high-end, large-scale projects more efficiently. Key Takeaways: Flip your business priorities to focus on your team first, which will naturally drive better customer care and higher net profitability. Hire administrative or office support to take over routine tasks like invoicing and scheduling, freeing up your time to focus on high-level vision and client relationships. Transform your site visits into positive check-ins to build rapport with your crew, while saving critical, corrective feedback to deliver privately to your managers. Create standard operating procedures and use software templates so your team has clear targets, knows exactly what is expected, and can execute jobs without you. Get yourself into the right rooms by attending industry conferences, joining mastermind groups, and actively seeking mentors who have already successfully scaled past your current revenue ceiling. Connect with Auman Landscape 📺 YouTube 🌐 All Links 📸 Instagram 👷 👷‍♂️ 👷‍♀️ The Hardsacpe Academy 👫 👩‍❤️‍👨 Together In The Trades Episode Sponsors 📸 CompanyCam – Get 50% off for 2 months 💰 Cycle CPA – Save $200 Use code: AUMAN 🛠 LMN Software – Save on onboarding Use code: AUMAN 🚜⚙️🛠️ Steelwrist 🛠 Leanscaperhttps://leanscaper.com/ 🚜 Equip Use code: AUMAN 💰 John Pajak 🧠 🎯 💡 FRWRD Coaching /episode/index/show/kidcontractor/id/42782945

E737. If Someone Won't Buy Your Company, Why Do You Own It? 09/03/2026

E737. If Someone Won't Buy Your Company, Why Do You Own It? Challenging business owners to shift their mindset from running a daily job to building a valuable, sellable asset is covered in today's episode. Caleb and Brittney discuss the evolution of their landscaping and hardscaping business. They reflect on their twelve-year journey, highlighting how software automation and AI tools have streamlined operations and reduced their daily workloads. Much of the conversation focuses on the personal challenges of working with a spouse, specifically the struggle to feel valued as roles shift from manual labor to executive oversight. Key Takeaways: Build your business with the ultimate goal of making it sellable, ensuring you are creating a valuable, independent asset rather than just working a stressful daily job. Stop letting stubbornness block your efficiency and immediately invest in the proper tools, software, or equipment that will save you from grueling, manual trial-and-error. Use AI and modern automation to offboard daily tasks, allowing you to step away from operational chaos and focus on higher-level strategy and relationships. Embrace constructive disagreement in your partnerships, understanding that if two business partners agree on absolutely everything, one of them is unnecessary. Anticipate that growth will not make your life easier, but will instead simply change the nature of the challenges and struggles you must face as you evolve. Connect with Auman Landscape 📺 YouTube 🌐 All Links 📸 Instagram 👷 👷‍♂️ 👷‍♀️ The Hardsacpe Academy 👫 👩‍❤️‍👨 Together In The Trades Episode Sponsors 📸 CompanyCam – Get 50% off for 2 months 💰 Cycle CPA – Save $200 Use code: AUMAN 🛠 LMN Software – Save on onboarding Use code: AUMAN 🚜⚙️🛠️ Steelwrist 🛠 Leanscaperhttps://leanscaper.com/ 🚜 Equip Use code: AUMAN 💰 John Pajak 🧠 🎯 💡 FRWRD Coaching /episode/index/show/kidcontractor/id/42724385

E736. $3 Million + Series | Cooper Leary Founder CLS Landscape Construction 09/01/2026

E735. Slow Growth, High Quality: Retention Secrets of a 20-Year Legacy Contractor 08/27/2026

E735. Slow Growth, High Quality: Retention Secrets of a 20-Year Legacy Contractor Adam Coupe, owner of a New York-based landscaping company discusses the operational philosophies of running a high-volume service business, including how his single crew manages 150 weekly mowing properties through route density. shares his preference for staying in the field rather than focusing on administrative tasks, emphasizing that owners should build a business structure that aligns with their personal happiness. The conversation also covers the importance of client screening, using specific equipment for finished property work, and maintaining a debt-free financial model. Additionally, Coupe reflects on the economic lessons learned during the 2008 recession and the value of professional CRM systems for growth. Key Takeaways: Focus on accumulating small, consistent wins to build your overall success instead of constantly chasing high-stress, high-risk projects. Learn to comfortably say "no" to opportunities that do not align with your geographic boundaries or target audience to keep your daily schedule highly efficient. Build your career or business around the day-to-day work you actually enjoy rather than forcing yourself into administrative roles just to follow standard industry advice. Adopt a rainy-day financial mindset by actively saving for future replacement costs and avoiding debt so you can start every workday with a completely clear mind. Recognize that running an organization and managing people are two completely different jobs that require entirely separate skill sets and mindsets to master. Connect with Auman Landscape 📺 YouTube 🌐 All Links 📸 Instagram 👷 👷‍♂️ 👷‍♀️ The Hardsacpe Academy 👫 👩‍❤️‍👨 Together In The Trades Episode Sponsors 📸 CompanyCam – Get 50% off for 2 months 💰 Cycle CPA – Save $200 Use code: AUMAN 🛠 LMN Software – Save on onboarding Use code: AUMAN 🚜⚙️🛠️ Steelwrist 🛠 Leanscaperhttps://leanscaper.com/ 🚜 Equip Use code: AUMAN 💰 John Pajak 🧠 🎯 💡 FRWRD Coaching /episode/index/show/kidcontractor/id/42521025

E734. $3 Million + Series | Bob Scott CEO of Lowe's Greenhouse 08/25/2026

E734. $3 Million + Series | Bob Scott CEO of Lowe's Greenhouse Bob shares his blueprint for breaking past the $3 million mark and scaling a landscape business to nearly $9 million in total revenue. Scott explains that his business journey involved transitioning from a small-scale operation to a large-scale enterprise by purchasing a local garden center and integrating his landscape services. A major theme of the discussion is the evolution of leadership, specifically the necessity of delegating tasks to specialists who possess more talent than the owner in specific areas. Bob emphasizes that maintaining high organizational standards and having difficult conversations are essential for cultivating a professional culture and high-quality staff. Key Takeaways: Hire people who are smarter and more skilled than you in specific areas to unlock higher-quality results and free up your time to focus on high-level growth. Lean into uncomfortable conversations early by framing them around your professional responsibilities rather than making them feel like a personal attack. Enforce strict, consistent standards daily because the behaviors you permit in your life or organization are ultimately the behaviors you promote. Prune the bottom five percent of your clients or projects to eliminate unnecessary time drains and redirect your energy toward high-value opportunities. Prioritize progress over perfection by trusting your gut, making timely decisions, and keeping yourself moving forward even if the path isn't perfectly straight. Lowes Greenhouse: Connect with Auman Landscape 📺 YouTube 🌐 All Links 📸 Instagram 👷 👷‍♂️ 👷‍♀️ The Hardsacpe Academy 👫 👩‍❤️‍👨 Together In The Trades Episode Sponsors 📸 CompanyCam – Get 50% off for 2 months 💰 Cycle CPA – Save $200 Use code: AUMAN 🛠 LMN Software – Save on onboarding Use code: AUMAN 🚜⚙️🛠️ Steelwrist 🛠 Leanscaperhttps://leanscaper.com/ 🚜 Equip Use code: AUMAN 💰 John Pajak 🧠 🎯 💡 FRWRD Coaching /episode/index/show/kidcontractor/id/42502000

E733. Instagram Mailbag: Your Hardscape Hiring & Contract Questions Answered 08/20/2026

E732. $3 Million + Series | Andy Mulder Founder of Mulder Outdoors 08/18/2026

E731. 7 Critical Checkpoints to Hit Before Year-End 08/13/2026

E731. 7 Critical Checkpoints to Hit Before Year-End Finish strong and prepare for Q4! The Auman's discuss the transition from a chaotic, "hamster wheel" business model to a structured, system-driven enterprise. Caleb introduces his new "Built for Contractors" mentorship program, which focuses on providing scalable processes and accountability for hardscaping professionals. They emphasize the importance of financial clarity and the courage to fire underperforming service providers to ensure long-term growth. They also review seven critical end-of-year metrics, including profitability, labor efficiency, and backlog management, to help listeners prepare for the fourth quarter. Key Takeaways: Implement structured, scalable systems in both the office and the field instead of relying solely on hard work to escape the endless business hamster wheel. Embrace "clarity is kindness" by letting go of service providers, partners, or employees who aren't performing or communicating well so they have the chance to improve elsewhere. Calculate your true revenue per hour by dividing your gross invoiced revenue by the total paid hours to quickly spot gaps in your estimating and crew production rates. Proactively map out your remaining weeks of capacity and backlog in the fourth quarter to build a realistic schedule that successfully lands the plane by year-end. Begin squirreling away cash and aligning on winter expectations with your financial advisor during the busy season so you can afford to retain your crew during the colder months. Connect with Auman Landscape 📺 YouTube 🌐 All Links 📸 Instagram 👷 👷‍♂️ 👷‍♀️ The Hardsacpe Academy 👫 👩‍❤️‍👨 Together In The Trades Episode Sponsors 📸 CompanyCam – Get 50% off for 2 months 💰 Cycle CPA – Save $200 Use code: AUMAN 🛠 LMN Software – Save on onboarding Use code: AUMAN 🚜⚙️🛠️ Steelwrist 🛠 Leanscaperhttps://leanscaper.com/ 🚜 Equip Use code: AUMAN 💰 John Pajak 🧠 🎯 💡 FRWRD Coaching /episode/index/show/kidcontractor/id/42431050

E730. $3 Million+ Series | Charlie Kerrigan Founder of VIL Landscaping 08/11/2026

E730. $3 Million+ Series | Charlie Kerrigan Founder of VIL Landscaping is a twenty-year-old entrepreneur managing a landscape construction firm in Toronto nearing $3 million in revenue. The discussion centers on the personal evolution required to lead a growing business, emphasizing the dangers of expanding too quickly without maintaining operational efficiency. Kerrigan candidly shares lessons on avoiding excessive overhead, the importance of "leading from the trenches," and why profitability must take precedence over high-end equipment or vanity metrics. He also highlights the value of clear communication and the necessity of addressing difficult conversations to prevent professional stagnation. Key Takeaways: Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty and stay active in the trenches where the real work happens, no matter how much success or scale you achieve. Organize your week with dedicated time blocks on your calendar to gain control over your schedule and ensure your daily actions align with your major goals. Face difficult conversations and ask hard questions immediately, since delaying necessary conflict only multiplies the problems down the road. Put your ego aside and ask for help from mentors, peers, and team members when making big decisions or navigating challenges. Choose to find joy and have fun through the chaos, realizing that things will inevitably go wrong but you always have control over how seriously you take them. Connect with Auman Landscape 📺 YouTube 🌐 All Links 📸 Instagram 👷 👷‍♂️ 👷‍♀️ The Hardsacpe Academy 👫 👩‍❤️‍👨 Together In The Trades Episode Sponsors 📸 CompanyCam – Get 50% off for 2 months 💰 Cycle CPA – Save $200 Use code: AUMAN 🛠 LMN Software – Save on onboarding Use code: AUMAN 🚜⚙️🛠️ Steelwrist 🛠 Leanscaperhttps://leanscaper.com/ 🚜 Equip Use code: AUMAN 💰 John Pajak 🧠 🎯 💡 FRWRD Coaching /episode/index/show/kidcontractor/id/42365845

E729. Breaking the $3 Million Barrier 08/05/2026

E729. Breaking the $3 Million Barrier What’s Really Holding Your Business Back? In this episode, Caleb and Brittany introduce a series of interviews with leading professionals who have successfully navigated the challenges of reaching and surpassing major revenue milestones. The central message is that mindset is often the first key to business growth. The right mindset pushes owners to seek better systems, experienced mentors, stronger pricing strategies, and new ways of leading their teams. Caleb believes mindset must come first, while Brittany emphasizes that understanding your financial numbers is equally important. Services such as Cycle CPA can help business owners make sure increased revenue leads to real profit, rather than simply producing impressive gross revenue numbers. Key Takeaways: The Owner Can Become the Bottleneck Business owners often limit their own growth by refusing to delegate, holding on to too many responsibilities, or failing to create dependable systems. Strong Systems Support Growth Software such as LMN for estimating and CompanyCam for jobsite documentation can help reduce poor communication, inaccurate time tracking, and other costly inefficiencies. Growth Creates New Leadership Challenges As a company grows, clear policies and Standard Operating Procedures become increasingly important. Caleb and Brittany share a disagreement involving reimbursement for an employee’s custom hard hat. The situation demonstrated why growing businesses must move away from emotional, case-by-case decisions and toward consistent policies outlined in an employee handbook. The Million-Dollar Myth Brittany recalls hearing from local contractors that it was nearly impossible to remain profitable after reaching $1 million in annual revenue. A conversation with Mark Bradley helped change that perspective. He explained that growth can remain both sustainable and profitable when the company has the right team, processes, systems, and pricing in place. Ultimately, Caleb and Brittany emphasize that working on yourself is just as important as working on your business. The questions you are afraid to ask may be the same questions preventing your company from reaching the next level. Connect with Auman Landscape 📺 YouTube 🌐 All Links 📸 Instagram 👷 👷‍♂️ 👷‍♀️ The Hardsacpe Academy 👫 👩‍❤️‍👨 Together In The Trades Episode Sponsors 📸 CompanyCam – Get 50% off for 2 months 💰 Cycle CPA – Save $200 Use code: AUMAN 🛠 LMN Software – Save on onboarding Use code: AUMAN 🚜⚙️🛠️ Steelwrist 🛠 Leanscaperhttps://leanscaper.com/ 🚜 Equip Use code: AUMAN 💰 John Pajak 🧠 🎯 💡 FRWRD Coaching /episode/index/show/kidcontractor/id/42328710

E728. How Strengthening Your Marriage Can Save Your Contracting Company 07/30/2026

E727. Why Client Retention is the Secret Weapon for Massive Profit Gains 07/28/2026

E726. Finding Your Solemn Resolve When Business Knocks You Down 07/24/2026

E725. Naval Ravikant’s Wealth Wisdom: Applying Tech Secrets to the Green Industry 07/22/2026

E724. Why Your Management Style is Throttling Company Growth 07/16/2026

E724. Why Your Management Style is Throttling Company Growth Today Caleb emphasizes that company leaders are often the primary bottleneck to growth, particularly when they fail to delegate or implement standardized operating procedures. Auman highlights how operational waste can become hidden as a firm expands, stressing the financial importance of improving efficiency in daily tasks like site loadouts. To combat these issues, he advocates for high levels of due diligence, including thorough site visits and the use of digital documentation tools like Company Cam. The discussion also touches on the necessity of learning from costly mistakes and establishing a unified "company way" to ensure consistency across multiple crews. Key Takeaways: Track and eliminate small daily inefficiencies to prevent them from scaling into major financial losses as your business grows. Perform visual site checks at least one week before a project begins to ensure other trades are ready and avoid costly delays. Identify where you are the bottleneck by sharing critical information like schedules so your team can operate independently. Require that all project details be recorded and transcribed rather than relying on verbal phone conversations to prevent expensive misunderstandings. Create a blanket company standard for every task so that quality remains consistent regardless of which team member is performing the work. Connect with Auman Landscape 📺 YouTube 🌐 All Links 📸 Instagram 👷 👷‍♂️ 👷‍♀️ The Hardsacpe Academy 👫 👩‍❤️‍👨 Together In The Trades Episode Sponsors 📸 CompanyCam – Get 50% off for 2 months 💰 Cycle CPA – Save $200 Use code: AUMAN 🛠 LMN Software – Save on onboarding Use code: AUMAN 🚜⚙️🛠️ Steelwrist 🛠 Leanscaperhttps://leanscaper.com/ 🚜 Equip Use code: AUMAN 💰 John Pajak 🧠 🎯 💡 FRWRD Coaching /episode/index/show/kidcontractor/id/42106705

E723. Is Business Your Calling? Why Your Company Isn’t Actually About You 07/14/2026

E722. Stop Digging and Start Scaling to Transition from Operator to Business Leader 07/09/2026

E721. Why Your Business Must Run Without You to Grow 07/07/2026

E720. Stop Being the Bottleneck and Scale Your Business Beyond One Million Dollars 07/02/2026

E719. Get More Revenue from Your Revenue: The Metrics Every Small Business Must Track 06/30/2026

E719. Get More Revenue from Your Revenue: The Metrics Every Small Business Must Track Caleb speaks with , the Chief Revenue Officer at , regarding business growth and leadership within the green industry. Dorsey explains the distinction between sales and total revenue, highlighting the necessity of tracking specific performance metrics to ensure long-term stability. The discussion emphasizes the importance of hiring for character rather than just technical skills, while also advocating for rigorous training to build employee competence. Dorsey introduces psychological concepts such as growth mindset and visualization, suggesting that true resilience is built through preparation rather than simply enduring hardship. Finally, the episode warns against "shiny object syndrome," advising business owners to use clear long-term goals as filters to avoid burnout and maintain progress. Key Takeaways: Implement the GERMS methodology by prioritizing gratitude, exercise, reading, meditation, and sleep to prevent burnout and maintain peak performance. Define a Keystone Goal for a one-to-three-year horizon to serve as a filter for new projects and help you avoid the trap of shiny object syndrome. Practice dual-visualization by mentally rehearsing both your successful outcomes and the specific obstacles you may encounter to build a more resilient mindset. Focus on hiring for characteristics like discipline and motivation while leaving technical skills for the training phase, as core traits are much harder to develop than job competence. Track micro-progress through specific daily or weekly metrics to maintain momentum and stay motivated during challenging periods in your business or personal life. Connect with Auman Landscape 📺 YouTube 🌐 All Links 📸 Instagram 👷 👷‍♂️ 👷‍♀️ The Hardsacpe Academy 👫 👩‍❤️‍👨 Together In The Trades Episode Sponsors 📸 CompanyCam – Get 50% off for 2 months 💰 Cycle CPA – Save $200 Use code: AUMAN 🛠 LMN Software – Save on onboarding Use code: AUMAN 🚜⚙️🛠️ Steelwrist 🛠 Leanscaperhttps://leanscaper.com/ 🚜 Equip Use code: AUMAN 💰 John Pajak 🧠 🎯 💡 FRWRD Coaching /episode/index/show/kidcontractor/id/41849065

E718. The Leader as Learner: Why You Don’t Need All the Answers to Lead 06/25/2026

E717. Stop Selling Products, Start Selling Experiences: Hooking Your Ideal Client 06/23/2026

E716. From Bartender to $30M: Jason Cromley’s Hidden Creek Success Story 06/18/2026

E716. From Bartender to $30M: Jason Cromley’s Hidden Creek Success Story Caleb interviews , the co-founder of . Based in Columbus, Ohio, Cromley recounts how he and his partner scaled their business from a $30,000 startup to a $30 million enterprise over nearly three decades. The discussion highlights the transition from manual labor to strategic business management, emphasizing the importance of financial literacy, budgeting through software like LMN, and implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). Cromley shares leadership insights on reading client expectations, navigating high-stakes growth, and the necessity of tenacity in the green industry. Additionally, the conversation explores the unique culture of open sharing among landscaping professionals and the challenges of integrating company acquisitions. Key Takeaways: Embrace tenacity and grit as the foundational drivers for long-term success, regardless of where you start. Master the skill of reading people and setting clear expectations early to build stronger professional and personal relationships. Implement structured business systems and budgets to gain a clear understanding of your finances and scale your operations effectively. Create hard boundaries for work-life balance by committing to external activities, such as coaching or family events, that force you to leave the office on time. Focus on delegating tasks to specialized experts and building a strong leadership team to overcome growth plateaus and elevate your role within your organization. Connect with Auman Landscape 📺 YouTube 🌐 All Links 📸 Instagram 👷 👷‍♂️ 👷‍♀️ The Hardsacpe Academy 👫 👩‍❤️‍👨 Together In The Trades Episode Sponsors 📸 CompanyCam – Get 50% off for 2 months 💰 Cycle CPA – Save $200 Use code: AUMAN 🛠 LMN Software – Save on onboarding Use code: AUMAN 🚜⚙️🛠️ Steelwrist 🛠 Leanscaperhttps://leanscaper.com/ 🚜 Equip Use code: AUMAN 💰 John Pajak 🧠 🎯 💡 FRWRD Coaching /episode/index/show/kidcontractor/id/41678960

E715. How to Scale Your Green Industry Business with Paid Ads 06/16/2026

E715. How to Scale Your Green Industry Business with Paid Ads Caleb's guest is Doug Sirkoch from , a marketing agency specializing in the green industry. The conversation focuses on digital advertising strategies for landscaping and hardscaping businesses, specifically highlighting the importance of tracking metrics like customer acquisition cost (CAC) and lifetime value (LTV). Doug explains the mechanics of Google Ads and the auction-based system that determines search rankings, while emphasizing that fundamental business practices like high-quality reviews remain essential. He also touch upon Facebook retargeting and the necessity of having a professional website to convert leads effectively. The episode provides a roadmap for contractors to use paid media as a scalable lever for business growth and diagnostic improvement. Key Takeaways: Calculate your customer acquisition cost and lifetime value to ensure your marketing spend is actually driving long-term profitability. Maintain high-quality website content and professional imagery to establish authority and attract premium, high-paying clients. Differentiate your business from large corporations by prioritizing personal communication and responding to leads as quickly as possible. Commit to a consistent, long-term advertising strategy rather than turning ads on and off to allow search algorithms to optimize your results over time. Implement retargeting campaigns on social media to stay in front of potential customers who have already shown interest in your high-ticket services. Connect with Auman Landscape 📺 YouTube 🌐 All Links 📸 Instagram 👷 👷‍♂️ 👷‍♀️ The Hardsacpe Academy 👫 👩‍❤️‍👨 Together In The Trades 🎓 LeanScaper’s People Intensive 📍 Chicago, IL 📅 June 15–16, 2026 Learn more and register here: Episode Sponsors 📸 CompanyCam – Get 50% off for 2 months 💰 Cycle CPA – Save $200 Use code: AUMAN 🛠 LMN Software – Save on onboarding Use code: AUMAN 🚜⚙️🛠️ Steelwrist 🛠 Leanscaperhttps://leanscaper.com/ 🚜 Equip Use code: AUMAN 💰 John Pajak 🧠 🎯 💡 FRWRD Coaching /episode/index/show/kidcontractor/id/41654700

E714. Mentorship vs. College: Why Sam Fink Traded a Degree for Real-World Coaching 06/12/2026

E714. Mentorship vs. College: Why Sam Fink Traded a Degree for Real-World Coaching Caleb interviews Sam Fink, the young owner of . The conversation highlights Fink’s professional evolution from a childhood lawn mower to a business owner focused on high-end planting and design. Throughout the episode, the two men discuss the transformative impact of mentorship, industry coaching, and professional networking on their careers. They address common operational struggles, such as the difficulty of saying no to unsuitable projects and the importance of meticulous job documentation. Key Takeaways: Stop being a "chronic yes man" and start declining projects or requests that do not align with your primary goals or ideal client profile. Prioritize investing in mentorship and high-level peer groups over traditional education if you want to accelerate your practical business knowledge. Create written standard operating procedures and use job documentation tools to provide clarity for your team and protect your business from liability. Practice extreme discipline with digital distractions by identifying and slaying the "dragons" like social media that pull you away from your work. Implement 90-day sprints and use a physical calendar to track daily wins in order to build momentum toward your long-term objectives. Connect with Auman Landscape 📺 YouTube 🌐 All Links 📸 Instagram 👷 👷‍♂️ 👷‍♀️ The Hardsacpe Academy 👫 👩‍❤️‍👨 Together In The Trades 🎓 LeanScaper’s People Intensive 📍 Chicago, IL 📅 June 15–16, 2026 Learn more and register here: Episode Sponsors 📸 CompanyCam – Get 50% off for 2 months 💰 Cycle CPA – Save $200 Use code: AUMAN 🛠 LMN Software – Save on onboarding Use code: AUMAN 🚜⚙️🛠️ Steelwrist 🛠 Leanscaperhttps://leanscaper.com/ 🚜 Equip Use code: AUMAN 💰 John Pajak 🧠 🎯 💡 FRWRD Coaching /episode/index/show/kidcontractor/id/41615900

E713. Breaking Down Our Sales & Tech Workflow. 06/09/2026

E713. Breaking Down Our Sales & Tech Workflow. This episode details the professional systems and operational philosophy used by Caleb Auman to manage a successful landscaping business. It highlights how specialized software and rigorous processes are essential for transforming a chaotic workload into a controlled, profitable enterprise. Caleb outlines a structured sales funnel, starting from the initial lead qualification and moving through detailed onsite measurements, design fees, and strategic payment schedules. Key tools like LMN, Company Cam, and Leanscaper are identified as the backbone of the company's "tech stack" for documentation and job costing. Key Takeaways: Implement a strict lead qualification script to ensure you only spend time on projects that are a genuine fit for your business. Always schedule the next appointment before finishing your current interaction so the client never has to wonder about the next step in the process. Move away from 50/50 payment structures in favor of smaller, more frequent draws to protect your company's cash flow and minimize financial risk. Establish a daily mid-day communication huddle with your team to sync on progress, set clear goals for the next day, and identify any immediate resource needs. Approach sales by positioning the client as the hero of the story and yourself as the expert guide who helps them conquer their project's specific challenges. Connect with Auman Landscape 📺 YouTube 🌐 All Links 📸 Instagram 👷 👷‍♂️ 👷‍♀️ The Hardsacpe Academy 👫 👩‍❤️‍👨 Together In The Trades 🎓 LeanScaper’s People Intensive 📍 Chicago, IL 📅 June 15–16, 2026 Learn more and register here: Episode Sponsors 📸 CompanyCam – Get 50% off for 2 months 💰 Cycle CPA – Save $200 Use code: AUMAN 🛠 LMN Software – Save on onboarding Use code: AUMAN 🚜⚙️🛠️ Steelwrist 🛠 Leanscaperhttps://leanscaper.com/ 🚜 Equip Use code: AUMAN 💰 John Pajak 🧠 🎯 💡 FRWRD Coaching /episode/index/show/kidcontractor/id/41586545

E712. The $240/Hour Mistake: Hard Lessons in Leadership and Revenue Per Hour 06/09/2026

E711. The Field-Tested Change Order Checklist: Get Paid for Every Add-On 06/03/2026

E711. The Field-Tested Change Order Checklist: Get Paid for Every Add-On Caleb addresses the financial and operational pitfalls of poorly managed change orders within his landscaping business. He admits to losing thousands of dollars by failing to document project additions officially, prompting him to implement a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) using the Leanscaper AI platform. This updated protocol requires crews to pause work, take photos in Company Cam, and secure written client approval before proceeding with any extra tasks. Beyond technical management, Auman discusses the complexities of running a business with a spouse and promotes upcoming educational workshops for industry professionals. Key Takeaways: Implement a strict "No Surprises" policy by getting written approval for every change in project scope before any additional work begins. Use job documentation apps to take before-and-after photos to prevent disputes and turn potential problems into quick, fact-based decisions. Stick to your established project schedule instead of thinning out crews to start new commitments before current jobs are finished. Create a centralized digital database for Standard Operating Procedures to empower your team to find answers and follow processes independently. Prioritize clear communication and boundaries to protect both your professional craftsmanship and your personal relationships when running a family business. Connect with Auman Landscape 📺 YouTube 🌐 All Links 📸 Instagram 👷 👷‍♂️ 👷‍♀️ The Hardsacpe Academy 👫 👩‍❤️‍👨 Together In The Trades 🎓 LeanScaper’s People Intensive 📍 Chicago, IL 📅 June 15–16, 2026 Learn more and register here: Episode Sponsors 📸 CompanyCam – Get 50% off for 2 months 💰 Cycle CPA – Save $200 Use code: AUMAN 🛠 LMN Software – Save on onboarding Use code: AUMAN 🚜⚙️🛠️ Steelwrist 🛠 Leanscaperhttps://leanscaper.com/ 🚜 Equip Use code: AUMAN 💰 John Pajak 🧠 🎯 💡 FRWRD Coaching /episode/index/show/kidcontractor/id/41528230

Kid Contractor Podcast with Caleb Auman

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