Roots Of Success cover art

Roots Of Success

Roots Of Success

Written by: McFarlin Stanford
Listen for free

About this listen

 Are you ready to take your landscaping business to the next level? Tune in to Roots of Success, the premier landscaper's podcast that brings you the latest tips and strategies from the industry's most successful coaches. Hosted by Tommy Cole, VP and Principal of McFarlin Stanford, each episode features candid conversations with landscape business owners and industry experts who have overcome obstacles and achieved extraordinary success. Whether you're struggling with people, profits, or just day-to-day challenges, Tommy and his guests have the real-world experience and practical advice to help you build a thriving and profitable landscape business.2023 Economics Leadership Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Silent Service, Big Impact: Winning with Electrification and Automation

    Silent Service, Big Impact: Winning with Electrification and Automation
    Jan 8 2026
    If you've ever considered adding robot mowers and battery powered equipment to your operations tune in to this episode of Roots of Success, as host Kevin Keim from McFarlin Stanford sits down with Bob Carey of Kress Outdoor to talk electrification and autonomous mowing in the landscape industry. They bust common myths on power and reliability, break down the business drivers behind electrification, and reveal practical steps for piloting new equipment. You'll hear about how data-driven decisions maximize ROI, how robots are tackling large and small properties alike, and why the future of landscaping is as much about logistics and analytics as it is about green thumbs. Whether you're curious about new regulations, competitive edge, or labor-saving tech, this episode arms you with the knowledge to modernize your operations and plan for 2026 and beyond. THE BIG IDEA:  Your business is a logistics business and data from automation drives profitability. KEY MOMENTS: [06:05] Balancing Retention and Client Value [09:30] "Personalized Financial Growth Strategies" [12:57] "Optimizing Labor Through Digitization" [14:47] IoT Insights for Efficiency [17:20] "Team Planning and Workflow Optimization" [21:38] Energy Consumption Analysis for Battery Needs [23:56] "Proper Tools, Proper Application" [29:37] Landscaping Labor Shortage Solutions [32:47] Robotics Security and Reliability Concerns [36:00] "Plan, Measure, Align, Execute" [38:34] "Have a Plan for Change" QUESTIONS WE ANSWER What are some of the biggest myths surrounding battery-powered landscaping equipment? How have advances in technology addressed earlier limitations of autonomous lawn mowers, such as functioning under tree cover? In what ways can a landscaping company benefit from approaching their business as a logistics operation? Which factors are most influential in driving the transition toward electrification in landscaping—regulation, customer demand, or economics? How does data collection from new equipment help landscaping companies improve profitability and site-level efficiency? What are some best practices for rolling out electrification in a landscaping maintenance division? Where can landscaping businesses typically find the fastest return on investment when switching to battery-powered equipment? How does automation with autonomous mowers impact labor allocation and overall service quality for large properties? What are some common misconceptions or concerns clients have about deploying autonomous lawn mowers, and how can they be addressed? Why is it important for a landscaping company to have a written plan and an integrator for implementing new technologies or automation strategies?
    Show More Show Less
    41 mins
  • What Budget? How to Create a Budget You and Your Team Can Understand Like a Scoreboard

    What Budget? How to Create a Budget You and Your Team Can Understand Like a Scoreboard
    Dec 26 2025
    Budgeting doesn't have to be a mystery—or a misery! On this episode of Roots of Success, host Kevin Keim sits down with Liz Helton and Steve Alley from McFarlin Stanford to walk through how budgeting can transform your landscaping business. The trio shares actionable strategies for starting a budget from scratch, using your company's historic data, and adapting budgets as realities change. They explain the differences between budgets and forecasts, why seasonality matters, and how to avoid common pitfalls (like not budgeting at all). You'll get inside tips on controlling costs, maximizing gross profit, and holding your team accountable—all with practical techniques you can use right away. If you've been putting off budgeting or want to help your business take the next step, this episode will provide good advice to get you started. THE BIG IDEA:  You can only manage what you measure KEY MOMENTS: [03:35] "Budgeting Based on Historical Data" [06:59] Seasonal Budgeting for Landscaping Businesses [11:55] "Three-Way Budget Tool Overview" [15:20] "QuickBooks Budgeting Benefits Explained" [19:50] "Importance of Classifying Business Costs" [21:08] Accurate Budgeting with Historical Data [26:00] "Planning Revenue with Hour Metrics" [29:29] "Focus on Major Cost Drivers" [31:56] "Cutting Costs and Smart Spending" [37:38] "Breaking Goals into Manageable Steps" [41:33] "Communicate the Score: Are We Winning?" QUESTIONS WE ANSWER Why is it important for businesses, especially in the landscaping industry, to create a budget before the year begins? What is the difference between a budget and a forecast in financial planning? How does historical data play a role when building an annual budget? What challenges might a company face if they don't break out expenses by class or division? How can industry seasonality impact the process of budgeting revenue? What are some basic tools or software that can help a landscaping company create a budget using their historical data? Why is labor considered the most critical cost to manage in landscaping, and how should it be budgeted? What are some common pitfalls businesses face by not reviewing recurring expenses, such as insurance and software subscriptions? How can reviewing actual results against the budget throughout the year help improve business performance? Why is it crucial to communicate budget goals and metrics to team members, and how can breaking down targets make them more achievable?
    Show More Show Less
    47 mins
  • Real Training for Real Landscapers: No Actors Needed

    Real Training for Real Landscapers: No Actors Needed
    Dec 11 2025
    Join host Chris Psencik as he sits down with Matt Crinklaw, founder of Greenius, for his view of the evolution of training in the landscape industry. From humble beginnings and funny translation mishaps to technological innovation and culture transformation, Matt Crinklaw shares how Greenius is helping thousands of contractors build efficient, happy teams and combat high turnover. Explore the power of prioritizing training, the lessons learned from trying to teach actors to be landscapers and a sneak peek at what's ahead for workforce development. Tune in for practical takeaways and memorable stories you can use in your own business journey. THE BIG IDEA:  Prioritization creates capacity KEY MOMENTS: [04:54] "Learning Landscaping Hands-On" [06:51] Why Landscaping Became My Path [12:03] "From Soil to Solid Rock" [15:38] "Building Tailored Company Systems" [20:04] Overcoming Biases and Language Barriers [23:40] "Effective Communication and Team Buy-In" [25:37] "Superior Tech and Expert Content" [30:58] "Engagement Drives Progress, Not Just Payment" [34:42] "Success Story and Future Plans" QUESTIONS WE ANSWER What inspired the creation of a systemized training platform for the landscaping industry, and what were the initial challenges faced? What are some of the key lessons learned from trying to train new employees in operating heavy equipment without adequate onboarding? In what ways has technology transformed landscape workforce training over the past two decades? How do personal relationships and camaraderie in the field influence long-term commitment to the landscaping profession? What role does employee career path mapping play in reducing turnover and increasing efficiency? How does a company measure whether their training solutions are effective and being utilized by their team members? What strategies are used to integrate customer feedback into software development and training curriculum updates? How is gamification and emerging tech like AI being used or considered for future workforce training in the landscaping sector?
    Show More Show Less
    37 mins
No reviews yet