In this episode of the Above the Bar podcast, Sean Ormiston and the hosts discuss how AE Landscape Borders started while the founders were still in college and chose entrepreneurship over a traditional career path. The business did not begin with a single breakthrough idea but developed gradually through conversations and small opportunities that aligned. The early years were chaotic, filled with equipment problems, staffing shortages, long work hours, and constant pressure to keep jobs on schedule, which gave them a deeper respect for the realities of running a business. They emphasize that most lessons came from taking action rather than planning, since business plans rarely survive once real challenges appear. Over time the company transitioned from survival mode to building systems, hiring managers, and creating a scalable operation, which allowed responsibilities to be shared across a growing team. The founders highlight the importance of continuously raising standards, maintaining a team culture similar to sports, and focusing on helping others succeed within the company. Their advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to commit fully, learn from mistakes, improve your plans, and remember that building a successful business is not just about personal success but about creating opportunities and value for others

In this episode, Parker and Justin sit down with John Roberts, a recently promoted sales manager at Poly Pro Concrete Coatings and a father soon to be four, to break down a simple truth most people overlook: fulfillment is rarely found in massive life changes and is almost always built through tiny, repeatable wins. The conversation centers on the power of the one percent, the small daily choices that compound into confidence, identity, and real progress over time, whether that is showing up when nobody is watching, keeping promises to yourself, stacking habits that move your health and career forward, or cutting off the negative links that quietly form bad patterns. John shares what it looks like to lead a team with consistency, manage the chaos with measurable actions, and resist the myth of overnight success by choosing steady improvement instead of gambling everything on one big moment. If you have been waiting for the perfect time to feel motivated, this episode reframes the entire game and reminds you that fulfillment is not far away when you stop waiting for perfect and start choosing your next one percent.

If you want 2026 to be your year, this episode is your wake-up call. Sitting down with Blake, recently promoted Sales Manager at Poly Pro Concrete Coatings, and Justin Pates, we break down what it actually takes to stop repeating the same year over and over again and start building real momentum. From Blake’s leap of faith moving from Kentucky to Fort Wayne with a family to support, to grinding through uncertainty and committing fully to a new opportunity, this conversation dives into the power of clear vision, stacked habits, and ruthless consistency. We talk about why motivation fades, but clarity does not, how saying no is often more powerful than saying yes, why non-negotiables in your health, income, and mindset create massive transformation, and how your ecosystem today determines your results tomorrow. This is about cutting out the distractions, eliminating excuses, raising your standards, and choosing discomfort now so you are not filled with regret five years from today. If you are serious about building something bigger, becoming more disciplined, and taking control of your trajectory, this episode will challenge you to start now, not next year.

In this episode, we sit down with 23-year-old Deven, a General Manager of Revamp Companies, ranked the nation’s 16th largest home improvement company in 2025, to talk about why real wealth has nothing to do with age or credentials and everything to do with skills, competence, and execution. Starting at 19 and skipping college, Devon built his career through relentless work ethic, consistency, and a willingness to get uncomfortable, and in this conversation we break down three key principles that fast track success: surrounding yourself with people who raise your standard, staying liquid so you can say yes to opportunity, and choosing to be an operator instead of a dreamer. From 100-hour weeks and cross-country moves to the belief that reliability is a superpower and consistency beats talent when talent does not work, this episode is a blueprint for young, hungry individuals who are ready to stop waiting, start moving, and stack real skills that create long-term wealth.

In this episode, we break down why authenticity is one of the most overlooked advantages in business and life. Justin Pates, the youngest regional sales manager at AE Landscape Borders, explains how most people stay stuck in competition because they’re copying others instead of leaning into what makes them different.

The conversation explores why authenticity isn’t a tactic, but a state of being—one that removes comparison, builds confidence, and creates long-term fulfillment. We discuss the role of self-reflection, the danger of running the wrong race, and how using “this is just who I am” can sometimes become an excuse to avoid growth.

If you’ve ever felt stuck competing, unsure of your direction, or hesitant to fully be yourself because of what others might think, this episode offers a practical mindset shift: stop chasing people and start evolving into who you actually are.

This episode centers on the idea that having a Plan B—or safety net—can limit personal growth and commitment. Sean and Kade argue that true progress comes from fully committing to one path without keeping alternatives in the back of your mind. They believe that when failure isn’t an option, you’re forced to show up every day, work harder, and solve problems instead of escaping to an easier fallback.

Sean shares how his mindset, shaped by a message from his dad to “face everything head on,” pushed him to go all-in when the opportunity to start a business arose—even while playing Division I football. Both hosts emphasize evaluating risk realistically, especially when young, noting that time lost is often the biggest risk, not money. They argue that being young makes failure more recoverable and that overestimating risk often prevents people from taking meaningful action.

A key practical insight is reducing business risk by using customer money instead of loans—selling first, collecting deposits, and only then investing in materials and labor. This approach minimizes financial exposure and avoids high-interest debt.

The conversation also explores mindset: safety nets and “what if” thinking can subconsciously pull people toward the negative. Challenges and setbacks are reframed as opportunities for growth, problem-solving, and upward momentum. Rather than fearing lows, the hosts stress staying consistent, limiting emotional highs and lows, and continuing to move forward.

The episode concludes with a clear message: if something keeps coming back to your mind, it likely matters. Stop standing on the fence, go all in, and commit fully—whether in business, relationships, or life. Instead of looking at greener grass elsewhere, put in the work to make your own grass thrive.

In this episode of the Next Play Podcast, we sit down with George, the Illinois regional sales manager for AE, to explore why winners often lose more than losers. George shares insights on embracing failure as an essential part of growth, maintaining mental resilience through setbacks, and the importance of having short-term memory when facing adversity. We discuss how winners stay calm under pressure, leverage their losses for future wins, and surround themselves with positive influences. Tune in for practical tips on staying confident and level-headed, even during tough times, and learn how to transform your mindset to consistently push forward.

In this episode, the team sits down with Evan Dippin, former landscape border sales rep, stealth photography junkie, and proof that real value comes from the skills you build, not the jobs you take. Evan breaks down how learning high-income skills like sales, communication, leadership, accountability, and perseverance completely transformed his life. The conversation explores why these “portable power” skills follow you anywhere, how confidence grows as your abilities sharpen, and why reflection and direction matter just as much as talent. The guys also dive into the difference between having a skill and knowing how to leverage it for wealth, emphasizing that skills create leverage—and leverage creates freedom. From personal stories of hitting rock bottom to insights on using your natural strengths, this episode is packed with practical takeaways for anyone wanting to level up. It all leads to one message: start now, build your skillset, and unlock a future most people never reach.