In this episode of Roots of Success, Chris Psencik sits down with Jeff Margulies, owner of Good Earth Landscape in Colorado's breathtaking Roaring Fork Valley. Jeff shares his journey from a finance career in Boston to building one of the region's powerhouse landscape companies — despite daunting challenges like high costs, seasonal constraints, and retaining top talent in a resort market. Discover how Jeff's business philosophy combines performance with a deep love for the environment and learn about the creative culture-building strategies that have shaped Good Earth into a thriving team. Whether you're searching for inspiration, growth tactics, or a unique business story, this episode offers practical wisdom and a glimpse of life where work and nature meet.

THE BIG IDEA:  

Culture conquers challenges

[04:55 Interview Journey and New Beginnings
[07:14] "Building Good Earth's Revival"
[12:14] Landscaping: Unique Challenges & Dynamics
[15:17] "Landscaping's Love-Hate Reality"
[19:17] "Balancing Lifestyle and Housing Costs"
[22:13] Building Connections, Valuing Field Staff
[24:44] Gratitude, Work, Cookouts, Mountain Biking
[30:07] Creating Opportunity, Changing Lives
[32:14] Navigating Opportunities and Focus

1. How do you start and grow a successful landscaping business?
2. How can someone transition from a background in finance to becoming a leader in the landscaping industry?
3. What made the Roaring Fork Valley and Aspen, Colorado, appealing to teams when relocating?
4. What were some of the major challenges faced when taking over another person's company?
5. What unique challenges does the Roaring Fork Valley market present when it comes to hiring and retaining employees?
6. How does can a leader approach building a strong company culture?
7. What are some examples of their team-building activities?
8. In what ways does the seasonal nature and high cost of living in Aspen impact the company's operations and staffing?

Ever thought about selling your landscape business—but figured it was years down the road? What if the perfect opportunity landed in your lap, sooner than expected? In this episode of Roots of Success, host Jason New of McFarland Stanford sits down with Andrew Gabries, who built not one, but two thriving companies—Andrew's Lawn and Landscaping and Go Green Lawn and Pest Control—and exited both earlier than planned. From hustling alongside his mom in high school to managing 100+ employees and planning strategic sales, Andrew shares hard-won lessons about hiring, culture, scaling, and what it takes to make a company truly sellable. Whether you're contemplating your exit or just want to grow a world-class team, Andrew's journey is packed with actionable insight for landscape business leaders.

[03:13] Andrew's Lawn Landscaping Beginnings
[08:07] Andrew's Landscaping: Residential to Commercial Shift
[12:50] GoGreen's Focus and Growth Strategy
[13:56] CEO's Dual Role Simplified
[19:28] Celebration-Focused Workplace Culture
[20:42] Unexpected Business Sale Decision
[24:42] Involving Team Pre-Intent Discussions
[28:40] "Seamless Transition at Go Green"
[33:09] Aspire Transforms Business Management

Build great teams; growth and success follow naturally.

1. How do you start and grow a successful landscaping business?

2. What are the best strategies for scaling a landscaping or lawn care company?

3. How do you prepare a landscaping business for sale or acquisition?

4. What are effective ways to build a strong team and positive company culture in the green industry?

5. What is the role of software and technology in managing a landscaping company efficiently?

6. How do you transition from residential to commercial landscaping contracts?

7. What are tips for balancing business ownership with family life?

8. What's involved in the due diligence process when selling a small business?

9. How do landscaping companies successfully retain long-term employees?

10. What are the key factors in choosing the right partner for selling your business?

What if "just sod" was the secret to dominating a niche landscape market? In this episode, Tommy Cole sits down with Tom and Dana Groh of Minnesota Sodding Company (MSC) to uncover how they turned a teenage side-hustle into one of the most respected specialty contractors in the Midwest. From firing up equipment on commercial job sites to building pro-level athletic fields—even tackling the legendary Minnesota Twins' Target Field—the Grohs share how a relentless focus on relationships, a data-driven approach to pricing, and a true team mentality have powered their growth. If you're looking for real talk on running a people-first business, out-coaching the competition, and navigating the unique challenges of working with your spouse, this is an episode you can't miss.

Protect relationships; build success through strong teams.

[06:06] Career Growth Through Early Experience
[07:31] Preferred Day: Fieldwork Team Spirit
[10:54] Local Challenges, Distant Successes
[13:21] "Breaking Into Target Field Construction"
[18:55] "Challenge Accepted: Hotel Duck Photo"
[22:30] Discovering Element: Streamlining Operations
[26:04] Adjusting Markets for Profitability
[29:53] "Focus on Work, Not Profit"
[31:48] Impactful Bonus Programs Boost Performance
[36:50] Building Team Relationships
[37:24] Longtime Team as Family
[43:03] Navigating Marriage and Business Together

QUESTIONS WE ANSWER

1. What are the keys to building strong client and vendor relationships in the landscaping industry?

2. How can you find your niche in the landscaping or lawn care business?

3. What is the importance of revenue per hour as a KPI in landscaping businesses?

4. How do commercial and residential landscaping projects differ?

5. What are effective bonus and profit sharing programs for field crews in service businesses?

6. How can technology and software transform operations and efficiency in landscaping companies?

7. What are some challenges and solutions for bidding on projects outside your local area?

8. What steps should you take to grow a landscaping company from a small startup to handling major commercial contracts?

9. How can you create a culture of teamwork and low turnover in a small or medium-sized service business?

Think running a landscape company with your spouse is a recipe for disaster? Think again. Kerry and Jill Cline are living proof that partnership—at work and at home—can become your biggest business superpower. This candid conversation peels back the curtain on how they built C&S Lawn Service & Landscaping: from passing out flyers as a teenager to scaling up with peer support, adopting game-changing software, and building a culture of accountability and trust. Find out what it takes to get out of your own way, empower your team, and finally move from chaos to control, no matter how long you've been "too busy" to change.

Growth comes from learning and taking action.

[04:09] Building a Business Beyond Friends
[08:00] Family Business Decision
[11:16] Streamlining Hiring and Organization
[14:59] Trust and Financial Clarity
[16:58] Hiring Smarter Mentors for Growth
[20:34] Inaction Despite Learning
[24:32] "Software Adoption Success Story"
[28:59] Team-Centric Financial Transparency
[30:20] "Aligning Personal and Professional Goals"
[34:13] Empowering Teams through Management
[37:30] "Elevate Through Mentorship"

QUESTIONS WE ANSWER

1. What are the benefits of joining a business peer group?

2. How can husband and wife successfully run a business together?

3. When should I hire a fractional CFO for my small business?

4. How do I transition from working in my business to working on my business?

5. What is open book management, and should I use it in my company?

6. How do I build a strong company culture in the landscape industry?

7. What's the best way to implement systems and processes in a small business?

8. What are some challenges of hiring friends and family in your business?

Think marketing is just about flashy ads and social media posts? Think again. In this special two-year anniversary episode of Roots of Success, host Tommy Cole sits down with marketing mastermind John Dalton to celebrate the two year anniversary of the show and expose the real secrets behind building a thriving landscape brand. From their own stories of podcast mishaps and hard-won lessons, to John's 7 C's marketing framework, this episode is packed with priceless advice owners and execs can put to work right away. Whether you're wrestling with a scattered marketing plan or simply looking to refine your company's image, you'll hear actionable strategies for clarifying your message, reaching your ideal clients, and fueling long-term growth.

Marketing starts with clarity and knowing customers.

[08:22] Celebrating Success with Prosecco
[10:36] Understanding Marketing's Complexity
[14:30] Landscaping Marketing Framework Initiative
[19:35] Business Cohesion and Evaluation Framework
[22:18] Brand Consistency Through Visuals
[24:08] Clarifying Business Vision Challenges
[29:25] Enhancing Communication and Strategy Planning
[33:12] Social Media: Time vs. Necessity
[36:03] Team Focus Boosts Landscape Marketing
[38:37] Social Media's Role in Business Relationships
[42:49] Prioritize Expertise and Marketing

QUESTIONS WE ANSWER

1. What are the essential steps for creating a marketing plan for a landscaping business?

2. How can landscaping companies identify their ideal customer profile?

3. What are common marketing mistakes small businesses make?

4. How do you build a strong brand identity in the landscaping industry?

5. What is a fractional CMO and how can they help small businesses?

6. What is the role of social media in recruiting employees for landscaping companies?

7. What are the best marketing strategies for service-based businesses?

8. How do marketing and sales work together in growing a business?