On this weekly update on TradesTalk, Justin White reflects on a high-stakes win and the mindset spiral that followed.

After attending the first-ever FutureScapes USA event in Los Angeles, K&D took home the Residential Project Over $500K award and earning a spot at the global finals in Saudi Arabia. But with growth came self-doubt. Justin opens up about hitting a wall of imposter syndrome just days after the celebration.

This episode is a deep dive into the real emotional journey of leading a company aiming to scale fast and what it takes to steady yourself in the middle of the ride.

• Major win at FutureScapes and what it means for K&D’s global stage

• Why imposter syndrome shows up even when things are going well

• Leadership feedback as a sign of a healthy culture, not failure

• Mindset shifts to overcome doubt and show up stronger

• Tools that work: cold plunges, meditation, and reflection through TradesTalk

If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re the right person to lead your business to the next level; this one’s for you.

This week on Trades Talk, Justin White sits down with Greyson Walldorff, Founder of Lawn Capital, Blake Meahl, CFO and Maintenance Operations lead at Garden View Landscape, and Todd Zimmerman and Meg Butterley from Kress. Together, they break down the electric and robotics revolution in landscaping; not as a future trend, but as a current shift that’s already changing how top operators work.

They share firsthand insights from adopting electric fleets, deploying autonomous mowers, navigating turf legislation, and dealing with team pushback. Whether you’re in a regulated state or not, the message is clear: those who adapt early will own the next chapter of this industry.

• Grayson shares how Lawn Capital went 90% electric across urban Atlanta, including trucks, handhelds, and mowers

• Blake explains how California’s turf legislation and noise regulations are forcing operators to rethink equipment investment and operational models

• Todd introduces the Voyager: Kress’s fully autonomous ZTR designed for weekly route work, with cost savings and crew efficiency in mind

• Meg discusses the shift from theory to execution and how Kress is partnering with progressive companies to modernize their fleets

• Justin challenges owners to pick a lane: become the Netflix of your market or risk becoming Blockbuster

This episode is a crash course in how forward-thinking companies are using electrification and automation to cut costs, retain talent, and win bids. All while staying ahead of regulation and market pressure.

This week Justin breaks down one of the most important tools in the landscape industry: the annual Benchmark Report from Greg Herring and The Herring Group. Hundreds of companies contribute real financial data each year and the results show where the industry is winning, where it is tightening, and what top performers do differently. Justin unpacks the shift from the old twelve percent net profit target to today’s new normal of ten percent. He explains why inflation and market dynamics pushed this change and why profit alone does not always tell the real story of customer experience or long term health. He also shares real examples from K and D’s own journey and why fast growing companies need a clear view of investment versus expense when analyzing profit. In this episode you will hear clear targets for 2026 planning including gross profit, overhead labor, total overhead, operational expense, marketing investment and AR days. Justin explains how to interpret each benchmark and how to use them to strengthen your budget and strategy. You will also hear why construction heavy companies struggled this year, why recurring revenue continues to rise in value and why construction might actually be the hidden opportunity for the next cycle. This is a deep dive for owners, leaders and anyone who wants to understand the numbers behind a healthy landscape company. You will walk away with clearer profit targets, a stronger sense of how to interpret your financials and a better framework for building your 2026 plan. Takeaways • Ten percent net profit has become the industry’s new standard • Benchmark targets help leaders understand performance more clearly • Growth investments can temporarily pull net profit down • AR discipline is one of the most underrated profitability levers • Construction may be a major opportunity while the rest of the industry focuses on recurring revenue If you want a deeper dive, check out Landscape Intelligence inside the Disruptors community. It now includes the full 2025 Benchmark Report so you can benchmark your company instantly.