Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The GROW! Show

In Episode 91 of The Grow Show, Marty Grunder from Grunder Landscaping and the Grow Group provides valuable insights into effective leadership. Marty emphasizes the importance of leading by example, maintaining integrity, showing enthusiasm, and communicating effectively. He shares personal anecdotes and actionable steps to become a better leader in 2025, including being proactive, taking risks, and embracing challenges with a positive mindset. Additionally, Marty underscores the importance of setting a clear vision and purpose, and constantly working on self-improvement. The episode concludes with an invitation to the Grow 2025 event in Columbus, Ohio, focusing on leadership, sales, and finance.

Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

In This Episode:

(00:00) - Introduction & Welcome

(02:28) - Leading By Example

(03:36) - Embracing Challenges

(06:17) - Bring the Juice!

(08:20) - Communicate Effectively

(13:08) - 4 Steps to Better Communication

(16:23) - Impact for the Better

(17:54) - Fix Problems With TNT

Looking forward to GROW! 2025 next month!

Subscribe and share the Grow Show to help more landscape pros discover it. Thank you for being part of our community.

The Grow Show podcast is sponsored by STIHL and brought to you by The Grow Group - a leading coaching and education firm for landscape professionals. Your host is Marty Grunder, president and CEO of The Grow Group and Grunder Landscaping Co., one of the most successful design-build operations of its kind in the Midwest. The Grow Show shares ideas, tips, tactics, and insights that will help you grow your landscaping business.

Resources:

Virtual Sales Bootcamp  

Grunder Landscaping Field Trips  

GROW! 2025 Feb 25-27, Columbus OH  

The Grow Group   

Grunder Landscaping   

Marty Grunder LinkedIn

How can you, as a team member who isn't in a leadership role, drive meaningful change within your organization in 2025? 

In this episode of The Grow Show, Vince Torchia, Vice President of The Grow Group, discusses the often overlooked but crucial skill of managing up. While much focus is placed on how managers can lead their teams, Vince emphasizes the importance of team members effectively managing their relationship with their manager to ensure smoother operations and success within the company. Vince shares practical tips on anticipating challenges, communicating clearly, embracing ownership, and adapting to decisions for the greater good—skills that can make a big difference in both team dynamics and overall company performance.

In This Episode:

• (00:00) Vince shares some ideas for team members in 2025, don’t overthink, ‘just do it!’
• (02:16) Learn to anticipate challenges and opportunities - especially outside your ‘silo’
• (03:00) Communicate
• (04:00) Understand, accept, move on!
• (05:00) Take ownership
• (06:00) Recap and closing thoughts
• Looking forward to GROW! 2025 next month!
• Subscribe and share the Grow Show to help more landscape pros discover it. Thank you for being part of our community.

The Grow Show podcast is sponsored by STIHL and brought to you by The Grow Group - a leading coaching and education firm for landscape professionals. Your host is Marty Grunder, president and CEO of The Grow Group and Grunder Landscaping Co., one of the most successful design-build operations of its kind in the Midwest. The Grow Show shares ideas, tips, tactics, and insights that will help you grow your landscaping business.

Resources:

Virtual Sales Bootcamp  

Grunder Landscaping Field Trips  

GROW! 2025 Feb 25-27, Columbus OH  

The Grow Group   

Grunder Landscaping   

Marty Grunder LinkedIn  

Stihl  

<...

In this panel held live at Equip Expo in the STIHL booth, Marty Grunder is joined by Stihl experts Brian Fullerton, Dan Mabe, and Paul Beblowski to discuss what landscape pros should consider when evaluating switching to electric equipment. They talk about what benefits teams are seeing as they're using battery-powered equipment and what solutions contractors have found to common challenges that come from making the switch.

Brian, Dan, and Paul cover key considerations for professionals contemplating this shift, including tool pricing, charging logistics, and potential insurance changes. Paul shares STIHL’s financing options, while Brian emphasizes the ROI through reduced maintenance costs and fewer fuel mishaps.

Your company can start small with battery-powered tools, achieving the benefits of quieter operation, reducing noise pollution, and enhancing workplace culture. Audience questions tackle government collaboration for air quality improvements and battery disposal guidelines, with insights on available incentives. Tune in for the benefits and challenges of transitioning to battery-powered tools from STIHL.

In This Episode:

• The episode opens at the Equip Expo with Marty Grunder and experts
• Marty introduces the panel & the shift to battery-operated landscaping tools
• Brian, Dan, and Paul introduce themselves and their work
• Dan discusses the price of tools, charging power, temperature control, and potential insurance coverage changes
• Paul covers what Stihl can do to help with financing
• Brian on the benefits of switching to battery
• ROI for transitioning to electric equipment
• Auditing your current costs vs. electric, reduced maintenance costs and fuel mishaps
• Paul on starting small - transitioning to battery-powered equipment 
• Expectations, honesty, safety measures, performance comparisons, and optimizing battery charging
• Noise pollution in residential landscaping, impact on health and benefits of transitioning to electric tools, including quieter operation and improved work culture
• Questions from the audience
• Government collaboration for air quality management, joining and speaking up through industry organizations
• Battery disposal parameters, Stihl’s prepaid recycling, government incentives
• Last words and key takeaways
• Looking forward to GROW! 2025 
• Share with someone in landscaping, su...

In this episode, Marty reveals how firsthand experiences at other leading landscaping companies inspired three key operational changes at Grunder Landscaping Co., enhancing efficiency and saving money. He highlights a recent team success, discusses improvements made by President Seth Pflum, and shares the significant benefits of Aspire software, including enhanced metrics, speed, and productivity. Additionally, Marty covers the impact of optimized truck setups, the value of their monthly GROW meetings, and maintaining transparency in financial data. Remember, teamwork is the most important ingredient in driving operational efficiency! Find out more in February at GROW! 2025.

In This Episode:

• A recent Grunder project that was a team success
• President Seth Pflum and his company improvements
• Three major Aspire software benefits at Grunder- metrics, speed, productivity/automation
• Improvements in truck setups
• The monthly company GROW meeting - 45 mins once a month
• Bonuses and their structure at Grunder- financial data is always shared
• Operational efficiency is a team effort
• Looking forward to GROW! 2025 - Early bird sign-up ends November 1!!
• Recapping key takeaways
• Share with someone in landscaping, subscribe, like, share, and send us your show ideas and comments!

The Grow Show podcast is sponsored by STIHL and brought to you by The Grow Group - a leading coaching and education firm for landscape professionals. Your host is Marty Grunder, president and CEO of The Grow Group and Grunder Landscaping Co., one of the most successful design-build operations of its kind in the Midwest. The Grow Show shares ideas, tips, tactics, and insights that will help you grow your landscaping business.

Resources:

Ace Discovery Nov 12-15 New Orleans 

Virtual Sales Bootcamp 

Grunder Landscaping Fall 2024 Field Trips  

Sign up by November 1! GROW! 2025 Feb 25-27, Columbus OH  
The Grow Group  

Grun...

In this episode, Vince Torchia, Vice President at The Grow Group, shares insights from RJ Lawn & Landscape and Hidden Creek Landscaping, hosts for GROW! 2024 and 2025 events. Vince highlights the operational strengths and unique approaches of both companies, focusing on their intentional strategies in team building, departmental organization, and cultivating a strong company culture. As we enter Q4 2024, he reflects on key takeaways from the Des Moines GROW! 2024 event and sets the stage for what to expect in February’s GROW! 2025. Tune in for valuable leadership lessons and a sneak peek at Hidden Creek’s innovative practices.

In This Episode:

• Welcome to Q4 2024, and looking forward to February’s GROW! 2025
• Reviewing Des Moines GROW! 2024
• The RJ team’s operational mindset
• Intentionality in the building, grouping departments and teams together, the basement training room
• Company and team culture
• Planning with intention
• Hidden Creek sneak peek
• Looking forward to GROW! 2025
• Recapping key takeaways
• Share with someone in landscaping, subscribe, like, share, and send us your show ideas and comments!

The Grow Show podcast is sponsored by STIHL and brought to you by The Grow Group - a leading coaching and education firm for landscape professionals. Your host is Marty Grunder, president and CEO of The Grow Group and Grunder Landscaping Co., one of the most successful design-build operations of its kind in the Midwest. The Grow Show shares ideas, tips, tactics, and insights that will help you grow your landscaping business.

Resources:

Ace Discovery Nov 12-15 New Orleans 

Virtual Sales Bootcamp

Grunder Landscaping Fall 2024 Field Trips  

GROW! 2025 Feb 25-27, Columbus OH  

The Grow Group  

Grunder Landscaping  

Marty Grunder LinkedIn

Jason Cromley of Hidden Creek Landscaping sits down with Marty Grunder to talk about his journey as a landscape professional - from starting his company in college to today. Consider this episode a preview of what we'll see when we're onsite touring their facility for GROW! 2025 in February!

After starting his company in college, Jason reflects on his challenges and triumphs in building a successful business today. From his family roots in Ohio and the influence of growing up in a family of entrepreneurs to highlighting how that shaped his motivation and drive, the conversation dives into various leadership styles, the delicate balance between “luck” and creating opportunities, and the importance of branding and organization in running a business. Jason also shares valuable tips for staying organized and how building the right infrastructure can eliminate unnecessary sales calls. As they look forward to the upcoming GROW! 2025 event in February, listeners will gain insights into both the landscape industry and the personal experiences that have defined Jason’s career. Don't miss this special sneak peek, and please join us for what may be the bigget and best GROW! ever, this February.

In This Episode:

• Property Intel from Aspire
• Jason’s family and living in Ohio
• A family of entrepreneurs
• Motivation and drive, Type A personalities, leadership styles
• “Luck” vs. creating opportunities
• Hidden Creek and its success, branding and spending 
• Challenges and lessons as a business owner
• Spouses and business ownership
• Building the right building to eliminate sales calls
• Tips and tricks for staying organized
• Looking forward to GROW! 2025
• Recapping key takeaways
• Share with someone in landscaping, subscribe, like, share, and send us your show ideas and comments!

The Grow Show podcast is sponsored by STIHL and brought to you by The Grow Group - a leading coaching and education firm for landscape professionals. Your host is Marty Grunder, president and CEO of The Grow Group and Grunder Landscaping Co., one of the most successful design-build operations of its kind in the Midwest. The Grow Show shares ideas, tips, tactics, and insights that will help you grow your landscaping business.

Resources:

Property Intel from Aspire  

Hidden Creek Landscaping  

In this episode, Marty reveals how a simple $70 lunch turned into nearly $2M in business for Grunder Landscaping Co. in 2024!

Tune in to hear Marty share his networking strategies, from identifying the right clients to building meaningful relationships that lead to long-term success. Learn how to craft a targeted prospect list, leverage contact management tools like Aspire, and stand out in a crowded market. Discover the power of personal touches, like handwritten notes, phone calls, and face-to-face meetings, and hear how sports and shared interests can create lasting business connections. Whether you're starting from scratch or refining your approach, this episode is packed with actionable tips to help you grow your landscaping business through smart networking!

In This Episode:

• (00:00) Spending holiday time with family
• (03:16) The four key elements to attracting new sales - find more of your ideal clients
• (05:00) Targeting and contacting your client list, do you have your list in Aspire or other software? What are you doing to stand out to potential clients?
• (08:00) Reaching out to your prospects - key channels, contact etiquette
• (14:00) A success story around a new networking source - sports are a great common ground
• (19:00) Buying radio spots, closing thoughts
• Looking forward to GROW! 2025 
• Subscribe and share the Grow Show to help more landscape pros discover it. Thank you for being part of our community.

The Grow Show podcast is sponsored by STIHL and brought to you by The Grow Group - a leading coaching and education firm for landscape professionals. Your host is Marty Grunder, president and CEO of The Grow Group and Grunder Landscaping Co., one of the most successful design-build operations of its kind in the Midwest. The Grow Show shares ideas, tips, tactics, and insights that will help you grow your landscaping business.

Resources:

Good News in Dayton  

Virtual Sales Bootcamp

Grunder Landscaping Field Trips  

GROW! 2025 Feb 25-27, Columbus OH  

How can mentorship serve as a pivotal influence in career advancement, particularly for women in traditionally male-dominated fields such as finance and landscaping?

In this episode, Marty Grunder is joined by Landscape Workshop CFO Christianna Denelsbeck Rudder to talk about how they get their branch managers to think like owners, what's changed as the company has grown, the metrics they pay attention to, what it's like working with CEO J.T. Price, and the challenges and solutions she's found as the business faced challenges.

Christianna stresses that cultural integration is more than a buzzword—it's the backbone of successful mergers. With a dedicated PMI team, companies can align cultures and operations, ensuring smoother transitions. She also sheds light on why business owners might consider selling, highlighting that larger partnerships can alleviate labor challenges and administrative burdens, allowing businesses to thrive by focusing on core strengths. From mentorship to leadership, Christianna speaks candidly about the importance of direct feedback and open communication in career growth. Learn how she's been inspired by mentors with McKinsey backgrounds and how "honest, open, and transparent" conversations foster a performance-driven culture. You’ll hear some of the unique challenges women face in this industry, advocating for mentorship to break down barriers, whether it's navigating maternity leave or bridging gender gaps. Community involvement is key - Christianna recounts her engagement with initiatives like Rotaract, demonstrating the powerful impact of mentorship and community support.

Landscape Workshop is a full-service grounds management company that has been providing professional service and expert maintenance for outdoor commercial spaces since 1984. We bring out the best in each property we serve while delivering a first-class experience every time. With multiple locations throughout the Southeast, LW has the resources to consistently deliver superior landscaping services across our expansive footprint. Our regional clients have the unique benefit of hiring one landscape vendor for multiple locations.

In This Episode:

• (00:00) ACE group memories from New Orleans, intro of guest Christianna Denelsbeck Rudder, CFO of Landscape Workshop 
• (05:44) The path to finance and accounting, learning from challenges
• (12:07) Cultural integration in mergers and acquisitions, why business owners should consider selling for growth opportunities, role of CFO in small company operations  
• (24:00) JT Price - how is it to work for a demanding CEO? Tips and tricks on getting promoted, value of direct feedback and transparent communication  
• (32:55) Excelling in current roles as a pathway to promotions, mentorship in male-dominated industries, learning from younger/older colleagues and their perspectives, navigating unique situations with female mentorship
• (37:00) Recognizing you’re not the only one who can do the job, letting go of perfectionism, strategies for staying organized with technology and outsourcing

What are the challenges and opportunities facing the snow and ice control industry, and how are companies like VSI and Storm Equipment leading the way in setting new standards and educating contractors on best practices?

Marty Grunder is joined by Jordan Smith on this episode of The Grow Show powered by STIHL to discuss his journey in the landscaping and snow removal industry. They talk about the challenges Jordan has faced in his career and how he's overcome them, the changes the snow industry has faced, and what he believes is coming next for pros who offer snow and ice services.

In the evolving landscape of the snow industry, standardized practices are necessary. In their conversation, Marty and Jordan discuss how companies like VSI and Storm Equipment are pioneering efforts to educate contractors about proper pricing and asset recovery. You’ll hear about cutting-edge advancements in snow removal technology, from versatile Boss products to heavy equipment innovations that enhance productivity and employee morale. Find out how the value of a passionate team and treating snow as a critical service can transform challenges into opportunities.

Voigt Smith Innovation (VSI) was founded from a landscaping and snow removal company that began with a one-man crew and grew rapidly over the years. To differentiate from competitors, VSI started offering specialized services like hydroseeding and liquid de-icing, eventually designing and building their own equipment after being dissatisfied with the market options. After years of refinement, VSI realized their expertise could help other contractors, leading to the company's formation. With over 10 years of experience, VSI focuses on customer satisfaction, using high-quality components like Honda engines and Banjo pumps, and offering warranties for reliability and peace of mind.

In This Episode:

• (00:00) Weight loss and eating habits
• (02:15) Intro and background - Jordan Smith's journey from college landscaping to liquid de-icing under the VSI brand
• (05:52) Jordan’s health over the years, progress losing weight - 400 lbs down to 230
• (11:20) Setting standards in snow industry, consistency and dedication are key, snow and landscape industries need standardization and education
• (17:00) Proper pricing and asset recovery, how VSI and Storm Equipment are pioneering efforts to elevate industry standards, with a focus on innovations like liquid de-icing
• (21:41) Best practices and innovations in snow removal equipment, including Boss products and heavy equipment attachments, increase efficiency and employee morale
• (28:19) The snow removal and construction industries have shifted to larger sites, advanced techniques, and private equity involvement
• (39:39) Snow industry and management mindset shift, passionate team building, and strategic approach can turn deficits into profits
• (43:00) Final thoughts

How did a chance meeting at a GROW! boot camp 30 years ago set the stage for Jeffrey Johns' successful journey in the landscaping industry with his company Coastal Greenery?

Marty Grunder chats with Jeffrey about their similar paths and experiences, Jeffrey's journey as an entrepreneur, the tough times in business that served as wake-up calls, and what was important for him to learn to get to where he is today. The episode then pivots to Jeffrey's role today, what he does to help his team, and how he works with family successfully.

Discover how Jeffrey's passion for landscaping, nurtured by his family, evolved into a sustainable business. You’ll hear Jeffrey open up about the family dynamics that drive Coastal Greenery, highlighting the pivotal roles of his wife Misty, and twin sons, Jacob and Joshua. With a 60-65 hour workweek, Jeffrey and Misty complement each other's leadership styles, evolving their roles based on team feedback and expectations. The conversation is a rich narrative on leadership, legacy, and the timeless value of building strong familial and business connections within the landscaping industry.

Coastal Greenery specializes in commercial landscape maintenance, providing tailored solutions that enhance the beauty and sustainability of each property. Their experienced team offers a Total Care Program, which includes turf care, tree and shrub maintenance, water management, seasonal flower installations, plant healthcare, and mulch installations. The Coastal Greeneryteam is dedicated to creating landscapes that reflect a business’s values while ensuring long-term health and functionality. From routine care to customized enhancements, Coastal Greenery is committed to delivering exceptional service for every commercial property.

In This Episode:

• Fall golf weather
• Intro and background - Jeffrey Johns' journey in landscaping, family's importance, and teamwork in Coastal Greenery's success
• Jeffrey’s start in the entrepreneurial space, mom’s van and family support, landscape architecture degree, working in Atlanta
• Entrepreneurial spirit, Jeffrey’s love of landscaping first, business challenges, getting a financial education, creativity and financial balance
• Getting out of the way, leading a family business with a demanding 60+ hour workweek, balancing roles and expectations, and evolving with team feedback, coaching
• Family relationships at work with wife Misty, and twin sons Jacob and Joshua
• Clarity in expectations, metrics, and transparency
• Jeffrey’s role mentoring with Grunder peer groups, advice for younger people coming up in the industry and Jeffrey’s younger self, people and relationships must be front of mind
• Looking forward to GROW! 2025 

Bob and David Grover join Marty Grunder on The Grow Show this week to talk about working with family, the journey and growth of Pacific Landscape Management, and what goes into running their Portland, OR-based commercial landscaping business.

The episode delves into turning a shared passion for the outdoors into a thriving family business in landscaping. The Grovers candidly discuss the unique challenges of managing family dynamics in a business setting, their strategies for maintaining professionalism, and the necessity of clear boundaries and mutual respect. They also share insights on business growth, particularly their expansion from Portland to Seattle, and discuss effective communication strategies that prioritize transparency and collaboration. This episode provides valuable advice for those involved in family businesses and anyone seeking success in the green industry.

Pacific Landscape Management, founded in 2001, has grown into a leading landscape management company in the northwest with 4 branches in Oregon and Washington. In 2022, they expanded to the Puget Sound region, partnering with Earthworks Landscape Services and His Hands Lawncare. With a team of 500, they manage over 2,000 properties from Everett, WA to Corvallis, OR. Pacific offers full-service landscape management, specializing in sustainable practices such as water conservation, pesticide reduction, and waste recycling. They are committed to enhancing landscapes while minimizing environmental impact, earning national recognition for their efforts.

In This Episode:

• Intro and background - Bob and David Grover, Bob Grover's early career in horticulture, creating a respectful culture at Pacific Landscape Management
• David Grover's journey in the family business, educational path and leadership development, balancing family expectations and personal integrity
• How the commercial business is segmented, business growth and labor challenges in expansion, applying "optimistically paranoid" for risk management, taking on an equity partner
• Challenges, strategies, and advice for navigating family dynamics at work, professional boundaries in family business
• Effective communication for business success, addressing generational differences in the workplace, what younger people are looking for
• Looking forward to GROW! 2025 
• Share with someone in landscaping, subscribe, like, share, and send us your show ideas and comments!

The Grow Show podcast is sponsored by STIHL and brought to you by The Grow Group - a leading coaching and education firm for landscape professionals. Your host is Marty Grunder, president and CEO of The Grow Group and Grunder Landscaping Co., one of the most successful design-build operations of its kind in the Midwest. The Grow Show shares ideas, tips, tactics, and insights that will help you grow your landscaping business.

Resources:

In this special live episode from the STIHL booth at Equip Expo 2024, moderator Marty Grunder is joined by an expert panel including Brandon Haley, Vice President of Grounds at SSC Services for Education, Chase Stetson of "That Lawn Dude," and Mike Poluka, Senior Manager at STIHL USA. 

The panel explores best practices for managing battery-powered tools, both on-site and at company headquarters. You’ll hear how to promote battery technology to customers, how and where to use mobile charging solutions, and how to track assets and equipment with connected tracking systems. Wondering about charging times and environmental challenges—like extreme heat and cold? These issues are also addressed. The benefits of battery power are many, including its lighter weight, enhanced safety features, and improved performance. The episode concludes with audience questions, tackling real-world challenges and practical solutions for keeping battery tools running smoothly throughout the day.

In This Episode:

• The episode opens with Marty Grunder and panel experts discussing the transition from gas to battery-powered equipment
• Intro of Moderator Marty Grunder
• Intro of Brandon Haley, Vice President of Grounds for SSC Services for Education
• Intro to Chase Stetson, “That Lawn Dude”
• Promoting battery power to your customers
• Intro of Mike Poluka, Sr. Manager, Strategic and Commercial Accounts @ STIHL USA
• Best practices for managing batteries at HQ and on sites, the ProPower Hub Solution from Stihl
• Benefits of mobile charging tech
• Asset tracking - tags, ‘Stihl-connected’ tracking and data function embedded in batteries
• Comparing gas to battery equipment at the Expo, lightweight, safety functions
• Charging times for different tech, challenging situations, using battery power at the right levels
• Environmental challenges with heat and cold
• Audience questions
• Last words and key takeaways
• Looking forward to GROW! 2025 
• Share with someone in landscaping, subscribe, like, share, and send us your show ideas and comments!

The Grow Show podcast is sponsored by STIHL and brought to you by The Grow Group - a leading coaching and education firm for landscape professionals. Your host is Marty Grunder, president and CEO of The Grow Group and Grunder Landscaping Co., one of the most successful design-build operations of its kind in the Midwest. The Grow Show shares ideas, tips, tactics, and insights that will help you grow your landscaping business.

Resources...

As companies look ahead for a healthy spring backlog, Marty shares tips and tactics to help teams wrap up 2024 well and prepare their sales team to work together for a successful 2025.

Marty discusses identifying your best clients to focus on, establishing clear sales goals with your team, and relays wisdom from Grunder President Seth Pflum on refining your sales process. How are your client renewal rates? Have you reached out to your prospects for 2025? Whether it's scheduling lunches, sending unsolicited quotes, or simply making "warm calls" now - this is the time to build relationships for the future. With the right process in place, anyone can succeed in sales. Focusing on ideal prospects today will help ensure a healthy pipeline tomorrow.

In This Episode:

• Losing weight with Brother to Brother
• Identifying your best stable of clients to focus on
• Setting and meeting sales goals with your team
• President Seth Pflum’s pearls of wisdom on sales
• Residential vs. Commercial clients
• Client renewal rates at Grunder
• Look for new accounts in June/July 2025
• Who are your ideal prospects? Do your ‘warm calls’ NOW.
• Reach out, invite prospects to lunch or a game, send unsolicited quotes
• Anyone can win at sales with the right process
• Finding new clients through contractors
• The Hilton Columbus Downtown is the awesome new spot for GROW! 2025 
• Share with someone in landscaping, subscribe, like, share, and send us your show ideas and comments!

The Grow Show podcast is sponsored by STIHL and brought to you by The Grow Group - a leading coaching and education firm for landscape professionals. Your host is Marty Grunder, president and CEO of The Grow Group and Grunder Landscaping Co., one of the most successful design-build operations of its kind in the Midwest. The Grow Show shares ideas, tips, tactics, and insights that will help you grow your landscaping business.

Resources:

GROW! 2025 Feb 25-27, Columbus OH 

Virtual Sales Bootcamp 

On this week's episode, Marty Grunder sits down with Grow Group Content & Events Manager and Grunder Landscaping Marketing Manager, Emily Lindley. They talk about GLC's marketing priorities for 2025, what worked and what didn't in 2024, and offer a sneak peek at some exciting marketing-focused sessions at the upcoming GROW! 2025 conference.

In this episode, topics covered include how to effectively target advertisements, analyze website traffic, and set social media goals. Emily also shares insights on the 2025 marketing budget and plan, client engagement strategies using Aspire for automated communication, and the importance of showcasing your landscape work through professional photography. Plus, Emily notes that group discounts are available for GROW! 2025, where attendees will learn how to better reach and keep their ideal clients.

In This Episode:

• Introduction of Grunder’s marketing guru Emily Lindley
• Marketing sessions/topics planned for the GROW! 2025 conference
• Targeting your advertisements, analyzing web traffic
• What are your goals for social media and who are you trying to reach?
• The marketing budget and plan for 2025
• Ways to delight clients, automating communication with Aspire
• One of the marketing breakout sessions for GROW!
• Coordinating photography of your landscape work
• Group discounts are available for GROW! 2025 
• Share with someone in landscaping, subscribe, like, share, and send us your show ideas and comments!

The Grow Show podcast is sponsored by STIHL and brought to you by The Grow Group - a leading coaching and education firm for landscape professionals. Your host is Marty Grunder, president and CEO of The Grow Group and Grunder Landscaping Co., one of the most successful design-build operations of its kind in the Midwest. The Grow Show shares ideas, tips, tactics, and insights that will help you grow your landscaping business.

Resources:

GROW! 2025 Feb 25-27, Columbus OH  

Ace Discovery Nov 12-15 New Orleans 

Virtual Sales Bootcamp 

Grunder Landscaping Fall 2024 Field Trips  

The Grow Group

Discover the key differences between orientation and onboarding in this concise podcast episode. Learn why both are crucial for successfully integrating new hires and boosting long-term engagement. We'll break down how orientation sets the stage and how onboarding drives deeper employee connection and productivity and learn how RJ Lawn and Landscape and Hidden Creek do this well! Tune in to ensure your new hire process is setting your team up for success!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

In This Episode:

00:00 - Introduction & Welcome

01:58 - Defining Orientation

02:54 - Setting the Tone With Orientation

06:19 - Defining Onboarding & Effective Strategies

08:04 - Increase Retention & Engagement

10:17 - Conclusion And Final Thoughts

Looking forward to GROW! 2025 next month!

Subscribe and share the Grow Show to help more landscape pros discover it. Thank you for being part of our community.

The Grow Show podcast is sponsored by STIHL and brought to you by The Grow Group - a leading coaching and education firm for landscape professionals. Your host is Marty Grunder, president and CEO of The Grow Group and Grunder Landscaping Co., one of the most successful design-build operations of its kind in the Midwest. The Grow Show shares ideas, tips, tactics, and insights that will help you grow your landscaping business.

Resources:

Virtual Sales Bootcamp  

Grunder Landscaping Field Trips  

GROW! 2025 Feb 25-27, Columbus OH  

The Grow Group   

Grunder Landscaping   

Marty Grunder LinkedIn  

In this episode, Marty Grunder and Vince Torchia discuss the 4 Pillars of Success and what successful landscaping companies are doing in 2025 to ensure they have strength in their Platform, People, Process, and Profits.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

In This Episode:

00:00 - Start

00:24 - Introduction and Welcome

01:59 - The Four PIllars of Success

02:45 - Deep Dive into Platform

07:39 - Focusing on People

10:02 - Thoughts on the Current Labor Market

15:34 - Optimizing Processes

19:26 - Driving Profits

23:12 - Grow Event 2025

Looking forward to GROW! 2025 next month!

Subscribe and share the Grow Show to help more landscape pros discover it. Thank you for being part of our community.

The Grow Show podcast is sponsored by STIHL and brought to you by The Grow Group - a leading coaching and education firm for landscape professionals. Your host is Marty Grunder, president and CEO of The Grow Group and Grunder Landscaping Co., one of the most successful design-build operations of its kind in the Midwest. The Grow Show shares ideas, tips, tactics, and insights that will help you grow your landscaping business.

Resources:

Virtual Sales Bootcamp  

Grunder Landscaping Field Trips  

GROW! 2025 Feb 25-27, Columbus OH  

The Grow Group   

Grunder Landscaping   

Marty Grunder LinkedIn  

Stihl

In this episode of The Grow Show, Marty Grunder from Grunder Landscaping Company and the Grow Group discusses spring cleanups with Alan Whitt, a group leader at the company. They emphasize the importance of having a systematic approach to ensure efficiency and quality in cleanup tasks. Alan shares his role in supporting team members, the tasks involved in a spring cleanup, and the importance of training and consistent communication. The episode also highlights the use of technology like Microsoft Outlook's Q function and the Aspire system to improve efficiency and work-life balance. Marty and Alan discuss leadership styles, team dynamics, and goals for continued growth and improvement in 2025.

00:00 - Intro

00:23 - Introduction & Greeting from Marty

01:05 - Microsoft Outlook’s Q Function Increases Communication

02:16 - Introducing Alan Whitt & The Role of A Group Leader

05:18 - Spring Cleanup Systems

10:40 - Team Coordination, Language Barriers & Solutions

13:04 - Implementing Technology in Landscaping

16:17 - Specific Ways to Lead Your Team Members

17:49 - Reflecting on Past Successes & Building Relationships

21:49 - Maintaining High Standards From Top to Bottom in a Company

23:52 - Conclusion and Invitation

Show Notes: 

Structured System for Tasks Like Spring Cleanups: Implementing a system for tasks like spring cleanups helps ensure efficiency, consistency, and quality across different job sites. It allows teams to follow a standardized process, resulting in better outcomes and time management.

Role of a Group Leader: Group leaders are essential in preparing and planning tasks for team members. They assist in identifying potential issues ahead of time and streamline the work process, which is crucial for minimizing delays and ensuring projects are completed smoothly.

Continuous Training and Cross-Training: Regular training and cross-training enable team members to be versatile and capable of handling various tasks. This approach ensures that the team remains adaptable, especially when there are absences or unexpected changes in the workload.

Utilizing Technology: Leveraging tools like Microsoft Outlook's Q function and the Aspire system enhances project management and operational efficiency. It allows for better planning, communication, and tracking, ultimately leading to increased productivity and profitability.

Maintaining Professionalism: Professionalism in attire, behavior, and cleanliness of equipment and vehicles builds client trust and portrays a positive company image. This practice is critical for client satisfaction and helps in securing repeat business and referrals.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

As our team is onsite for GROW! 2025 this week, Marty shares his tips for making the most of industry events by prioritizing the take-aways you'll implement, having a growth mindset, and getting your team onboard for changes. 

Action Steps:

• Prioritize and Organize Tasks: Use a structured approach like 'bracketology' to prioritize tasks. Write all tasks down, sort them by importance, and focus on completing the top priorities first.
• Be Realistic and Mindful of Your Team: Avoid overwhelming your team with too many ideas at once. Understand that they can only handle so much, and focus on what's realistically achievable.
• Keep Goals Front and Center: Always keep your goals visible and regularly review them. This includes maintaining a prioritized to-do list and having reminders in place to ensure you stay on track.
• Delegate and Develop Leaders: Delegate tasks to the right people, not just those with time. This helps in developing leadership skills within your team and ensures tasks are handled efficiently.
• Celebrate Successes: Reward yourself and your team for achieving goals. Celebrating successes helps in maintaining morale and reinforcing the behaviors you want to see in your organization.

00:00 - Introduction & Welcome

01:38 - Recap of Grow 2025 Event

02:09 - Strategies to Prioritize Tasks

03:50 - Organize Your Thoughts Through Bracketology

09:30 - How to Implement Your Action Plan

14:08 - Stay Focused and Find Accountability

18:26 - Share Goals and Seek Help When Necessary

23:42 - Reward Success & Celebrate Achievements

26:55 - Final Thoughts

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

Looking forward to GROW! 2025 next month!

Subscribe and share the Grow Show to help more landscape pros discover it. Thank you for being part of our community.

The Grow Show podcast is sponsored by STIHL and brought to you by The Grow Group - a leading coaching and education firm for landscape professionals. Your host is Marty Grunder, president and CEO of The Grow Group and Grunder Landscaping Co., one of the most successful design-build operations of its kind in the Midwest. The Grow Show shares ideas, tips, tactics, and insights that will help you grow your landscaping business.

Resources:

In this episode of The Grow Show powered by Stihl, host Marty Grunder speaks with Greg Cole from Cole Landscaping outside of Boston. The conversation emphasizes building a strong culture, setting clear goals, and the importance of giving back to both the community and the industry. 

00:00 - Welcome to the Grow Show

01:42 - Meet Greg Cole from Cole Landscaping

02:17 - Greg’s Journey into Landscaping

05:28 - Challenges and Mentorship As a Business Grows

10:34 - Greg’s Personal Growth and Transformation

14:59 - Time Management and Building Daily Habits

21:24 - Greg’s Open Book Philosophy

23:52 - Things to Learn From Smaller Companies

27:56 - Embracing Technology for Growth

29:23 - Greg’s Advice to Younger Self

31:42 - Strategies to Build a Positive Culture

35:12 - The Importance of Giving Back

39:09 - The Impact of Collaboration and Networking

40:36 - Final Thoughts

Show Notes:

Personal Development and Health Impact Business Success: Focusing on personal growth and health can transform your mindset and leadership abilities. It not only boosts your energy levels but also positively affects how you run your business.

Importance of Setting Clear Goals and Accountability: Writing down clear goals and tracking your daily activities ensures accountability and direction. Tools like Habit Tracker can help manage and achieve your targets efficiently.

Learning from and Sharing with Peers: Engaging with peer groups and sharing knowledge with both smaller and larger companies can provide fresh perspectives and innovative solutions. This peer interaction fosters continuous improvement.

Leveraging Technology for Growth: Adopting technology solutions like Aspire software is crucial for operational efficiency and growth. Integrating tech can streamline processes and help scale your business.

Building and Maintaining a Positive Culture: Creating a positive work environment through activities like morning stretch sessions and regular recognition boosts employee satisfaction and performance. A strong culture is essential for long-term success.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

Looking forward to GROW! 2025 next month!

Subscribe and share the Grow Show...

In this episode of The Grow Show, Marty Grunder shares essential insights on conducting an effective seasonal kickoff meeting for landscaping businesses. Marty outlines five key strategies:

1. Plan meticulously with a formal agenda
2. Create an experiential learning environment
3. Involve team members in presenting different sections
4. Share more information than you're comfortable with
5. Debrief and improve after the meeting

Marty emphasizes the importance of transparency, engagement, and clear communication. Sharing financial goals, company mission, core values, and creating a rallying cry to motivate the team. The episode provides a detailed walkthrough of Grunder Landscaping's 2024 kickoff meeting, highlighting how to make these gatherings both informative and inspiring.

00:00 - Introduction & Welcome

00:51 - Dealing With Challenges: A Snowstorm Story

02:01 - Seasonal Kickoff  Meetings: Importance & Best Practices

03:26 - Planning & Executing a Successful Kickoff Meeting

05:13 - Engaging Your Team: Experiential Learning

07:39 - Sharing Information & Building Trust

10:50 - Debriefing and Continuous Improvement

11:26 - Kickoff Meeting Highlights & Examples

15:51 - Conclusion & Grow 2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

Looking forward to GROW! 2025 next month!

Subscribe and share the Grow Show to help more landscape pros discover it. Thank you for being part of our community.

The Grow Show podcast is sponsored by STIHL and brought to you by The Grow Group - a leading coaching and education firm for landscape professionals. Your host is Marty Grunder, president and CEO of The Grow Group and Grunder Landscaping Co., one of the most successful design-build operations of its kind in the Midwest. The Grow Show shares ideas, tips, tactics, and insights that will help you grow your landscaping business.

Resources:

Virtual Sales Bootcamp  

Grunder Landscaping Field Trips  

In this episode of The Grow Show, hosted by Emily Lindley, content and events manager at The Grow Group and marketing manager for Grunder Landscaping Company, listeners are introduced to effective client communication strategies for landscaping companies. Emily emphasizes the importance of good communication to stand out from competitors and build trust with clients. She highlights automating communications to ease the burden on sales and production teams and shares a practical example of a sales team introduction email template. This episode offers insights on setting up efficient communication practices during the winter to prepare for the busy spring season. This topic will be spoken on in more depth at the upcoming Grow 2025 event in Columbus, Ohio.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

Discussed in this episode:

- Automate client communication where possible to alleviate workload from sales and production teams.

- Personalize communication with clients by providing detailed introduction emails featuring salespeople's backgrounds and personal touches.

- Use templates for consistent messaging; ensure every salesperson has a tailored template set up in email systems.

- Highlight company-wide promises and unique value propositions in client communications to build trust.

- Maintain high standards for team attitudes and behaviors, emphasizing friendliness, tidiness, efficiency, and preparedness.

- Encourage internal communication to prevent clients from having to repeat information, ensuring smooth transitions between sales and production teams.

- Sign off introduction emails from company leadership to emphasize the importance of the client relationship and the salesperson's role.

00:00 - Introduction & Welcome

01:32 - Importance of Client Communication

02:57 - Automating Your Communication with Clients

04:07 - Strengthen Your Sales Team Introduction Email

05:07 - Key Ways to Personalize Client Interactions

06:56 - Communicating the Company Promises and Values

08:59 - Conclusion and Invitation to Grow 2025

Looking forward to GROW! 2025 next month!

Subscribe and share the Grow Show to help more landscape pros discover it. Thank you for being part of our community.

The Grow Show podcast is sponsored by STIHL and brought to you by The Grow Group - a leading coaching and education firm for landscape profession...

In this episode of The Grow Show powered by Stihl, Marty Grunder from Grunder Landscaping Company and The Grow Group shares actionable sales tips to help you improve your sales strategies. Marty emphasizes the importance of daily routines in sales, focusing on three key actions: prospecting, nurturing relationships, and closing deals. He also highlights the significance of follow-up post-sale and appreciating your team members. Marty’s insights are designed to help you manage your time effectively and build lasting relationships with clients, ensuring repeat business and referrals. Subscribe to stay updated and boost your sales performance!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

00:00 - Welcome to the Grow Show

00:23 - Show Introduction

03:16 - Daily Sales Routine: Prospect, Nurture, Close

05:10 - Nurture Relationships

07:16 - Close the Deal!

09:44 - The Real Selling Starts After The Sale

11:38 - Show Appreciation for Your Team

15:15 - Conclusion and Upcoming Events

Subscribe and share the Grow Show to help more landscape pros discover it. Thank you for being part of our community.

The Grow Show podcast is sponsored by STIHL and brought to you by The Grow Group - a leading coaching and education firm for landscape professionals. Your host is Marty Grunder, president and CEO of The Grow Group and Grunder Landscaping Co., one of the most successful design-build operations of its kind in the Midwest. The Grow Show shares ideas, tips, tactics, and insights that will help you grow your landscaping business.

Resources:

Virtual Sales Bootcamp  

Grunder Landscaping Field Trips  

The Grow Group   

Grunder Landscaping   

Marty Grunder LinkedIn  

Stihl  

In this episode, Marty Grunder is joined by Greenius' Matt Crinklaw to talk about the mistakes that come from not teaching your team the skills that they need, experiments in how onboarding impacts success, how to successfully train your team, and the tools available to support landscaping companies in effectively training your team. Matt shares the different learning styles people have, tailoring training to what works for your team, the importance of training documentation, and the impact great training has on individuals and organizations.

Grunder Landscaping Co. Field Trips — The Grow Group

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

Episode Chapters:

00:59 - Meet Matt Matt Crinklaw: Journey to Greenius

02:53 - The Birth of Greenius

04:53 - The Importance of Training in Landscaping

09:10 - Understanding Adult Learning

11:13 - The Three Ways of Learning

19:23 - Career Pathways and Employee Retention

24:10 - Effective Training Setups and Greenius Benefits

27:31 - Avoid Costly Mistakes Through Training

30:19 - Getting Started with Greenius

32:56 - Common Mistakes in Training Programs

37:00 - Emerging Trends in Landscaping Technology

39:36 - Big Announcement from Grow & Greenius

43:12 - Sign Up for a Field Trip to Grunder

Resources:

Virtual Sales Bootcamp  

Grunder Landscaping Field Trips  

The Grow Group   

Grunder Landscaping   

Marty Grunder LinkedIn  

Stihl  

Show Notes:

Training Gets New Hires to Productivity 40% Faster – I measured new hires against employees with one year of experience on 50 properties. The experienced employees were 40% more efficient....

Barrett Chow, Executive Coach with McFarlin Stanford, joins Marty to discuss why the green industry's approach to human resources is fundamentally broken—and how to fix it. Barrett shares the strategic framework that transforms HR from a cost center into a growth enabler.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

Episode Chapters:

00:30 - Episode Welcome

02:51 - Barrett’s Journey: From PGA Tour to Green Industry Coaching

04:23 - Why the Green Industry Is Different (And Better)

06:46 - Leaders Are Bringing in HR Much Earlier Now

09:34 - Why “People Operations” Eliminates the Grim Reaper Stigma

12:07 - Ways to Improve Your People Operations

16:29 - Transformational HR Practices

18:04 - Building a Positive Company Culture

23:06 - Defining Your Company’s Unique Value

24:14 - Creating an Inviting Workplace

25:10 - Managing Employee Engagement

27:28 - Promoting from Within

31:28 - The Importance of Stay and Exit Interviews

40:08 - HR Predictions for 2026

43:26 - Please Like, Share, Subscribe to the Grow Show!

Resources:

Virtual Sales Bootcamp  

Grunder Landscaping Field Trips  

The Grow Group   

Grunder Landscaping   

Marty Grunder LinkedIn  

Stihl  

Show Notes:

HR Is a Philosophy, Not Just a Department – I heard the president of SHRM say "HR is not a department, it's a philosophy." Poorly run HR pits employees against the company, where people go to HR when they don't like a policy. That creates tension that's not needed. Well-run people operations creates strategic partnership.

Leaders Are Embracing HR Much Earlier Now – We're seeing leaders embrace HR a lot earlier in their business lifecycle. Before, you had to be $15-20 million with over 100 team members for it to make sense. Now we're bringing in HR professionals earlier so they get to build the foundation for a company to grow on versus trying to be an add-on.

Rebranding to "People Operations" Eliminates Stigma – At Lifescape I rebranded HR as "People Operations" because of the stigma—if HR is in the room, you did something wrong. There's a joke that I was known as the grim reaper: if Barrett asked you to bring your computer charger, you knew what was happening. Rebranding allowed people to see me in a different light.

COVID Shifted HR from Cost Center to Strategic Partner – COVID turned HR on its head. We're now seeing that shift from "this is a cost center" to "this is my strategic partner, this is strategic enablement for me to focus on areas in my business that I know nothing about." Owners themselves can be the biggest HR issue—that's where you need a partner.

Onboarding Separates Top Performers from Underperformers – The difference between your top performers and adequate performers and underperformers comes down to: did you set them up for success from day one? It's not just the first day or week—it's the first 30, 60, 90 days where you're continually checking in on expectations.

Stay Interviews Matter More Than Exit Interviews – Exit interviews tell you why people left, but stay interviews tell...

Jarod was an early member of our ACE Peer Group Program and has been a longtime friend. In this episode, him and Marty reminisce on their businesses and where they started, how things changed, and what that journey looked like. They talk about the services they've offered and how that's changed as they've refined their businesses, how their roles have changed over time, and what drove each of those changes.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

Client Communication Sample for Earth, Turf & Wood

Episode Chapters:

00:00 - Episode Intro

01:45 - Meet Jarod Hynson

03:57 - The Importance of Family

07:10 - Balancing Business and Family

09:22 - The Evolution of Earth, Turf & Wood

17:27 - Building a New Facility

22:54 - Client Relationships & Sales Process

25:02 - Key Standard Operating Procedures

25:53 - The Importance of Setting Appointments

28:03 - Leadership and Team Processes

29:44 - Safety Meetings & Team Pride

31:36 - Client Communication Strategies

36:08 - Reflecting on Business Mistakes and Growth

37:24 - The Value of Peer Groups and Networking

42:38 - Planning for the Future and Exit Strategies

47:04 - Please Like, Subscribe and Share!

Resources:

Virtual Sales Bootcamp  

Grunder Landscaping Field Trips  

The Grow Group   

Grunder Landscaping   

Marty Grunder LinkedIn

In this episode, Emily Lindley shares three tips for landscaping companies to put a focus on their organic social media presence. She shares tips for planning out content, securing your account, and also ideas for content that will appeal to your clients.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

Episode Chapters:

00:00 - Episode Intro

00:32 - The Power of Professional Landscaping

02:34 - The Importance of Organic Social Media

05:00 - Consistency in Social Media Posting

08:43 - Securing Your Social Media Accounts

12:44 - Creating Engaging Content

18:35 - Upcoming Events

Resources:

Virtual Sales Bootcamp  

Grunder Landscaping Field Trips  

The Grow Group   

Grunder Landscaping   

Marty Grunder LinkedIn  

Stihl  

Show Notes:

• Social Media Influences Business Decisions – Emily's personal home building experience showed how impressive social media presence nearly swayed her decision: "It was a little hard for me not to go with them... just the work that they do is so beautiful and they do such a great job of photographing it."
• Social Media as Trust Builder – Strong organic presence provides social proof through client comments and engagement: "Are the clients like raving about them, past clients, raving about them in the comments? It's just that social proof that we're always looking for."
• LinkedIn Offers Best Organic Reach – "You can get a lot of organic traction on LinkedIn still, in ways that it can be harder to on Instagram and Facebook without having some paid ads in the mix."
• Consistency Over Frequency – Better to post 3 times per week consistently than post daily for a week then disappear for two weeks. "You do need to have some consistency there."

The devil is in the details, and smart leaders know that the hardest part of their job tends to be consistency. In this episode, Marty shares 5 things that landscaping company leaders need to be doing or thinking about in order to be successful in their roles.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

The Power of Cleanliness in Landscaping (Youtube Episode)

Marty's Tips on Planning Ahead (Youtube Episode)

Episode Chapters:

00:30 - The Power of the Family Group Chat

02:12 - The Importance of Generating Business

03:35 - The 5 Things Every Landscaper Should Focus On

04:01 - Breaking Down Efficiency Rating

05:31 - Have Consistency In Your Brand

06:55 - The Social Media Test

10:00 - Cleanliness Standards

10:18 - A Leadership Lesson From Pam Morris

14:12 - Team Member Wellbeing

17:20 - The Rehire Question

19:53 - Playing Favorites and Accountability

20:35 - Leaders, Check Your Ego

21:45 - Know Your Strengths & Weaknesses

23:20 - Recap of the 5 Areas to Focus On

Resources:

Virtual Sales Bootcamp  

Grunder Landscaping Field Trips  

The Grow Group   

Grunder Landscaping   

Marty Grunder LinkedIn  

Stihl  

Show Notes: 

• Efficiency Rating as Universal Language – Calculate budgeted hours divided by actual hours. "If you bid a job for 150 hours and it took 140, that's good. That's bueno. If you bid 150 and it took 175, that's bad. No bueno." Everyone understands this metric regardless of language barriers.

Procrastination can be a silent killer in your business and in your personal life. In this episode, Marty talks about how procrastination holds people back and the impact of not procrastinating.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

00:00 - Episode Intro

01:00 - The Power of Walking

02:20 - Procrastination: The Silent Killer

03:33 - Personal Stories of Overcoming Procrastination

06:11 - Strategies to Beat Procrastination

06:30 - Do You Have a Vision?

11:19 - Organize for Success

17:16 - Reward Yourself

21:02 - Please Share and Subscribe!

Show Notes:

• "Procrastination is the Language of the Poor" – Marty's controversial banner message (that he had to take down) reflects his core belief that delaying action prevents entrepreneurs from reaching full potential. This is a message for owners/leaders, not team members.

  Personal Health Transformation – Lost 23 pounds through walking (150,000+ steps/week) and changed eating habits. Went from 223 pounds, baggy clothes, and getting winded jogging up the driveway to being physically capable and energetic.

  Vision as Anti-Procrastination Tool – Having clear vision of what you want your life to be like AND what it will be like if you procrastinate. "I know very clearly what I want the second half of my life to be like... physically, financially, socially, emotionally."

  Movement Begets Movement – Physical activity creates mental clarity and energy that transfers to business execution. "I have more energy, more time to think, been able to see more clearly what procrastination can do."

  Three Core Solutions to Procrastination:

  1. Have a Vision - Know what happens if you do/don't take action
  2. Be Organized with Accountability - Share goals with mentors, spouse, partners
  3. Reward Yourself - Gamify progress with small and large rewards

  OneNote as Life Operating System – Everything organized digitally: life plan, financial plan, business plans, daily/weekly/monthly/quarterly goals. "Great joy crossing out things I want to get done today."

  Accountability Partners are Critical – Regular breakfast meetings with successful mentor, sharing vulnerabilities and goals. Wife as accountability partner who knows business plans and struggles.

  Pre-Vacation Productivity

Team Grunder works on multi-year plans so that they can project growth and know what investments are needed now for it to be possible later. In this episode, the team talks about what goes into making equipment purchase decisions.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

00:00 - Introduction & Welcome

02:18 - Introducing Bill Rosell - Grunder Landscaping

02:55 - Managing the Fleet with Aspire

04:06 - Equipment Purchasing & Insights

05:57 - Truck Types and Their Uses

08:07 - Box Trucks for Mowing Crews

08:58 - The Benefits of the Box Truck

10:28 - Land Keeping Trucks

13:27 - Heavy Construction Trucks

15:20 - The Switch to Isuzu Trucks

16:43 - Training and Maintenance Procedures

17:11 - Monday Morning Truck Checks with Aspire

21:17 - Sales Vehicles & Their Importance

22:56 - Mini Skids and Loaders

23:40 - Mower Brands and Outsourcing Repairs

25:02 - Stihl Products at Grunder

25:19 - Final Thoughts on Fleet Management

Show Notes

• Always Look Forward, Not Backward – Bill's philosophy: "You always have to look forward and see what you need to change... what we did three years ago is not gonna work for us next year." Growth requires constant adaptation, not rinse-and-repeat approaches.
• Test Before You Invest – When considering new equipment, "we will at least bring in one as a pilot and put it with one of our experienced crews to get the feedback before we go and make a big purchase."
• The Box Truck Revolution – Switched from pickup trucks with trailers to self-contained box trucks. Benefits: mobile billboard, storage, no loading/unloading, better maneuverability, first in/last out efficiency.
• Aspire Integration for Fleet Management – Using Aspire software to track maintenance, mileage, and vehicle status in real-time. Enables immediate access to fleet data and automated maintenance scheduling.
• Monday Morning Truck Inspections – Mandatory weekly inspections using Aspire tablets. Team leaders check fluids, lights, tires, etc. Issues automatically report to fleet manager for prioritized repairs.
• Specialized Trucks for Different Functions

When you work on properties and landscape installations as large as the ones in McHale Landscape Design's portfolio, managing materials becomes either a weakness or an opportunity to excel. In this episode, Emily Lindley details what she sees the McHale team doing to find the plants and materials they need and get them where they need to go.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

00:00 - Start

00:35 - Preview of the NALP Field Trip

01:44 - Material handling Insights

02:44 - Centralized Plant Farm Strategy

05:18 - Operations Team as Logistics Managers

07:34 - Direct Delivery of Non-Green Goods

10:04 - Conclusion & Event Details

Show Notes:

• Centralized Plant Farm Strategy – McHale operates a large-scale plant yard where they buy plants, care for them until mature, then install larger specimens than competitors. Creates "instant maturity" for clients who want immediate privacy and full landscapes.
• Be Your Own Supply Chain – By controlling plant material from purchase to installation, they can offer mature specimens that look established immediately. Differentiates them in the high-end residential market where clients want instant results.
• Operations as Logistics Managers – Their operations team functions more like logistics coordinators than traditional supervisors. Sales team manages installs and supervises work while operations handles material flow, delivery timing, and supply chain coordination.
• Direct-to-Site Delivery for Large Projects – Non-green goods (hardscape materials, etc.) delivered directly to job sites for large installations. Eliminates double-handling and transportation costs for major projects.
• Plant Material Direct Delivery – For projects with large quantities of trees/shrubs, direct delivery to job sites makes more sense than routing through a facility. Requires planning for on-site plant care in project bids.
• Design Operations Around Ideal Client – McHale's entire supply chain and operations are designed around what high-end residential clients want: mature plants, seamless experience, instant results. Every system serves this client preference.
• Sales Team as Single Point of Contact – Maintains relationship continuity by keeping salesperson as primary client contact throughout the project, even when operations handles logistics behind scenes.
• Account for On-Site Plant Care in Bids – When plants are delivered direct...

Keeping your trucks clean is more than just a to-do list task: it's part of the daily company culture at Grunder Landscaping. In this episode, Marty Grunder is joined by members of the Grunder Landscaping production teams who share how they manage to keep things clean, how organization makes their jobs easier, and what goes into keeping everything in order.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

00:00 - Episode Intro

00:30 - Introduction

01:57 - The Importance of Cleanliness in Landscaping

02:26 - Nick: Cleanliness Culture

05:48 - Zack and Brian: Safety and Cleanliness

09:32 - Lorenzo: Consistency in Cleanliness

12:03 - The Importance of Sensory Experience

14:31 - Investing in Clean Facilities

16:16 - Hiring for Healthy Habits

19:30 - Leadership and Leading by Example

22:17 - Final Thoughts

Show Notes

Create Daily Micro-Habits – Like Nick's turn signal analogy, build tiny cleaning actions into existing routines (fuel up = wipe down, end of shift = trash out)

Invest in Employee Spaces – Quality bathrooms, break rooms, work areas show you value your team and set expectations for how they should treat client spaces

Use All Five Senses – Audit your facility for what people see, hear, smell, feel when they walk in. Each sense communicates your standards

Implement Monday Inspections – Weekly vehicle safety and cleanliness checks create accountability and prevent small problems from becoming big ones

Hire for Culture Fit – Interview questions about organization/cleanliness, then check candidate's personal vehicle to see if actions match words

Model the Behavior – Leaders must personally demonstrate the cleanliness standards they expect from others

Create Visual Systems – Labels, outlines, designated spots make it easy for anyone to know where things belong, regardless of language or experience

Address Issues Immediately – Don't let messes or low standards slide "just this once" - consistent enforcement prevents decay

Resources:

Virtual Sales Bootcamp  

Grunder Landscaping Field Trips  

The Grow Group   

Grunder Landscaping   

In this episode, Marty is joined by Brian Fullerton of Brian's Lawn Maintenance. They discuss the landscaping industry as a whole, running a business while raising a family, and the challenges that they've both faced as business owners.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

Brian's Shop Tour at Grunder

Brian's Lawn Maintenance (YT Channel)

Marty's Turn to 2 Interview

00:00 - Introduction & Welcome

01:31 - Meet Brian Fullerton

02:31 - Brian’s Early Career and Challenges

05:41 - Changing Careers to Start Brian’s Lawn Maintenance

07:33 - Growth and Success

08:13 - Relatibility and Community Engagement

09:55 - Reflecting on Humble Beginnings

13:45 - Creating Content for Landscapers

22:08 - Lessons Learned: Leadership and Team Building

26:29 - Get Feedback From Your Team

29:46 - The Importance of Company Culture

33:10 - Common Mistakes in Landscaping

37:22 - Operational Efficiency and Morning Routines

39:30 - Takeaways from Visiting Grunder Landscaping

45:42 - Future Goals

49:58 - Please Share and Subscribe!

 Show Notes

• The Blade Sharpener Artifact – Found his original $20 blade sharpener from 20 years ago in mom's shed cleanup. "It felt like a memory... like an old warrior picking up his old sword." Keep reminders of your humble beginnings to stay grounded and grateful.
• Humble Beginnings Build Character – Started cutting grass in trailer park in southeast Detroit with push mower at age 10-12. Had more cash than most 30-year-olds. Proves you don't need perfect circumstances to start building wealth through hard work.
• The TruGreen "Baywatch Moment" – Watching two guys in shorts drinking Gatorade cut grass while he was in full PPE, rubber boots, tanker truck at 5 AM. Sometimes seeing what you don't want crystallizes what you do want.
• Accidental Content Creation Success – Never intended to be a social media personality. Introvert who reluctantly started making videos to "leave breadcrumbs for the Brian's Lawn Maintenance of 10-15 years ago." Authenticity beats polish.
• $600 Trailer Pu...

Lights in the turf, grass running all the way up against a building or fence, low-laying branches, and more. Sometimes the landscape design sets up maintenance crews to fail by making it way too easy to damage properties. In this episode, Marty shares how landscape designers can be mindful of these things when creating plans and how account managers can use these damages as opportunities to sell enhancements. Looking for more work with your existing clients is a great way to drum up more sales!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

00:00 - Intro

01:18 - Appreciation and Team Morale

02:26 - Finding Opportunities in Client Properties

03:04 - Deep Relationships and Client Focus

04:23 - Sales Strategies and Client Engagement

06:23 - Route Density and Business Growth

08:43 - Practical Examples for Your Advantage

14:02 - Please Like & Share This Episode!

Show Notes

• Focus on deep relationships over quantity: Build 40 thousand-foot deep wells rather than a thousand 40-foot deep wells. Concentrate on developing meaningful, long-term client relationships that generate significant ongoing business. "80% of that business came from 55 people. We could put 'em on a bus... about 70% of the $18 million worth of business that we will do this year is gonna come from about 30% of our clients."
• Sell more to existing clients first: Before chasing new prospects, exhaust opportunities with current clients. Send handwritten notes, conduct property audits, and proactively identify additional services they need. "The best two opportunities are, number one, selling more to existing clients. We don't look at that enough."
• Be a proactive professional consultant: Act like a doctor who identifies every possible issue. Point out problems before clients discover them to maintain credibility and avoid having to fix issues for free. "When you are a professional folks, that's what you should be doing... You're a consultant, you're there to tell them what you can do to help make their property look better."
• Protect your property managers' reputation: Help property managers look good in front of their bosses by identifying issues before they become visible problems during site visits. "We would never want one of our property managers to look bad in front of their boss because we didn't tell them there was a dead tree or a drainage problem."
• Identify maintenance hazards and design flaws: Look for low branches tha...

In this episode, Marty Grunder interviews Dan Hoard, the voice of the Cincinnati Bengals, on his career as a sportscaster, what it's like finding creativity in tough situations, and what it's like working in the pro-football world.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

Dan's Podcast: Bengals Booth

Marty's Studio 

00:00 - Introduction & Welcome

01:25 - Meet Dan Hoard: Voice of the Cincinnati Bengals

03:33 - Marty’s Personal Connection to Sports Broadcasting

04:24 - Balancing Family and Career

07:29 - Organizational Tactics and Time Management

08:11 - The Importance of Preparation

16:38 - Handling Tough Conversations

20:32 - Conducting Yourself Daily to Build Respect

21:49 - The Art of Not Talking Too Much

23:02 - The Importance of Short, Direct Questions

24:51 - Leadership Qualities and Communication

26:43 - Joe Burrow: A Case Study in Leadership

32:14 - The Mental Side of Success

39:18 - Prediction for the Bengals’ Season

40:51 - Please Share & Subscribe!

 Show Notes

• Preparation builds confidence: Extensive preparation is the foundation of calm, confident performance. Hoard spends entire days creating detailed spotting boards for each opponent, knowing only 5% will be used but never knowing which 5%. "I find that I'm calm and confident when I'm prepared... When you put in the work, didn't you feel confident when you sat down to take the test?"
• Follow strict routines during high-pressure periods: Establish and stick to weekly routines that ensure thorough preparation. Monday and Tuesday are Hoard's heavy prep days, leaving the rest of the week for additional details and other responsibilities. "I have a very strict routine that I follow during the football season... if I follow that routine, then I get to the weekend confident."
• Build relationships before tough conversations: Develop trust and respect with people during good times so difficult conversations are easier when they're needed. Show genuine respect for what others do. "I try to build relationships with all of these players and coaches... when you're in...

Marty Grunder, founder of Grunder Landscaping Company and the Grow Group, sits down with his daughter Emily Lindley, the Grow Group's Content and Event Manager, to reflect on 30 years of the Grow Conference and the evolution of their $18 million landscaping company. From hosting the first Grow event with just 14 people in 1994 to today's conferences drawing over 1,000 attendees, Marty shares how staying stuck at $4.5 million for 12 years taught him the difference between being comfortable and truly scaling, why he once bought a racehorse with the dining room table money, and how his wife's unwavering support became as important to the business's success as any employee they've ever had.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

Episode Chapters:

00:30 - Introduction and Episode Overview
04:05 - Why Both Roles Feed Each Other (Not Harder to Balance)
06:45 - The Origins of Grow: Starting at Age 26 with 14 People
10:44 - “Say Yes to Get to $2M, Say No to Grow Beyond It”
18:42 - Dawn’s Rule: “Do One More Thing Before You Go Home”
19:40 - Cashflow Then and Now: “Paper Rich, Cash Poor”
22:47 - Peer Groups: Layering Best Practice on Best Practice
26:22 - “You Did Not Miss Big Things, You Were Always There”
32:55 - Stuck at $4.5M for 12 Years: The Wake-Up Call
36:59 - “Sometimes You Gotta Push, Sometimes You Gotta Trick ‘Em”
43:58 - “A Different Kind of Person Shows Up to Grow”
50:20 - Please Like, Share, and Subscribe!

Resources:

Virtual Sales Bootcamp  

Grunder Landscaping Field Trips  

The Grow Group   

Grunder Landscaping   

Marty Grunder LinkedIn  

Stihl  

Say Yes to Get to $2 Million, Say No to Grow Beyond It – What gets you to a million (adjusted to $2 million today) is saying yes. What gets you beyond that is saying no. I didn't know what the word "no" meant in the early days. We said yes to way more than we should have and didn't have the focus we have today on the right kinds of work.

The Basic Foundations Never Change – In many respects, it wasn't a whole lot different in the '90s than what we do today in terms of basic business strategies. I've always known you gotta have your clients happy. I...

In this episode, we dive into why financial transparency isn't just good leadership—it's essential for building a strong, educated team. From using scoreboards and company-wide “State of the Union” meetings to walking through the Penny Exercise, Vince breaks down exactly where every dollar goes in your business. Tune in to learn how sharing the numbers empowers your team and drives smarter decisions across the board.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

00:00 - Start
00:31 - The Importance of Financial Transparency and Literacy
01:32 - Tools for Financial Transparency
04:39 - Monthly Team Communication
06:31 - The Penny Exercise
16:13 - Key Takeaways

Show Notes

• Public dashboards drive transparency: Display real-time performance metrics on monitors visible to all team members. When everyone can see job performance, hours, and revenue data, they naturally connect dots and improve performance. "The scoreboard is just out there. The teams can see the numbers, they can interact with them... Whether they know English, whether they know Spanish... they can look at numbers and tie dots together freely."
• Monthly state of the union meetings: Gather the entire organization monthly to discuss company performance, goals, and future direction. Make it bilingual and inclusive so everyone gets the same message. "Think of it as our monthly state of the Union. We update the organization in totality... Are we ahead on goals? Are we behind on goals?"
• The penny exercise teaches financial literacy: Use a $1 job (100 pennies) to visually demonstrate how revenue flows through direct costs, overhead, and profit. This makes complex financials accessible to everyone. "We sold a $1 job. We got a hundred pennies for it... How many pennies are we taking off the table right away just to cover the expenses of that job specifically?"
• Financial transparency is cultural, not financial: Don't avoid sharing numbers because you're worried about the data - fix the culture or improve the systems that create better data. "These are not financial conversations. These are cultural conversations... we don't have a finance problem, we have a culture problem."
• Direct costs vs. overhead education: Help teams understand that some costs are tied directly to jobs (labor, materials) while others exist regardless of sales volume (rent, insurance, salaries). "We have what overhead... those expenses that we have at the organization are going to be there whether we sell a job or not."
• Visual learning works across barriers: Numbers and visual displays communicate effectively regardless of education level or language barriers. "Whether they didn't graduate high school or they ha...

In this episode, Marty is joined by Keith Bowman of McHale Landscape Design who shares what the McHale team does to find new clients, build strong client relationships, find and retain team members, install and maintain award-winning properties, and keep their business running as smoothly as possible.

Field Trips with NALP

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

00:00 - Introduction & Welcome

01:27 - Meet Keith Bowman from McHale Landscaping

01:53 - History & Growth of McHale Landscaping

03:12 - McHale’s Unique Operations and Facilities

05:42 - Customer Service and Competitive Advantage

08:40 - Marketing and Networking Strategies

14:30 - Employee Retention and Career Development

20:12 - Family Dynamics in Business

22:53 - Balancing Family and Business

24:22 - Leveraging Subcontractors for Success

26:52 - Protecting Pricing in Landscape Design

30:50 - Efficient Morning Rollouts

36:04 - Equipment Used & Theft Prevention

41:10 - Award Winning Work & Company Culture

43:37 - Challenges at McHale and Authenticity

44:49 - Conclusion & Field Trip Invitation

Show Notes: 

• People are the competitive advantage: Empower employees with entrepreneurial opportunities within the company. Create "little businesses stacked on top of each other" where team members take ownership. "I believe our competitive advantages are people. And just empowering people... the McHales have given people the ability to kind of go out and make mistakes."
• Customer service isn't overhead: Exceptional service doesn't require additional equipment costs but drives referrals and long-term relationships. "Customer service doesn't add overhead. If you wanna build up your team's customer service, you're not adding a truck payment."
• Protect your pricing: Understand true costs and maintain appropriate margins. Compete on value, not price alone. "The number one thing... is protect your pricing... There's a lot of work that goes into landscape design building."
• Family business done right: Having 37 families with multiple employees creates stability. Treat family members as employe...

Have a vacation planned for this summer? In this episode, Marty Grunder shares how he uses his out-of-office time as an opportunity for new leaders to learn and develop their skills.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

00:00 - Introduction & Welcome

02:02 - The Origin of “The Summer Vacation Test”

04:27 - Strategic Planning & Leadership with Time Off

07:33 - Three Philosophies with Vacation & Workplace Dynamics

08:18 - Don’t Overstate Your Value

08:48 - Would You Want to Work for Yourself?

13:02 - Vacation is a Chance to Sharpen Your Saw

15:18 - Two Things Before You Leave for Vacation

17:57 - Recap & Final Thoughts

Show Notes & Key Takeaways

• The Notebook Strategy - In 1993, Marty gave his right-hand man a notebook to document everything that went wrong while he was on vacation. "Write down all the things that you wish I would've shown you how to do, or things that didn't get done because I didn't train or we didn't have a system in place."
• Vacations as Productivity Drivers - "Your most productive time in your business career are the couple days before vacations." Use vacation deadlines to motivate completion of important tasks and proper preparation.
• Leadership Identification Tool - Vacations reveal who your real leaders are: "This is an opportunity for you to see who your leaders are. Who's gonna step up when you go away? And who isn't interested in stepping up?"
• The Secret Test Method - Give team members specific responsibilities without telling them it's a test: "Give them a couple tests, see what they do. Chances are they won't realize it's a test and you'll see their true self."
• Three Leadership Philosophy Foundations:

1. You're Overstating Your Value - "Most of the time, your team is capable of doing way more than you think they are, and often way more than even they think they are able to do."
2. Other People Have Goals Too - "Be empathetic... they want the ball, they want a chance, and we don't realize that we get too self-absorbed and focused on only what we wanna do."

In this episode, Marty sits down with Seasonal Service's Bret Achtenhagen to talk about his family business, the roundabout way he ended up in the green industry, and how the business evolved over time. They talk about the company's focus on residential work, how they keep the whole team focused on quality work, how they market for more work and more during this episode.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

00:00 - Introduction & Welcome
01:32 - Meet Bret Achtenhagen
02:12 - Bret’s Early Life and Family Business
05:27 - Starting Seasonal Services
11:05 - Defining Success and Core Values
17:30 - Navigating Challenges and Growth
20:19 - The Power of Radio Marketing
26:18 - Building Relationships with High-End Builders
27:40 - Using LinkedIn and Fleet Management
30:42 - Useful Marketing Tactics and Awards
33:06 - The Importance of Peer Groups for Growth
37:59 - The Dynamics of Building a Family Business
43:39 - Final Thoughts & Please Share This Episode!

Show Notes

• Define Your Niche and Stick to It - "Define who they are and what they want to be. And then stick to that... most of our competitors that never seem to really rise above three, four, 5 million, they're trying to be everything to everybody."

• Core Values Based on Philosophy - Built their foundation on Aristotle's ethos, pathos, and logos (ethics, passion, and logic): "Our core values are founded on ethos, pathos, and logos... it's a three-legged stool."

• Target Market Clarity - Focus on million-dollar homes with clients who "admire, enjoy, and respect creativity, quality, craftsmanship, expertise and extraordinary customer experiences."

• Growth Challenges Are Predictable - "When we hit 5 million, it seemed like the wheels got wobbly... when we hit 10 million, the wheels got wobbly and at 15 million, now our wheels are a little wobbly." Each growth stage requires new systems and approaches.

• The 2008 Reality Check - Bank called demanding $300K when farm property value dropped from $1.6M to $650K: "I felt naked, I felt vulnerable. And at that point... we really started to get serious about systems."

• Radio Show Marketing Strategy - 16+ years hosting weekly gardening show builds brand authority and recognition: "I go to restaurants... every weekend in church, people call up and say, I really loved your...

Emails to our existing and past clients have been a surprising source of work for us this spring at Grunder Landscaping. This low-effort outreach is working better than we expected it to, and in this episode Emily Lindley shares what we're sending emails on and what we're doing to make them work for us.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

00:00 - Start

00:35 - The Importance of Email Marketing

01:18 - The Challenges and Strategies of Email Marketing

03:57 - Marketing Pro: How to Implement

05:26 - Evaluating Email Marketing Success

08:08 - Effective Email Campaigns and Tactics

12:28 - Specific Email Content Examples

19:04 - Conclusion and Upcoming Grow 2026

Show Notes

1. Prioritize Value Over Frequency

• Discontinued monthly newsletters that were company-focused rather than client-focused
• Switched to strategic, seasonal emails that solve specific client problems
• Quality content beats consistent publishing when it lacks relevance

2. Strategic Email Selection Based on Business Needs

• Low-cost upsells work best for email: Mosquito fogging, aeration, overseeding
• Seasonal timing is crucial: Send drainage solutions emails after heavy rains
• Capacity-driven campaigns: Only promote services you can actually deliver

3. Measurement Strategy

• Open rates: Standard metric but don't panic if low with smaller lists
• Click rates: Must have clear, actionable calls-to-action to measure effectively
• Unsubscribe rates: Expect initial spike when resuming email contact, then should normalize
• Revenue attribution: Track clients who reference emails in sales conversations

4. Technical Implementation Best Practices

• Use integrated CRM platforms: Aspire's Marketing Pro keeps client lists updated automatically
• Standardize templates: Build brand recognition and reduce production time
• Cost-effectiveness: Email marketing has low...

Marty Grunder talks with Phil Harwood from Snow Fighters about leadership lessons from 40 years in landscaping and snow removal. Phil reveals why his previous company made 80% of profits from snow despite it being only 50% of revenue, and shares insights on leading by example and building profitable snow operations.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

00:00 - Start

00:30 - Introduction and Welcome

01:24 - Meet Phil Harwood: New Strategic Partner

02:56 - Phil’s Personal Background

04:19 - The Importance of Having a ‘Why’

06:27 - Phil’s Career Journey

09:50 - Funny Stories and Lessons Learned

13:22 - Phil’s Transition to Consulting

15:07 - The Value of External Perspectives

16:27 - Core Leadership Lessons from Phil

17:34 - The Importance of Preparation

19:49 - The Power of Continuous Learning

22:33 - Technological Trends in Snow Removal

26:29 - Phil’s Thoughts on the Future of the Industry

28:09 - Final Thoughts and Advice

• Leadership by Example Sets the Tone - Phil would arrive at the shop 2 hours early before midnight crews, plow the lot, make coffee, and clean trucks. "They walked in like, wow, this guy's ready... that sets the tone."
• The Outsider's Advantage - Phil learned from working with EOS founder Gino Wickman that the same advice he'd been giving internally was finally heard when delivered by an external consultant. "That's where the value is, being the objective outsider."
• Unintended Consequences of Company Mottos - Marty's "Where Service is Always in Season" led to inefficient routing, while Phil's "Yes, I Can" culture resulted in applying outdoor-only chemicals inside a building, sterilizing it permanently.
• Snow Removal as Emergency Service Mindset - "People always relate snow and ice management services to firefighting because it is an emergency service... you're doing something super valuable in an emergency environment."
• The Basics Still Matter Most - Core leadership lessons: "Do the right thing. Do what you say you're gonna do. Answer your phone. Be respectful, care about people." Sim...

Marty shares the real story behind opening Grunder Landscaping's first branch location in Cincinnati. From overcoming team resistance and zoning battles to building systems that scale, discover the leadership lessons, market entry strategies, and mindset shifts required to successfully expand your business into new markets.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

00:00 - Introduction & Welcome

01:31 - Opening a New Branch: Early Challenges

03:11 - Meeting Seth Pflum & The Growth of Grunder Landscaping

04:30 - The New Cincinnati Branch: Opportunities and Challenges

06:30 - Remodeling the New Facility

08:53 - Operational Strategies and Team Growth

12:42 - Using Your Mission Statement for Growth

16:16 - The Challenge to Grow

18:46 - Please Like, Share and Subscribe!

Strategic Planning & Vision

• Mission-driven expansion - The branch serves their mission: "to create opportunities for our team to grow and succeed" 
• Market sizing matters - Cincinnati offers 3-5x the opportunities of Dayton, making it worth the investment and risk

Leadership & Team Development

• Avoid consensus paralysis - Running a company by consensus with conservative thinkers can kill growth opportunities 
• Find growth-minded partners - Seth’s arrival changed everything because he shared Marty's vision for expansion 
• Create advancement opportunities - "The main reason you grow a business is you have so many good people, they're pushing you, and if you don't create opportunities for them, they're gonna move on"
• Promote from within success stories - Bill went from crew worker to leadership team; Brian went from watering plants to leadership team

Operational Excellence

• Systems enable scalability - Strong systems allow any team member to maintain standards at either location 
• Communication requirements multiply - "When you have one location, you better communicate well. But when you have two, your communication better be 10 times better"

Market Entry Strategy

• Expect to be unknown - 41 years of reputation in Dayton means nothing in Cincinnati 
• Invest heavily in marketing for new markets - Earmark l...

In this episode, Marty sits down with GROW 2025 tour host Jason Cromley to discuss what they both learned from the event, what the Hidden Creek team has been up to since February, and how they expect the year to go for their companies and the industry.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:32 Random Acts of Kindness

01:51 Interview with Jason Cromley

02:30 Reflections on Hosting Grow

09:23 Sales and Growth Updates

14:52 Operations and Hiring Challenges

18:15 Feedback and Future Plans

20:37 Sales Challenges and Solutions

21:46 Operational Insights and Peer Feedback

26:51 Personal Focus and Family Priorities

28:14 Future Goals and Team Dynamics

30:35 Takeaways and Final Thoughts

38:24 Conclusion and Closing Remarks

Show Notes: 

Focus on improving efficiency rather than increasing headcount. Jason Cromley's company aims to boost revenue by $6 million without hiring additional staff. This underscores the importance of optimizing current resources and processes to achieve growth.

Utilize CRM and data analytics to drive sales and improve pipelines. Jason mentions that relying on data rather than emotions helps better understand sales figures and probabilities. This approach enables targeted efforts to close deals and meet financial goals more effectively.

Ensuring every team member is in the right role and performing efficiently is crucial. Jason aspires to have a team where each person understands their responsibilities and has the capacity to perform them well. This leads to a more productive and motivated workforce.

Building and maintaining trust with customers is essential. Prompt communication and reliability in service help foster strong client relationships. Jason emphasizes the importance of not giving customers a reason to doubt your business, which in turn secures repeat business and new referrals.

Strategic planning and forecasting are vital for sustainable growth. Jason highlights the importance of looking ahead and planning for future growth, ensuring that the business can handle increases in workload and demand. This long-term vision helps in setting realistic goals and preparing the team and resources accordingly.

Subscribe and share the Grow Show to help more landscape pros discover it. Thank you for being part of our community.

The Grow Show podcast is sponsored by STIHL and brought to you by The Grow Group - a leading coaching and education firm for landscape professionals. Your host is Marty Grunder, president and CEO of The Grow Group and Grunder Landscaping Co., one of...

Our listeners sent in their top questions, and we're asking Marty during this week's episode of The Grow Show!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

00:00 - Introduction & Welcome

01:05 - Book Recommendation: Winning with Accountability

02:15 - Ask Marty: Finding and Keeping Good People

05:59 - Career Paths & Opportunities for Growth

12:03 - Addressing Family Members in the Workplace

18:23 - H-2B Program Insights

23:04 - Sharing Metrics With Your Team

29:35 - Probing Questions for One-on-One Meetings

31:25 - Buy or Lease: Truck & Equipment Acquisition Strategies

34:53 - Boosting Team Productivity

43:16 - Deer & Rabbit Control Challenges

46:07 - Effective Marketing Strategies

51:45 - Vertical Integration Methods and Subcontracting

54:03 - Final Thoughts

Subscribe and share the Grow Show to help more landscape pros discover it. Thank you for being part of our community.

The Grow Show podcast is sponsored by STIHL and brought to you by The Grow Group - a leading coaching and education firm for landscape professionals. Your host is Marty Grunder, president and CEO of The Grow Group and Grunder Landscaping Co., one of the most successful design-build operations of its kind in the Midwest. The Grow Show shares ideas, tips, tactics, and insights that will help you grow your landscaping business.

Resources:

Virtual Sales Bootcamp  

Grunder Landscaping Field Trips  

The Grow Group   

Grunder Landscaping   

Marty Grunder LinkedIn  

Stihl  

In this session, Marty and Vince discuss the three things Vince is thinking about and working with our ACE Peer Group Members in 2025. They also cover trends that they're seeing in the market, in companies around the country, and what companies should be paying attention to this year.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

00:00 - Introduction & Welcome

01:41 - Meet Vince Torchia & His Role at Grunder and the Grow Group

03:42 - Legal Concerns for Landscaping Companies

12:46 - ACE Companies and Revenue Benchmarks

14:05 - Focus on Maintenance and Stability

15:25 - Economic Anomalies and Workforce Issues

18:23 - Training and Development Trends

22:18 - Future Plans & An Exciting Announcement

Show Notes

- Vince reflects on his 15-year journey at Grunder Landscaping, from intern to partner, highlighting the strong partnership and growth they've achieved.

- Vince outlines his responsibilities at both Grunder Landscaping and the Grow Group, emphasizing his role in strategic operations and peer group management.

- The importance of training for leadership and legal compliance in landscaping companies is stressed, with a focus on harassment policies and documentation.

- Vince discusses the necessity of clear BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policies to manage work-related communications and data on personal devices.

- Contracts should be regularly reviewed for clear entry and exit terms to avoid legal and operational issues.

- Vince shares his perspective on the economy, advising businesses to focus on controllable elements and remain pragmatic about external economic factors.

- Significant insights from ACE group meetings indicate that sales growth is slowing, but companies are still expanding, and there's renewed focus on maintenance services for stability.

- Marty and Vince discuss the challenges of high interest rates, low unemployment, and difficulty in finding workers, emphasizing the need for businesses to adapt and train internally.

- Finally, Vince talks about the upcoming events for the Grow Group and the exciting partnership with Snow Fighters to provide training and education for snow removal professionals.

Subscribe and share the Grow Show to help more landscape pros discover it. Thank you for being part of our community.

The Grow Show podcast is sponsored by STIHL and brought to you by The Grow Gro...

In this episode, Emily Lindley talks about what she's seen from facilities as she's toured landscaping companies and previews what our GROW! 2026 attendees will see and takeaway from our tour of Complete Landsculpture.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

Episode Chapters:

00:00 - Episode Intro

00:44 - Exploring Various Facilities

02:10 - Complete Landsculpture Tour

03:06 - Adapting Spaces for Growth

04:49 - Innovate Facility Ideas

07:31 - Evolving Workspaces

09:51 - Career Path Signage

12:25 - Final Thoughts & Grow 2026!

Resources:

Virtual Sales Bootcamp  

Grunder Landscaping Field Trips  

The Grow Group   

Grunder Landscaping   

Marty Grunder LinkedIn  

Stihl  

Show Notes:

Make Your Space Work for You – Complete Landsculpture built their facility in 2008 doing $8 million in revenue and now does $24.6 million out of the same space. They built with foresight into where they wanted the business to go, stayed flexible, and changed layouts to accommodate growth without adding new buildings.

Design Around Your Business Model – Both Complete Landsculpture and Hidden Creek have design showrooms where clients come to them to see sample materials, past project photos, and make final selections. This eliminates pain points of bringing trunk-loads of samples to client sites or needing multiple meetings when clients don't like initial options.

There's No Right or Wrong Way – Emily has seen fancy offices and bare bones ones focused purely on operations and efficiency. All the companies are successful - it's about knowing who you are as a business and making a decision that fits your brand and approach.

Use Vertical Space – Complete converted a disorganized storage loft into open-air collaborative workspaces by...

We trust members of our team in leadership roles to share information and coach the team that reports to them to do their best work, but are we investing in their education too? In this episode, Marty Grunder shares what they do at Grunder Landscaping Co. to coach new leaders and support them as they teach their own teams their skills.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

00:00 - Introduction & Welcome

00:40 - The Importance of Training

01:41 - Vision, Mission, and Core Values

02:44 - Non-Negotiables & Training Framework

03:51 - Why We Train

05:16 - How We Train

06:51 - Steps to Effective Training

10:20 - The Power of Praise

13:51 - Please Share & Subscribe!

Show Notes

1. Training the Trainer: Marty emphasizes the importance of training the trainers within the organization. He highlights how essential it is for trainers to not only provide skills but also to embody and pass on the company's culture and values. Effective training can lead to improved performance and leadership within the team.
2. Vision Statement: Marty explains that every training session should start with the company's vision statement. The vision statement reflects the long-term goals and aspirations of the company, serving as the "Super Bowl" or the ultimate achievement everyone is working towards.
3. Mission Statement: The mission statement details the company's daily operations and how they plan to achieve their vision. Marty underscores the importance of aligning the mission with the company's core activities and ensuring that every team member understands and is committed to this mission.
4. Core Values: Marty discusses the core values of the company which include quality, leadership, teamwork, and profitability. These values guide the behaviors and decision-making processes within the organization, ensuring that everyone is working towards the same standards and goals.
5. Non-Negotiables: Marty highlights the eight non-negotiable behaviors that are crucial for the company's success. These include taking initiative, maintaining a positive attitude, effective communication, accountability, having a growth mindset, managing time, upholding professionalism, and expecting continuous improvement. These were established by the team's input and are integral to the company's operations.
6. How We Train: Marty outlines the methods and mindset for effective training, emphasizing the need for safety, patience, clarity, repetition, and opportunities. Training begins on the first day and is continuous, focusing on developing new leaders. Using videos and standard operating procedures (SOPs) are recommended for clear and effective training.

Nobody likes bad meetings — they waste time, drain energy, and rarely get results. In this episode, we’re breaking down the 5 must-haves for running meetings that actually work. From setting a clear purpose to leaving with real action items, we’ll give you a simple framework to tighten up every meeting on your calendar. If your meetings are lacking this Spring; this episode is for you.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

00:00 - Start

01:01 - Defining the Purpose of Meetings

02:00 - Setting the Agenda

03:27 - Assigning Roles and Responsibilities

05:13 - Types of Meetings and Their Goals

07:00 - Maintain Your Meeting Commitments

09:40 - Weekly & Monthly Meeting Structures

11:30 - Final Thoughts

Show Notes

Clear Meeting Purpose: Always define the purpose of each meeting to prevent unnecessary gatherings

Agenda Preparation: Create and share a detailed agenda in advance to ensure participants come prepared.

Defined Roles: Assign roles such as timekeeper, note-taker, and facilitator to ensure smooth meeting flow.

Types of Meetings: Distinguish between decision-making, working, and informational meetings to maintain focus and clarity.

Honor Commitments: Keep meeting schedules and commitments to build trust within the team even during peak seasons.

Essential Meetings: Schedule regular weekly meetings for operations, sales, and finance/admin, along with monthly and quarterly reviews.

One-on-One Sessions: Conduct weekly one-on-ones to address individual progress and foster personal connections.

Final Thought: Structured and respected meetings build momentum and improve organizational efficiency.

Subscribe and share the Grow Show to help more landscape pros discover it. Thank you for being part of our community.

The Grow Show podcast is sponsored by STIHL and brought to you by The Grow Group - a leading coaching and education firm for landscape professionals. Your host is Marty Grunder, president and CEO of The Grow Group and Grunder Landscaping Co., one of the most successful design-build operations of its kind in the Midwest. The Grow Show shares ideas, tips, tactics, and insights that will help you grow your landscaping business.

Resources:

Virtual Sales Bootcamp  

The seasonality of our businesses is real. In this episode, Marty outlines ways that landscape pros can keep their sanity and optimize their productivity in the busy spring and summer months.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

00:00 - Introduction & Welcome

01:45 - Annual Theme for Grunder Landscaping: FOCUS

02:44 - Key Focus Areas for Success This Spring

03:34 - Sales Strategies & Client Management

06:58 - Getting Work Done Efficiently

09:06 - Take Care of Your Team

11:36 - What NOT to Focus On

18:03 - Please Subscribe!

Episode 99 Sales: Marty's Tips for Spring Sales - Prospect, Nurture, & Close!

Episode 102 - Leadership: Managing Stress - "Find the Blue Skies"

Subscribe and share the Grow Show to help more landscape pros discover it. Thank you for being part of our community.

The Grow Show podcast is sponsored by STIHL and brought to you by The Grow Group - a leading coaching and education firm for landscape professionals. Your host is Marty Grunder, president and CEO of The Grow Group and Grunder Landscaping Co., one of the most successful design-build operations of its kind in the Midwest. The Grow Show shares ideas, tips, tactics, and insights that will help you grow your landscaping business.

Resources:

Virtual Sales Bootcamp  

Grunder Landscaping Field Trips  

The Grow Group   

Grunder Landscaping   

Marty Grunder LinkedIn  

Stihl  

In this episode of The Grow Show, Marty Grunder is joined by Mark Tipton, Founder & CEO of Aspire and Whitney Griffin to talk about the early days of starting the company, how the software has evolved, and what lessons the team has learned along the way.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

00:00 - Introduction & Welcome

01:29 - Meet Mark Tipton: The Journey of Aspire

10:02 - Mark’s Personal Life and Family

11:13 - Introducing Whitney Griffin

12:13 - Whitney’s Career Path and Challenges

16:32 - Aspire’s Focus on Construction

21:50 - User Feedback and Development

25:05 - Aspire’s Vendor Management Feature

26:47 - Flexibility in Estimating and Purchasing within Aspire

26:57 - Final Thoughts

27:59 - Implementing Aspire: Challenges and Benefits

30:46 - Aspire’s Item Substitution Feature

32:09 - Final Reflections and Advice

34:07 - New Features and Future Roadmap for Aspire

40:33 - Best Practices for Using Aspire

45:60 - Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Subscribe and share the Grow Show to help more landscape pros discover it. Thank you for being part of our community.

The Grow Show podcast is sponsored by STIHL and brought to you by The Grow Group - a leading coaching and education firm for landscape professionals. Your host is Marty Grunder, president and CEO of The Grow Group and Grunder Landscaping Co., one of the most successful design-build operations of its kind in the Midwest. The Grow Show shares ideas, tips, tactics, and insights that will help you grow your landscaping business.

Resources:

Virtual Sales Bootcamp  

Grunder Landscaping Field Trips  

The Grow Group   

Grunder Landscaping