The GROW! Show is a show that highlights Marty Grunder's annual conference, GROW!. The GROW! show will showcase how anyone in the green industry can grow themselves, their team, and their business.
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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.
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.
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’
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.
Interview Series: The Ins and Outs of Battery Powered Equipment LIVE from Equip Expo
Episode 81
Wednesday, November 6, 2024 • Duration 58:08
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
Operations: What We Learn by Seeing it Firsthand
Episode 80
Wednesday, October 30, 2024 • Duration 14:57
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.
Leadership: Vince Torchia's Takeaways from Touring Landscaping Companies
Episode 79
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 • Duration 15:09
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
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.
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
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.
Sales: Networking and Business Development Basics
Episode 89
Wednesday, January 1, 2025 • Duration 21:59
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
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.
Interview Series: Thinking Like Owners with Christianna Denelsbeck Rudder
Episode 88
Wednesday, December 25, 2024 • Duration 48:24
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
Interview Series: Jordan Smith from VSI by Boss on Health and Snow
Episode 87
Wednesday, December 18, 2024 • Duration 45:19
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
Interview Series: Wake Up Calls, Turning Points, and the Role of a Leader with Jeffrey Johns
Episode 86
Wednesday, December 11, 2024 • Duration 36:28
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
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(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
(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
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
