The GROW! Show – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, our longtime friend Lee Buffington, Founder & CEO of Thrive Outdoor in Alabama, shares stories from his 29-year journey as a landscape pro. Starting his company at 19 years old, he shares the challenges that seemed big in the early years, how his team has overcome them, and what they're working on today.

Lee delves into the critical importance of mindset, emphasizing how attitude can elevate someone from a weed eater operator to a successful business leader. He discusses the evolution of his company over nearly three decades, examining current industry trends and the management of multiple locations. He highlights the use of data analysis through platforms like Aspire, which has streamlined operations and informed decision-making. Throughout the conversation, Lee underscores the significance of building strong relationships, both with clients and team members, and how ‘leading with love’ fosters a positive work environment. He also offers valuable advice for aspiring landscapers, including the importance of mentorship and the impact of hiring the best talent. Tune in for an inspiring and insightful discussion about perseverance, growth, and the power of community in business.

In This Episode:

• Intro of guest Lee Buffington, Alabama and family discussion
• From dreams of medical school to the landscaping industry
• Early challenges, being a young solopreneur, surviving winters
• 29 years in business, examining the business and industry today
• Physical locations of Thrive Outdoor in Alabama
• Mindset and attitude can take you all the way from weed eater operator to company head in the landscaping industry
• Realizing you are the bottleneck
• Collecting and analyzing data - Aspire
• Managing multiple locations and a changing industry, Grunder’s new branch
• Business success and relationships, leading with love
• Would you have done anything differently?
• Paying for the best people
• Learning from all levels of team members
• Advice for landscapers - mentors
• Sign up for GROW! 2025
• Share with someone in landscaping, subscribe, like, share, and send us your show ideas and comments!

The Grow Show podcast is spons

In this episode of The Grow Show, Marty Grunder and Seth Jones, Editorial Director of Landscape Management Magazine, dive deep into the emerging trends, such as the growing influence of technology and innovative sales approaches that are reshaping the sector. Seth shares his professional journey and the current outlook for landscaping businesses, offering insights into overcoming the anticipated challenges of 2024 and 2025. The conversation also explores how peer groups have led to impressive results and examines valuable lessons gleaned from journalism and golf industry trends. Additionally, Marty and Seth discuss the importance of “consistent and constant low-risk experiments” for entrepreneurs. Tune in for a comprehensive analysis of how landscaping professionals can adapt to industry shifts and drive success.

In This Episode:

• Welcome to guest Seth Jones, Editorial Director of Landscape Managment Magazine
• Marty’s monthly column, Professor Dr. Frank Henniger
• Seth’s background and path to current success
• Looking at the industry - current and future outlook
• Unique approaches to increased sales seen in the industry
• Peer groups and great results
• Can we learn anything from trends in the journalism sector?
• Changing lives with content
• Trends to watch in the golf industry
• Embracing technology of all types - broaden your horizons
• “Consistent and constant low-risk experiments” are crucial for entrepreneurs
• Exciting elements of the landscaping industry in Seth’s world
• How to get in touch, submitting ideas
• Sign up 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:

Seth Jones LinkedIn &nbs

Seth Pflum, President of Grunder Landscaping Co., and has been instrumental in leading the team's growth alongside Marty in his 12+ years with the company. A huge part of that growth has come from investing in, and believing in, the leaders on their team. In this episode, Marty and Seth will discuss how the company culture has shifted at Grunder, what they're doing to constantly look for new opportunities for their team members, and how this renewed focus on the team has impacted all of them.

In This Episode:

• Spinning vinyl on a new record player
• Seth’s journey over the last few years
• Shifting the company culture, eschewing negativity
• Be a solution
• Monthly GROW meetings, what is shared with the teams
• Finding leadership material
• Using StrengthsFinder for team improvement
• Allowing your team members to learn and grow on their own, coaching and teaching
• Focus on sales
• Non-linear growth- how Grunder sees it
• Sign up for GROW! 2025
• Send us your feedback, add your comments, like, share, and send us your show ideas

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:

Seth Pflum LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-pflum-01b460b4/

StrengthsFinder Test  

GROW! 2025 Feb 25-27, Columbus OH 

Grunder Fall Field Trips   

The Grow Group 

At GROW! 2025, Vince Torchia will lead a workshop session where attendees can start to build out a Bonus Program plan. In this episode, Vince gives the cliff notes version of what you should consider if you're thinking about implementing a Bonus Program for your team!

In This Episode:

• Vince is out with one of the many ACE groups this week
• Two types of bonus programs - what’s the difference?
• Aligning team behaviors with goals for a bonus program
• Clarity in communications around the goals
• Using scoreboards or scorecards to track goals
• How each job relates to the goal
• Keep calculations simple
• How and when will you share progress with your team?
• Sign up for GROW! 2025
• Send us your feedback, add your comments, like, share, and send us your show ideas

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  

Grunder Fall Field Trips   

The Grow Group  

Grunder Landscaping  

Marty Grunder LinkedIn  

Stihl  

In this insightful episode, Marty delves into the essential components of effective team leadership and training. The emphasis is on gratitude, how safety is paramount, and the power of engaging storytelling. From the intricacies of operational procedures to the strategic "why" behind training, each detail underscores the importance of clarity and repetition. Whether you're leading a crew or managing your own team, Marty's wisdom on patience, praise, and involving the whole team promises transformative insights for fostering excellence in landscaping and beyond.

In This Episode:

• Gratitude for the good things, including great son-in-laws
• Training - what not to do 
• Engaging your audience
• Weighing the importance of certain training topics
• Start with a “why” around the training
• Train your teachers that safety is #1
• Be patient, have patience
• Keep your eye on details, follow operating procedures
• The importance of clarity
• Repetition, repetition, repetition
• Looking at your company’s SWOT
• Involve the whole team
• The power of praise - for dogs…and people
• Recapping
• Have you signed up for GROW! 2025?
• Send us your feedback, add your comments, like, share, and send us your show ideas

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  

The Grow Group 

Grunder Landscaping 

Marty Grunder LinkedIn  

Stihl

Where do you find new business when you need it? Finding new clients is key to a company's growth but can be challenging for salespeople: this isn't something they teach in school. 

In this episode, Marty delves into his favorite strategies to elevate your landscaping business to new heights. From uncovering the fun in prospecting and discovering your team’s motivation, he explores how residential and commercial referrals—perhaps from your clients’ neighbors—can be goldmines. Whether it’s using golf outings and meals for prospecting or tapping into community meetings, our discussion revolves around the timeless advice: go where your clients are. Join us as we uncover the secrets to thriving in the landscaping industry by mastering these essential elements of business strategy.

In This Episode:

• Microsoft OneNote and it’s usefulness
• 2024 hits four decades of service
• Prospecting can be fun
• What’s your “why”? Do you know what motivates your team?
• Residential and commercial referrals- how about your clients’ neighbors?
• Prospecting with golf and meals
• Other community meetings and groups to prospect
• Go where your clients are
• Recapping
• Have you signed up for GROW! 2025?
• Send us your feedback, add your comments, like, share, and send us your show ideas

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  

The Grow Group  

Grunder Landscaping  

Marty Grunder LinkedIn  

Stihl  

In this episode, Marty Grunder and James Cali discuss how they initially met, what they've learned from working togther on our ACE Peer Group Program, and what they love to see landscaping companies implement because of the results that come from it.

James Cali is a Grow Group executive coach, where he draws on his more than 25 years of executive leadership experience within the professional services industry to help business owners develop and execute strategy. Having helped lead a landscape firm from $3M to more than $28M in annual revenue, he is a master tactician whose focus on consistent planning, accountability, and finance drives green-industry companies forward. In addition to his work with The Grow Group, he co-leads McFarlin Stanford, a professional bookkeeping and recruiting firm, and is former chairman of NALP’s government affairs committee. A graduate of the University of New Orleans with an MBA from Southern Methodist University, Jim is based in Dallas, Texas.

In This Episode:

• Visiting job sites and Jimmy John sandwiches
• How James and Marty met at GROW 2016
• OHIO - a great business acronym
• Best practices - in any business
• Team building - corporate vs. landscaping businesses
• Spending a day with a team member- the irrigation story
• Relationships and growth
• Recognizing team members’ anniversaries
• One-on-one meetings - save your questions, the best use of your time
• Consistency - meetings, profit sharing, holiday parties
• Traditions 
• The ACE Program - revenue, membership, growth, community
• How Italy became an international destination for ACEs
• Accountability Creates Excellence (ACE) - how to join, how it works, ROI
• Send us your feedback, add your comments, like, share, and send us your show ideas

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:

James Cali LinkedIn  

How can you exemplify exceptional customer service? Being courteous and thoughtful goes a long way in impressing clients, and usually that doesn't mean doing anything that hard. Smiling and saying hello when you see someone outside, pause your blower for a second as someone walks by, or pull up the trashcans for your client if you're there on trash day. Little things add up to delighting your clients, in this episode, Marty Grunder shares how crews can do just that.

When you focus on cultivating profitable, ideal, and sustainable client relationships, it’s the little things can make a significant impact. Marty shares how things like excellent communication, driving courteously, and sending clients visuals of completed work are easy to do, and are incredible ways to stand out “in a sea of sameness”. With smiles, patience, and thoughtful actions, your crew can set a high standard for customer service in the landscaping industry.

In This Episode:

• Throwing out the first pitch!
• Have you received poor customer service recently?
• Bob Rhodes and Marty’s house and yard
• Profitable clients, ideal clients, sustainable clients
• Little things that make an impact 
• Great communication
• Considerate practices - turn off your equipment when people are near
• Are you driving in a courteous manner? You’re a rolling billboard for the business
• Send your clients visuals of your work when complete
• Look for ways to stand out!
• Don’t park in “inconvenient” spots at your clients' locations
• Smell good, look good, be good, be considerate
• Smiling, patience, thoughtful actions
• Recapping 
• Send us your feedback, add your comments, like, share, and send us your show ideas

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  

In this episode of The Grow Show, Lisa Grunder, who has been married to Marty Grunder for over 30 years, shares insights into their journey together. From meeting in college to navigating the early years of Grunder Landscaping Co., Lisa delves into the challenges and triumphs of balancing work, family, and life. Marty and Lisa highlight the importance of dividing responsibilities and leveraging each other's skill sets, emphasizing the crucial role of family support. They also discuss the passion and intensity Marty has always had in their business, advocating for the mantra "notice, pause, allow." Touching on topics like going back to teaching after raising young children, communication in marriage, and financial planning, Lisa offers valuable advice and reflections on raising kids within the context of a family business.

In This Episode:

• Lisa and Marty - Meeting in college, early career days
• Entrepreneurial family history
• Work, family, and life balance 
• Dividing responsibilities, working within your skill set
• Family support is key
• Passion and intensity, ‘notice, pause, allow’
• Going back to teaching after raising young kids
• Grown children, communication in a marriage, financial planning
• Kids and the family business
• Advice and closing thoughts
• Send us your feedback, add your comments, like, share, and send us your show ideas

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:

The Famous Cookie Recipe!

NALP Field Trip at Landscape Workshop June 11-12, Birmingham AL    

GROW! 2025 Feb 25-27, Columbus OH  

The Grow Group

Ever think Grunder Landscaping Co. has it all figured out? Think again! This week, Marty Grunder shares some mistakes we've made over the years, and how we bounced back. Because mistakes happen, but it's your reaction that determines if you and your team recover or get bogged down.

Marty unpacks common pitfalls like micromanaging, perfectionism, and failing to delegate. You'll hear about the importance of trusting your team and the dangers of "trusting but not verifying." The episode also tackles financial mistakes and the fear of asking for help. By learning from these missteps, you can become a more effective and well-rounded leader, embracing the message: “nobody's perfect, but we can all learn and GROW from our mistakes.”

In This Episode:

• Receiving a complimentary call about a team leader
• Lack of focus - is this an issue with you?
• Using subcontractors for non-core competency jobs
• Not letting go, impatience, perfectionism, not giving people a chance
• Trusting but not verifying, believing excuses, imposter syndrome
• Not knowing enough about finance, not sharing information
• Not asking for help
• Looking for someone to blame rather than looking for solutions
• Other mistakes - poor interviewing process, debt and cash flow issues, and other dumb stuff
• Nobody’s perfect, but learn from your mistakes 24/7, be humble
• Two pros that demonstrate humility
• Send us your feedback, add your comments, like, share, and send us your show ideas

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:

Episode 48: Clay Mathile

Episode 45: Gene Freeman

NALP Field Trip at Landscape Workshop June 11-12, Birmingham AL