Explore every episode of the podcast The Landscaper's Guide to Modern Sales & Marketing
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How to Build a Landscape Business That Gives You More Time for Life | 30 Oct 2026 | 00:13:02 | |
What’s the point of building a successful landscape business if you never have time to enjoy your life outside of work? In this solo episode of The Landscaper’s Guide, Jack Jostes, CEO of Ramblin Jackson, shares lessons from his annual archery elk hunting trip in Colorado, where he spent time with family, challenged himself physically, and unplugged from the demands of running a business. From hiking steep mountain trails to celebrating his first harvest with a bow, Jack reflects on the importance of family, fitness, and having something meaningful to work toward beyond your business. Jack also explains how consistency in fitness mirrors the habits required to build a profitable company. Plus, he shares why having a clearly defined ideal customer, automated marketing systems, and effective sales processes can help landscape and snow removal business owners reclaim their time. He also introduces his new book, The Landscaper’s Guide to Direct Response Sales and Marketing, and explains how the right systems can help your business grow without requiring you to work nonstop.
🌳 Ramblin Jackson: https://ramblinjackson.com/ 👤 Connect with Jack Jostes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackjostes/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackjostes/
🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: https://landscapersguide.com/podcast/ 🥓 Tell us where to send your beef jerky: https://landscapersguide.com/toolbox 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: https://landscapersguide.com/events 📖 Get Jack's New Book: https://landscapersguide.com/books | |||
| How Archer Landscape Design Rebranded After 18 Years to Attract Better Clients | 23 Oct 2026 | 00:28:32 | |
After 18 years in business, how do you know when it's time to rebrand your landscape company? And what happens when you invest in better SEO, professional video, and a stronger sales process? In this episode of The Landscaper’s Guide, Jack Jostes sits down with brothers Aaron and Paul Doud, owners of Archer Landscape Design in Magnolia, Texas. They share how they transitioned from Archer Services to a more recognizable brand, recovered from declining SEO leads, and invested in video marketing to build trust with high-end residential clients. They also discuss hiring dedicated managers as their company grew to around $5 million in revenue, using AI to document operating procedures, and why a consistent sales process matters more than ever as homeowners begin bringing AI-generated landscape designs to their consultations.
🌳 Archer Landscape Design: https://archerlawns.com/ 👤 Connect with Aaron Doud: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-doud-71594927/ 📸 Company Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/archerlawnservices/ 🏢 Company Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/863440417167824/archer-services/ Schedule a 15-Minute Marketing Brainstorm with the Ramblin Jackson strategy team https://landscapersguide.com/brainstorm/
🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: https://landscapersguide.com/podcast/ 🥓 Tell us where to send your beef jerky: https://landscapersguide.com/toolbox 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: https://landscapersguide.com/events | |||
| How Jays Landscape Doubled Maintenance Profit Margins From 19% to 40% | 16 Oct 2026 | 00:27:44 | |
What does it take to turn a struggling landscape maintenance department into a profitable part of your business? In this episode of The Landscaper's Guide, Jack Jostes sits down with Brad Irving, owner of Jays Landscape in Beaumont, Texas, to discuss how he and his wife, Melissa, transformed their family-owned landscaping company. Brad shares how they increased their maintenance gross profit margins from just 19% to approximately 40% by reevaluating contracts, managing labor hours, and building more consistent business processes.
Join us for the Landscape Leader of the Year Livestream - Thursday, 10/22/2026! https://landscapersguide.com/leader/ | |||
| Is Your Landscape Company Losing Sales? Take the Secret Shopper Test | 09 Oct 2026 | 00:03:28 | |
Is your landscape company losing high-value projects before you even get a chance to speak with the customer? You might have invested thousands of dollars in a professional website, beautiful project photos, and marketing that attracts affluent homeowners. But what happens when a potential customer calls your office or fills out your contact form? In this solo episode of The Landscaper's Guide, Jack Jostes, CEO of Ramblin Jackson, explains why your first impression could be costing you sales. Jack introduces the Ramblin Jackson Secret Shopper Test, a personalized evaluation of how your company handles incoming leads, phone calls, follow-up, and the overall sales experience. He also shares a real example of how one landscape company's phone-answering experience may have been hurting its sales. Discover why small details matter when customers are considering projects worth tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.
🌳 Ramblin Jackson: https://ramblinjackson.com/ 👤 Jack Jostes on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackjostes/ Jack Jostes on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackjostes/ 🔎 Request Your Secret Shopper Test: https://ramblinjackson.com/secret
🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: https://landscapersguide.com/podcast/ 🥓 Tell us where to send your beef jerky: https://landscapersguide.com/toolbox 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: https://landscapersguide.com/events | |||
| Behind the Scenes at Ramblin Jackson: New Book, New Course, & the 3 AI Tools I Use Every Day | 02 Oct 2026 | 00:20:21 | |
What’s happening behind the scenes at Ramblin Jackson—and which AI tools are actually helping Jack Jostes run the business more efficiently? In this solo episode of The Landscaper’s Guide, Jack shares an inside look at his upcoming third book, The Landscaper’s Guide to Direct Response Sales and Marketing, a new implementation course, an updated marketing audit, and the systems Ramblin Jackson is building as the company enters its next stage of growth. Jack also breaks down three AI tools he’s using in his day-to-day work: Superhuman for faster email management and AI-assisted replies, Claude for automating recurring internal workflows, and Gemini for research, travel planning, and organization. You’ll hear practical examples of how these tools save time, why strong systems still matter, and how improving your sales and marketing process can help you close more landscape jobs.
👤 Connect with Jack Jostes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackjostes/ 🌳 Ramblin Jackson: https://www.ramblinjackson.com/ 🌳 The Landscaper’s Guide: https://www.landscapersguide.com/
🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: https://landscapersguide.com/podcast/ 🥓 Tell us where to send your beef jerky: https://landscapersguide.com/toolbox 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: | |||
| How a 25-Year Landscape Company Is Using AI to Scale Without the Owner | 25 Sep 2026 | 00:22:50 | |
What does it take to build a landscape company that can eventually run without you? In this episode of The Landscaper’s Guide, Jack Jostes sits down with Andy Sykes, owner of Garrett Churchill Inc., to talk about what he’s learned from more than 25 years in the landscape industry. Andy shares how his company has evolved from gardening and design-build into a growing operation with roughly 18–20 field employees during peak season—and why his next goal is building a company that doesn’t depend on him for sales, design, and day-to-day management. Andy also reveals how Garrett Churchill is putting AI to work right now. In a single day, his team used AI to help create job descriptions, onboarding plans, and career paths—work Andy says could otherwise have taken him weeks. Jack and Andy also discuss video marketing, customer reviews, recruiting, employee development, and how landscape companies can use AI to give managers and field employees better access to the information they need.
🌳 Garrett Churchill Inc.: https://garrettchurchill.com/ 👤 Connect with Andy Sykes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andysykes11/
🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: https://landscapersguide.com/podcast/ 🥓 Tell us where to send your beef jerky: https://landscapersguide.com/toolbox 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: Schedule a 15-Minute Marketing Brainstorm with the Ramblin Jackson strategy team https://landscapersguide.com/brainstorm/ | |||
| From a Yellow Wagon at 14 to Building a Scalable Landscape Business with Andrew Lala | 18 Sep 2026 | 00:26:37 | |
Andrew Lala started Yellow Wagon Landscaping when he was just 14 years old, pulling landscaping equipment around in a yellow garden wagon because he and his business partner weren’t old enough to drive. More than 20 years later, Yellow Wagon Landscaping has grown into an award-winning full-service landscape design, build, and maintenance company serving northern New Jersey. In this episode of The Landscaper’s Guide, Jack Jostes talks with Andrew about the next stage of that growth: getting the owner out of the weeds. Andrew shares why spending nearly half his time on a division responsible for roughly 15% of company revenue was no longer sustainable, the challenge of hiring someone to take over responsibilities he has handled for years, and why documenting processes matters when scaling. They also discuss navigating a business partnership transition, investing in marketing, and using video to create consistent messaging as the company grows. You’ll Learn:
🌳 Yellow Wagon Landscaping: https://yellowwagonlandscaping.com/ 👤 Connect with Andrew Lala: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-lala-927a992a9/ 📸 Yellow Wagon Landscaping Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YellowWagonLandscaping 🏢 Yellow Wagon Landscaping Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yellowwagonlandscaping
🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: https://landscapersguide.com/podcast/ 🥓 Tell us where to send your beef jerky: https://landscapersguide.com/toolbox 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: Schedule a 15-Minute Marketing Brainstorm with the Ramblin Jackson strategy team https://landscapersguide.com/brainstorm/ | |||
| How Transparency, Pricing & AI Are Changing Landscape Sales | 11 Sep 2026 | 00:22:56 | |
What happens when your customers research your company, study your pricing, and compare your proposal with competitors before you even get a chance to sell them? According to Chuck Harkins, Director of Sales at Miller Landscape & Outdoor Living, that’s already happening—and landscape companies need to adapt. In this episode of The Landscaper’s Guide, Jack Jostes sits down with Chuck to talk about how Miller Landscape uses transparent pricing, video, marketing, sales metrics, and even AI to make the sales process easier. Chuck also shares how his role has evolved since joining Miller in 2009, why teamwork matters in sales leadership, and why today’s landscape companies can’t rely on old-school “belly-to-belly” selling alone.
🌳 Miller Landscape & Outdoor Living: https://millerlandscape.com/ 👤 Connect with Chuck Harkins: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-harkins-19835263/
🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: https://landscapersguide.com/podcast/ 🥓 Tell us where to send your beef jerky: https://landscapersguide.com/toolbox 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: Schedule a 15-Minute Marketing Brainstorm with the Ramblin Jackson strategy team https://landscapersguide.com/brainstorm/ | |||
| Choosing Better Work: How Frank Di Sandro Built a More Profitable Landscape Business | 04 Sep 2026 | 00:24:27 | |
After more than 25 years in business, Frank Di Sandro, founder and owner of Di Sandro Landscape Group in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, has learned that growth isn't always about doing more. Sometimes, it's about becoming more selective about the work you take on. In this episode of The Landscaper's Guide, Frank joins Jack Jostes to talk about evolving from mowing lawns and residential maintenance into higher-margin landscape construction, hardscaping, stormwater management, and new home construction. Frank shares how focusing on the right opportunities, applying the 80/20 rule, and making deliberate changes have helped his company evolve without sacrificing quality. They also discuss industry-specific marketing, the power of video, accountability, and why business owners need to make time to disconnect from work.
🌳 Di Sandro Landscape Group: https://disandrogroup.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DisandroLandscapeGroup
🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: https://landscapersguide.com/podcast/ 🥓 Tell us where to send your beef jerky: https://landscapersguide.com/toolbox 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: Schedule a 15-Minute Marketing Brainstorm with the Ramblin Jackson strategy team https://landscapersguide.com/brainstorm/ | |||
| How Berns Landscaping Cut 20-Hour Snow Events in Half | 28 Aug 2026 | 00:21:08 | |
What does it take to turn an exhausting 18–20-hour snow event into a 10-hour operation? For Logan Berns and Matt Cunningham of Berns Landscaping, the answer comes down to better planning, more manpower, reliable equipment, and smarter technology. In this episode of The Landscaper’s Guide Podcast, Jack Jostes sits down with Logan and Matt at the SIMA Symposium to talk about how their Michigan-based, family-owned landscape company has improved its snow operations while continuing to grow its commercial work. They share how pretreating properties, mobilizing larger crews, investing in newer equipment, and using Aspire have helped them work more efficiently. Plus, they discuss how they’re experimenting with AI, meeting-recording tools, and autonomous mowers—and why technology should make your job easier without replacing the personal touch.
Berns Landscaping says bringing more people to large snow events means sites can be completed faster while reducing the grueling 18–20-hour shifts that can burn out employees.
🌳 Berns Landscaping: https://bernslandscape.com/ 🏢 Berns Landscaping Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bernslandscape/ 🏢 Berns Landscaping Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bernslandscaping/
🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: https://landscapersguide.com/podcast/ 🥓 Tell us where to send your beef jerky: https://landscapersguide.com/toolbox 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: Schedule a 15-Minute Marketing Brainstorm with the Ramblin Jackson strategy team: https://landscapersguide.com/brainstorm/ | |||
| From Barber Shop to Fractional CMO: Faith, AI, and Betting Big with Drew Dinkelacker | 21 Aug 2026 | 00:34:31 | |
What does it take to bet big on the right idea—and make AI actually useful inside your business? Jack Jostes sits down with Drew Dinkelacker, president of Marketing Accelerator, to talk about Drew’s 25-year journey from a video production background and growing up around his dad’s barbershop to becoming a fractional CMO. Drew shares how faith shaped his decision to start a business, why outside perspective can help owners overcome decision fatigue, and the simple lesson to “give people something they can say yes to.” Then Jack and Drew unpack practical lessons from Cincy AI Week. They discuss why AI is more than another collection of tools—it can accelerate change management, expose broken processes, and create an advantage for teams that can clearly communicate how work gets done. For landscape and snow business owners, the takeaway is practical: get your processes right, use AI to improve the way your team works, and when you find an opportunity you truly believe in, be willing to bet big.
🌳 Marketing Accelerator: https://marketingaccelerator.com/ 👤 Connect with Drew Dinkelacker: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewdinkelacker/
🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: 🥓 Tell us where to send your beef jerky: 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: | |||
| 40 Years Residential-Only. Now He's Going Commercial. | 14 Aug 2026 | 00:19:10 | |
Scott Benson started Benson Landscape & Design as a teenager in Rochester, New York, and has spent nearly 40 years building it into a 50-person residential landscape design, installation, maintenance, and snow company. In this episode, Scott joins Jack Jostes at the SIMA Symposium to share how the business grew from mowing neighborhood lawns and snowblowing driveways into a company with a leadership team, more than 40 service lines, and a strong reputation with residential clients. Now Scott is taking on a new challenge: commercial snow removal. He explains why Benson is starting with carefully selected properties, repeated direct-mail touches, and a long-term approach instead of chasing every opportunity. Scott and Jack also dig into leadership, culture, team development, digital marketing, video, and why continued company growth creates more opportunities for employees.
🌳 Benson Landscape & Design: https://bensonenterprises.com/ 👤 Connect with Scott Benson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-benson-824738126/ 🏢 Guest Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BensonEnterprises
🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: 🥓 Tell us where to send your beef jerky: 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: Schedule a 15-Minute Marketing Brainstorm with the Ramblin Jackson strategy team https://landscapersguide.com/brainstorm/ | |||
| From Operator to Owner: The 5 Identity Shifts Every Landscape Business Owner Must Make | 07 Aug 2026 | 00:47:08 | |
What does it really take to build a business that can thrive without depending on you every day? In this special joint episode of The Landscaper's Guide Podcast, Jack Jostes sits down with his longtime business coach, Jason Swenk, founder of Smart Agency Masterclass and author of Operator to Owner. Together, they explore the five identity shifts every entrepreneur must make to grow from doing everything themselves into leading a company built on systems, leadership, and long-term value. Whether you're running a landscape company, snow removal business, or any growing service business, you'll hear practical strategies for creating systems, hiring the right people, leading through outcomes instead of tasks, avoiding founder self-sabotage, and embracing AI without losing the human element that makes your business unique. Jason also shares why many owners accidentally become the biggest bottleneck in their companies—and what it takes to finally step into the CEO role with confidence.
🌳 Smart Agency Masterclass: 👤 Connect with Jason Swenk: 📸 Instagram: 🏢 Check out the Operator to Owner Book:
👤 Connect with Jack Jostes on LinkedIn:
🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: 🥓 Tell us where to send your beef jerky: 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: | |||
| How to Build the Next Generation of Leaders in a Family Business | Sterling & Madelyn Lowe of IndusCo Facility Solutions | 31 Jul 2026 | 00:24:25 | |
How do you prepare the next generation to lead a successful family business? In this episode of The Landscaper's Guide Podcast, Jack Jostes sits down with Sterling Lowe and his daughter, Madelyn Lowe, of IndusCo Facility Solutions to discuss leadership, succession planning, and growing a family-owned business across generations. They share how IndusCo expanded from commercial coatings into snow and facility services while creating opportunities for younger leaders to make a real impact. You'll also hear Madelyn's perspective on entering the snow industry, building confidence through experience, encouraging more women to pursue careers in the trades, and how marketing, technology, and strong relationships continue to fuel IndusCo's growth. Whether you're preparing your children to join the business, developing future leaders on your team, or looking for ways to strengthen your company culture, this conversation is full of practical lessons you can apply today.
🌳 IndusCo Facility Solutions: https://induscofs.com/ 👤 Connect with Sterling Lowe and Madelyn Lowe: 🏢 Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndusCoEnterprises/
🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: 🥓 Tell us where to send your beef jerky: 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: Schedule a 15-Minute Marketing Brainstorm with the Ramblin Jackson strategy team https://landscapersguide.com/brainstorm/ | |||
| The Weirdest Cold Call That Won a Six-Figure Snow Contract (+ 5 Tips to Win Commercial Landscape Clients) | 24 Jul 2026 | 00:20:44 | |
Winning commercial landscape and snow contracts isn't just about having the best equipment or submitting the lowest bid. It's about standing out, targeting the right customers, building trust, and creating a sales and marketing system that keeps you top of mind. In this episode of The Landscaper's Guide Podcast, Jack Jostes shares five of the biggest lessons from a recent live virtual workshop with commercial snow and landscape contractors from across the country. You'll hear real stories from contractors who landed major accounts, learn why being specific about your ideal commercial client leads to better results, discover how "gold mining" your CRM can uncover your next customer, explore creative direct mail strategies that actually get noticed, and hear Jack's latest advice on preparing your company for AI-powered search. If you're ready to win more commercial maintenance and snow contracts, this episode is packed with practical ideas you can put to work immediately.
🌳 Ramblin Jackson: https://ramblinjackson.com/ 👤 Connect with Jack Jostes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackjostes/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackjostes 🏢 Ramblin Jackson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ramblinjackson
🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: https://landscapersguide.com/podcast/ 🥓 Tell us where to send your beef jerky: https://landscapersguide.com/toolbox 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: https://landscapersguide.com/events | |||
| Run a 10K at 80: Wayne Herring on Fitness, Protein and Business Sprints | 17 Jul 2026 | 00:21:51 | |
What would your health, family, and business look like if you started planning for the person you want to be at 80? In this episode of The Landscaper’s Guide Podcast, Jack Jostes hikes to the Royal Arch in Boulder, Colorado, with his business coach, Wayne Herring, owner of Business Builder Camp. Wayne shares why his long-term goal is to complete a trail 10K when he is 80 and how ambitious fitness goals can help business owners make better decisions today. Jack and Wayne also discuss protein-focused nutrition, short-term fitness and business sprints, scheduling meaningful adventures, avoiding burnout, and using focused seasons to improve systems. You’ll hear how getting away from your computer can restore your energy, create urgency, and help you return to your team as a better leader.
🌳 Business Builder Camp: https://businessbuildercamp.com/
🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: https://landscapersguide.com/podcast/ 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: | |||
| How Rich Green Lawns Tripled Their Client Count Without Losing the Family Touch | 10 Jul 2026 | 00:40:55 | |
What does it take for a second-generation lawn care company to grow from 1,000 to more than 3,000 active customers while keeping the same hometown customer service that built the business? In this episode of The Landscaper's Guide Podcast, Jack Jostes sits down with Erick Lehmann and Cortney Andersen of Rich Green Lawns in Central New Jersey to discuss how they've modernized a nearly 40-year-old family business without sacrificing the personal relationships that set them apart. Erick and Cortney share how investing in technology, better equipment, leadership, employee development, and marketing has helped them scale sustainably while creating new opportunities for their team. They also discuss customer referrals, Google reviews, identifying your "Hell Yes Customer," and why saying "no" to the wrong work can be one of the best growth strategies for any lawn or landscape company. If you're looking to grow your business without losing your culture, this episode is full of practical ideas you can apply today.
👤 Connect with Eric Lehmann and Courtney Andersen: 🏢 Rich Green Lawns Instagram: 📘 Rich Green Lawns Facebook:
🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: https://landscapersguide.com/podcast/ 🥓 Tell us where to send your beef jerky: https://landscapersguide.com/toolbox 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: https://landscapersguide.com/events Schedule a 15-Minute Marketing Brainstorm with the Ramblin Jackson strategy team https://landscapersguide.com/brainstorm/ | |||
| How to Scale Your Landscape Business With Better Leadership, Delegation & Coaching | David Gallagher & Jacob Peffer | 03 Jul 2026 | 00:25:19 | |
What does it really take to grow a landscape company from a small startup into a business that can scale without the owner doing everything? In this episode of The Landscaper's Guide Podcast, Jack Jostes sits down with Jacob Peffer, Owner of Greener Concepts, and his business coach, David Gallagher of Spiritus Business Advisors. Jacob shares how his company recently surpassed the $1 million revenue mark and why hiring an operations manager became one of the most important decisions he's made. David explains how leadership, organizational structure, coaching, and prioritization help landscape companies avoid the common mistakes that prevent growth. Together they discuss delegation, hiring, onboarding, coaching, sales, and building systems that allow business owners to focus on leadership instead of getting stuck in day-to-day operations. Whether you're approaching your first million dollars or leading a larger organization, this conversation offers practical advice you can implement immediately.
🌳 Greener Concepts: https://www.greenerconceptslcs.com/ 🌳 Spiritus Business Advisors, LLC: https://spiritusba.com/ 👤 Connect with Jacob Peffer: 👤 Connect with David Gallagher:
🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: 🥓 Tell us where to send your beef jerky: 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: | |||
| The $3,000 Landscape Design They Lost — And the Simple Video That Would Have Saved It Blog Post Link: | 26 Jun 2026 | 00:13:41 | |
What happens when a homeowner pays $3,000 for a landscape design and then hires another contractor before the design is even presented? In this episode, Jack Jostes shares a real story from a recent Landscaper's Guide workshop and reveals one of the most overlooked reasons landscape companies lose sales after getting paid for a design. Joined by Scott Lawn of Greenway Landscape Design & Build and Christopher Labadie, the conversation explores the communication gaps that create uncertainty, budget concerns, and stalled projects. You'll discover how simple Customer Journey Videos can keep clients engaged during long design phases, reduce budget-related objections, and increase the likelihood that your design turns into a signed construction contract. If you're investing time into detailed landscape designs but struggling to convert them into profitable installations, this episode offers a practical solution you can implement immediately.
🌳 Greenway Landscape Design & Build: https://grnway.com/ 👤 Connect with Scott Lawn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottlawn/ 📸Connect with Christopher Labadie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-labadie-249707377/ 🏢Greenway Landscape Design & Build on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greenwaydesignbuild
🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: 🥓 Tell us where to send your beef jerky: 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: | |||
| How My First Garden Center Job Shaped My Career in the Green Industry with Chris Pesche of Pesche's Flowers | 19 Jun 2026 | 00:40:03 | |
Many people ask Jack Jostes how he ended up building a marketing agency focused exclusively on the landscape and snow industry. The answer starts with his very first job at Pesche's Flowers, a family-owned garden center that has served the Chicagoland area since 1924. In this special episode of The Landscaper's Guide, Jack shares a conversation with Chris Pesche, third-generation owner of Pesche's Flowers. Chris reveals the timeless business principles that have helped their company thrive for more than a century, including customer service, employee development, operational excellence, and adapting to technology. From implementing inventory management systems to building a seven-figure eCommerce business with MyFairyGardens.com, Chris shares lessons that apply to landscape companies, garden centers, and any service-based business. This episode is a powerful reminder that great businesses are built by taking care of people, embracing change, and never losing sight of your reputation.
🌳 Pesche's Flowers: https://www.pesches.com/ 📸 Pesche's Flowers on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pesches_flowers/
🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: 🥓 Tell us where to send your beef jerky: 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: | |||
| The Hidden Profit Center: Renting vs. Buying Snow Equipment — with Trevor Biebrach of TCB Equipment Leasing | 12 Jun 2026 | 00:42:08 | |
Should you buy snow equipment or rent it? In this episode of The Landscaper's Guide Podcast, Jack Jostes sits down with Trevor Biebrach, President of TCB Equipment Leasing, to discuss how snow contractors and landscape companies can scale their winter operations without tying up massive amounts of capital in equipment ownership. Trevor shares how his family built one of the nation's largest snow-focused rental fleets after decades in the snow removal business and explains why equipment rentals have become a strategic growth tool for contractors across the country. Trevor and Jack dive into snow industry trends, the economics of renting versus buying, equipment packages that help contractors bid jobs more accurately, and the realities of running a snow-only business. They also discuss snow industry culture, emergency response operations, brine versus rock salt applications, and how technology and business systems help growing companies operate more efficiently. Whether you're looking to expand your snow division, improve profitability, or prepare for larger commercial contracts, this episode offers practical insights from someone who lives and breathes snow operations.
🌳 TCB Equipment Leasing: https://tcbequipmentleasing.com/ 👤 Connect with Trevor Biebrach: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-biebrach-29464879/ 📸 TCB Equipment Leasing on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tcb_equipmentleasing/
🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: 🥓 Tell us where to send your beef jerky: 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: Schedule a 15-Minute Marketing Brainstorm with the Ramblin Jackson strategy team https://landscapersguide.com/brainstorm/ | |||
| Google Just Changed How Homeowners Find Landscape Companies — Is Your Business Ready? | 05 Jun 2026 | 00:20:36 | |
Google just announced some of the biggest changes to search, AI, and online discovery in more than 25 years. In this episode, Jack Jostes breaks down the four announcements from Google I/O 2026 that landscape business owners should actually pay attention to—and ignores the rest of the hype. From Google's completely redesigned AI-powered search experience to new tools like Gemini Spark, Ask Maps, AI-assisted purchasing, and Ask YouTube, Jack explains what these updates mean for landscape companies trying to generate leads, improve efficiency, and stay visible online. He also shares practical insights into how AI search really works, where AI gets its information about your business, and why your website, Google Business Profile, reviews, photos, and videos matter more than ever. Whether you're focused on getting found online, improving operations, or preparing your company for the next wave of AI-driven search, this episode will help you understand what matters and what actions you should take today.
00:00 - Why Google I/O 2026 Matters For Landscape Companies
🌳 Ramblin Jackson: https://ramblinjackson.com/ Schedule a 15-Minute Marketing Brainstorm with the Ramblin Jackson strategy team https://landscapersguide.com/brainstorm/
🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: 🥓 Tell us where to send your beef jerky: 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: | |||
| The 100-Day Harvest: Reframing the Busy Season with Jim McFarlane | 29 May 2026 | 00:43:03 | |
What if the busiest season in landscaping wasn’t the “100 Days of Hell” — but the 100-Day Harvest? In this episode of The Landscaper’s Guide, Jack Jostes interviews Jim McFarlane, owner of United Landscape in Lexington, Kentucky. Jim shares how he built a thriving high-end residential landscape company after moving from the UK to the United States, and why mindset, leadership, and team culture matter more than ever during the busy season. Jim opens up about leading a growing team through change, building systems that support long-term growth, and how clarifying your marketing message can improve sales, team alignment, and customer experience. You’ll also hear practical insights about getting more Google reviews, creating employee buy-in, and building a company people are proud to work for. Whether you’re overwhelmed by spring chaos or looking to scale your landscape company intentionally, this episode will help you reframe the season ahead.
🌳 United Landscape: https://unitedlandscape.net/
🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: https://landscapersguide.com/podcast/ 🥓 Tell us where to send your beef jerky: https://landscapersguide.com/toolbox 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: | |||
| AI Conference Takeaways For Landscape Companies: How To Use AI Without Losing The Human Touch | 22 May 2026 | 00:32:24 | |
Jack Jostes is joined in Austin, Texas by Ramblin Jackson leadership team members Robert Felton and Erin Kaufold after attending an AI conference packed with practical ideas for marketing, operations, and client experience. Together, they unpack what landscape and snow business owners need to know about AI, SEO, long-form content, client data, and the importance of staying curious. In this episode, you’ll hear how AI can help landscape companies improve FAQs, repurpose sales call insights, build better client profiles, and reduce repetitive administrative work. Jack, Robert, and Erin also talk about why human relationships still matter, how to start small with AI, and why “Grow Or Die” matters more than ever in a fast-changing business world. You’ll Learn:
Connect With Ramblin Jackson Leadership Team:
Get Started With The Landscaper’s Guide: 🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: https://landscapersguide.com/podcast/ 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: | |||
| Skye Waterson: Why Landscapers with ADHD Are Wired to Start (But Struggle to Scale) | 15 May 2026 | 00:36:05 | |
Why do so many entrepreneurs — especially landscapers and trades business owners — struggle with organization, delegation, and scaling? In this episode of The Landscaper’s Guide Podcast, Jack Jostes sits down with ADHD researcher, coach, and founder of Unconventional Organisation, Skye Waterson, to unpack why ADHD traits are surprisingly common among entrepreneurs and what business owners can do to work with their brains instead of against them. Skye shares practical systems landscapers can use to improve communication, prioritize effectively, delegate with less stress, and stop drowning in constant overwhelm. You’ll hear how ADHD impacts hiring, team communication, focus, and execution — plus actionable strategies like the “dopamine dial” and Skye’s prioritization filter that can help owners create momentum without burnout. Whether you’ve been diagnosed with ADHD or simply feel scattered while trying to scale your landscaping business, this episode offers practical tools to help you grow more sustainably.
🌳 Unconventional Organisation: https://www.unconventionalorganisation.com/
🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: https://landscapersguide.com/podcast/ 🥓 Tell us where to send your beef jerky: https://landscapersguide.com/toolbox 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: | |||
| How Shrinking Their Service Area Helped Wickenburg Landscape Triple Their Business | 08 May 2026 | 00:29:10 | |
In this episode of The Landscaper’s Guide, Jack Jostes travels to Wickenburg, Arizona to interview Aaron Wolfe, second-generation owner of Wickenburg Landscape. Aaron shares how his family business has grown over 45 years by focusing on service quality, strong systems, and building lasting relationships with clients and employees. Aaron discusses why they narrowed their service area to improve quality control, how they use social media and educational content to build trust, and why charging for consultations transformed their sales process. He also shares how remote team members in the Philippines support their operations and how customer appreciation dinners and outdoor cooking experiences have become part of their brand experience. You’ll Learn:
Connect With Today’s Guest: 🌳 Wickenburg Landscape: https://wickenburglandscape.com/ Schedule a 15-Minute Marketing Brainstorm with the Ramblin Jackson strategy team https://landscapersguide.com/brainstorm/ Get Started With The Landscaper’s Guide: 🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: https://landscapersguide.com/podcast/ 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: | |||
| 7 Ways To Close More Landscape Jobs Without Lowering Your Price | 01 May 2026 | 00:10:15 | |
If you’re the owner of a landscape company and still stuck in the day-to-day sales process, this episode is for you. In this solo episode, Jack Jostes shares insights from a recent presentation on how to brand your sales process so you can delegate, scale, and create more freedom in your business. You’ll learn how to communicate your process clearly, qualify leads faster, and avoid wasting time on unqualified prospects. Jack breaks down practical strategies to help you build a repeatable system that improves your close rate while giving you back your time. You’ll Learn:
Connect With Jack Jostes and Ramblin Jackson: 🌳 Ramblin Jackson: https://ramblinjackson.com/ Schedule a 15-Minute Marketing Brainstorm with the Ramblin Jackson strategy team https://landscapersguide.com/brainstorm/ Get Started With The Landscaper’s Guide: 🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: https://landscapersguide.com/podcast/ 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: | |||
| How Justin White Scaled to $20M+ and Is Leading AI, Robotics, and Reviews in Landscaping | 24 Apr 2026 | 00:58:58 | |
Justin White, CEO of K&D Landscaping, joins Jack Jostes to share how he helped grow his family’s business from $1M to over $20M—and why the fundamentals of business still matter more than ever. From building a strong team culture to leveraging Google reviews as a competitive advantage, Justin breaks down what it really takes to scale a landscape company in today’s market. They also dive deep into the future of landscaping, including autonomous mowing, AI-powered decision-making, and how technology is reshaping operations, hiring, and leadership. Justin shares real-world insights from being in the “messy middle” of innovation—and what landscape business owners should focus on right now to stay ahead without getting distracted. You’ll Learn:
Connect With Today’s Guest: 🌳 K&D Landscaping, Inc.: https://kndlandscaping.com/ Get Started With The Landscaper’s Guide: 🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: https://landscapersguide.com/podcast/ 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: | |||
| From Craftsman to Closer: The Core 10 Sales Playbook with Joshua Gillow | 17 Apr 2026 | 00:47:00 | |
In this episode of The Landscaper’s Guide, Jack Jostes sits down with Joshua Gillow—landscape industry veteran, coach, and author of The Core 10 Sales Playbook. Joshua shares how he went from working in a family garden center to building and leading successful landscape businesses, and ultimately helping contractors across the country improve their sales systems. You’ll hear practical strategies to increase your close rate, communicate more effectively with clients, and break free from competing on price alone. Joshua explains how to transition from craftsman to professional, why most contractors struggle with sales conversations, and how better systems and expectations can help you scale your business while reclaiming your time. You’ll Learn:
Connect With Today’s Guest: 📚 Get the Book – The Core 10 Sales Playbook: Get Started With The Landscaper’s Guide: 🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: https://landscapersguide.com/podcast/ 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: | |||
| The Fortune Is In The Follow-Up: Email Marketing That Actually Closes Deals | 10 Apr 2026 | 00:17:29 | |
In this episode of The Landscaper’s Guide, Jack Jostes shares powerful clips from a live webinar on email marketing for landscape and snow business owners. If you’ve ever spent thousands on marketing but struggled to convert leads into real revenue, this episode will show you what’s missing—and how to fix it fast. You’ll hear real-world results from contractors who implemented simple email strategies and generated hundreds of thousands of dollars in new business. Jack breaks down why most companies fail to follow up, how email can solve that problem, and the exact types of emails you can start sending this week to win more jobs without adding more to your plate. You’ll Learn:
Connect With Jack Jostes and Ramblin Jackson: 🌳 Ramblin Jackson: https://ramblinjackson.com/ Schedule a 15-Minute Marketing Brainstorm with the Ramblin Jackson strategy team https://landscapersguide.com/brainstorm/ Get Started With The Landscaper’s Guide: 🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: https://landscapersguide.com/podcast/ 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: | |||
| Live Webinar: Introduction To AI For Landscape Sales Professionals - Thur, 4/30/2026 | 07 Apr 2026 | 00:02:43 | |
Join Jack Jostes for a practical, hands-on session designed specifically for landscape business owners and sales professionals ready to leverage AI in their sales process. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by AI—or unsure how tools like ChatGPT can actually help you close more deals—this webinar will give you clear, actionable direction. Jack Jostes breaks down practical ways to use ChatGPT to:
This session cuts through the noise and focuses on real-world applications you can implement immediately. No tech jargon—just proven prompts and strategies you can copy, customize, and start using right away. 👉 Register or learn more: | |||
| Is AI Killing Google? What Landscape Business Owners Actually Need to Know | 03 Apr 2026 | 00:18:52 | |
Is AI really killing Google—or is that just noise? In this episode, Jack Jostes, CEO of Ramblin Jackson, breaks down what’s actually happening in search and what it means for landscape and snow business owners. Drawing from real data and insights from his upcoming book, Jack explains why Google is still dominating—and how AI is changing the way customers find your business. You’ll hear what’s actually shifting with AI Overviews, why click-through rates are dropping, and how the businesses winning today are the ones showing up inside AI-generated answers. If you want to understand how to stay visible, generate leads, and future-proof your marketing, this episode will give you clarity and direction. You’ll Learn:
Connect With Jack Jostes and Ramblin Jackson: 🌳 Ramblin Jackson: https://ramblinjackson.com/ Get Started With The Landscaper’s Guide: 🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: https://landscapersguide.com/podcast/ 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: | |||
| How Systems, Assistants, and AI Help You Scale Your Landscaping Business | 27 Mar 2026 | 00:57:28 | |
In this episode of The Landscaper’s Guide Podcast, Jack Jostes sits down with returning guest Scott Callenius, CEO of Forever Green Landscape Services in West Palm Beach, Florida. Scott shares how his company has evolved from a small operation into a highly structured, system-driven business with a growing team, virtual assistants, and advanced workflows. Scott breaks down how hiring the right people, building systems, and embracing AI tools have helped him reclaim his time, improve client communication, and scale more efficiently. He also shares insights on where the landscaping industry is heading—from private equity shifts to new opportunities in enhancements, automation, and technology. If you’re feeling stuck doing everything yourself, this episode will show you how to step into your role as a true business owner. You’ll Learn:
Connect With Today’s Guest: 🌳 Forever Green Landscape Services: https://forevergreenlandscaper.com/ Get Started With The Landscaper’s Guide: 🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: https://landscapersguide.com/podcast/ 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: | |||
| Gold Mining Your Database: How to Turn Old Leads Into New Revenue | 20 Mar 2026 | 00:24:44 | |
Are you sitting on a goldmine of missed opportunities in your CRM? In this episode, Jack Jostes sits down with Ramblin Jackson’s Director of Client Strategy, Robert Felton, to break down how landscape and snow removal companies can unlock hidden revenue from their existing database. Robert shares his proven “gold mining” strategy—how to revisit old leads, follow up with purpose, and use tools like Lead Wrangler to prioritize the hottest opportunities. You’ll learn why most contractors lose deals to “doing nothing,” how to use engagement data to identify serious buyers, and how consistent follow-up can dramatically increase your close rate without spending more on marketing. You’ll Learn:
Connect With Today’s Guest: 👤 Connect with Robert Felton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-felton/ 🌳 Ramblin Jackson: https://ramblinjackson.com Get Started With The Landscaper’s Guide: 🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: https://landscapersguide.com/podcast/ 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: | |||
| Email Marketing for Landscape Companies: Driving Repeat Business & Cross-Sells | LIVE Webinar – March 26, 10–11 AM MT | 15 Mar 2026 | 00:01:06 | |
What do you do after you send a proposal… follow up… and never hear back? | |||
| Your Timeline Isn't the Problem. Your Follow-Up Is. | 13 Mar 2026 | 00:11:23 | |
If you’ve ever lost a landscaping sale because a prospect didn’t like your timeline, this episode is for you. Jack Jostes, CEO of Ramblin Jackson, explains why timeline objections usually do not mean the deal is dead. In peak season, reputable landscape companies are often booked weeks or months out, and many prospects are simply frustrated by the buying process, not necessarily rejecting your company. In this solo episode, Jack shares how to stay in the game with better follow-up, a smart mix of automation and personal outreach, and a proven strategy he calls gold mining. He also explains why organized notes, nurture sequences, and consistent follow-up can uncover revenue already hiding in your pipeline, and how Ramblin Jackson’s Lead Wrangler CRM helps landscape companies turn missed opportunities into real sales. You’ll Learn:
Connect With Jack Jostes: 🌳 Ramblin Jackson: https://ramblinjackson.com/ Get Started With The Landscaper’s Guide: 🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: https://landscapersguide.com/podcast/ 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: | |||
| How Smart Irrigation & AI Are Transforming Water Management with Rain Bird’s Sean Azad | 06 Mar 2026 | 00:32:54 | |
In this episode of The Landscaper’s Guide Podcast, Jack Jostes interviews Sean Azad, Marketing Manager at Rain Bird, live from the Rain Bird Select Contractor Conference in Riviera Maya, Mexico. Sean shares how smart irrigation controllers, integrated valve modules, and remote water management platforms are changing the game for residential and commercial contractors. From EPA WaterSense requirements to AI-powered scheduling and unified control systems, you’ll learn how technology is helping landscape companies save water, reduce labor inefficiencies, and deliver more value to clients. If you sell or install irrigation systems, this episode will open your eyes to what’s possible now—and what’s coming next. You’ll Learn:
Connect With Today’s Guest 🌳 Rain Bird: https://store.rainbird.com/ 📚Rain Bird Learning: https://www.rainbird.com/Learning Get Started With The Landscaper’s Guide 🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: https://landscapersguide.com/podcast/ 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: | |||
| How George Egan Built a $10M Landscape Company with Systems, Social Media & Daily Team Meetings | 27 Feb 2026 | 00:39:15 | |
In this episode of The Landscaper’s Guide Podcast, Jack Jostes sits down with George Egan, President of Egan Landscape Group in Plymouth, Massachusetts. George shares how he grew his company to $10 million in revenue with nearly 100 team members by focusing on daily accountability, real-time job costing, and smart marketing. From implementing a 10-minute all-team daily meeting to building a custom tech stack with Zapier, Aspire, and ClockShark, George breaks down the systems that drive profitability. He also explains how targeted social media marketing and intentional recruiting strategies are helping him attract both “hell yes” customers and top talent. You’ll Learn:
Connect With Today’s Guest: 🌳 Egan Landscape Group: https://eganlandscapegroup.com Get Started With The Landscaper’s Guide: 🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: https://landscapersguide.com/podcast/ 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: | |||
| How to Grow Your Landscape Business Without Sacrificing Your Marriage | 20 Feb 2026 | 00:21:07 | |
In this episode of The Landscaper’s Guide Podcast, Jack Jostes interviews Erika and Justin Mathis of Mathis Landscapes in Glenville, North Carolina. From buying the family business to building a high-end design/build company, the Mathis team shares what it really takes to grow sustainably—without burning out your marriage or your team. They discuss qualifying better clients, talking about budget earlier, investing in marketing for the first time, and why transparency builds trust. You’ll also hear how they’re learning to protect their relationship while working together, plus leadership insights from NALP Elevate that are shaping their next chapter of growth. You’ll Learn:
Connect With Today’s Guest: 🌳 Mathis Landscapes: https://www.mathislandscapes.com/ Get Started With The Landscaper’s Guide: 🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: https://landscapersguide.com/podcast/ 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: | |||
| Did ChatGPT Eat Google’s Lunch? | 13 Feb 2026 | 00:08:29 | |
Has AI changed how homeowners and commercial property managers find landscape companies? In this solo episode, Jack Jostes shares a real story from his own home renovation disaster — a leaking dishwasher, asbestos discovery, insurance requirements, and two wildly different proposals. Instead of guessing which contractor to hire, Jack used ChatGPT to compare bids and generate smart follow-up questions. What happened next reveals exactly how customers are researching and buying in 2026. You’ll hear what the data actually says about Google vs. AI search, what’s changed inside search results pages, and where landscape companies should focus their marketing this year to keep attracting high-value customers. You’ll Learn:
🌳 Ramblin Jackson: https://ramblinjackson.com
🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: https://landscapersguide.com/podcast/ 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: Schedule a 15-Minute Marketing Brainstorm at https://landscapersguide.com/brainstorm | |||
| How to Get More Google Reviews, Handle Negative Feedback, and Respond to Every Review | 06 Feb 2026 | 00:13:57 | |
In this live Q&A session, Jack Jostes answers real-world questions from landscape business owners, straight from the stage. The conversation focuses on one of the most common challenges contractors face: getting consistent Google reviews, especially from maintenance clients, without feeling awkward or pushy. You’ll hear practical guidance on handling negative reviews the right way, whether employees should leave reviews, and how to use review feedback to build trust with future customers. If you want a clearer, more confident approach to reviews and reputation, this episode delivers tactical advice you can use immediately. You’ll Learn
Connect With Jack Jostes 🌳 Ramblin Jackson: https://ramblinjackson.com/ Get Started With The Landscaper’s Guide 🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: 🥓 Tell us where to send your beef jerky: 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: | |||
| From Radio DJ to Green Industry Problem Solver: How PermaGreen Keeps Crews Productive | 30 Jan 2026 | 00:11:20 | |
Brian Middleton didn’t start his career in the green industry. For more than 20 years, he was a well-known radio DJ in one of the biggest markets in the country. Today, he’s the Head of Technical Support at PermaGreen, helping lawn and landscape companies keep their crews productive, profitable, and moving. In this episode, Brian and Jack talk about what really happens when equipment goes down in the field, why fast, human support still matters in an AI-driven world, and how smarter equipment choices can reduce burnout, lower employee turnover, and improve quality of life for crews. If your business depends on efficiency, reliability, and keeping your people running strong all season, this conversation hits home.
🌳 PermaGreen: https://permagreen.com/
🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: 🥓 Tell us where to send your beef jerky: 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: | |||
| Brand Your Landscape Sales Process Webinar with Jack Jostes & Robert Felton Thursday 1/29/2026! | 26 Jan 2026 | 00:01:51 | |
https://landscapersguide.com/brand-your-sales-process-to-get-the-owner-out-of-sales-with-jack-jostes-and-robert-felton/ Brand Your Sales Process To Get The Owner Out of Sales - with Jack Jostes and Robert Felton | |||
| When Firing Clients Protects Your Team and Increases Profit | 23 Jan 2026 | 00:26:36 | |
In this episode of The Landscaper’s Guide Podcast, Jack Jostes sits down with Abe Faria, General Manager of CMS Landscape (Chris Mark and Sons) in Massachusetts, a multi-generation landscape company that’s been operating since 1973. Abe shares how CMS has grown to over 50 employees by making hard—but strategic—decisions about who they serve and how they protect their team. You’ll hear a candid conversation about identifying toxic or misaligned clients, the internal process CMS uses to evaluate them, and how the “Better Served By Others” (BSBO) framework helps preserve employee morale, improve service quality, and increase profitability. This episode is a must-listen for landscape and snow business owners who feel stretched thin, overworked, or trapped serving the wrong customers. You’ll Learn:
Connect With Today’s Guest: 🌳 CMS Landscape (Chris Mark and Sons): https://cmslandscape.com/ Get Started With The Landscaper’s Guide: 🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: 🥓 Tell us where to send your beef jerky: 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: | |||
| Three Landscape Leaders On Sales, Pricing, And Protecting Their Teams | 16 Jan 2026 | 00:43:20 | |
What actually separates high-performing landscape companies from everyone else isn’t luck, leads, or even talent — it’s how they handle sales, pricing, and client qualification. In this episode of The Landscaper’s Guide Podcast, Jack Jostes sits down in the Ramblin Jackson studio with the three finalists for the 2025 Landscape Leader Of The Year Award. These owners flew in from across the country to participate in a live event, mastermind together, and share what they’re learning as they grow mature, professional landscape companies. The conversation dives into real-world lessons around qualifying leads, saying no to bad-fit clients, pricing transparency, speed to lead, and protecting teams from burnout. If you’re tired of price shoppers, wasted estimates, stressed crews, and sales that feel unpredictable, this episode offers practical insight from peers who are actively fixing those problems in their own businesses.
🌳 Buckhead Landscape & Design: https://buckheadlandscapedesign.com/ 🌳 Tri Valley Landscape: https://trivalleylandscapellc.com/ 🌳 Dutchies Stoneworks: https://www.dutchiesstoneworks.com/ See the 2025 Landscape Leader of the Year: Stuart Ward’s Proven Sales Process for Scaling Profitably presentation https://landscapersguide.com/landscape-leader-of-the-year-stuart-ward/
🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: 🥓 Tell us where to send your beef jerky: 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: | |||
| Elevating Careers In The Green Industry With Pam Berrios | 09 Jan 2026 | 00:13:11 | |
Pam Berrios has spent nearly three decades in the green industry—and she’s on a mission to elevate the people who power it. In this episode of The Landscaper’s Guide Podcast, Jack Jostes sits down with Pam to talk about career pathways, leadership development, and why investing in field-level team members is the single most important move landscape companies can make. Pam shares her experience as a former landscape company owner, her work training Spanish-speaking crews across the country, and how leadership, language, and genuine care can transform hourly jobs into lifelong careers. They also discuss how AI and translation tools are beginning to bridge communication gaps—without replacing the human relationships that truly drive retention and growth.
Connect with Pam Berrios 🌳 Infinity Group: https://elevate123.net/ Get Started With Landscapers Guide 🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: https://landscapersguide.com/podcast/ 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: https://landscapersguide.com/events | |||
| How Top Landscape Sales Pros Handle Rejection And Still Close Premium Work | 02 Jan 2026 | 00:22:35 | |
Selling premium landscape services means hearing “no” more often—and waiting longer for the right “yes.” In this episode of The Landscaper’s Guide Podcast, Jack Jostes sits down with Chris James of Perfect Cut Landscaping to talk candidly about rejection, long HOA sales cycles, and how top sales professionals stay confident through it all. Chris shares real-world lessons from selling residential, commercial, and HOA landscape services in South Florida, including how to follow up without damaging relationships, why professionalism pays off months or years later, and how mindset, systems, and communication separate average sales reps from top performers. They also cover how AI, KPIs, and industry events are helping sales pros buy back time and close higher-quality work. You’ll Learn:
Connect with Chris James 🌳 Perfect Cut Landscaping: https://561lawn.com/ Get Started With The Landscaper’s Guide: 🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: https://landscapersguide.com/podcast/ 🥓 Tell us where to send your beef jerky: https://landscapersguide.com/toolbox 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: | |||
| The Hardest Leadership Lessons of Last Year + What’s Next at Ramblin Jackson in 2026 | 26 Dec 2025 | 00:25:57 | |
In this solo episode of The Landscaper’s Guide Podcast, host Jack Jostes reflects on the hardest leadership lessons he learned last year—particularly around letting the wrong people stay too long, dealing with toxic behavior, and the personal toll poor people decisions can take on business owners. Jack shares real stories from his own company and from client conversations, offering an honest look at why leadership often gets harder before it gets clearer. In the second half of the episode, Jack shifts gears and looks ahead to 2026. He previews what’s coming next at Ramblin Jackson, including new products, services, and systems designed to help landscape and snow companies grow with better sales processes, smarter automation, and less stress. This episode blends leadership insight with practical business direction for owners who want to build stronger teams and more scalable companies. You’ll Learn
Connect With Jack Jostes 🌳 Ramblin Jackson: https://ramblinjackson.com/ 🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: 🥓 Tell us where to send your beef jerky: 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: Book a 15-Minute Marketing Brainstorm: https://landscapersguide.com/brainstorm/ | |||
| Year-End Sales, Pricing, and Profitability Tips from Aspire Software | 19 Dec 2025 | 00:17:02 | |
As the year winds down, landscape and snow business owners face important decisions around renewals, pricing adjustments, and profitability. In this episode of The Landscaper’s Guide Podcast, Jack Jostes is joined by Maggie Wymore from ServiceTitan to discuss what service businesses should be reviewing at year-end to finish strong and plan confidently for the year ahead. Maggie shares practical insights on reviewing financial inputs, evaluating profitability by service line, improving renewal conversations, and using tools like site audits and client budget worksheets to increase retention and enhancement sales. If you want clearer numbers and better conversations heading into next season, this episode will help you get there. You’ll Learn
🌳 Aspire Software: youraspire.com
🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: 🥓 Tell us where to send your beef jerky: 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: | |||
| From Brazil to Baton Rouge: How Hard Work and Kindness Fueled Vania Mickos’ Landscape Career | 12 Dec 2025 | 00:13:36 | |
In this episode, Jack Jostes sits down with Vania Mickos of Mullin Landscape to explore her remarkable journey from growing vegetables on her family’s farm in Brazil to becoming an account manager in Baton Rouge. Vania shares how grit, agronomy expertise, and a deep commitment to kindness shaped her leadership style and career path. We discuss her early start in agriculture at age 11, her transition into agronomy, her move to Europe, and eventually her growth into the U.S. landscape industry. Her powerful message about communication and kindness as core leadership skills makes this episode a must-listen for landscape and snow pros.
Connect With Today’s Guest 🌳 Mullin: https://www.mullinlandscape.com/ 👤 Connect with Vania Mickos: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vaniamickos/ 📸 @vania.mickos 🏢 @mullinlandscape Get Started With The Landscaper’s Guide 🎧 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: https://landscapersguide.com/podcast/ 🥓 Tell us where to send your beef jerky: https://landscapersguide.com/toolbox 📅 See upcoming live and virtual events: https://landscapersguide.com/events | |||