Explore every episode of the podcast The Violent Action Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scaling From $0 To A $3M Landscaping Company in Just 4 Years | 14 Sep 2026 | 00:57:32 | |
Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At 32 years old, Dalton started Landscaping Solutions with a $1,500 Chevy pickup, a 10-foot trailer, and virtually no money. Just four years later, his landscaping, hardscaping, snow removal, hydroseeding, and commercial maintenance company is on track to do roughly $2.7–$3M in revenue. Dalton didn’t build the company by taking on massive debt or buying brand-new equipment. His early setup included a $14,000 used skid steer, a $10,000 truck he bought with cash, and another skid steer he acquired through a barter deal. With less than $30K invested in equipment, he eventually did roughly $800K in revenue. His growth started with small jobs and word of mouth. One early patio led to a $40,000 project, while a $35-a-day local radio advertisement consistently generated landscaping leads. From there, Dalton used Facebook, reviews, community involvement, contractor relationships, and a growing brand to move into larger projects. He went from roughly $800K in year two to $2.1M, eventually landing seven projects over $100K in a single year. But chasing growth also taught him some painful lessons. After taking on major commercial snow accounts and investing heavily in equipment, he experienced firsthand how 60–120+ day payment terms can destroy cash flow—even when the business is profitable. Today, Dalton is running a leaner company, doing more revenue with fewer employees, while focusing on profitability, systems, design, delegation, and building a brand customers are willing to wait for. You’ll discover:
Today, Landscaping Solutions is on pace for roughly $2.7–$3M in revenue—just four years after Dalton started with almost nothing. His biggest lesson? Focus on the company you want to build, not everything you see other people doing. Essential listening for any contractor who wants to grow while staying profitable, controlling overhead, and building a business that can actually last. | |||
| Why This $800K Landscaping Company Stopped Chasing Revenue | 13 Sep 2026 | 00:48:48 | |
Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At 31 years old, Gary from A&E Outdoors in Minnesota is on pace to hit roughly $1M in revenue this year with his lawn, landscape, hardscape, and snow business. But getting there wasn't easy. Gary started landscaping at 16, mowing lawns while still in high school. After years of working for other companies, he began building A&E Outdoors on the side while working a full-time job. He started with snow work using an old pickup and shovels, eventually building a landscape business through Facebook leads and word of mouth. He worked all day, ran estimates at night, and admits he was drastically underpricing his jobs. In 2021, Gary went full-time with A&E Outdoors and did roughly $140K in revenue. The company then grew to approximately $230K, $360K, $480K, and $650K. Today, he's around $770K and expects to reach roughly $850K soon, with a goal of hitting $1M. But revenue wasn't the real problem. For years, Gary thought growing meant taking on more work, buying more equipment, hiring more people, and pushing the top-line number higher. The result was a growing business that wasn't nearly as profitable as it should have been. After learning to focus on profitability, everything changed. Gary began realizing that doing LESS work could actually make him MORE money. Instead of chasing every job, he's focused on profitable projects, controlling overhead, and building a company that can make more money without constantly adding people and equipment. You'll discover: • How Gary went from mowing lawns at 16 to building a business approaching $1M Gary's story is a lesson in the difference between growing a business and building a profitable business. More revenue isn't always the answer. Sometimes the fastest way to grow is to stop chasing growth—and start keeping more of the money you already make. | |||
| He Lost Everything But Refused to Quit — Now He Runs a Profitable Junk Removal Company | 12 Sep 2026 | 01:12:59 | |
Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At 32 years old, Scotty from Four Seasons Junk Removal left a corporate B2B sales career paying roughly $150K–$180K a year to build a junk removal business from scratch. With no industry experience, he started by flipping couches from Facebook Marketplace. He quickly realized the same idea could become a real junk removal company. He bought a $65,000 truck, launched Four Seasons Junk, and thought he had finally found his path. Then life hit hard. After landing a $25,000 job, Scotty and his wife filed for divorce. He went from owning a home and living a comfortable life to moving into a studio apartment with very little money. To keep the business alive, he worked 10–12 hour shifts as an Amazon delivery driver while running Four Seasons Junk the rest of the week. He was averaging roughly 26,000 steps a day just from Amazon. Meanwhile, the business was struggling. At one point, he was doing only around $14,000 in sales over an entire quarter. He was deep in what he calls the "Valley of Despair" and seriously considered quitting. Scotty initially resisted Blue Collar Business Accelerator after already losing thousands of dollars on other coaching. Eventually, he put his ego aside and started implementing the strategies. The results started to change. In August, Four Seasons Junk did roughly $24,000 in revenue—a massive jump from the previous year's August numbers. He believes the company is now on pace for roughly $250K this season. And he's doing it with one truck and around $3,500 in fixed monthly overhead. You'll discover: • How Scotty went from a $150K+ corporate career to owning a junk removal company • How flipping couches led to the idea for Four Seasons Junk • Why spending $65K on a truck before proving demand was a huge lesson • How a $25K job was followed by one of the hardest periods of his life • How he survived financially while working Amazon and building the business • How the company went from roughly $14K in quarterly sales to a $24K month • Why Scotty initially rejected BCBA—and what changed his mind • How implementation and repetition helped him escape the "Valley of Despair" • The costly lesson he learned from underbidding labor • How he's building a business with one truck and minimal overhead • Why he believes he could rebuild the company in six months if he had to start over • His goal of making Four Seasons Junk the biggest junk removal company in the Twin Cities This is a story about getting punched in the mouth, refusing to quit, and learning how to actually build a business. Scotty didn't have perfect circumstances. He had to figure it out while his personal life was falling apart, his finances were tight, and the business was barely producing enough to survive. Now, Four Seasons Junk is producing record months—and Scotty believes the best is still ahead. Sometimes the biggest advantage you can have isn't money, experience, or the perfect market. It's refusing to quit. | |||
| From a “Bad” Market to $1.2M in Excavation & Hardscape — Why He Had to Scale Back | 11 Sep 2026 | 01:12:39 | |
Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com Brett from Yeti Earthworks started his excavation and hardscape business in Northern Minnesota with one mini excavator, a borrowed trailer, and a $1,200 stump-removal job. Four years later, the company was doing just under $1.2M in annual revenue — but Brett learned the hard way that more revenue doesn't always mean more money in your pocket. After spending 15 years in the pipeline industry, Brett wanted to stop living on the road and build something of his own. His first year in business brought in roughly $75K. As Yeti grew, so did the equipment, employees, and overhead. Brett found himself falling into the same trap many contractors do: believing that more equipment and a bigger crew automatically meant more growth. Eventually, he realized the business was making money just to send it right back out the door. Brett shares how he went from chasing revenue and adding overhead to intentionally building a leaner, more profitable company. He also explains how his mindset around pricing completely changed. He once believed Northern Minnesota couldn't support premium pricing, until he realized he was limiting himself by only thinking about the smaller jobs in his market. Today, Yeti focuses on higher-end customers and larger projects, including $50K patios and $80K walls, while turning away or referring smaller jobs that aren't the right fit. You'll discover: • How Brett went from 15 years in the pipeline industry to starting Yeti Earthworks • How a $1,200 stump-removal job became his first project • How he built roughly $75K in his first year • Why more equipment, employees, and overhead nearly became a trap • How Yeti grew to nearly $1.2M in annual revenue • Why Brett intentionally reduced his crew to improve profitability • How he learned that revenue growth doesn't always equal profit • Why he stopped believing that Northern Minnesota couldn't support premium pricing • How Yeti began landing $50K patios and $80K walls • Why higher-end hardscape projects can create better margins • How clean equipment, branding, and presentation helped Yeti stand out • Why referrals, word of mouth, Facebook groups, and community connections became major lead sources • How Brett learned to focus on higher-end customers instead of trying to serve everyone • Why referring smaller jobs to other contractors can actually strengthen your network • The biggest lessons Brett learned from over-leveraging his business Brett's story is a great example of why contractors shouldn't chase revenue just for the sake of a bigger number. Growth only matters if the business is actually putting money in your pocket. Instead of trying to have the biggest fleet, the biggest crew, or the most revenue, Brett is now focused on building a leaner company, taking on better customers, doing higher-value work, and creating a business that is profitable and sustainable. | |||
| This 25 Year Old Built a $7.5 Million Snow Company (Stefano Narducci) | 10 Sep 2026 | 02:02:16 | |
Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com Stefano Narducci started Northern Snow at just 18 years old with two walk-behind snow blowers and a simple idea: find a problem in his market and solve it better than everyone else. His first summer generated roughly $20K. Today, Northern Snow is on track for around $7.5M in top-line revenue. But getting there was anything but easy. In this episode, Stefano breaks down the three major stages of building Northern Snow — going from $0 to $1M, getting stuck in the $1M–$3M “swamp,” and then figuring out how to scale from $3M toward $7M+. He explains how he went door-to-door to build his first customers, why snow removal became the foundation of the company, and how a tractor-based operation allowed Northern Snow to grow from a handful of driveways into thousands of residential properties. You’ll discover: • How Stefano identified a gap in his local snow removal market and turned it into a business • How he went from two walk-behind snow blowers to an operation with dozens of tractors • How Northern Snow grew from roughly 175 driveways to nearly 6,000 • Why trying to offer landscaping, hardscaping, roofing, lawn care, and snow removal all at once slowed the company down • Why focusing almost exclusively on residential snow became one of the biggest turning points in the business • What the $1M–$3M “swamp” actually looked like and why the next stage of growth required completely different systems • How a disastrous season resulted in roughly a $700K loss and put the company in an extremely difficult financial position • What happened when staffing problems, customer complaints, tax obligations, and operational issues all hit at once • How Stefano survived 24–48 hour work stretches while trying to keep the business alive • How he rebuilt the company through better systems, training, delegation, hiring, and accountability • Why having the right people became more important than simply buying more equipment • How raising prices and improving operational efficiency helped create more room for growth • How organic content and social media became powerful marketing tools for Northern Snow • Why Stefano believes failure, risk, and difficult seasons can become some of the biggest catalysts for growth Stefano’s story is a look at what really happens when a service business moves beyond the early stages of growth. The strategies that get you to $1M aren’t necessarily the strategies that get you to $3M, and what works at $3M can become a massive problem when you're trying to reach the next level. This is a conversation about finding a valuable problem, building systems around it, making difficult decisions, surviving major mistakes, and constantly improving the way a business operates. If you’re a contractor or service-business owner trying to build a company that can grow beyond the owner, this episode is packed with lessons you can apply to your own business. #BlueCollarBusinessAccelerator #NorthernSnow #SnowRemoval #Contractor #Entrepreneur #ServiceBusiness #BusinessGrowth | |||
| He Thought He Needed More Equipment to Grow — Selling It Made His Business More Profitable | 09 Sep 2026 | 00:50:16 | |
Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At 28 years old, Darren from Lent Excavating, Landscaping & Forestry has built a business doing roughly $300K–$350K a year after starting from scratch just four years ago. But his path to becoming a successful excavation, landscaping, tree, and boulder contractor was anything but straightforward. Darren started working on a dairy farm at just 13 years old, spent years job hopping, learned to operate heavy equipment, and eventually discovered his ability to sell while door knocking for a tree company. After years of working for other companies, Darren finally decided to bet on himself and start his own business. He quickly learned that owning equipment and knowing how to do the work doesn't automatically mean customers will show up. His first year brought in roughly $90K in revenue, but he only took home around $15K. He bought equipment he didn't need, took whatever work he could find, and spent thousands of dollars on lead services that produced little in return. Over the next few years, Darren figured out how to find better work, price jobs properly, generate his own leads, and build a more profitable business. Revenue grew from roughly $90K in year one, to $135K–$140K in year two, over $200K in year three, and more than $300K in year four. You’ll discover:
Today, Darren runs a leaner, more profitable business focused on tree work, excavation, boulder walls, lot clearing, and agricultural work. His story is a raw look at what building a home service business actually looks like: bad jobs, slow seasons, bad investments, lawsuits, expensive lessons, and plenty of mistakes. But through all of it, Darren kept hustling, kept learning, and kept moving forward. As he says: block out the haters, do your homework, treat people right, and keep going. | |||
| How a 4-Day Work Week Helped Him Build a $1.4M Landscaping Company | 08 Sep 2026 | 00:34:22 | |
Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At 16 years old, Rob from FYI Landscaping started mowing lawns and doing small landscaping jobs for neighbors. Today, at 30, he has 7–8 employees, a fleet of heavy equipment, has completed projects north of $200K, and is on track to do roughly $1.4M this year. Rob's journey wasn't built overnight. After earning a construction management degree, an internship opportunity fell through, which led him to realize he could turn his landscaping business into a full-time career. What started as roughly $50K–$100K on the side eventually grew into a seven-figure operation. One of the most interesting parts of Rob's business is his four-day work week. Rather than building a company around nonstop grinding, he created a culture focused on productivity, quality work, and giving his employees a life outside of work. The result? A team that keeps coming back, works efficiently, and helped the company grow from just over $1M last year toward $1.4M this year. Rob also shares the mistakes that shaped the business, including a $30K project that went south because of poorly documented change orders, and how he learned to gradually move from $5K patios to $30K, $80K, $100K+ and eventually $200K+ projects. You’ll discover:
Today, Rob has built more than just a seven-figure landscaping company. He's built a business focused on efficiency, strong people, profitability, and work-life balance. His story proves you don't have to grow overnight. You can start small, reinvest into the business, learn from your mistakes, and build something far bigger than you originally imagined. | |||
| He Quit a $75K Engineering Job & Turned Landscape Lighting Into an $800K Business | 07 Sep 2026 | 00:47:09 | |
Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At 28 years old, Ethan from Homebeam Outdoor Lighting is on pace to do roughly $800K this year with a niche landscape lighting business. Just last winter, he was nearly $70K in debt. Now, he's paid it off, paid himself, and is on track to finish the year with six figures in the bank. But three years ago, Ethan was working a $70K–$75K engineering job. After spending three years behind a desk, Ethan realized he didn't want to spend the rest of his career waiting for small raises and eventually becoming a supervisor. When his wife became pregnant, he decided it was time to bet on himself and build a business that could support his family. He started Homebeam in 2023 while still working full-time. His first major project was around $10K, but he severely underpriced it because he didn't understand overhead or true job costs. Then things got worse. After quitting his job in 2024, Ethan generated roughly $125K in revenue while spending $45K–$55K on advertising. He lost money, burned through his savings, and was told to spend even more on ads. Eventually, he realized the problem wasn't his market. It was how he was running the business. After joining the Blue Collar Business Accelerator, Ethan drastically reduced his ad spend and focused on pricing, sales, branding, social proof, referrals, and better lead generation. The result? His revenue jumped from roughly $125K to $450K. Now in year three, he's on pace for $750K–$800K and believes he could eventually build a $1.5M business within his current 45-minute service area. You’ll discover:
Today, Ethan has a growing team, a profitable niche business, and a completely different perspective on what's possible. The biggest lesson from his story? Your market might not be the problem. For years, Ethan believed his market was too limited and customers wouldn't pay higher prices. Once he improved his pricing, sales process, branding, and customer experience, he discovered that people were willing to pay far more than he thought. Three years ago, he was behind a desk making $70K–$75K. Today, he's building an $800K business. Sometimes the biggest thing holding your business back isn't the market. It's what you believe is possible. | |||
| From Recession Startup to Flourishing Cleaning & Sealing Business — His 18-Year Journey | 06 Sep 2026 | 00:48:11 | |
Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com Jeff from Clean and Seal started his business during the 2008 recession with little experience, no roadmap, and plenty of reasons to quit. After getting into trouble as a teenager, working dead-end jobs, and working for his dad’s landscaping company, Jeff decided to build something of his own. He started Clean and Seal around 2008–2009, learning paver sealing through trial and error when almost nobody even knew what the service was. The early years were brutal. Jeff worked constantly, made plenty of mistakes, and came close to quitting multiple times. Instead, he kept grinding, educated contractors, and eventually landed larger projects that changed the trajectory of the business. From there, Clean and Seal expanded into abrasive blasting, coatings, masonry, industrial work, and multiple locations. Jeff also acquired competing companies, built a real estate portfolio, got into aviation, and created new business opportunities through networking. In this episode, Jeff breaks down: • Starting a business during a recession Jeff’s story is a reminder that success rarely happens overnight. It comes from years of hard work, learning from mistakes, taking risks, and refusing to quit. If you’re building a blue-collar business, this episode is packed with lessons you can put to work immediately. Violent action towards the goal. | |||
| From Sod Side Jobs to Booked Out Seasons — How He Did It With One Crew and Zero Winter Work | 05 Sep 2026 | 00:58:52 | |
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| He Put Every Dollar He Had Into an $18K Hydroseeder — Now He’s Doing $550K at 21 | 04 Sep 2026 | 00:42:48 | |
Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At just 21 years old, Luke from Erlandson Hydroscapes in Brainerd, Minnesota is on track for roughly $550K this year after doing just under $200K his first year. But Luke didn’t start with a big bankroll or years of business experience. He started with roughly $8,000 in the bank, put it down on an $18,000 hydroseeder, quit his job with no work lined up, and bet on himself. After a slow start, Luke joined the Blue Collar Business Accelerator and began focusing on the business side of his trade. Today, he runs three crews, averages $7K–$10K hydroseeding projects, works with major contractors and lake-home builders, and has virtually no direct competition in his market. Even more impressive, Luke entered this year with his accounts essentially at zero after spending aggressively on equipment. Now, he's approaching $200K in profit. You’ll discover:
Luke's story is proof that you don't need everything figured out before you start. He took a massive risk at 21, learned from his mistakes, and turned a hydroseeding side hustle into a highly profitable business. If you've been waiting for the perfect time to bet on yourself, this episode is for you. | |||
| How a COVID-Era House Flip Launched a $550K Remodeling Business | 03 Sep 2026 | 00:38:21 | |
Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At 27 years old, Sam from Gatz Home Renovations is on track to do roughly $550K in revenue this year after starting his business almost by accident. With a degree in law enforcement and no real plan to become a remodeler, Sam’s path into the trades started during COVID when he and his wife bought a house to flip after getting inspired by HGTV. That first project turned into a much bigger journey. Sam realized he needed his GC license, passed the test on his second attempt, and began learning the trades through a three-and-a-half-year stretch working alongside an experienced contractor. He learned how to build houses, decks, basements, and structural projects before eventually stepping away to take on his own jobs. Sam went from relying almost entirely on friends, family, and community connections to landing projects in the $50K–$100K range, including a roughly $325K–$350K renovation and addition for his parents. But when those community leads started drying up, he found himself stuck without a clear plan for how to consistently generate business. After discovering the Blue Collar Business Accelerator, Sam finally started building the business side of his company. His online presence improved, Google began generating leads, his confidence grew, and he started feeling like a legitimate business owner instead of someone simply waiting for the next referral. You’ll discover:
Today, Sam runs a true general contracting business with no employees, managing subcontractors, schedules, finances, and entire remodeling projects himself. His goal isn't simply to do more jobs — it's to create an experience where clients finish a project thinking, “Wow, that was easy.” His story is a great example of what happens when someone stops waiting for things to happen and starts learning the business side of the trades. From a law enforcement degree to flipping a house, learning the trades for three and a half years, and eventually building a remodeling company on pace for $550K, Sam's journey proves you don't have to start with a perfect plan to build something real. You just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other. | |||
| $100K Loan, $1K in Work & No Experience — Now His Concrete Curbing Business Does $600K | 02 Sep 2026 | 00:37:05 | |
Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At just 20 years old, Jadon from Elevated Curb Appeal is on track to do over $600K in revenue with a concrete curbing business he started with almost no experience. At 19, Jadon quit his asphalt job, took out a $100,000 SBA loan, and bought a curbing operation with only about $1,000 in work lined up. He barely knew how to operate the equipment, had no real marketing system, and had no idea what he was getting himself into. His first year was filled with mistakes. He underbid jobs, struggled with concrete mixes, dealt with cracked projects, and had almost no leads. He tried Facebook Marketplace, Google Ads, billboards, and yard signs just to keep the business moving. Then things started to snowball. After joining the Blue Collar Business Accelerator, Jadon went from roughly 1–2 leads per week to 3–4 leads per day. His close rate went from around 20–30% to roughly 75%, and he stopped competing on being the cheapest contractor. Today, most of his leads come from Google and referrals, he has a full-time employee he trusts, and he's built a business on pace for over $600K. You’ll discover:
Jadon's story is a perfect example of what can happen when you stop waiting until you're ready and simply take action. He didn't have the experience. He didn't have the perfect plan. He made plenty of mistakes and had plenty of people question his decision. But he kept moving forward. Now he's 20 years old with a $600K business and a goal of reaching $3–5 million. As Jadon puts it: dedicate everything to what you want to do, put your head down, and make it happen. | |||
| He Built an $800K Landscaping Business Handing Out Flyers on Rollerblades | 01 Sep 2026 | 00:36:01 | |
Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At just 23 years old, Daniel from Two Rivers Lawn & Landscape has gone from mowing $15 lawns on rollerblades to building a company on pace for roughly $750K–$800K this year. Daniel started mowing lawns at 12 years old and eventually began rollerblading around his neighborhood handing out flyers to get customers. At 16, he hired his younger brother, bought a small trailer, and grew the business to roughly $20K in revenue. For years, the business stayed relatively small while Daniel played junior hockey. At 21, he decided to take the business seriously. His first year going all in brought in roughly $115K, but he was still learning how to price jobs, generate leads, and actually grow a profitable business. Last year, the company passed $300K. After attending a Blue Collar Business Accelerator event, Daniel's entire mindset around growth changed. Instead of thinking growth meant buying more trucks and equipment, he focused on branding, reviews, community involvement, and generating consistent leads. Now, Two Rivers has four employees, handles roughly 100 residential lawns a week, takes on $10K–$20K landscape projects, and is on pace for $750K–$800K this year. You’ll discover:
Today, Daniel has a lean, profitable operation and a company on pace for nearly $800K. But his story is proof that you don't need a massive fleet, a huge marketing budget, or years of experience to build a successful business. Sometimes you just need a push mower, a pair of rollerblades, and the willingness to hustle. And Daniel's biggest piece of advice? Watch your own bobber. Don't compare your business to the guy next to you or the contractor you see on Instagram. You have no idea what's actually happening behind the scenes. If you're building a landscaping business and feel like you're behind, this is an episode you don't want to miss. | |||
| From $800 Rock Jobs to Running a $1.5M Landscaping Company at Just 20 Years Old | 31 Aug 2026 | 00:39:17 | |
Apply to join the Accelerator Check out our website At just 20 years old, Matthew from Brothers Landscaping Services is on track to do roughly $1.3M–$1.5M this year after doing just $20K his first year. In only a few years, he went from shoveling rock into an F-150 for an $800 job to running multiple crews, managing roughly 18 employees across two companies, and completing six-figure landscaping projects. Matthew shares how he and his brother started as teenagers with almost no money, experience, or idea how to price jobs. Their first major project was an $800 rock removal job that took three days and left them with almost nothing after dump fees. Instead of quitting, they kept knocking doors, posting online, taking jobs, and figuring things out as they went. By year two, the company had reached roughly $674K in revenue. The following year they hit around $1.2M, and now Matthew is expanding into excavation, utilities, lawn maintenance, and snow removal. You’ll discover:
Today, Matthew is running a rapidly growing landscaping company while building a second excavation and utilities business. But the biggest lesson from his story isn't just the revenue. It's the mindset. He didn't start with years of experience or everything figured out. He asked questions, took action, made mistakes, surrounded himself with the right people, and kept executing. If you're young, inexperienced, or waiting until you feel "ready" to take your business to the next level, this episode is for you. As always, violent action towards the goal. | |||
| Stuck at $500K for Years — How This Concrete Company Finally Broke Through | 30 Aug 2026 | 00:46:30 | |
Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At 32 years old, Alex and Kelsey from Amundson Concrete are on track to do roughly $800K this year — profitably. But for the first six years, they were stuck between $300K–$500K in revenue while struggling with margins, inconsistent work, hiring, and the stress of keeping the business afloat. Amundson Concrete started in March 2020 during COVID. Alex had spent his entire life in the concrete industry, but knowing how to pour concrete didn't mean he knew how to run a profitable business. For years, they struggled to turn their hard work into real money. Everything started changing when they joined the Blue Collar Business Accelerator. They completely changed how they approached pricing, branding, sales, customer communication, and their overall business strategy. They went from guessing at square-foot pricing to understanding their numbers, from struggling to find work to booking into the following spring, and from constantly worrying about money to finally bringing home real profit. You’ll discover:
Today, Amundson Concrete has a five-person team, their own equipment, a growing pipeline of work, and is on pace for roughly $800K. Their story is proof that sometimes the thing holding your business back isn't your trade — it's the way you're running the business. If you've been stuck at the same revenue level for years and feel like you're working harder without making more money, this episode is for you. | |||
| How 2 Young Landscapers Built a $1M Business in Just 3 Years | 29 Aug 2026 | 00:43:54 | |
Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At just 20 and 21 years old, Austin and Ryan from RNA Lawn & Landscape are on track to do nearly $1 million this year across lawn maintenance, snow, landscaping, and hardscaping. But their story started in high school with two teenagers, a couple snow blowers, and a willingness to knock on doors. After a snowstorm helped them land 30–35 clients, a single Facebook post from a happy customer caused their phones to blow up. They began reinvesting everything they made, eventually buying their first zero-turn mower and trailer before they even had lawn-care clients lined up. Then a customer asked if they built patios. They had never built one before. They said yes. That roughly $9,500 patio took far longer than expected and they essentially broke even, but it showed them what was possible. After graduating, they skipped college and went all in on the business. Their revenue exploded: $110K → $225K → $540K → Nearly $1M Today, they have five full-time employees, multiple crews, and have gone from mowing lawns to completing projects worth tens of thousands of dollars—including a six-figure project. In this episode, you’ll learn:
Austin and Ryan didn't start with experience, money, or a perfect plan. They started small, made mistakes, learned expensive lessons, and kept taking action. Now they're building a nearly $1 million landscaping and hardscaping company before they’re even old enough to rent a car. Essential listening for anyone in the trades who wants to see what's possible when you stop worrying about what everyone else thinks and go all in. | |||
| How This Young Roofer Turned One $16K Job Into an $800K Business | 28 Aug 2026 | 00:32:13 | |
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| The $20,000 Mistake That Changed His Landscaping Business | 26 Aug 2026 | 00:29:39 | |
Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com Nate from Tommy Johnny Landscape started his business doing just $80K in revenue his first year. Now, only a few years later, he’s on pace to do roughly $750K–$800K while landing $50K, $60K, and even $100K landscape installs. But his growth didn’t come from simply buying more trucks, adding crews, or spending more money on ads. In year two, Nate spent over $20,000 on a marketing agency—a decision he says was one of the worst he ever made. He went on more than 100 estimates from the campaigns and only landed five jobs, ultimately wasting money and valuable time. Instead of quitting, he learned from it. Nate went from doing $2K–$3K landscaping jobs and posting in Facebook groups to averaging roughly $20K–$40K projects, building a stronger local brand, getting involved in his community, and growing the business from roughly $240K to nearly $590K in one year. Now, despite being on pace for nearly $800K, Nate still runs one crew by choice. Rather than rushing to add more employees, trucks, and overhead, he’s focused on building cash reserves, raising prices, landing better projects, and strengthening the business before making his next move. You’ll discover:
Today, Nate is building a business with better projects, a stronger brand, more cash, and the ability to choose the type of work he wants to take on. The biggest takeaway from his story? Real growth isn’t always about looking bigger. Sometimes the smartest move is to slow down, stay profitable, build the right foundation, and prepare before attacking the next level. Essential listening for any contractor who wants to grow without ending up with more trucks, more employees, more revenue—and more problems. | |||
| The Unlikely Path From Lawn Mowing To A Nearly $1M Asphalt Maintenance Business | 25 Aug 2026 | 00:33:42 | |
Apply to join the Accelerator Check out our website Less than two years ago, Nate Wielkiewicz from Property Potential Services had essentially no business, two lawns paying $40 each, and maybe $1,000 to his name. Today, he’s on pace to approach $1 million in revenue with roughly 40% margins, four full-time employees, and two part-time team members. But Nate’s story is about more than rapid growth. After years working in asphalt and paving, he started his business expecting accounts to roll in simply because he did good work. When that didn’t happen, he had to confront one of the biggest lessons of his journey: business growth doesn’t happen overnight. He shares how he went from putting out 500 door hangers without getting a single call to landing his first major five-figure jobs. He explains why his mindset was simply “it’s going to work or it’s going to work,” how he put his first month in the Accelerator on a credit card, and why dropping his ego and becoming more teachable changed everything. You’ll discover:
Today, Nate is still in the trenches, waking up before 4 AM, loading trucks, working with his crew, selling projects, and building the systems necessary to scale even further. The biggest takeaway from his story is simple: Nate didn’t start with money, a massive customer base, paid ads, or years of business experience. He started with a couple of lawns, a willingness to learn, and the belief that if he kept taking the right actions long enough, the results would eventually come. He made mistakes. He expected things to happen too quickly. He compared his chapter one to other people’s chapter 20. But instead of quitting when things didn’t work immediately, he stayed disciplined, adjusted his expectations, and kept moving forward. Essential listening if you’ve ever felt like your business is too small, your industry is too niche, or you don’t have the resources to build something bigger. | |||
| No Degree, No Plan, No Direction… Now $600K Building Patios at 20 | 24 Aug 2026 | 00:44:09 | |
Apply to join the Accelerator Check out our website At 20 years old, Jack from Waters Landscape Design is on track to do roughly $600K this year after starting with just $40K in revenue. But his story is far from a straight line. Before building a successful hardscape, landscape, and concrete business, Jack dropped out of high school, struggled with alcohol at a young age, and spent time rebuilding his life before finding his way back into the trades. Jack shares how his first-ever patio was a complete disaster: a roughly 400-square-foot job sold for just $2,000, built with reused pavers, and based with river rock. He and a buddy spent four days figuring it out as they went, and after another early patio job, he found himself roughly $10,000 underwater. But instead of quitting, he kept learning, kept selling, and kept taking on bigger opportunities.
Today, Jack has employees, equipment, money in the bank, and a growing business that is already on pace for around $600K. But the biggest takeaway from his story is that he didn’t start with the knowledge, experience, or perfect circumstances most people think they need. He made mistakes. He underbid jobs. He lost money. He second-guessed himself. But he kept moving forward and eventually turned a side hustle into a real business. Essential listening if you’ve ever felt like your past mistakes, lack of education, or lack of experience disqualify you from building something bigger. | |||
| From High School Side Hustle to Building a $500K Business Before 21 | 23 Aug 2026 | 00:30:41 | |
➡️ Apply to join the Accelerator Check out our website A&A Outdoor Services started with two young guys knocking on doors and cleaning up lake weeds. Today, at just 19 and 20 years old, they’re on track to do roughly $500K this year. Andrew and Adam started working at 13 and 14 years old. After spending summers tying up boats around the Brainerd lakes area, they got tired of working for someone else and decided to make money for themselves. So they started knocking on doors. With no real brand, little equipment, and no idea how to price jobs, they offered shoreline weed removal. From there, they got into snow removal, lawn care, and landscaping — building A&A Outdoor Services through door knocking, Facebook, door hangers, and a willingness to take risks before they felt ready. They bought their first mower before they had a single lawn account. They signed their first commercial account before owning the equipment needed to service it. And at one point, they spent nearly everything they had on a $24,500 dump trailer, leaving just $500 in the bank. Their growth has been fast: $40K → $120K → $225K → on track for $500K this year. In this episode, they break down how they’ve grown the company, the risks they’ve taken, and what it really takes to build a business at a young age. You’ll discover:
Andrew and Adam’s story is proof that you don’t need to have everything figured out before you start. You don’t need to be older. You don’t need decades of experience. And you don’t need to know exactly how everything is going to work. You just need to start, take risks, learn fast, and keep betting on yourself. If you’re a young entrepreneur, contractor, landscaper, or home service business owner trying to build something bigger, this episode is packed with lessons on risk, branding, hiring, sales, operations, mindset, and what can happen when you stop making excuses and start taking action. The sky might be higher than you think. | |||
| Stop Waiting for the Perfect Time to Start Your Business | 22 Aug 2026 | 00:39:43 | |
➡️ Apply to join the Accelerator Check out our website Chad with Davis Dirtworks spent 18 years working his way from a laborer to a foreman before finally starting his own excavation business. Today, he’s on track to do roughly $800K in revenue this season with just two employees. But he didn’t start with everything figured out. Chad launched Davis Dirtworks as a side hustle in 2018, taking on pole barn pads, clearing, boulder walls, and pretty much any job the phone rang about. He spent nearly five years waiting for the “perfect time” to quit his W-2 job. In 2022, he finally stopped waiting. At 38 years old, with two young kids and just $2,000 in his bank account, Chad quit his job and went all in. Since then, he’s grown Davis Dirtworks from a one-man operation into a business approaching $800K in annual revenue. Along the way, he learned expensive lessons about taking bad jobs, rushing work, managing cash flow, buying equipment, hiring employees, and building a brand. In this episode, Chad shares why being “busy” doesn’t always mean you’re making money, how he learned to focus on more profitable projects, and why getting help changed the way he thinks about business. You’ll discover:
Chad’s story is proof that you don’t need to start at 20 years old, have everything figured out, or wait until you have the perfect amount of money in the bank. If you’re a contractor, excavator, landscaper, or home service business owner trying to stop chasing every random job, create a more consistent pipeline, build a stronger brand, and take control of your business, this episode is packed with practical lessons on mindset, profit, marketing, hiring, mistakes, and growth. Essential listening for anyone in the trades who knows they’re capable of more — but keeps waiting for the perfect time to make the move. | |||
| Why Charging More Might Actually Be Better for Everyone | 21 Aug 2026 | 00:39:40 | |
➡️ Apply to join the Accelerator Check out our website Noah with Rooted Tree Works is just a few years into building his business — and he’s already on track to do roughly $600K–$650K this year with just three full-time employees. But before tree work, Noah picked rocks in farm fields, milked cows, worked in the dairy industry, went to trade school for welding, and even spent time welding in Africa. When he returned, he decided to learn a completely new trade. He Googled the nearest tree service, called them, and said, “I’ve been working in the trades since I was 13. I don’t do drugs, I don’t drink, and I show up early.” They hired him that day. After working for two tree companies, Noah started building Rooted Tree Works. Last year, with two employees, the business did roughly $350K. This year, with three full-time employees, they’re on track to nearly double that revenue while significantly improving their profit margins. In this episode, Noah breaks down how he built a business that can now generate revenue even when he isn’t on the job site. He shares why hiring the right people changed everything, how strong reviews and branding allow him to win jobs without being the cheapest, why he spends $0 on paid ads, and how BCBA helped turn his vision into a concrete plan for growth. You’ll discover:
Noah’s story is proof that you don’t need decades of experience, a massive team, or a huge advertising budget to build a successful business. If you’re a contractor or home service business owner trying to get off the tools, build a stronger team, generate consistent work, and create a business that can operate without you on every single job site, this episode is packed with practical lessons on hiring, leadership, branding, pricing, reviews, systems, and growth. Essential listening if you’re trying to stop owning a high-paying job and start building a real business. | |||
| He Refused to Go to College... Now He's Doing $500K at Just 19 Years Old | 20 Aug 2026 | 00:42:38 | |
➡️ Apply to join the Accelerator Check out our website Andrew with AJS Outdoor Services is just 19 years old — and he's already on track to do roughly $500K this year with his Minnesota landscaping business. But he didn't come from money, didn't have a business degree, and had zero experience running a company. Andrew started at 13 years old by knocking on his neighbor's door and asking if he could mow their lawn. He grew that into 10 mowing clients, used the money to buy his first mower, and spent his teenage years flipping jet skis, four-wheelers, and other equipment before getting serious about building a real business. In this episode, Andrew breaks down how he went from doing roughly $100K his first real year in business to $220K the following year and now being on pace for around $500K at just 19 years old. He shares why he almost went to college, how his grandfather's old-school approach to business nearly influenced him to avoid building a website or online presence, and the mindset shift that completely changed how he views business growth. Andrew also explains the costly lessons he learned around cash flow, commercial contracts, employees, systems, and why having money in the bank gives you more freedom than simply buying more equipment. You'll discover:
Andrew's story is proof that you don't need a business degree, years of experience, or the perfect background to get started. If you're a young entrepreneur, contractor, or home service business owner trying to grow beyond an owner-operator business, this episode is packed with practical lessons on marketing, cash flow, leadership, employees, systems, discipline, and betting on yourself. Essential listening if you're trying to build a real business — even if you're starting with nothing more than a lawnmower, a willingness to knock doors, and the discipline to keep showing up. | |||
| Why Being a Good Human Might Be Your Best Business Strategy | 18 Aug 2026 | 00:39:28 | |
Apply to join the Accelerator Check out our website Dave with Prestige Gutters has built an 18-employee gutter business in the Twin Cities — and he says the biggest reason behind his success has nothing to do with money. In this episode, Dave breaks down how he lost roughly $100K in just four weeks because his business was generating more opportunities than he could personally handle, how he manages 18 employees from a home office, and why he believes faith, relationships, and simply being a good human being have been the foundation of his growth. Dave shares how he went from being a door knocker and project manager to building a gutter company that can install 3–5 projects a day without requiring him to be in the field. He explains why he intentionally removed himself from production early, how he uses SOPs and simple systems to make the business “dummy proof,” and how he keeps his crews organized across multiple areas of the Twin Cities. You’ll discover:
Dave also shares the philosophy that has shaped the way he approaches business and life: love God, love your neighbor, and treat people the way you want to be treated. His approach isn't about chasing money or trying to squeeze every dollar out of a customer. It's about creating an experience people remember, serving the community, and building relationships that compound over time. If you're a contractor, entrepreneur, or business owner trying to build something that gives you more freedom instead of simply creating another job for yourself, this episode is packed with practical lessons on sales, systems, leadership, relationships, and the long game of building a business the right way. Essential listening if you want to build a business that makes money, serves people, and doesn't require you to be everywhere at once. | |||
| From $150 Dock Repairs to a 600K Business Owner at 22-Years-Old | 11 Aug 2026 | 00:31:24 | |
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