In this episode, we sit down with Kory Ballard, an industry veteran who started his journey in the field at the age of 14. Kory shares his insights on various aspects of the business, from attracting and retaining the best talent to the importance of maintaining a professional image. He also opens up about the struggles his business faced when it reached $5 million in revenue and how hiring a CFO helped turn things around. Join us as we explore the keys to building a sustainable landscaping business, the distinction between running a business and having a job in this industry, and the significance of properly compensating and incentivizing employees. Kory's valuable experiences and advice provide invaluable takeaways for aspiring entrepreneurs who dream of creating a multimillion-dollar enterprise. So let's dive in and uncover the secrets behind achieving lasting success in the lawn and landscape industry.

"It's hard work. You've got equipment, you've got people, you got the weather, you've got all the inflation going on and fuel, you're gonna go out and do this and not be profitable, man, just go fishing" -  Kory Ballard

Topics Covered: 

• How Kory started in the lawn and landscape industry when he was 14 years old
• How to get the best people in the business and how to retain them
• Why it is necessary to look professional
• Why Kory's business wasn't profitable when they reached $5M
• How hiring a CFO help Kory get back in business again
• Building a sustainable landscaping business
• The difference between doing business vs having a job in the landscaping industry
• How to properly pay your employee and set the right expectation on the job
• Incentivizing your employee
• Training your employee

Key Takeaways "if you incentivize guys to go faster, guess what? Now you could risk your quality. And so it's always that fine line of trying to get them to be efficient, give them the right tools. But I think to your point, though, is communication. Hey, guys, we've got this project, we really need to wrap it up Friday, if we could do that. We've got some bonuses in here. You know, it's as a small company, it's nice to be able to show those guys exactly." - Kory

 

"A criteria of the people who watch my videos are just getting started. They're so excited. And I get these messages in my inbox sometime. And I'm so excited because I remember how I felt but with some of these guys, were all I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna grow a multimillion dollar business, just watch me. So from somebody who's just getting started, who that's their vision and their dream, maybe they believe that will make them feel worthy. Or maybe like that'll make people they love proud of them or for any different reason." - Keith

Connect with Kory

Website: https://www.ballard-inc.com/ or https://perficut.com/team/kory-ballard/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Perficut/Podcast: https://thegreengrindpodcast.libsyn.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kory_ballard/?hl=en Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BallardInc

 

Connect with Keith

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keithkalfas/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelandscapingemployeetrap Website: https://www.keithkalfas.com/resources Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@keith-kalfas

 

 

Resouces and Websites: 

🙋♂️Get My Free Landscaping Business Startup Video Series Here👇  Here https://www.keithkalfas.com/Landscaping-Series

Landscaping Course https://keith-kalfas.mykajabi.com/store/8bFERMcs

LANDSCAPING BUSINESS  How to Guide: https://www.keithkalfas.com/16

Get Jobber: https://getjobber.com/im/ambassador-referral/?gspk=a2VpdGhrYWxmYXM4NTIx&gsxid=Rs6pwtznLDcs

Get Ballard: https://www.ballard-inc.com/