BJ's event attracted many people from interstate.  We cover the details of the event.

Jake lives on the midnorth coast of NSW and ran a successful lawncare and gardening business for 4 years. We look at what he did, what worked well for him and why he changed. From a basic set up to a custom trailer with Walker and Wrght Stander ZK.

I’m scooting up the NSW coastline today to Coffs Harbour. In an effort to bring you more regional interviews I’ve found Nathan Cadman. While he works in a regional area, make no mistake, he has found the business skills to ensure his business is profitable and will be around for years to come. Let’s spend some time looking at Coffs Harbour, the customer base, the business opportunities and what it looks like when a critical eye is turned to the business skills. And a large part of his success is working with his wife on the business planning and management.

I’ve made the effort to seek a good balance between contractors that are killing it, and those that are relaxing and enjoying the lifestyle and benefits of being their own boss. Between the hustle and bustle of Inner Melbourne, Sydney and Brissy, and the remote regions of Griffith, Kalgoorlie, Mudgee and Huon Valley. From the tropics to the Dessert to the Antarctic, Australia covers it all. Well today we have reach a new extreme. Welcome Mark to the dungeon for almost 3 hours of gruelling questions and amazing answers. 

South Australia has less than 2 million humans, so its human population is around 6% of the total Australian population. That is more than Tasmania and the NT combined, While West Australia has around 10% of the total population.

Today I found one of those South Australian’s and he is a prominent member of LMCA. Jake Mantel has been in business for almost 4 years since he bought a tractor and slasher to work on his own property and realised it was a good side income, and even as his main income. I recorded this episode on the 20th July 2023. Come with me as we explore Jake’s particular approach to business and numbers, spreadsheets and tractors.

I made the trip to Mudgee to interview Dave Herman who has set up a local mowing business. Mudgee is about 3 hours from Lake Macquarie or Newcastle and it is a truly rural part of Australia. Rugged mountains and harsh farmland along with local families that are generational in the community. I always try to engage with the person I am interviewing so you get to know them a little as a person as well as learning about their business. Today was surreal in the sense that I met Dave and his family. His wife Elise and their two children. There is something special about meeting people instead of the quick introduction you get over the phone before an interview, or via texting back and forth while arranging an interview. A piece of my heart is now with Dave and his family. You will hear Dave sharing details that are personal and you might be tempted to judge or think he should do things differently. Try and hear the story. Appreciate the very personal nature of a face to face interview and learn. There is so much to learn from the harsh Aussie farming communities, especially when making a business succeed and build trust with the locals. You don’t ever want to mess that up because word of mouth lasts for generations.

Jake Machen is as Tasmanian as they get, born and bred. Jake is local to Huonville and works around Hobart and the Huon Valley. He shares what it’s like working in one of the most remote regional areas of Australia. We could argue that some areas in the middle of the mainland are more remote, but  different regions are remote for various reasons whether it’s the sheer distance from others or the climate and access that make an area remote. Lets go chat with Jake and see what he loves about working for himself and working in his community building a business and reputation as a local serving others.

Geoff started his business over 30 years ago and there has been a lot of changes in that time. For those who are concerned that you might not make it thru the economic crisis currently affecting us, a business can survive and thrive through all manor of economic challenges. There have been a lot of businesses that didn’t continue for various reasons and many challenges that they faced, but it is not only possible to succeed, Geoff is not the first business owner I have interviewed who started in the 80’s. If you search the archives of Aussie LawnStars, you will find an interview with Mark Paisley who has over 40 years in the industry and Steve Tyrell who is now 37 years in to his business. Geoff has stories of what it was like in challenging times and some wisdom about staying in business.

Ryan Emery works in and around Hobart. The population of 200,000 gives plenty of opportunities for work in Lawncare and Ryan has found several ways to ensure his business is recognised locally for its professionalism and preferred over others. Property reclamation and Fire Abatement work are two of the specialties we discuss along with his history prior to starting his business, this episode will inspire you in your own lawncare business

Episode 100 is a milestone and with that comes a great giveaway. Four prizes to four lucky people. Thanks to Bushranger, EGO and COX mowers for supplying the awesome prizes. And please support Mower Merch with a whopping 15%off the entire store for the entire month of July 2023. Enjoy the sweet sound of Sheree interrogating me.