Green Side Up

Green Side Up

By Jason Lee & Jordan UpcavageBusinessEntrepreneurship
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Green Side Up episodes

  • Ep 144. Rain Delays, Real Numbers, and the Winter Work Puzzle

    On this episode of Green Side Up, Jordan and Jason talk through the realities of running a landscape and tree-care businessβ€”from analyzing debris-hauling costs and tightening up equipment numbers to reshuffling schedules when rainy weather throws the week off course. They preview upcoming industry events, podcast recordings, and a volunteer landscaping project for the National POW/MIA Museum, then discuss winter workload ideas, including offering Christmas-light installation and exploring an AI voice agent to handle incoming calls. Along the way, they share stories from the field, compare notes on keeping crews productive, and look ahead to what's next for their businesses and the industry.

    Connect with Jason and Jordan: 🌐 Green Side Up Podcast Website πŸ“§ Email: [email protected] πŸ“˜ Facebook: Green Side Up πŸ“Έ @greensideuppodcast on Instagram πŸ“Έ @skyfroglandscape on Instagram

    Visit Our Businesses: 🌿 SkyFrog Landscape 🌳 Independent Tree Service

    Save with SingleOps: πŸ’Έ Mention Green Side Up or use this link to get $500 off your SingleOps subscription: πŸ‘‰ Get $500 Off SingleOps

    Sponsors & Partners:

    πŸ‘‰ MitoGrow 🌱 πŸŽ₯ Intrigue Media on Instagram (@imintriguemedia) πŸ“ GS TrackMe

    Podcast Produced by: 🎧 Mr. Producer (@mrproducerusa)

    54 min
  • Ep 143. Making the Schedule Work: Emergency Jobs, Big Contracts, and Busy Seasons

    In this episode, Jason Lee and Jordan catch up on the realities of running tree care and landscape businesses during a busyβ€”and unpredictableβ€”season. They discuss AI-driven leads and Skyfrog Landscape's new website, the challenge of fitting emergency tree work into packed schedules, and strategies for managing large contracts when client budgets or timelines change. They also get into the behind-the-scenes work of plant healthcare, including billing audits and chasing unpaid invoices, and preview an upcoming conversation with Tim Walters on knowing your true job costs and pricing work profitably before winter.

    Connect with Jason and Jordan: 🌐 Green Side Up Podcast Website πŸ“§ Email: [email protected] πŸ“˜ Facebook: Green Side Up πŸ“Έ @greensideuppodcast on Instagram πŸ“Έ @skyfroglandscape on Instagram

    Visit Our Businesses: 🌿 SkyFrog Landscape 🌳 Independent Tree Service

    Save with SingleOps: πŸ’Έ Mention Green Side Up or use this link to get $500 off your SingleOps subscription: πŸ‘‰ Get $500 Off SingleOps

    Sponsors & Partners:

    πŸ‘‰ MitoGrow 🌱 πŸŽ₯ Intrigue Media on Instagram (@imintriguemedia) πŸ“ GS TrackMe

    Podcast Produced by: 🎧 Mr. Producer (@mrproducerusa)

    54 min
  • Ep 142. Trench Talk Tactics: Flat Rate, CRMs, and Social Media That Actually Converts

    In this episode of Green Side Up, Jason and Jordan sit down for part two with Kevin Battistoni of Hunter Irrigation to dig deeper into what it takes to build a profitable, modern service business. Kevin breaks down the shift from traditional time-and-material billing to flat rate, upfront pricing, and how contractors are using this model to increase service margins by 30% while giving homeowners true cost certainty. They explore tiered "good, better, best" options, performance-based pay that lets top technicians earn six figures, and how smart use of CRMs eliminates missed materials and back-office rework. The conversation then shifts to social media as a serious lead engine, not a vanity metric gameβ€”covering Trench Talk's peer-to-peer content strategy, three core weekly content types contractors should post, and how to leverage tools like AI and simple time-lapse videos to stay top of mind without huge production budgets. Along the way, they wrestle with the tension between tech addiction, family life, and using these same platforms to grow a business and elevate the green industry as a true trade.

    Show Notes: IG: @kevin_battistoni_from_hunter FB:@kevinbattistoni

    Connect with Jason and Jordan: 🌐 Green Side Up Podcast Website πŸ“§ Email: [email protected] πŸ“˜ Facebook: Green Side Up πŸ“Έ @greensideuppodcast on Instagram πŸ“Έ @skyfroglandscape on Instagram

    Visit Our Businesses: 🌿 SkyFrog Landscape 🌳 Independent Tree Service

    Save with SingleOps: πŸ’Έ Mention Green Side Up or use this link to get $500 off your SingleOps subscription: πŸ‘‰ Get $500 Off SingleOps

    Sponsors & Partners:

    πŸ‘‰ MitoGrow 🌱 πŸŽ₯ Intrigue Media on Instagram (@imintriguemedia) πŸ“ GS TrackMe

    Podcast Produced by: 🎧 Mr. Producer (@mrproducerusa)

    1 hr
  • Ep 141. Rising Tides and Real Numbers: Peer Groups, Pricing, and Profit in the Green Industry
    In this episode of the Green Side Up Podcast, Jason and Jordan sit down live at the Landscape Show 2026 in the Hunter Irrigation studio with Kevin from Hunter Industries for a deep dive into where water, technology, and business strategy intersect. Kevin shares his journey as a fourth-generation "dirt surgeon," how he survived the 2008 downturn and COVID by pivoting into digital engagement, and how tools like Hydrawise and advanced monitoring turn irrigation systems into profit-driving, proactive service platforms. Jason and Jordan open up about building SkyFrog and their Tree Service brands, navigating hurricanes, drought, layoffs, and creative marketing to keep their companies healthy. The conversation then shifts into the power of peer groups, pricing smarter instead of just chasing top-line revenue, and Jason's vision for bringing real peer-to-peer learning into FNGLA across Florida. They wrap by teeing up a part-two episode on social media, digital engagement, and "Trench Talk"β€”how contractors can turn their everyday work and stories into real business results. Show Notes: IG: @kevin_battistoni_from_hunter FB:@kevinbattistoni

    Connect with Jason and Jordan: 🌐 Green Side Up Podcast Website πŸ“§ Email: [email protected] πŸ“˜ Facebook: Green Side Up πŸ“Έ @greensideuppodcast on Instagram πŸ“Έ @skyfroglandscape on Instagram

    Tree Care Business Webinars: 🌿 A Healthy Bottom Line - Sept. 15, 2026

    Visit Our Businesses: 🌿 SkyFrog Landscape 🌳 Independent Tree Service

    Save with SingleOps: πŸ’Έ Mention Green Side Up or use this link to get $500 off your SingleOps subscription: πŸ‘‰ Get $500 Off SingleOps

    Sponsors & Partners:

    πŸ‘‰ MitoGrow 🌱 πŸŽ₯ Intrigue Media on Instagram (@imintriguemedia) πŸ“ GS TrackMe

    Podcast Produced by: 🎧 Mr. Producer (@mrproducerusa)

    52 min
  • Ep 140. If You're Not Appearing, You're Disappearing

    In this episode of Green Side Up, Jason and Jordan riff on late-summer grind, momentum, and why "if you're not appearing, you're disappearing" in the Green Industry. Jason shares what's happening at SkyFrogβ€”from plant ID trainings and battling spurge at the Boys & Girls Club to winning the FNGLA Landscape Division State Board seat and helping revive the landscape committee.

    They dig into how professional organizations like FNGLA and the ISA Florida Chapter elevate the industry through certification, consumer education, and real networking (not just letters after your name). The conversation then shifts to building recurring revenue with plant health care, the upcoming Granum Tree Care Business Webinar on PHC operations, and regional certification events in North Florida.

    They wrap by highlighting local FNGLA chapter meetings, the POW MIA Memorial service project, and Saluting Branches, reflecting on why giving back, showing up, and surrounding yourself with motivated peers pays off in both business and life.

    Connect with Jason and Jordan: 🌐 Green Side Up Podcast Website πŸ“§ Email: [email protected] πŸ“˜ Facebook: Green Side Up πŸ“Έ @greensideuppodcast on Instagram πŸ“Έ @skyfroglandscape on Instagram

    Tree Care Business Webinars: 🌿 A Healthy Bottom Line - Sept. 15, 2026

    Visit Our Businesses: 🌿 SkyFrog Landscape 🌳 Independent Tree Service

    Save with SingleOps: πŸ’Έ Mention Green Side Up or use this link to get $500 off your SingleOps subscription: πŸ‘‰ Get $500 Off SingleOps

    Sponsors & Partners:

    πŸ‘‰ MitoGrow 🌱 πŸŽ₯ Intrigue Media on Instagram (@imintriguemedia) πŸ“ GS TrackMe

    Podcast Produced by: 🎧 Mr. Producer (@mrproducerusa)

    47 min
  • Ep 139. Get More Customers in Less Time: Marketing and Money Talk with Tony Bass

    In this episode of the Green Side Up podcast, Jason and Jordan sit down with industry veteran Tony Bass of Super Lawn Trucks live from the Landscape Show in Orlando. Tony shares hard-won lessons from nearly four decades in the lawn and landscape industry, including why financial literacy is the real foundation of confident pricing and sustainable profit. The conversation then shifts into a masterclass on modern marketing for contractors: using problem-focused truck signage, QR codes, and video-driven landing pages to generate higher-quality leads in a world where AI is reshaping search.

    Tony walks through his "scale-ready" formula for turning truck signs into automated sales funnels, from headlines like "Is your tree sick?" to online scheduling and even paid consultations. They also dig into the growing influence of private equity in the green industry, why being a local, independent contractor is becoming a powerful differentiator, and preview Tony's upcoming book, The Proud Landscaper. This episode is a practical, high-energy playbook for landscape and tree service owners who want to sharpen their numbers, upgrade their marketing, and protect the soul of independent business.

    Connect with Jason and Jordan: 🌐 Green Side Up Podcast Website πŸ“§ Email: [email protected] πŸ“˜ Facebook: Green Side Up πŸ“Έ @greensideuppodcast on Instagram πŸ“Έ @skyfroglandscape on Instagram

    Tree Care Business Webinars: 🌿 A Healthy Bottom Line - Sept. 15, 2026

    Visit Our Businesses: 🌿 SkyFrog Landscape 🌳 Independent Tree Service

    Save with SingleOps: πŸ’Έ Mention Green Side Up or use this link to get $500 off your SingleOps subscription: πŸ‘‰ Get $500 Off SingleOps

    Sponsors & Partners:

    πŸ‘‰ MitoGrow 🌱 πŸŽ₯ Intrigue Media on Instagram (@imintriguemedia) πŸ“ GS TrackMe

    Podcast Produced by: 🎧 Mr. Producer (@mrproducerusa)

    1 hr 4 min
  • Ep 138. Speed to Lead: How Small Landscape Companies Win with AI and Smart Marketing

    In this live episode of the Green Side Up Podcast from the Landscape Show 2026 inside the Super Lawn Truck Studios, Jason and Jordan sit down with Vanessa McQuade of Intrigue Media and Tyler from Cutz Landscaping Services in Orlando to explore how small but ambitious landscape companies can punch above their weight. Tyler shares his journey from family-operated maintenance work to higher-end hardscape and outdoor living projectsβ€”powered by training with Amish craftsmen and a modern CRM (SynkedUp). Vanessa breaks down practical ways to plug AI into marketing, sales, and phone answering so owners can move faster without losing the human touch, from Google Business optimization and automations to AI-powered answering services and nurture sequences. The group digs into real numbers, growth from $450K to $530K, review-getting tactics that actually work in the field, and how to build a marketing engine that turns ideal clients into long-term maintenance and install relationshipsβ€”all with plenty of on-the-truck banter and real-world examples landscapers can copy on Monday morning.

    Connect with Jason and Jordan: 🌐 Green Side Up Podcast Website πŸ“§ Email: [email protected] πŸ“˜ Facebook: Green Side Up πŸ“Έ @greensideuppodcast on Instagram πŸ“Έ @skyfroglandscape on Instagram

    Visit Our Businesses: 🌿 SkyFrog Landscape 🌳 Independent Tree Service

    Save with SingleOps: πŸ’Έ Mention Green Side Up or use this link to get $500 off your SingleOps subscription: πŸ‘‰ Get $500 Off SingleOps

    Sponsors & Partners:

    πŸ‘‰ MitoGrow 🌱 πŸŽ₯ Intrigue Media on Instagram (@imintriguemedia) πŸ“ GS TrackMe

    Podcast Produced by: 🎧 Mr. Producer (@mrproducerusa)

    42 min
  • Ep 137. Cease & Desist

    In this episode of the Greenside Up podcast, Jason and Jordan catch up after a hectic summer of family time, vacations, and getting "back in the saddle" at work. They compare how leads are flowing heading into tropical season and unpack how a clunky phone routing setup during vacation likely cost some opportunities. Jordan shares details on the upcoming Tree Care Business webinar series they're hosting with SingleOps and Granum, while Jason recaps a recent meetup with Pablo the Black Sheep and plugs the FNGLA Landscape Show and fall travel plans to Equip Expo and Pod Row. The conversation then turns serious as Jason opens up about receiving a cease and desist over a non-compete tied to his salesperson Clayton, walking through what the clause says, how it impacts day-to-day operations, and how they're choosing to respond without losing momentum. Along the way, they talk equipment maintenance, late-paying customers, big municipal bids, and Jason's run for the FNGLA state board landscape division seatβ€”all framed as real-world examples of the challenges and opportunities landscapers face while growing a business.

    Connect with Jason and Jordan: 🌐 Green Side Up Podcast Website πŸ“§ Email: [email protected] πŸ“˜ Facebook: Green Side Up πŸ“Έ @greensideuppodcast on Instagram πŸ“Έ @skyfroglandscape on Instagram

    Visit Our Businesses: 🌿 SkyFrog Landscape 🌳 Independent Tree Service

    Save with SingleOps: πŸ’Έ Mention Green Side Up or use this link to get $500 off your SingleOps subscription: πŸ‘‰ Get $500 Off SingleOps

    Sponsors & Partners:

    πŸ‘‰ MitoGrow 🌱 πŸŽ₯ Intrigue Media on Instagram (@imintriguemedia) πŸ“ GS TrackMe

    Podcast Produced by: 🎧 Mr. Producer (@mrproducerusa)

    42 min
  • Ep 136. The Stories That Started the Podcast

    This week, we are taking you back to where the Green Side Up Podcast began.

    In this original first episode, Jason and Jordan introduce themselves, share the vision behind the show, and explain their goal of bringing the landscape and tree care industries closer together through collaboration, relationships, and referrals.

    They also share their personal origin stories in the green industry. Jason talks about growing up around a cut foliage operation, while Jordan reflects on helping with his family's tree service from an early age.

    Other topics include:

    β€’ Learning the value of hard work at a young age β€’ Starting lawn care routes and how pricing has changed over the years β€’ Learning the trades through summer jobs, experience, and mentorship β€’ Handling mistakes and unhappy customers as a business owner β€’ The challenges surrounding palm tree trimming prices in Florida

    Whether you are a new listener or have been with us from the beginning, this episode offers a great look at the experiences that shaped Jason, Jordan, and the Green Side Up Podcast.

    Connect with Jason and Jordan: 🌐 Green Side Up Podcast Website πŸ“§ Email: [email protected] πŸ“˜ Facebook: Green Side Up πŸ“Έ @greensideuppodcast on Instagram πŸ“Έ @skyfroglandscape on Instagram

    Visit Our Businesses: 🌿 SkyFrog Landscape 🌳 Independent Tree Service

    Save with SingleOps: πŸ’Έ Mention Green Side Up or use this link to get $500 off your SingleOps subscription: πŸ‘‰ Get $500 Off SingleOps

    Sponsors & Partners:

    πŸ‘‰ MitoGrow 🌱 πŸŽ₯ Intrigue Media on Instagram (@imintriguemedia) πŸ“ GS TrackMe

    Podcast Produced by: 🎧 Mr. Producer (@mrproducerusa)

    32 min
  • Ep 135. From Popcorn to $42M: Building a Sales Engine with Neal Glatt

    In this episode, Jason and Jordan sit down with Neal Glatt of Neal Glatt Sales and Strategy for a deep dive into what it really takes to build a high-performing sales engine in the green industry. Neal shares his journey from selling Boy Scout popcorn door-to-door to helping grow a snow and landscape company from a single truck to $42M in annual revenue, and how that experience shaped his approach to B2B sales, process design, and scalable growth. The conversation covers the difference between B2B and residential sales, why most personality tests fail at predicting sales success, and how Neal uses sales-specific assessments to identify true "all-star" salespeopleβ€”including traits like money tolerance, handling rejection, and sales DNA. Jason and Jordan open up about their own businesses' growth spurts and slowdownsβ€”from hurricane-fueled demand and drought-driven slumps to the challenges of hiring sales reps without overloading operationsβ€”and Neal unpacks concepts like fractional sales management, designing a compensation structure that doesn't cap top performers, and building a sustainable pipeline through relationships and referrals. Whether you're trying to go from $3M to $6M, hire your first salesperson, or finally get serious about commercial work and sales leadership, this episode gives you a clear, real-world look at how to build a sales system that actually scales.

    Connect with Jason and Jordan: 🌐 Green Side Up Podcast Website πŸ“§ Email: [email protected] πŸ“˜ Facebook: Green Side Up πŸ“Έ @greensideuppodcast on Instagram πŸ“Έ @skyfroglandscape on Instagram

    Visit Our Businesses: 🌿 SkyFrog Landscape 🌳 Independent Tree Service

    Save with SingleOps: πŸ’Έ Mention Green Side Up or use this link to get $500 off your SingleOps subscription: πŸ‘‰ Get $500 Off SingleOps

    Sponsors & Partners:

    πŸ‘‰ MitoGrow 🌱 πŸŽ₯ Intrigue Media on Instagram (@imintriguemedia) πŸ“ GS TrackMe

    Podcast Produced by: 🎧 Mr. Producer (@mrproducerusa)

    1 hr 7 min

About Green Side Up

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to "Green Side Up: Tackling Entrepreneurial Weeds in Landscaping and Tree Care." Join hosts Jason Lee & Jordan Upcavage, a battle-tested landscaper, and a tree whisperer, as they peel back the layers of small business ownership in the green industry.

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