The green industry is addicted to growth, but at what cost? In this brutally honest episode, we expose the uncomfortable reality behind some of the industry's most celebrated success stories. We sit down with Michael Tomaino, owner of LandCrafters Florida, to have a raw, no-nonsense conversation about how the landscaping industry is prioritizing profit over people, and what needs to change. Michael shares his journey from consulting to landscaping, how his upside-down org chart puts crews first, and why so many industry veterans are questioning everything. This episode challenges the status quo and offers a blueprint for building a company people actually want to work for, and stay with.

Key Discussion Points:

• How to build a landscape company that truly puts people first

• The downside of chasing revenue at the expense of your team

• Why "growth at all costs" is destroying culture and retention

• Tangible strategies for recognition, retention, and incentives

• How promoting from within builds trust with both clients and crews

• Why most private equity deals in landscaping are short-sighted

• What a sustainable landscape business actually looks like

What makes a landscape company truly valuable—and why do so many owners get it wrong?

In this episode of the Landscape Leadership Podcast, CEO Chad Diller sits down with Jeff Harkness, founder of 3PG Advisors, to break down the five key drivers of enterprise value in the lawn and landscape industry. Jeff has facilitated over $1 billion in M&A deals and works closely with top-performing green industry businesses to help them scale smarter and increase their market value.

Whether you're planning to sell your business or simply want to build something more scalable, profitable, and self-sustaining, this episode is packed with practical insights. Chad and Jeff cover:

• The biggest misconceptions about revenue, value, and growth

• Why clean financials and strong leadership teams matter more than ever

• How recurring revenue and operational systems impact your company’s worth

• The surprising role marketing plays in valuation and deal negotiations

• Why companies without a strategic plan struggle to attract serious buyers

This is an unfiltered conversation every landscape business owner should hear—especially if you want to build a company that attracts top talent, retains customers, and creates real legacy.

Listen in, take notes, and start building with intention.

You could run the best lawn care or landscaping company in town... but if your brand looks outdated, confusing, or just plain boring, you’re losing business before the first phone call. In this episode, I’m joined by branding expert John Dalton of McFarland Stanford—someone who's helped rebrand billion-dollar companies like FedEx—to talk about the hidden messages your visual branding is sending (and why it matters more than you think).

We dive into:

• Why tree icons and old fonts aren’t doing you any favors

• The simple formula big brands use to create unforgettable impressions

• How your truck wrap could be accidentally camouflaging your business

• Practical (and affordable) ways to refresh your brand without rewrapping your whole fleet overnight

If you’ve ever wondered whether your brand is helping or hurting you—or if you've just had that nagging feeling that your 20-year-old logo might be the mullet of marketing—this episode is for you.

Ready to make sure your brand is saying the right thing? Hit play.

🔗 Connect with John Dalton and the McFarland Stanford team: https://mcfarlinstanford.com/

🔗 Need help bringing your brand to life through powerful marketing? Visit https://www.landscapeleadership.com/ or find me, Chad Diller, on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-diller/

In this episode, we tackle a critical issue for lawn care and landscaping businesses—trademarks. What happens when another company trademarks your business name? It’s not just theoretical; it has happened, and the consequences can be devastating. Chad Diller from Landscape Leadership® sits down with trademark attorney, Richard Rimer, to discuss how to protect your brand, avoid costly rebrands, and defend against trademark disputes. Learn what you can and can’t trademark, the risks of skipping legal protection, and how to secure your business’s future. If you own a green industry business, you need to hear this.

You may think you're prepared to sell landscaping to prospects, but you could be losing out. Get expert tips to customize your approach to sell more landscaping with less aggravation. Join 25+ year green industry veteran, Chad Diller and sales trainer, T.M. Dickinson as they share practical advice to connect more deeply with prospective clients and maximize your potential. 

 Learn about the sales and marketing services Landscape Leadership provides for our clients https://www.landscapeleadership.com/

Joshua Malik ran a successful tree service but was struggling to grow his lawn care business. Fast forward and Joshua Tree Experts has grown by over 1000% and has expanded into multiple states. Join Landscape Leadership's president, Chad Diller, as he gets Josh to share some keys to their amazing success.

In this episode, Chad Diller and green industry consultant, Jeffrey Scott explore how adding too many services at your lawn care or landscaping company can hurt your brand, profit, and company culture. 

Are you wasting time as an unpaid landscaping consultant? Find out how these process and technology additions can help you sell more landscaping projects. Visit the Landscape Leadership website for more resources mentioned in this episode. 

Check out these essential questions to find the best marketing agency for your landscaping or lawn care business. Get an expert vs. a typical partner.