Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Bob Maffei – Landscape consultant and mentor
• NALP (National Association of Landscape Professionals)
• LINLA (Long Island Nursery & Landscape Association)
• QuickBooks – Accounting software
• EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) – Mentioned as a future implementation goal

Books:

• Traction by Gino Wickman
• 10x Is Easier Than 2x by Dan Sullivan & Benjamin Hardy
• Boss LM – Landscape management software

Topics Discussed:

[01:20] From Lawn Mowing to Landscape Leadership
Stephen shares how he started mowing lawns as a teenager and eventually grew a multi-million dollar landscape business.

[04:50] Two Businesses, One Vision
How a zoning requirement led to opening a nursery that now supports his full-service landscape company.

[05:56] Firefighting, Family, and Finding Balance
Stephen talks about volunteering as a firefighter for over 20 years while running a busy business.

[07:35] The Real Growth Constraint? You.
Letting go of control was the turning point in Stephen’s leadership journey—and his biggest challenge.

[09:30] Mentorship That Hits Hard
A consultant’s blunt feedback changed everything. Sometimes you need someone to tell you you’re the problem.

[13:23] Brutal Honesty from Your Team
How third-party-facilitated feedback opened Stephen’s eyes to how he was unintentionally holding people back.

[17:00] Hiring Fast Isn’t the Problem—Firing Slow Is
Why hiring for fit matters more than resumes, and how to quickly spot when someone’s not a match.

[19:19] From Order-Taking to Proactive Sales
Stephen shifts from waiting for the phone to ring to building a sales pipeline through relationship-based commercial outreach.

[21:45] Freedom Through Structure
Why clearly defined deliverables and KPIs are the secret to stepping back without losing sight of performance.

[25:23] The Red Sharpie Test
A simple color-coded system on a shop scoreboard motivates crews and creates accountability in a powerful way.

[26:39] Association Involvement Is a Game-Changer
Stephen shares how being active in industry organizations helped build relationships, credibility, and personal growth.

[30:00] Books That Shape Better Leaders
Stephen is diving into Traction, and 10x Is Easier Than 2x to build systems and scale smarter over the next decade.

Actionable Key Takeaways:

• Let Go to Grow: The biggest barrier to scaling may be you. Delegate and trust your team.
• Get Brutally Honest Feedback: A mentor gathering candid team feedback can reveal hidden obstacles.
• Scoreboard Accountability Works: Simple visual tools (like Sharpie-coloured scoreboards) build peer-driven motivation.
• Prioritize Culture Fit in Hiring: Skills can be taught—attitude and alignment matter more.
• Join Associations: Industry connections and peer learning can fast-track your success.
• Shift from Order-Taking to Sales: Actively pursue growth opportunities—don't wait for the phone to ring.
• Set Clear Deliverables: Defined KPIs linked to raises and reviews help your team stay aligned and accountable.