Profits with Pajak

How much should you raise your prices in 2027? Five percent? Ten percent? Before picking an arbitrary number, John Pajak argues that you're starting with the wrong question. In this episode of Profits with Pajak, John explains why the best time to begin building next year's pricing is while you're still living through this year's season. From labor and material costs to route density, callbacks, inefficient customers, owner compensation and profit, you'll learn what to document now so you can build 2027 pricing around your actual numbers instead of somebody else's opinion. Run the numbers, then walk into next season with confidence.

Episode Links:

Apple Podcast Listeners- Copy and paste the links below into your browser.

Upcoming Events: Equip Expo (October 20–23, 2026, Louisville, KY): The largest trade show in the green industry, bringing together contractors, equipment manufacturers, and business leaders for four days of equipment demos, networking, and real-world strategies to help you grow and scale your business.

Tickets are just $15.00 with promo code PAJAK through September 10, then prices go up. Lock in your ticket now and take advantage of the discount. Sign up and learn more: https://plus.mcievents.com/EquipExpo2026?RefId=PAJAK

LCR Summit 2026Ready to stop guessing and start building a more profitable lawn care or landscaping business? The LCR Summit is a two-day business growth and networking event designed specifically for green industry professionals. Learn practical strategies for pricing, marketing, hiring, leadership, financial management, and building systems that help your business grow without consuming your life. Best of all, it's held the two days before Equip Expo, making it the perfect way to kick off your week in Louisville. https://www.lcrmedianetwork.com/

Show Partners:

Yardbook

Simplify your business and be more profitable. Please visit www.Yardbook.com

Get 30 days of Premium Business level of Yardbook for FREE with promo code PAJAK

Mr. Producer

Click the link to connect with Thee Best Podcast Producer in the biz!

https://www.instagram.com/mrproducerusa/

Green Frog Web Design

Get your first month for only $1 when you use code, PAJAK, and have your website LIVE in 3 weeks from projected start date or it is FREE for a year.

https://www.greenfrogwebdesign.com/johnpajak

Have I become disconnected from the reality of the green industry?

After years of surrounding himself with successful business owners, manufacturers, speakers and industry leaders, John wonders whether his perception of the industry has changed. At the same time, one of the most difficult seasons he's faced in years is bringing him right back to the realities of running a small business. In this episode of Profits with Pajak, John examines self-limiting beliefs, hustle culture, professionalism, overwhelm, and why a difficult season doesn't mean you've built a bad business. Sometimes the answer isn't working harder. It's remembering what matters, challenging what you've been told is impossible, and making the next good decision.

Episode Links:

Apple Podcast Listeners- Copy and paste the links below into your browser.

Upcoming Events: Equip Expo (October 20–23, 2026, Louisville, KY): The largest trade show in the green industry, bringing together contractors, equipment manufacturers, and business leaders for four days of equipment demos, networking, and real-world strategies to help you grow and scale your business.

Tickets are just $15.00 with promo code PAJAK through September 10, then prices go up. Lock in your ticket now and take advantage of the discount. Sign up and learn more: https://plus.mcievents.com/EquipExpo2026?RefId=PAJAK

LCR Summit 2026Ready to stop guessing and start building a more profitable lawn care or landscaping business? The LCR Summit is a two-day business growth and networking event designed specifically for green industry professionals. Learn practical strategies for pricing, marketing, hiring, leadership, financial management, and building systems that help your business grow without consuming your life. Best of all, it's held the two days before Equip Expo, making it the perfect way to kick off your week in Louisville. https://www.lcrmedianetwork.com/

Show Partners:

Yardbook

Simplify your business and be more profitable. Please visit www.Yardbook.com

Get 30 days of Premium Business level of Yardbook for FREE with promo code PAJAK

Mr. Producer

Click the link to connect with Thee Best Podcast Producer in the biz!

https://www.instagram.com/mrproducerusa/

Green Frog Web Design

Get your first month for only $1 when you use code, PAJAK, and have your website LIVE in 3 weeks from projected start date or it is FREE for a year.

https://www.greenfrogwebdesign.com/johnpajak

You've been working since spring. The trucks are moving, payroll is getting made, customers are paying, and money is flowing through the business. But how much of it are you actually keeping?

In this episode of Profits with Pajak, John walks through a late-summer financial checkup every green industry business owner should perform before September gets away from them. We'll look at revenue, labor, materials, overhead, cash, service profitability and the small financial leaks that can quietly destroy your margins.

The year isn't over yet. Pull the numbers, find the problems, and make the adjustments while there's still time to finish 2026 strong.

Episode Links:

Apple Podcast Listeners- Copy and paste the links below into your browser.

Upcoming Events: Equip Expo (October 20–23, 2026, Louisville, KY): The largest trade show in the green industry, bringing together contractors, equipment manufacturers, and business leaders for four days of equipment demos, networking, and real-world strategies to help you grow and scale your business.

Tickets are just $15.00 with promo code PAJAK through September 10, then prices go up. Lock in your ticket now and take advantage of the discount. Sign up and learn more: https://plus.mcievents.com/EquipExpo2026?RefId=PAJAK

LCR Summit (October 18 & 19th, 2026, Louisville, KY)Ready to stop guessing and start building a more profitable lawn care or landscaping business? The LCR Summit is a two-day business growth and networking event designed specifically for green industry professionals. Learn practical strategies for pricing, marketing, hiring, leadership, financial management, and building systems that help your business grow without consuming your life. Best of all, it's held the two days before Equip Expo, making it the perfect way to kick off your week in Louisville. https://www.lcrmedianetwork.com/

Show Partners:

Yardbook

Simplify your business and be more profitable. Please visit www.Yardbook.com

Get 30 days of Premium Business level of Yardbook for FREE with promo code PAJAK

Mr. Producer

Click the link to connect with Thee Best Podcast Producer in the biz!

https://www.instagram.com/mrproducerusa/

Green Frog Web Design

Get your first month for only $1 when you use code, PAJAK, and have your website LIVE in 3 weeks from projected start date or it is FREE for a year.

https://www.greenfrogwebdesign.com/johnpajak

Sometimes the urge to "do something" can make a bad situation worse. After watching people attempt to deal with damaged power lines following a storm, John draws a powerful parallel to business ownership. In this episode, we talk about the danger of fixing things you don't fully understand, why activity isn't always progress, and why the smartest move sometimes is knowing what not to touch.

Episode Links:

Apple Podcast Listeners- Copy and paste the links below into your browser.

Upcoming Events: Equip Expo (October 20–23, 2026, Louisville, KY): The largest trade show in the green industry, bringing together contractors, equipment manufacturers, and business leaders for four days of equipment demos, networking, and real-world strategies to help you grow and scale your business.

Tickets are just $15.00 with promo code PAJAK through September 10, then prices go up. Lock in your ticket now and take advantage of the discount. Sign up and learn more: https://plus.mcievents.com/EquipExpo2026?RefId=PAJAK

LCR Summit (October 18 & 19th, 2026, Louisville, KY)Ready to stop guessing and start building a more profitable lawn care or landscaping business? The LCR Summit is a two-day business growth and networking event designed specifically for green industry professionals. Learn practical strategies for pricing, marketing, hiring, leadership, financial management, and building systems that help your business grow without consuming your life. Best of all, it's held the two days before Equip Expo, making it the perfect way to kick off your week in Louisville. https://www.lcrmedianetwork.com/

Show Partners:

Yardbook

Simplify your business and be more profitable. Please visit www.Yardbook.com

Get 30 days of Premium Business level of Yardbook for FREE with promo code PAJAK

Mr. Producer

Click the link to connect with Thee Best Podcast Producer in the biz!

https://www.instagram.com/mrproducerusa/

Green Frog Web Design

Get your first month for only $1 when you use code, PAJAK, and have your website LIVE in 3 weeks from projected start date or it is FREE for a year.

https://www.greenfrogwebdesign.com/johnpajak

Episode Links:

Apple Podcast Listeners- Copy and paste the links below into your browser.

Upcoming Events: Equip Expo (October 20–23, 2026, Louisville, KY): The largest trade show in the green industry, bringing together contractors, equipment manufacturers, and business leaders for four days of equipment demos, networking, and real-world strategies to help you grow and scale your business.

Tickets are just $15.00 with promo code PAJAK through September 10, then prices go up. Lock in your ticket now and take advantage of the discount. Sign up and learn more: https://plus.mcievents.com/EquipExpo2026?RefId=PAJAK

LCR Summit (October 18 & 19th, 2026, Louisville, KY)Ready to stop guessing and start building a more profitable lawn care or landscaping business? The LCR Summit is a two-day business growth and networking event designed specifically for green industry professionals. Learn practical strategies for pricing, marketing, hiring, leadership, financial management, and building systems that help your business grow without consuming your life. Best of all, it's held the two days before Equip Expo, making it the perfect way to kick off your week in Louisville. https://www.lcrmedianetwork.com/

Show Partners:

Yardbook

Simplify your business and be more profitable. Please visit www.Yardbook.com

Get 30 days of Premium Business level of Yardbook for FREE with promo code PAJAK

Mr. Producer

Click the link to connect with Thee Best Podcast Producer in the biz!

https://www.instagram.com/mrproducerusa/

Green Frog Web Design

Get your first month for only $1 when you use code, PAJAK, and have your website LIVE in 3 weeks from projected start date or it is FREE for a year.

https://www.greenfrogwebdesign.com/johnpajak

John describes the harrowing aftermath of severe tornadoes that recently devastated his Indiana community. He shares personal accounts of living without power or running water, highlighting both the beauty of neighbors helping neighbors and the disturbing breakdown of social civility at local gas stations. Pajak reflects on the fragility of modern society when basic resources become scarce, noting how quickly desperation can lead to aggression and greed. Throughout the episode, he emphasizes the importance of maintaining a servant's heart and exercising self-control during times of extreme stress. It's a somber reminder to appreciate everyday blessings and to prioritize family safety while offering grace to others as they navigate the long recovery process.

Episode Links:

Apple Podcast Listeners- Copy and paste the links below into your browser.

Upcoming Events: Equip Expo (October 20–23, 2026, Louisville, KY): The largest trade show in the green industry, bringing together contractors, equipment manufacturers, and business leaders for four days of equipment demos, networking, and real-world strategies to help you grow and scale your business.

Tickets are just $15.00 with promo code PAJAK through September 10, then prices go up. Lock in your ticket now and take advantage of the discount. Sign up and learn more: https://plus.mcievents.com/EquipExpo2026?RefId=PAJAK

LCR Summit (October 18 & 19th, 2026, Louisville, KY)Ready to stop guessing and start building a more profitable lawn care or landscaping business? The LCR Summit is a two-day business growth and networking event designed specifically for green industry professionals. Learn practical strategies for pricing, marketing, hiring, leadership, financial management, and building systems that help your business grow without consuming your life. Best of all, it's held the two days before Equip Expo, making it the perfect way to kick off your week in Louisville. https://www.lcrmedianetwork.com/

Show Partners:

Yardbook

Simplify your business and be more profitable. Please visit www.Yardbook.com

Get 30 days of Premium Business level of Yardbook for FREE with promo code PAJAK

Mr. Producer

Click the link to connect with Thee Best Podcast Producer in the biz!

https://www.instagram.com/mrproducerusa/

Green Frog Web Design

Get your first month for only $1 when you use code, PAJAK, and have your website LIVE in 3 weeks from projected start date or it is FREE for a year.

https://www.greenfrogwebdesign.com/johnpajak

John Pajak sits down with Tony Rudolph of Tony's Lawn Care to talk about building a profitable, tight route in high-end communities, making the shift to battery-powered equipment, and how to stand out from competitors without growing a huge crew. They also break down how to maximize your trip to Equip Expo and why industry events can change the trajectory of your business.

Episode Links:

Apple Podcast Listeners- Copy and paste the links below into your browser.

Upcoming Events: Equip Expo (October 20–23, 2026, Louisville, KY): The largest trade show in the green industry, bringing together contractors, equipment manufacturers, and business leaders for four days of equipment demos, networking, and real-world strategies to help you grow and scale your business.

Tickets are just $15.00 with promo code PAJAK through September 10, then prices go up. Lock in your ticket now and take advantage of the discount. Sign up and learn more: https://plus.mcievents.com/EquipExpo2026?RefId=PAJAK

LCR Summit (October 18 & 19th, 2026, Louisville, KY)Ready to stop guessing and start building a more profitable lawn care or landscaping business? The LCR Summit is a two-day business growth and networking event designed specifically for green industry professionals. Learn practical strategies for pricing, marketing, hiring, leadership, financial management, and building systems that help your business grow without consuming your life. Best of all, it's held the two days before Equip Expo, making it the perfect way to kick off your week in Louisville. https://www.lcrmedianetwork.com/

Show Partners:

Yardbook

Simplify your business and be more profitable. Please visit www.Yardbook.com

Get 30 days of Premium Business level of Yardbook for FREE with promo code PAJAK

Mr. Producer

Click the link to connect with Thee Best Podcast Producer in the biz!

https://www.instagram.com/mrproducerusa/

Green Frog Web Design

Get your first month for only $1 when you use code, PAJAK, and have your website LIVE in 3 weeks from projected start date or it is FREE for a year.

https://www.greenfrogwebdesign.com/johnpajak

If you're in your first few years of business, this episode is for you. John Pajak shares the advice he wishes someone had given him when he was just starting out, from navigating mistakes and long hours to understanding your numbers and staying the course. This isn't a lecture; it's an honest conversation from one business owner to another, filled with practical wisdom that can save you years of frustration and help you build a stronger business from the ground up.

Episode Links:

Apple Podcast Listeners- Copy and paste the links below into your browser.

Upcoming Events: Equip Expo (October 20–23, 2026, Louisville, KY): The largest trade show in the green industry, bringing together contractors, equipment manufacturers, and business leaders for four days of equipment demos, networking, and real-world strategies to help you grow and scale your business.

Tickets are just $15.00 with promo code PAJAK through September 10, then prices go up. Lock in your ticket now and take advantage of the discount. Sign up and learn more: https://plus.mcievents.com/EquipExpo2026?RefId=PAJAK

Show Partners:

Yardbook

Simplify your business and be more profitable. Please visit www.Yardbook.com

Get 30 days of Premium Business level of Yardbook for FREE with promo code PAJAK

Mr. Producer

Click the link to connect with Thee Best Podcast Producer in the biz!

https://www.instagram.com/mrproducerusa/

Green Frog Web Design

Get your first month for only $1 when you use code, PAJAK, and have your website LIVE in 3 weeks from projected start date or it is FREE for a year.

https://www.greenfrogwebdesign.com/johnpajak

In this episode of Profits with Pajak, John Pajak sits down with Naylor Taliaferro from Pod House in Scottsdale, Arizona, to preview one of the biggest weeks of the year for the green industry. October 19-23 in Louisville, Kentucky.

They discuss what attendees can expect at the 2026 LCR Summit, why it has become a must-attend event for contractors looking to grow their businesses, and how it sets the tone for the week leading into Equip Expo in Louisville, Kentucky.

The conversation also covers the return of the Equip Expo Morning Show, giving listeners a behind-the-scenes look at what's planned, who should attend, and why these live events continue to bring together some of the industry's top leaders and educators.

Whether you're attending LCR Summit for the first time or you're a veteran of Equip Expo, this episode will help you make the most of your trip to Louisville this October.

Episode Links:

Apple Podcast Listeners- Copy and paste the links below into your browser.

Upcoming Events: Equip Expo (October 20–23, 2026, Louisville, KY): The largest trade show in the green industry, bringing together contractors, equipment manufacturers, and business leaders for four days of equipment demos, networking, and real-world strategies to help you grow and scale your business.

Tickets are just $15.00 with promo code PAJAK through September 10, then prices go up. Lock in your ticket now and take advantage of the discount. Sign up and learn more: https://plus.mcievents.com/EquipExpo2026?RefId=PAJAK

Show Partners:

Yardbook

Simplify your business and be more profitable. Please visit www.Yardbook.com

Get 30 days of Premium Business level of Yardbook for FREE with promo code PAJAK

Mr. Producer

Click the link to connect with Thee Best Podcast Producer in the biz!

https://www.instagram.com/mrproducerusa/

Green Frog Web Design

Get your first month for only $1 when you use code, PAJAK, and have your website LIVE in 3 weeks from projected start date or it is FREE for a year.

https://www.greenfrogwebdesign.com/johnpajak

Live from the Lawn & Landscape Technology Conference in Scottsdale, John Pajak sits down with Michelle Marshall of Marshall Lawn Solutions to unpack CRMs, data security, and building a real operating system for a fast-growing lawn care business.

Episode Links:

Apple Podcast Listeners- Copy and paste the links below into your browser.

Upcoming Events: Equip Expo (October 20–23, 2026, Louisville, KY): The largest trade show in the green industry, bringing together contractors, equipment manufacturers, and business leaders for four days of equipment demos, networking, and real-world strategies to help you grow and scale your business.

Tickets are just $15.00 with promo code PAJAK through September 10, then prices go up. Lock in your ticket now and take advantage of the discount. Sign up and learn more: https://plus.mcievents.com/EquipExpo2026?RefId=PAJAK

Show Partners:

Yardbook

Simplify your business and be more profitable. Please visit www.Yardbook.com

Get 30 days of Premium Business level of Yardbook for FREE with promo code PAJAK

Mr. Producer

Click the link to connect with Thee Best Podcast Producer in the biz!

https://www.instagram.com/mrproducerusa/

Green Frog Web Design

Get your first month for only $1 when you use code, PAJAK, and have your website LIVE in 3 weeks from projected start date or it is FREE for a year.

https://www.greenfrogwebdesign.com/johnpajak