“I didn’t know what a yard of topsoil cost—but I knew how to learn fast and hire smart.” - Adam Neilson

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

The Great Game of Business by Jack Stack
A practical guide to open-book management that empowers teams by sharing financials and teaching business literacy.

Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss
Former FBI negotiator Chris Voss shares high-stakes negotiation tactics you can apply to business and leadership.

Crucial Conversations by Patterson, Grenny, McMillan, and Switzler
Learn how to navigate high-stakes conversations without conflict derailing the outcomes you need.

Jordan Peterson’s Work
Known for his philosophical and psychological insights, Peterson’s work was cited by Adam as a powerful influence on mindset and clarity.

AI Agents Overview – FutureTools
Explore a curated directory of AI tools (including task agents) that can help automate admin and back-office tasks affordably

Pika Landscapes
Adam’s company in Whistler, BC—proof that strategic acquisition, design focus, and leadership investments can grow a green industry business.

Topics Discussed:

00:00 – Intro: Meet Adam Neilson, owner of Pika Landscapes

01:00 – From landscape architecture to “I’m out”: Adam’s pivot to tech

03:00 – Why Adam bought a landscaping business…in the snow

05:30 – “We’re screwed”: The night Adam thought he blew it

06:30 – Turning it around through desperation and 10-hour estimates

08:00 – Rebranding, acquisition #2, and a Netflix-worthy Year 2

09:15 – Scaling pains: What $1.5M felt like without a leadership team

10:45 – Strategic hires: Construction manager, account manager, logistics

14:00 – The culture clash of merging two landscape crews

17:00 – What he’d do differently when buying a business

21:00 – Letting go of control vs. holding on to what you love

24:30 – Why Adam isn't building to sell—and why that matters

27:00 – A small bet: Dump truck investment and reversible decisions

30:00 – Where AI fits in landscape: The back office, not just the field

32:30 – Adam’s top business books + resources

Actionable Key Takeaways:

Hiring leadership = unlocking scale – Strategic hires took Adam from $1.5M to $4M.

Culture eats strategy when buying companies – Misalignment in values cost people.

Love something? Don’t outsource it – Adam keeps the parts of the business that light him up.

AI can cut back-office costs fast – $30k VA work now potentially costs $1k with AI agents.

You don’t need to build to sell – Adam’s model is about sustainability, not exits.

You can undo big decisions – Buying a truck wasn’t permanent—it was a test.