Side Hustle Squad

By Mike GarveyBusiness Careers

Side Hustle Squad episodes

October 01 Ep 374. Robotic Mowing Is Growing Up: What Happens After the Demo?
Robotic mowing is about more than watching a machine cut grass. Mike shares a ROPED update and talks about choosing the right property, bringing the crew into the process, planning for setup and service, and measuring whether robotics is actually helping the operation. The demo is just the beginning. The real work is making the technology fit the job.

🔗 Important Links & Resources
🎙 Side Hustle Squad on Instagram @sidehustlesquadpodcast

ROPED on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/roped.us/

🌱 Coastal Fertilization on Instagram @coastalfertilization

💻 Branded Bull Website Design Visit BrandedBull.com

📋 Get Jobber – 20% Off for 6 Months Sign Up Here

🏗 EQUIP Exposition — Save 50% Register Now Use promo code: SIDEHUSTLE at checkout

👟 Save 10% on KUJO Yardwear Shop Now Discount automatically applies

📅 LiveSwitch Book a Demo

📬 PostcardMania Learn More

💵 Relay – Powerful Business Banking for Small Business Owners Learn More

💵 Lawntrapreneur Academy Live (Nov 7-8, 2026) – Learn what's actually working from top-performing lawn care pros. Learn More

PermaGreen – Triumph Ride-On Spreader Sprayer Learn More
10 min
September 29 Ep 373. Is That New Equipment Worth It? Do the Math Before You Buy
Before you buy that mower, truck, aerator, or new piece of battery equipment, make sure it can earn its place in your business. Mike breaks down how to identify the problem you're solving, calculate the full cost, estimate labor savings and added profit, and compare buying with renting or buying used. A practical solo episode to help you make your next equipment decision with confidence.

🔗 Important Links & Resources
🎙 Side Hustle Squad on Instagram @sidehustlesquadpodcast

ROPED on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/roped.us/

🌱 Coastal Fertilization on Instagram @coastalfertilization

💻 Branded Bull Website Design Visit BrandedBull.com

📋 Get Jobber – 20% Off for 6 Months Sign Up Here

🏗 EQUIP Exposition — Save 50% Register Now Use promo code: SIDEHUSTLE at checkout

👟 Save 10% on KUJO Yardwear Shop Now Discount automatically applies

📅 LiveSwitch Book a Demo

📬 PostcardMania Learn More

💵 Relay – Powerful Business Banking for Small Business Owners Learn More

💵 Lawntrapreneur Academy Live (Nov 7-8, 2026) – Learn what's actually working from top-performing lawn care pros. Learn More

PermaGreen – Triumph Ride-On Spreader Sprayer Learn More
11 min
September 24 Ep 372. You Don't Need More Leads, You Need Better Follow-Up!
Most business owners think slow sales mean they need more advertising, more leads, and a bigger marketing budget. But the real opportunity may already be sitting in your inbox, CRM, open estimates, and customer list. In this episode, Mike explains why follow-up is one of the biggest missed opportunities in the home-service industry. He breaks down response time, follow-up sequences, reactivating past customers, turning one-time jobs into recurring revenue, and giving every opportunity a clear owner. Before you spend another dollar generating leads, make sure you aren't letting good ones slip through the cracks.

🔗 Important Links & Resources
🎙 Side Hustle Squad on Instagram @sidehustlesquadpodcast

ROPED on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/roped.us/

🌱 Coastal Fertilization on Instagram @coastalfertilization

💻 Branded Bull Website Design Visit BrandedBull.com

📋 Get Jobber – 20% Off for 6 Months Sign Up Here

🏗 EQUIP Exposition — Save 50% Register Now Use promo code: SIDEHUSTLE at checkout

👟 Save 10% on KUJO Yardwear Shop Now Discount automatically applies

📅 LiveSwitch Book a Demo

📬 PostcardMania Learn More

💵 Relay – Powerful Business Banking for Small Business Owners Learn More

💵 Lawntrapreneur Academy Live (Nov 7-8, 2026) – Learn what's actually working from top-performing lawn care pros. Learn More

PermaGreen – Triumph Ride-On Spreader Sprayer Learn More
13 min
September 22 Ep 371. The Fall Business AuditPart 2: Equipment, Marketing & Auditing Yourself
In Part Two of the Fall Business Audit, Mike finishes breaking down the areas every business owner should evaluate before the year ends. Are your trucks and equipment making you money or quietly draining it? Do you know which marketing efforts are actually producing quality customers? And most importantly, are you leading the business forward, or have you become its biggest bottleneck?

Mike covers equipment, marketing, leadership, delegation, and how to turn everything you uncover into a focused action plan. You'll learn how to select one financial priority, one operational priority, and one growth priority, then assign ownership, establish deadlines, and start building a stronger business before the new year.

🔗 Important Links & Resources
🎙 Side Hustle Squad on Instagram @sidehustlesquadpodcast

ROPED on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/roped.us/

🌱 Coastal Fertilization on Instagram @coastalfertilization

💻 Branded Bull Website Design Visit BrandedBull.com

📋 Get Jobber – 20% Off for 6 Months Sign Up Here

🏗 EQUIP Exposition — Save 50% Register Now Use promo code: SIDEHUSTLE at checkout

👟 Save 10% on KUJO Yardwear Shop Now Discount automatically applies

📅 LiveSwitch Book a Demo

📬 PostcardMania Learn More

💵 Relay – Powerful Business Banking for Small Business Owners Learn More

💵 Lawntrapreneur Academy Live (Nov 7-8, 2026) – Learn what's actually working from top-performing lawn care pros. Learn More

PermaGreen – Triumph Ride-On Spreader Sprayer Learn More
10 min
September 17 Ep 370. The Fall Business Audit Part 1: Numbers, Customers, Pricing & Your Team
Before you begin planning for next year, you need an honest assessment of how your business performed this year.

In Part 1 of our Fall Business Audit, Mike breaks down four critical areas every business owner should examine: your financial numbers, customer base, services and pricing, and team performance. Which services actually made money? Are your best customers receiving enough attention? Are you charging enough? Who stepped up on your team and who may be holding the business back?

Don't wait until January to identify these problems. Use the fall to make smarter decisions, strengthen your operation, and prepare your business for a more profitable year ahead.

🔗 Important Links & Resources
🎙 Side Hustle Squad on Instagram @sidehustlesquadpodcast

ROPED on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/roped.us/

🌱 Coastal Fertilization on Instagram @coastalfertilization

💻 Branded Bull Website Design Visit BrandedBull.com

📋 Get Jobber – 20% Off for 6 Months Sign Up Here

🏗 EQUIP Exposition — Save 50% Register Now Use promo code: SIDEHUSTLE at checkout

👟 Save 10% on KUJO Yardwear Shop Now Discount automatically applies

📅 LiveSwitch Book a Demo

📬 PostcardMania Learn More

💵 Relay – Powerful Business Banking for Small Business Owners Learn More

💵 Lawntrapreneur Academy Live (Nov 7-8, 2026) – Learn what's actually working from top-performing lawn care pros. Learn More

PermaGreen – Triumph Ride-On Spreader Sprayer Learn More

13 min
September 15 Ep 369. How to Get 25 Google Reviews in 30 Days!
Google reviews can be one of the most powerful—and least expensive—ways to grow a local service business. In this episode, Mike breaks down a practical 30-day strategy for generating 25 new Google reviews without buying reviews, begging customers, or making the process awkward. You'll learn when to ask, exactly what to say, how to involve your employees, and how to create a repeatable system that produces reviews every month.
🔗 Important Links & Resources
🎙 Side Hustle Squad on Instagram @sidehustlesquadpodcast

ROPED on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/roped.us/

🌱 Coastal Fertilization on Instagram @coastalfertilization

💻 Branded Bull Website Design Visit BrandedBull.com

📋 Get Jobber – 20% Off for 6 Months Sign Up Here

🏗 EQUIP Exposition — Save 50% Register Now Use promo code: SIDEHUSTLE at checkout

👟 Save 10% on KUJO Yardwear Shop Now Discount automatically applies

📅 LiveSwitch Book a Demo

📬 PostcardMania Learn More

💵 Relay – Powerful Business Banking for Small Business Owners Learn More

💵 Lawntrapreneur Academy Live (Nov 7-8, 2026) – Learn what's actually working from top-performing lawn care pros. Learn More

PermaGreen – Triumph Ride-On Spreader Sprayer Learn More
14 min
September 10 Ep 368. Why Aren't You Offering Aeration and Seeding Yet?
If you already service lawns but aren't offering aeration and overseeding, you could be leaving significant revenue on the table. In this episode, Mike explains why it's an excellent add-on service, how it strengthens customer relationships, and how it can fill your schedule heading into fall. He also breaks down exactly how to get started, from choosing equipment and pricing jobs to marketing the service and managing customer expectations.
🔗 Important Links & Resources
🎙 Side Hustle Squad on Instagram @sidehustlesquadpodcast

ROPED on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/roped.us/

🌱 Coastal Fertilization on Instagram @coastalfertilization

💻 Branded Bull Website Design Visit BrandedBull.com

📋 Get Jobber – 20% Off for 6 Months Sign Up Here

🏗 EQUIP Exposition — Save 50% Register Now Use promo code: SIDEHUSTLE at checkout

👟 Save 10% on KUJO Yardwear Shop Now Discount automatically applies

📅 LiveSwitch Book a Demo

📬 PostcardMania Learn More

💵 Relay – Powerful Business Banking for Small Business Owners Learn More

💵 Lawntrapreneur Academy Live (Nov 7-8, 2026) – Learn what's actually working from top-performing lawn care pros. Learn More

PermaGreen – Triumph Ride-On Spreader Sprayer Learn More
14 min
September 08 Ep 367. First Time at Equip Expo? Some Things You Need to Know!
Heading to Equip Expo for the first time? Don't walk into one of the industry's biggest trade shows without a plan. Mike shares ten practical tips to help you navigate the show floor, maximize the outdoor demo yard, meet the right people, avoid common mistakes, and turn your trip to Louisville into real value for your business.
🔗 Important Links & Resources
🎙 Side Hustle Squad on Instagram @sidehustlesquadpodcast

ROPED on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/roped.us/

🌱 Coastal Fertilization on Instagram @coastalfertilization

💻 Branded Bull Website Design Visit BrandedBull.com

📋 Get Jobber – 20% Off for 6 Months Sign Up Here

🏗 EQUIP Exposition — Save 50% Register Now Use promo code: SIDEHUSTLE at checkout

👟 Save 10% on KUJO Yardwear Shop Now Discount automatically applies

📅 LiveSwitch Book a Demo

📬 PostcardMania Learn More

💵 Relay – Powerful Business Banking for Small Business Owners Learn More

💵 Lawntrapreneur Academy Live (Nov 7-8, 2026) – Learn what's actually working from top-performing lawn care pros. Learn More

PermaGreen – Triumph Ride-On Spreader Sprayer Learn More
11 min
September 03 Ep 366. Back to School for Your Business: The Fall Reset Every Owner Needs
Back-to-school season isn't just for the kids, it's also the perfect time to reset your business. In this episode, Mike shares a few things every business owner should review, from reviewing your financial report card and cleaning up operations to improving your marketing, sharpening your skills, and preparing for the end of the year. If your business has fallen into summer mode, this episode will help you refocus, rebuild momentum, and finish the year strong.
🔗 Important Links & Resources
🎙 Side Hustle Squad on Instagram @sidehustlesquadpodcast

ROPED on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/roped.us/

🌱 Coastal Fertilization on Instagram @coastalfertilization

💻 Branded Bull Website Design Visit BrandedBull.com

📋 Get Jobber – 20% Off for 6 Months Sign Up Here

🏗 EQUIP Exposition — Save 50% Register Now Use promo code: SIDEHUSTLE at checkout

👟 Save 10% on KUJO Yardwear Shop Now Discount automatically applies

📅 LiveSwitch Book a Demo

📬 PostcardMania Learn More

💵 Relay – Powerful Business Banking for Small Business Owners Learn More

💵 Lawntrapreneur Academy Live (Nov 7-8, 2026) – Learn what's actually working from top-performing lawn care pros. Learn More

PermaGreen – Triumph Ride-On Spreader Sprayer Learn More
11 min
September 01 Ep 365. Did you get a Negative Review? Here's What to Do!
What should you do when a customer complains, leaves a negative Google review, or disputes a charge after the work was completed? Mike discusses how business owners can respond professionally, document their work, protect their reputations, and determine when to fix the problem, issue a refund, or stand their ground.
🔗 Important Links & Resources
🎙 Side Hustle Squad on Instagram @sidehustlesquadpodcast

ROPED on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/roped.us/

🌱 Coastal Fertilization on Instagram @coastalfertilization

💻 Branded Bull Website Design Visit BrandedBull.com

📋 Get Jobber – 20% Off for 6 Months Sign Up Here

🏗 EQUIP Exposition — Save 50% Register Now Use promo code: SIDEHUSTLE at checkout

👟 Save 10% on KUJO Yardwear Shop Now Discount automatically applies

📅 LiveSwitch Book a Demo

📬 PostcardMania Learn More

💵 Relay – Powerful Business Banking for Small Business Owners Learn More

💵 Lawntrapreneur Academy Live (Nov 7-8, 2026) – Learn what's actually working from top-performing lawn care pros. Learn More

PermaGreen – Triumph Ride-On Spreader Sprayer Learn More
10 min

About Side Hustle Squad

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to the Side Hustle Squad Podcast with your host, Mike Garvey! My goal is to provide entrepreneurs with all the tools and resources they need to start and succeed in the lawn care industry on the side while working a full-time career. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, or thinking about taking the leap into starting a business, this podcast will help you build and grow. Guests from the green industry and beyond will be on the show to share their experiences and advice. I provide in-depth interviews with successful entrepreneurs, offering insight into what it takes to succeed in running a business.