Side Hustle Squad

A great meeting, event, or introduction can open the door, but the follow-up is what turns that opportunity into real business. In this episode, Mike discusses the momentum created by the recent ROPED event, Coastal Fertilization's expansion into North Jersey, and the new opportunities developing with landscapers, colleges, public agencies, and industry partners. He also shares practical lessons on staying professionally persistent, creating clear next steps, building the right team, and following up without becoming annoying.

🎙 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

We're recapping an incredible ROPED event that brought together landscaping professionals, business leaders, Kress leadership, and people interested in the future of outdoor power equipment. I share the biggest takeaways from the day, the reaction to Kress commercial battery equipment and robotic mowing technology, and why seeing this equipment operate in person changes the entire conversation. We also discuss what we learned, the growing opportunities with landscapers and organizations, and what's next for ROPED as we help move the industry toward a safer, smarter, and more efficient future.

🎙 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

Fall is coming, and now is the time to start filling the schedule. In this quick episode, I break down what we're doing to create urgency around aeration and overseeding, reconnect with existing customers, and keep new business flowing in.

I talk about why your current customer list is one of your biggest marketing opportunities, why you need to promote a service more than once, and how simple things like texts, emails, social media, and neighborhood marketing can make a huge difference.

Whether you're selling lawn treatments, aeration and seeding, or even trying to fill a live event, the lesson is the same: don't wait until you need the business to start asking for it.

🎙 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

A lot is happening right now, so I wanted to jump on for a quick update. I talk about what's going on at Coastal Fertilization & Weed Control, the continued growth of Coastal of North Jersey, and what we're building with ROPED as we continue pushing battery-powered equipment and robotics into the commercial market. I also give a preview of our upcoming live Kress event here in New Jersey, bringing together landscapers and industry professionals to see the equipment, technology, and robotics firsthand.

Multiple businesses, a lot of moving pieces, and some big opportunities ahead. Here's a quick look at where everything stands and what we're working toward next.

🎙 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

In this solo episode, I'm answering three of the business questions I get asked all the time: What's the best piece of business advice I've ever received? What would I do differently if I could go back and start over? And what do I believe about business today that I didn't believe 10 years ago?

I get into building a business that doesn't completely depend on you, thinking bigger sooner, investing in the right people and opportunities, and why relationships and reputation become more valuable the longer you're in business. No guest and no complicated format, just a quick conversation about some of the biggest lessons I've learned from actually building businesses.

🎙 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

In this episode, I sit down to talk about what we're building with ROPED and why our upcoming live event is about a lot more than just demonstrating equipment. We're bringing together landscapers, industry leaders, business owners, and the Kress leadership team to see firsthand where robotic mowing, battery-powered equipment, and the future of the green industry are headed. I talk about how the idea for the event came together, why we decided to host it in New Jersey, what people can expect when they show up, and why I believe getting contractors in front of this technology is so important. This is a behind-the-scenes look at building the event, building ROPED, and trying to help push our industry forward.

🎙 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

Eric Triplett and I sit down with Naylor Taliaferro from PodHouse at the Lawn & Landscape Technology Conference to talk about what he has cooking for Louisville. We get into some upcoming announcements around LCR Summit, what Naylor is planning during Equip Expo, and how he continues to build LCR into something bigger than just another industry event. Louisville is going to be a big week for the lawn and landscape industry, and Naylor gives us a preview of what's ahead. Recorded live from PodHouse at the Lawn & Landscape Technology Conference.

🎙 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

Mike Garvey and Eric Triplett sit down at PodHouse Scottsdale to recap the Lawn & Landscape Technology Conference. We talk about what stood out at the show, some of our biggest takeaways, the technology and conversations that caught our attention, and of course, some of the funny moments that happened along the way. We also get into what we were doing in Scottsdale with PodHouse, the people we connected with, and why getting outside your normal circle and into rooms like this can change the way you look at your business. No script. Just two business owners sitting down after a busy few days to talk about what we saw, what we learned, and what we'll take home.

🎙 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

Michelle Marshall joins the podcast to share what it's really like building a successful business alongside her husband, Eric at Marshall Lawn Solutions. We dive into the unique challenges and rewards of being business partners and life partners, how they're navigating rapid growth, building a new shop, hiring the right people, and creating systems that will support the company's future. It's an honest conversation about entrepreneurship, leadership, family, and what it takes to keep growing without losing sight of what matters most. Whether you're running a family business or looking to scale your company, this episode is packed with practical insights and real-world experience.

🎙 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

If you plan to exit your business one day, this episode is a must-listen.

Mike sits down with Dennis Hering of Advisory Investment Bank, a firm that specializes in helping home service business owners successfully sell their companies. Acting as the bridge between business owners and private equity firms, Dennis shares what separates businesses that command premium valuations from those that struggle to attract buyers.

In this conversation, we cover:

• What private equity firms are actually looking for when evaluating a business
• Why recurring revenue dramatically increases company value
• The importance of documented systems, processes, and automation
• How to reduce owner dependency and build a business that can thrive without you
• Common mistakes owners make before going to market
• How to start preparing for a successful exit years before you're ready to sell

Whether you're planning to sell in two years or twenty, this episode will change the way you think about building your company. The goal isn't just to build a great business—it's to build one that's valuable, transferable, and ready for the next chapter.

🎙 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