In this episode of The Green Grind Podcast, we're revisiting one of our most impactful conversations with Tommy Mello, founder of A1 Garage Door Service. Tommy shares the journey of building his company from a struggling startup into one of the largest garage door service companies in the country, along with the mindset, leadership, and systems that helped fuel that growth.

Throughout the episode, Tommy dives into topics like building strong company culture, investing in your people, developing systems that scale, and surrounding yourself with the right mentors and leaders. Even though Tommy comes from the garage door industry, the lessons he shares apply to anyone looking to grow a service-based business.

If you're looking for insight on leadership, culture, and building a company that lasts, this throwback episode is packed with value.

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In this episode of The Green Grind Podcast, Kory sits down solo while LeRoy is away and welcomes special guest Daison Pursley, professional sprint car driver of the NAPA Auto Parts #9 car for Kasey Kahne Racing, competing on the World of Outlaws sprint car circuit, for a conversation that goes far beyond lawn care.

While this isn't a traditional green industry business episode, the lessons hit just as hard. Daison shares his journey through the world of sprint car racing—from getting started in Oklahoma to competing at the highest level of outlaw sprint car racing and navigating the highs and lows of a demanding motorsports career. He opens up about overcoming adversity, facing moments where racing again wasn't guaranteed, and the mindset it takes to stay focused and keep pushing forward when everything feels uncertain.

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In this episode of The Green Grind Podcast, LeRoy and Kory sit down with special guest Jesus Nieto for a powerful conversation about growth, grit, and building something bigger than yourself in the green industry.

Jesus shares his journey — from early challenges and learning curves to developing the mindset and structure necessary to scale. The discussion dives deep into leadership evolution, operational discipline, and the personal growth required to move from simply working hard to working strategically.

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In this episode of The Green Grind, LeRoy and Kory sit down with Chase Stetson — known across the industry as "That Lawn Dude" — to talk about the energy and authority he's built on social media and how that visibility translates into real business growth.

Chase shares how consistency, personality, and discipline helped him stand out in a crowded green industry space, while also navigating the pressure that comes with being highly visible online. The conversation digs into balancing content creation with running a structured, profitable operation, and making sure the brand behind the camera is backed by solid systems and numbers.

If you're building both a business and a presence, this episode breaks down what it really takes to sustain momentum in both.

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In this episode of The Green Grind, Kory and LeRoy sit down with Jordan Smith of Storm Equipment to talk about one of the biggest shifts happening in snow and ice management: liquid deicing. Jordan shares how he went from running a lawn and snow company in Minnesota to building a liquid equipment brand that eventually partnered with Boss Snowplow and Toro—all rooted in trial, error, and a relentless drive to find a better way.

The conversation dives into why liquids aren't just another product, but a culture shift from reactive salting to proactive strategy. They break down the hidden long-term costs of salt, how better scraping and pretreatment reduce liability, and why seasonal contracts reward efficiency over over-application. If you're dealing with salt shortages, rising costs, or looking for a competitive edge in your market, this episode challenges you to rethink how you run your snow operation.

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In this episode of The Green Grind, LeRoy and Kory sit down with Angela Chanowsky, Founder & CEO of Unique Genius, for a practical conversation about delegation, focus, and getting out of the daily grind as a business owner.

Angela shares why missed calls, admin overload, and trying to do everything yourself quietly limit growth—and how strategic virtual partners can help contractors reclaim their time, improve follow-up, and scale with intention. The discussion covers what a strong VA partnership really looks like, when to hire support, and how operating inside your unique genius creates better businesses and better lives.

If you're stuck in the weeds and ready to build a business that runs smoother without burning you out, this episode delivers!

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In this episode of The Green Grind, LeRoy and Kory sit down with Jim Parker of The Lawn Boss for a real, experience-driven conversation about longevity, leadership, and doing business the right way—especially when the grind gets heavy.

Jim works with lawn and landscape business owners to help them get their companies ready to sell, and he shares lessons learned from years in the industry along the way. From mistakes and adjustments to mindset shifts that only come with time, this episode focuses less on hype and more on building a solid, sustainable business that can stand on its own—now and in the future.

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In this episode of The Green Grind, LeRoy and Kory sit down with Timon Nadarevic of Stipez Site Management for a candid, experience-driven conversation about consistency, responsibility, and what it truly takes to build a durable business over time.

Timon shares lessons earned through years of hands-on fieldwork, high-pressure decision-making, and navigating the real challenges that come with growth. The discussion draws a clear line between chasing short-term wins and committing to long-term standards—both in business and in life.

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In this episode of The Green Grind, LeRoy and Kory sit down with Ezra for a grounded, real-world conversation about growth, responsibility, and the personal development required to lead a business forward.

Ezra shares his journey through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship—learning how pressure, mistakes, and accountability shape not only better businesses, but better leaders. The discussion focuses on what happens when ambition meets reality, and how intentional thinking, discipline, and ownership determine whether growth becomes freedom or chaos.

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In this episode of The Green Grind, LeRoy and Kory dig into the real conversations contractors need to hear—but rarely do. No hype. No shortcuts. Just honest talk about business, pressure, leadership, and the realities of growth in the green industry.

The guys break down what happens when hustle alone stops working and why so many contractors stay stuck despite working harder every year. From mindset shifts to real-world decision-making, this episode challenges listeners to stop operating on emotion and start building with intention.

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