In this special 100th episode of The Grow Show, Marty Grunder, CEO of Grunder Landscaping Company and The Grow Group, welcomes his younger brother, Rich Grunder. Rich is employee #2 at Grunder Landscaping Co. Holding the title of "most fired and rehired employee" in the company's history. 

Together, they reminisce about their early days of starting the landscaping business, sharing stories about overcoming challenges, dealing with tough clients, and the experiences that shaped their work ethic. 

Rich, who now works in wealth management in Seattle, talks about his journey, including his time fighting forest fires in Alaska, and the lessons learned from their parents. They also discuss the value of gratitude, business insights for 2025, and the importance of allowing kids to grow and learn from their own experiences.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

00:00 - Introduction & Special Guest Announcement

01:47 - Introducing Rich Grunder

04:21 - Early Landscaping Memories

10:11 - Funny and Embarrassing Moments in the Early Years

16:21 - Marty’s Management Style Early On

20:01 - Lessons Learned from Early Business Challenges

22:53 - Reflecting on Family Dynamics

24:31 - The Influence of Parents

28:48 - Leadership Lessons From Mom

30:29 - Baseball and Business Insights for 2025

33:46 - Reflecting as Parents

36:42 - Closing Thoughts

Subscribe and share the Grow Show to help more landscape pros discover it. Thank you for being part of our community.

The Grow Show podcast is sponsored by STIHL and brought to you by The Grow Group - a leading coaching and education firm for landscape professionals. Your host is Marty Grunder, president and CEO of The Grow Group and Grunder Landscaping Co., one of the most successful design-build operations of its kind in the Midwest. The Grow Show shares ideas, tips, tactics, and insights that will help you grow your landscaping business.

Resources:

Virtual Sales Bootcamp  

Grunder Landscaping Field Trips  

The Grow Group   

Grunder Landscaping   

Marty Grunder LinkedIn  

Stihl  

In this episode of The Grow Show powered by Stihl, Marty Grunder from Grunder Landscaping Company and The Grow Group shares actionable sales tips to help you improve your sales strategies. Marty emphasizes the importance of daily routines in sales, focusing on three key actions: prospecting, nurturing relationships, and closing deals. He also highlights the significance of follow-up post-sale and appreciating your team members. Marty’s insights are designed to help you manage your time effectively and build lasting relationships with clients, ensuring repeat business and referrals. Subscribe to stay updated and boost your sales performance!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

00:00 - Welcome to the Grow Show

00:23 - Show Introduction

03:16 - Daily Sales Routine: Prospect, Nurture, Close

05:10 - Nurture Relationships

07:16 - Close the Deal!

09:44 - The Real Selling Starts After The Sale

11:38 - Show Appreciation for Your Team

15:15 - Conclusion and Upcoming Events

Subscribe and share the Grow Show to help more landscape pros discover it. Thank you for being part of our community.

The Grow Show podcast is sponsored by STIHL and brought to you by The Grow Group - a leading coaching and education firm for landscape professionals. Your host is Marty Grunder, president and CEO of The Grow Group and Grunder Landscaping Co., one of the most successful design-build operations of its kind in the Midwest. The Grow Show shares ideas, tips, tactics, and insights that will help you grow your landscaping business.

Resources:

Virtual Sales Bootcamp  

Grunder Landscaping Field Trips  

The Grow Group   

Grunder Landscaping   

Marty Grunder LinkedIn  

Stihl  

In this episode of The Grow Show, Marty Grunder from Grunder Landscaping Company and the Grow Group discusses spring cleanups with Alan Whitt, a group leader at the company. They emphasize the importance of having a systematic approach to ensure efficiency and quality in cleanup tasks. Alan shares his role in supporting team members, the tasks involved in a spring cleanup, and the importance of training and consistent communication. The episode also highlights the use of technology like Microsoft Outlook's Q function and the Aspire system to improve efficiency and work-life balance. Marty and Alan discuss leadership styles, team dynamics, and goals for continued growth and improvement in 2025.

00:00 - Intro

00:23 - Introduction & Greeting from Marty

01:05 - Microsoft Outlook’s Q Function Increases Communication

02:16 - Introducing Alan Whitt & The Role of A Group Leader

05:18 - Spring Cleanup Systems

10:40 - Team Coordination, Language Barriers & Solutions

13:04 - Implementing Technology in Landscaping

16:17 - Specific Ways to Lead Your Team Members

17:49 - Reflecting on Past Successes & Building Relationships

21:49 - Maintaining High Standards From Top to Bottom in a Company

23:52 - Conclusion and Invitation

Show Notes: 

Structured System for Tasks Like Spring Cleanups: Implementing a system for tasks like spring cleanups helps ensure efficiency, consistency, and quality across different job sites. It allows teams to follow a standardized process, resulting in better outcomes and time management.

Role of a Group Leader: Group leaders are essential in preparing and planning tasks for team members. They assist in identifying potential issues ahead of time and streamline the work process, which is crucial for minimizing delays and ensuring projects are completed smoothly.

Continuous Training and Cross-Training: Regular training and cross-training enable team members to be versatile and capable of handling various tasks. This approach ensures that the team remains adaptable, especially when there are absences or unexpected changes in the workload.

Utilizing Technology: Leveraging tools like Microsoft Outlook's Q function and the Aspire system enhances project management and operational efficiency. It allows for better planning, communication, and tracking, ultimately leading to increased productivity and profitability.

Maintaining Professionalism: Professionalism in attire, behavior, and cleanliness of equipment and vehicles builds client trust and portrays a positive company image. This practice is critical for client satisfaction and helps in securing repeat business and referrals.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

Subscribe and share the Grow Show to help more landscape pros discover it. Thank you for being part of our community.

The Grow Show podcast is sponsored by STIHL and brought to you by The Grow Group - a leading coaching and education firm for landscape professionals. Your host is Marty Grunder, president and CEO of The Grow Group and Grunder Landscaping Co., one of the most successful design-build operations of its kind in the Midwest. The Grow Show shares ideas, tips, tactics, and insights that will help you grow your landscaping business.

Resources:

Virtual Sales Bootcamp  

Grunder Landscaping Field Trips  

The Grow Group   

Grunder Landscaping   

Marty Grunder LinkedIn  

Stihl  

As our team is onsite for GROW! 2025 this week, Marty shares his tips for making the most of industry events by prioritizing the take-aways you'll implement, having a growth mindset, and getting your team onboard for changes. 

Action Steps:

00:00 - Introduction & Welcome

01:38 - Recap of Grow 2025 Event

02:09 - Strategies to Prioritize Tasks

03:50 - Organize Your Thoughts Through Bracketology

09:30 - How to Implement Your Action Plan

14:08 - Stay Focused and Find Accountability

18:26 - Share Goals and Seek Help When Necessary

23:42 - Reward Success & Celebrate Achievements

26:55 - Final Thoughts

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

Looking forward to GROW! 2025 next month!

Subscribe and share the Grow Show to help more landscape pros discover it. Thank you for being part of our community.

The Grow Show podcast is sponsored by STIHL and brought to you by The Grow Group - a leading coaching and education firm for landscape professionals. Your host is Marty Grunder, president and CEO of The Grow Group and Grunder Landscaping Co., one of the most successful design-build operations of its kind in the Midwest. The Grow Show shares ideas, tips, tactics, and insights that will help you grow your landscaping business.

Resources:

Virtual Sales Bootcamp  

Grunder Landscaping Field Trips  

GROW! 2025 Feb 25-27, Columbus OH  

The Grow Group   

Grunder Landscaping   

Marty Grunder LinkedIn  

Stihl  

In this episode of The Grow Show powered by Stihl, host Marty Grunder speaks with Greg Cole from Cole Landscaping outside of Boston. The conversation emphasizes building a strong culture, setting clear goals, and the importance of giving back to both the community and the industry. 

00:00 - Welcome to the Grow Show

01:42 - Meet Greg Cole from Cole Landscaping

02:17 - Greg’s Journey into Landscaping

05:28 - Challenges and Mentorship As a Business Grows

10:34 - Greg’s Personal Growth and Transformation

14:59 - Time Management and Building Daily Habits

21:24 - Greg’s Open Book Philosophy

23:52 - Things to Learn From Smaller Companies

27:56 - Embracing Technology for Growth

29:23 - Greg’s Advice to Younger Self

31:42 - Strategies to Build a Positive Culture

35:12 - The Importance of Giving Back

39:09 - The Impact of Collaboration and Networking

40:36 - Final Thoughts

Show Notes:

Personal Development and Health Impact Business Success: Focusing on personal growth and health can transform your mindset and leadership abilities. It not only boosts your energy levels but also positively affects how you run your business.

Importance of Setting Clear Goals and Accountability: Writing down clear goals and tracking your daily activities ensures accountability and direction. Tools like Habit Tracker can help manage and achieve your targets efficiently.

Learning from and Sharing with Peers: Engaging with peer groups and sharing knowledge with both smaller and larger companies can provide fresh perspectives and innovative solutions. This peer interaction fosters continuous improvement.

Leveraging Technology for Growth: Adopting technology solutions like Aspire software is crucial for operational efficiency and growth. Integrating tech can streamline processes and help scale your business.

Building and Maintaining a Positive Culture: Creating a positive work environment through activities like morning stretch sessions and regular recognition boosts employee satisfaction and performance. A strong culture is essential for long-term success.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

Looking forward to GROW! 2025 next month!

Subscribe and share the Grow Show to help more landscape pros discover it. Thank you for being part of our community.

The Grow Show podcast is sponsored by STIHL and brought to you by The Grow Group - a leading coaching and education firm for landscape professionals. Your host is Marty Grunder, president and CEO of The Grow Group and Grunder Landscaping Co., one of the most successful design-build operations of its kind in the Midwest. The Grow Show shares ideas, tips, tactics, and insights that will help you grow your landscaping business.

Resources:

Virtual Sales Bootcamp  

Grunder Landscaping Field Trips  

GROW! 2025 Feb 25-27, Columbus OH  

The Grow Group   

Grunder Landscaping   

Marty Grunder LinkedIn  

Stihl  

In this episode of The Grow Show, Marty Grunder shares essential insights on conducting an effective seasonal kickoff meeting for landscaping businesses. Marty outlines five key strategies:

Marty emphasizes the importance of transparency, engagement, and clear communication. Sharing financial goals, company mission, core values, and creating a rallying cry to motivate the team. The episode provides a detailed walkthrough of Grunder Landscaping's 2024 kickoff meeting, highlighting how to make these gatherings both informative and inspiring.

00:00 - Introduction & Welcome

00:51 - Dealing With Challenges: A Snowstorm Story

02:01 - Seasonal Kickoff  Meetings: Importance & Best Practices

03:26 - Planning & Executing a Successful Kickoff Meeting

05:13 - Engaging Your Team: Experiential Learning

07:39 - Sharing Information & Building Trust

10:50 - Debriefing and Continuous Improvement

11:26 - Kickoff Meeting Highlights & Examples

15:51 - Conclusion & Grow 2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

Looking forward to GROW! 2025 next month!

Subscribe and share the Grow Show to help more landscape pros discover it. Thank you for being part of our community.

The Grow Show podcast is sponsored by STIHL and brought to you by The Grow Group - a leading coaching and education firm for landscape professionals. Your host is Marty Grunder, president and CEO of The Grow Group and Grunder Landscaping Co., one of the most successful design-build operations of its kind in the Midwest. The Grow Show shares ideas, tips, tactics, and insights that will help you grow your landscaping business.

Resources:

Virtual Sales Bootcamp  

Grunder Landscaping Field Trips  

GROW! 2025 Feb 25-27, Columbus OH  

The Grow Group   

Grunder Landscaping   

Marty Grunder LinkedIn  

Stihl  

In this episode of The Grow Show, hosted by Emily Lindley, content and events manager at The Grow Group and marketing manager for Grunder Landscaping Company, listeners are introduced to effective client communication strategies for landscaping companies. Emily emphasizes the importance of good communication to stand out from competitors and build trust with clients. She highlights automating communications to ease the burden on sales and production teams and shares a practical example of a sales team introduction email template. This episode offers insights on setting up efficient communication practices during the winter to prepare for the busy spring season. This topic will be spoken on in more depth at the upcoming Grow 2025 event in Columbus, Ohio.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

Discussed in this episode:

- Automate client communication where possible to alleviate workload from sales and production teams.

- Personalize communication with clients by providing detailed introduction emails featuring salespeople's backgrounds and personal touches.

- Use templates for consistent messaging; ensure every salesperson has a tailored template set up in email systems.

- Highlight company-wide promises and unique value propositions in client communications to build trust.

- Maintain high standards for team attitudes and behaviors, emphasizing friendliness, tidiness, efficiency, and preparedness.

- Encourage internal communication to prevent clients from having to repeat information, ensuring smooth transitions between sales and production teams.

- Sign off introduction emails from company leadership to emphasize the importance of the client relationship and the salesperson's role.

00:00 - Introduction & Welcome

01:32 - Importance of Client Communication

02:57 - Automating Your Communication with Clients

04:07 - Strengthen Your Sales Team Introduction Email

05:07 - Key Ways to Personalize Client Interactions

06:56 - Communicating the Company Promises and Values

08:59 - Conclusion and Invitation to Grow 2025

Looking forward to GROW! 2025 next month!

Subscribe and share the Grow Show to help more landscape pros discover it. Thank you for being part of our community.

The Grow Show podcast is sponsored by STIHL and brought to you by The Grow Group - a leading coaching and education firm for landscape professionals. Your host is Marty Grunder, president and CEO of The Grow Group and Grunder Landscaping Co., one of the most successful design-build operations of its kind in the Midwest. The Grow Show shares ideas, tips, tactics, and insights that will help you grow your landscaping business.

Resources:

Virtual Sales Bootcamp  

Grunder Landscaping Field Trips  

GROW! 2025 Feb 25-27, Columbus OH  

The Grow Group   

Grunder Landscaping   

Marty Grunder LinkedIn  

Stihl  

Discover the key differences between orientation and onboarding in this concise podcast episode. Learn why both are crucial for successfully integrating new hires and boosting long-term engagement. We'll break down how orientation sets the stage and how onboarding drives deeper employee connection and productivity and learn how RJ Lawn and Landscape and Hidden Creek do this well! Tune in to ensure your new hire process is setting your team up for success!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

In This Episode:

00:00 - Introduction & Welcome

01:58 - Defining Orientation

02:54 - Setting the Tone With Orientation

06:19 - Defining Onboarding & Effective Strategies

08:04 - Increase Retention & Engagement

10:17 - Conclusion And Final Thoughts

Looking forward to GROW! 2025 next month!

Subscribe and share the Grow Show to help more landscape pros discover it. Thank you for being part of our community.

The Grow Show podcast is sponsored by STIHL and brought to you by The Grow Group - a leading coaching and education firm for landscape professionals. Your host is Marty Grunder, president and CEO of The Grow Group and Grunder Landscaping Co., one of the most successful design-build operations of its kind in the Midwest. The Grow Show shares ideas, tips, tactics, and insights that will help you grow your landscaping business.

Resources:

Virtual Sales Bootcamp  

Grunder Landscaping Field Trips  

GROW! 2025 Feb 25-27, Columbus OH  

The Grow Group   

Grunder Landscaping   

Marty Grunder LinkedIn  

Stihl  

Show Notes: 

Orientation vs. Onboarding:

  - Orientation is a one-time event for new hires, where they get all the necessary information about the company.

  - Onboarding is a longer-term, structured process aimed at integrating new team members into the organization.

Purpose of Orientation:

  - Provides a crash course on how the company works.

  - Covers policies, procedures, paperwork, company history, and administrative tasks.

  - Sets the tone and culture of the company.

  - Helps new hires understand expectations and the working environment.

Setting the Tone:

  - Orientation can set the tone for punctuality, professionalism, and workplace culture.

  - Example contrasts of tone:

    - Bill Belichick's strict, no-nonsense orientation style with the New England Patriots.

    - Mike McDaniel’s relaxed, friendly approach with the Miami Dolphins.

Onboarding Details:

  - Involves role-specific training and development.

  - Includes continuous feedback and performance assessments.

  - Common practice of 30, 60, 90-day check-ins to ensure ongoing support and engagement.

Long-term Goals of Onboarding:

  - Ensures new team members are productive and engaged.

  - Focuses on both job performance and employee satisfaction.

Impact of Effective Onboarding:

  - Increases retention and job satisfaction.

  - Enhances overall company success by creating a strong, engaged workforce.

In this episode, Marty Grunder and Vince Torchia discuss the 4 Pillars of Success and what successful landscaping companies are doing in 2025 to ensure they have strength in their Platform, People, Process, and Profits.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

️  Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

In This Episode:

00:00 - Start

00:24 - Introduction and Welcome

01:59 - The Four PIllars of Success

02:45 - Deep Dive into Platform

07:39 - Focusing on People

10:02 - Thoughts on the Current Labor Market

15:34 - Optimizing Processes

19:26 - Driving Profits

23:12 - Grow Event 2025

Looking forward to GROW! 2025 next month!

Subscribe and share the Grow Show to help more landscape pros discover it. Thank you for being part of our community.

The Grow Show podcast is sponsored by STIHL and brought to you by The Grow Group - a leading coaching and education firm for landscape professionals. Your host is Marty Grunder, president and CEO of The Grow Group and Grunder Landscaping Co., one of the most successful design-build operations of its kind in the Midwest. The Grow Show shares ideas, tips, tactics, and insights that will help you grow your landscaping business.

Resources:

Virtual Sales Bootcamp  

Grunder Landscaping Field Trips  

GROW! 2025 Feb 25-27, Columbus OH  

The Grow Group   

Grunder Landscaping   

Marty Grunder LinkedIn  

Stihl  

In Episode 91 of The Grow Show, Marty Grunder from Grunder Landscaping and the Grow Group provides valuable insights into effective leadership. Marty emphasizes the importance of leading by example, maintaining integrity, showing enthusiasm, and communicating effectively. He shares personal anecdotes and actionable steps to become a better leader in 2025, including being proactive, taking risks, and embracing challenges with a positive mindset. Additionally, Marty underscores the importance of setting a clear vision and purpose, and constantly working on self-improvement. The episode concludes with an invitation to the Grow 2025 event in Columbus, Ohio, focusing on leadership, sales, and finance.

Leave a Review for the Grow Show!

Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel!

In This Episode:

(00:00) - Introduction & Welcome

(02:28) - Leading By Example

(03:36) - Embracing Challenges

(06:17) - Bring the Juice!

(08:20) - Communicate Effectively

(13:08) - 4 Steps to Better Communication

(16:23) - Impact for the Better

(17:54) - Fix Problems With TNT

Looking forward to GROW! 2025 next month!

Subscribe and share the Grow Show to help more landscape pros discover it. Thank you for being part of our community.

The Grow Show podcast is sponsored by STIHL and brought to you by The Grow Group - a leading coaching and education firm for landscape professionals. Your host is Marty Grunder, president and CEO of The Grow Group and Grunder Landscaping Co., one of the most successful design-build operations of its kind in the Midwest. The Grow Show shares ideas, tips, tactics, and insights that will help you grow your landscaping business.

Resources:

Virtual Sales Bootcamp  

Grunder Landscaping Field Trips  

GROW! 2025 Feb 25-27, Columbus OH  

The Grow Group   

Grunder Landscaping   

Marty Grunder LinkedIn  

Stihl