Andy hit the wall this season: two crews running, three jobs in the air, and one guy selling, designing, project managing, and ordering materials for all of it. The choice was simple — go back to one crew or get real help. This week he walks through hiring his first designer/field specialist, the most thorough onboarding day he's ever done, and the weight already lifting off his shoulders before the work has even started.

Also in this episode: a tornado that lifted a grill clean out of a grill island (and somehow left the granite alone), the Kenworth still stuck at the paint shop over a mis-cut rear window, the "Little Ripper" shop car that cost a fraction of a work truck, and an honest conversation about boats, cottages, and why he won't buy either until he could light that money on fire without it changing his world.

Sponsors: Engcon, PaveTool Innovators (code MULDEROUTDOORS50), SynkedUp (code MULDER for $100 off the Contractor Summit, Sept 10–11), and Ozinga.

📸 Instagram: @mulderoutdoors 🛒 Shop Mulder Outdoors: mulderoutdoors.com/shop

Save 10% on top resources with code: MULDERLIFEPODCAST

• 📘 How to Price My Job

• 🛒 Amazon Store

• 🧱 Pave Tool — Use MULDEROUTDOORS50 to get $50 off a purchase of $500 or more

• 🔪 Blades Direct — Use MULDER20 to save $20

• 📏 Perma Paver Edging

• 🚧 SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software

• 👷 Brunt Workwear — Use MulderOutdoors10 to save $10

• 🍬 Albanese Candy — Official Candy of the Podcast

• 🛠️ Automatic Supply / Heritage Plus — Use MULDERLIFEPODCAST for 15% off (up to $1,500 — one per company)

• 🧱 Unilock

• 🎨 Dirty Graphix

• ⚙️ CMP Attachments

• 🚧 Engcon

• 🚜 A&D Equipment

• 📚 The Hardscape Academy

• 🪨 Amborn Stone — Call: 913-837-6729

• 💎 Latux Diamond Blades — Use code MULDER to save 20%

Andy discusses how to manage difficult clients by focusing on clear communication and expectation-setting, using natural stone color variation as the main example. He explains that natural stone has a "color range," can vary from the sample, and may be difficult to match across different orders or timeframes, so those realities should be stated in estimates to prevent disputes. Andy shares why he stopped doing detailed line-item pricing after a client questioned exact material quantities and refunds, and he emphasizes confidently framing fixed-price work. He also recounts a storm-driven tree cleanup job where a neighbor's concerns highlighted the need to clarify access, potential turf damage, and what is or isn't included in the price.

📸 Instagram: @mulderoutdoors 🛒 Shop Mulder Outdoors: mulderoutdoors.com/shop

Save 10% on top resources with code: MULDERLIFEPODCAST

• 📘 How to Price My Job

• 🛒 Amazon Store

• 🧱 Pave Tool — Use MULDEROUTDOORS50 to get $50 off a purchase of $500 or more

• 🔪 Blades Direct — Use MULDER20 to save $20

• 📏 Perma Paver Edging

• 🚧 SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software

• 👷 Brunt Workwear — Use MulderOutdoors10 to save $10

• 🍬 Albanese Candy — Official Candy of the Podcast

• 🛠️ Automatic Supply / Heritage Plus — Use MULDERLIFEPODCAST for 15% off (up to $1,500 — one per company)

• 🧱 Unilock

• 🎨 Dirty Graphix

• ⚙️ CMP Attachments

• 🚧 Engcon

• 🚜 A&D Equipment

• 📚 The Hardscape Academy

• 🪨 Amborn Stone — Call: 913-837-6729

• 💎 Latux Diamond Blades — Use code MULDER to save 20%

Andy shares his plans to turn a used 2017 Kenworth T270 into a SwapLoader hook lift truck, including several flatbeds, dumpsters, and a mobile tool-storage container. He also talks about buying a Honda Civic shop car, testing a John Deere 444 loader, and improving efficiency with new equipment and on-site concrete crushing.

📸 Instagram: @mulderoutdoors 🛒 Shop Mulder Outdoors: mulderoutdoors.com/shop

Save 10% on top resources with code: MULDERLIFEPODCAST

• 📘 How to Price My Job

• 🛒 Amazon Store

• 🧱 Pave Tool — Use MULDEROUTDOORS50 to get $50 off a purchase of $500 or more

• 🔪 Blades Direct — Use MULDER20 to save $20

• 📏 Perma Paver Edging

• 🚧 SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software

• 👷 Brunt Workwear — Use MulderOutdoors10 to save $10

• 🍬 Albanese Candy — Official Candy of the Podcast

• 🛠️ Automatic Supply / Heritage Plus — Use MULDERLIFEPODCAST for 15% off (up to $1,500 — one per company)

• 🧱 Unilock

• 🎨 Dirty Graphix

• ⚙️ CMP Attachments

• 🚧 Engcon

• 🚜 A&D Equipment

• 📚 The Hardscape Academy

• 🪨 Amborn Stone — Call: 913-837-6729

• 💎 Latux Diamond Blades — Use code MULDER to save 20%

Andy shares how cutting fast food, soda, and emotional eating helped him drop from about 238 to 203 pounds, improve his energy, and reduce back pain. He hopes to lose 40 pounds by his 40th birthday in December. He also answers questions about fasting, cold plunges, and hunting, recaps a father-son off-roading trip, and shares that his team is booked for the season.

📸 Instagram: @mulderoutdoors 🛒 Shop Mulder Outdoors: mulderoutdoors.com/shop

Save 10% on top resources with code: MULDERLIFEPODCAST

• 📘 How to Price My Job

• 🛒 Amazon Store

• 🧱 Pave Tool — Use MULDEROUTDOORS50 to get $50 off a purchase of $500 or more

• 🔪 Blades Direct — Use MULDER20 to save $20

• 📏 Perma Paver Edging

• 🚧 SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software

• 👷 Brunt Workwear — Use MulderOutdoors10 to save $10

• 🍬 Albanese Candy — Official Candy of the Podcast

• 🛠️ Automatic Supply / Heritage Plus — Use MULDERLIFEPODCAST for 15% off (up to $1,500 — one per company)

• 🧱 Unilock

• 🎨 Dirty Graphix

• ⚙️ CMP Attachments

• 🚧 Engcon

• 🚜 A&D Equipment

• 📚 The Hardscape Academy

• 🪨 Amborn Stone — Call: 913-837-6729

• 💎 Latux Diamond Blades — Use code MULDER to save 20%

This episode of the Mulder Life Podcast features an interview with Donna and Anthony of A&D Equipment following a successful open house event. The conversation highlights the value of hands-on equipment demos, specifically focusing on the efficiency and revenue potential of screening and crushing buckets. Anthony explains how recycling waste material on-site can significantly reduce disposal fees and transportation costs for contractors. They also discuss the importance of technical education, detailing how they use technology like QR codes to provide ongoing customer support.

📸 Instagram: @mulderoutdoors 🛒 Shop Mulder Outdoors: mulderoutdoors.com/shop

Save 10% on top resources with code: MULDERLIFEPODCAST

• 📘 How to Price My Job

• 🛒 Amazon Store

• 🧱 Pave Tool — Use MULDEROUTDOORS50 to get $50 off a purchase of $500 or more

• 🔪 Blades Direct — Use MULDER20 to save $20

• 📏 Perma Paver Edging

• 🚧 SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software

• 👷 Brunt Workwear — Use MulderOutdoors10 to save $10

• 🍬 Albanese Candy — Official Candy of the Podcast

• 🛠️ Automatic Supply / Heritage Plus — Use MULDERLIFEPODCAST for 15% off (up to $1,500 — one per company)

• 🧱 Unilock

• 🎨 Dirty Graphix

• ⚙️ CMP Attachments

• 🚧 Engcon

• 🚜 A&D Equipment

• 📚 The Hardscape Academy

• 🪨 Amborn Stone — Call: 913-837-6729

• 💎 Latux Diamond Blades — Use code MULDER to save 20%

Andy previews the upcoming Mulder Outdoors Engcon Demo Day and open house, featuring equipment demos, vendors, giveaways, and free food. He shares preparations for the event, including expanding the parking area, staging machines and attachments, and setting up demonstrations for the PaveTool Multi 6, screening buckets, tilt rotators, and an MB crushing bucket. Andy also reflects on how social media helped build the relationships behind the event, offers advice for growing businesses to prioritize profit and management over gross revenue, and wraps up with a discussion about wheelbarrows and powered alternatives.

🚨 Engcon Demo Day & Shop Open House 🚨 Saturday, July 25

RSVP here: https://mulderoutdoors.com/open-house-rsvp/

📸 Instagram: @mulderoutdoors 🛒 Shop Mulder Outdoors: mulderoutdoors.com/shop

Save 10% on top resources with code: MULDERLIFEPODCAST

• 📘 How to Price My Job

• 🛒 Amazon Store

• 🧱 Pave Tool — Use MULDEROUTDOORS50 to get $50 off a purchase of $500 or more

• 🔪 Blades Direct — Use MULDER20 to save $20

• 📏 Perma Paver Edging

• 🚧 SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software

• 👷 Brunt Workwear — Use MulderOutdoors10 to save $10

• 🍬 Albanese Candy — Official Candy of the Podcast

• 🛠️ Automatic Supply / Heritage Plus — Use MULDERLIFEPODCAST for 15% off (up to $1,500 — one per company)

• 🧱 Unilock

• 🎨 Dirty Graphix

• ⚙️ CMP Attachments

• 🚧 Engcon

• 🚜 A&D Equipment

• 📚 The Hardscape Academy

• 🪨 Amborn Stone — Call: 913-837-6729

• 💎 Latux Diamond Blades — Use code MULDER to save 20%

Andy reflects on the preventable death of a local landscaper in a jobsite accident and urges contractors to slow down, maintain equipment, and make crew safety the priority. He also encourages business owners to prepare for the unexpected with life insurance, wills, passwords, records, and a clear business continuity plan.

🚨 Engcon Demo Day & Shop Open House 🚨 Saturday, July 25

RSVP here: https://mulderoutdoors.com/open-house-rsvp/

📸 Instagram: @mulderoutdoors 🛒 Shop Mulder Outdoors: mulderoutdoors.com/shop

Save 10% on top resources with code: MULDERLIFEPODCAST

• 📘 How to Price My Job

• 🛒 Amazon Store

• 🧱 Pave Tool — Use MULDEROUTDOORS50 to get $50 off a purchase of $500 or more

• 🔪 Blades Direct — Use MULDER20 to save $20

• 📏 Perma Paver Edging

• 🚧 SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software

• 👷 Brunt Workwear — Use MulderOutdoors10 to save $10

• 🍬 Albanese Candy — Official Candy of the Podcast

• 🛠️ Automatic Supply / Heritage Plus — Use MULDERLIFEPODCAST for 15% off (up to $1,500 — one per company)

• 🧱 Unilock

• 🎨 Dirty Graphix

• ⚙️ CMP Attachments

• 🚧 Engcon

• 🚜 A&D Equipment

• 📚 The Hardscape Academy

• 🪨 Amborn Stone — Call: 913-837-6729

• 💎 Latux Diamond Blades — Use code MULDER to save 20%

Andy shares how steady growth, hard work, and smart business decisions are helping him live the American dream through landscape success. He covers updates on the new shop, managing two busy crews, an upcoming open house and equipment demo day, advice on buying used equipment, a change in landscape edging, and future opportunities for the business.

🚨 Engcon Demo Day & Shop Open House 🚨 Saturday, July 25

RSVP here: https://mulderoutdoors.com/open-house-rsvp/

📸 Instagram: @mulderoutdoors 🛒 Shop Mulder Outdoors: mulderoutdoors.com/shop

Save 10% on top resources with code: MULDERLIFEPODCAST

• 📘 How to Price My Job

• 🛒 Amazon Store

• 🧱 Pave Tool — Use MULDEROUTDOORS50 to get $50 off a purchase of $500 or more

• 🔪 Blades Direct — Use MULDER20 to save $20

• 📏 Perma Paver Edging

• 🚧 SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software

• 👷 Brunt Workwear — Use MulderOutdoors10 to save $10

• 🍬 Albanese Candy — Official Candy of the Podcast

• 🛠️ Automatic Supply / Heritage Plus — Use MULDERLIFEPODCAST for 15% off (up to $1,500 — one per company)

• 🧱 Unilock

• 🎨 Dirty Graphix

• ⚙️ CMP Attachments

• 🚧 Engcon

• 🚜 A&D Equipment

• 📚 The Hardscape Academy

• 🪨 Amborn Stone — Call: 913-837-6729

• 💎 Latux Diamond Blades — Use code MULDER to save 20%

Andy looks back on the Landscape Masterpiece project and how it shaped the future of Mulder Outdoors. He talks about why that job still feels like a pinch-me moment, how great work opens doors, and why 12 years of consistency, craftsmanship, communication, and customer service matter more than any single project. Andy also shares honest thoughts on hiring, answering the phone, giving clients bad news early, and building a company that people trust.

🚨 Engcon Demo Day & Shop Open House 🚨 Saturday, July 25

RSVP here: https://mulderoutdoors.com/open-house-rsvp/

📸 Instagram: @mulderoutdoors 🛒 Shop Mulder Outdoors: mulderoutdoors.com/shop

Save 10% on top resources with code: MULDERLIFEPODCAST

• 📘 How to Price My Job

• 🛒 Amazon Store

• 🧱 Pave Tool — Use MULDEROUTDOORS50 to get $50 off a purchase of $500 or more

• 🔪 Blades Direct — Use MULDER20 to save $20

• 📏 Perma Paver Edging

• 🚧 SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software

• 👷 Brunt Workwear — Use MulderOutdoors10 to save $10

• 🍬 Albanese Candy — Official Candy of the Podcast

• 🛠️ Automatic Supply / Heritage Plus — Use MULDERLIFEPODCAST for 15% off (up to $1,500 — one per company)

• 🧱 Unilock

• 🎨 Dirty Graphix

• ⚙️ CMP Attachments

• 🚧 Engcon

• 🚜 A&D Equipment

• 📚 The Hardscape Academy

• 🪨 Amborn Stone — Call: 913-837-6729

• 💎 Latux Diamond Blades — Use code MULDER to save 20%

For a Father's Day special, Andy shares a personal list of 60 lessons his late father taught him—ranging from practical skills with tools, trucks, boating, and work ethic to marriage, parenting, leadership, faith, and family dinner—explaining his hope that sharing it encourages better fathers and preserves family memories.

🚨 Engcon Demo Day & Shop Open House 🚨 Saturday, July 25

RSVP here: https://mulderoutdoors.com/open-house-rsvp/

📸 Instagram: @mulderoutdoors 🛒 Shop Mulder Outdoors: mulderoutdoors.com/shop

Save 10% on top resources with code: MULDERLIFEPODCAST

• 📘 How to Price My Job

• 🛒 Amazon Store

• 🧱 Pave Tool — Use MULDEROUTDOORS50 to get $50 off a purchase of $500 or more

• 🔪 Blades Direct — Use MULDER20 to save $20

• 📏 Perma Paver Edging

• 🚧 SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software

• 👷 Brunt Workwear — Use MulderOutdoors10 to save $10

• 🍬 Albanese Candy — Official Candy of the Podcast

• 🛠️ Automatic Supply / Heritage Plus — Use MULDERLIFEPODCAST for 15% off (up to $1,500 — one per company)

• 🧱 Unilock

• 🎨 Dirty Graphix

• ⚙️ CMP Attachments

• 🚧 Engcon

• 🚜 A&D Equipment

• 📚 The Hardscape Academy

• 🪨 Amborn Stone — Call: 913-837-6729

• 💎 Latux Diamond Blades — Use code MULDER to save 20%