Episodios

  • Ep 697. Why a New Hire's Failure is 100% Your Fault with Sam Gembel

    Ep 697. Why a New Hire's Failure is 100% Your Fault with Sam Gembel
    Apr 14 2026

    Caleb talks with Sam Gembel regarding the essential principles of leadership and team management within the trades. Gembel emphasizes that business owners must define a clear vision and establish accountability to foster a "settled" company culture where employees feel secure. A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the idea that leaders should never project their personal motivations onto their staff, summarized by the mantra "never compare your why to someone else's why." Sam also address the 100% responsibility an organization holds for the success or failure of new hires, advocating for radical clarity in job expectations. (Part 2 of 2).

    Key Takeaways:

    • Focus on your unique motivations and avoid comparing your personal goals or "why" to those of others.
    • Practice clarity in your leadership by defining exactly what success looks like for every task you assign.
    • Take 100% responsibility for the success of your team members by ensuring they have the training and parameters they need to thrive.
    • Avoid promoting individuals into leadership positions if they do not have a genuine desire or purpose to lead.
    • Prioritize your own personal growth and self-leadership to become a more effective and inspiring leader for those around you.
    Connect with Auman Landscape

    📺 YouTube
    https://www.youtube.com/@AumanLandscape

    🌐 All Links
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    📸 Instagram
    https://www.instagram.com/aumanlandscapellc/

    👷 👷‍♂️ 👷‍♀️ The Hardsacpe Academy
    https://www.thehardscapeacademy.com/

    April 10-11th In person training (https://www.thehardscapeacademy.com/in-person-training)

    👫 👩‍❤️‍👨 Together In The Trades
    https://www.togetherinthetrades.com/

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    38 m
  • Ep 696. Beyond the Paycheck: Building a Culture of Leadership with Sam Gembel

    Ep 696. Beyond the Paycheck: Building a Culture of Leadership with Sam Gembel
    Apr 9 2026
    Caleb speaks with Sam Gembel, an entrepreneur who scaled his Michigan-based landscaping company from a side hustle to a multi-million dollar business. The conversation focuses on the critical shift from being a technician to a leader, emphasizing that business owners must prioritize people and culture over simple task management. Sam argues that the inability to find quality employees is often a reflection of poor leadership rather than a lack of talent in the market. He suggests that owners must build a destination company by providing clear career paths, benefits, and a mission that inspires workers to stay. Throughout the discussion, Gembel highlights the dangers of keyman risk and the importance of professionalizing internal training programs to move beyond the monotonous "treadmill cycle" of business. Key Takeaways: Focus on building a destination company that naturally attracts high-quality talent through a strong culture and clear benefits.Transition your mindset to realize that once you hire your first employee, your primary role is now the people business.Commit to personal growth and self-leadership first because you cannot effectively lead a team if you are not leading yourself.Shift from managing daily tasks to leading the mission to avoid getting stuck in a repetitive cycle with no real progress.Clearly communicate to every team member what a successful day looks like so they understand their purpose beyond just manual labor. Connect with Auman Landscape 📺 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@AumanLandscape 🌐 All Links https://linktr.ee/AumanLandscape 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aumanlandscapellc/ 👷 👷‍♂️ 👷‍♀️ The Hardsacpe Academy https://www.thehardscapeacademy.com/ April 10-11th In person training (https://www.thehardscapeacademy.com/in-person-training) 👫 👩‍❤️‍👨 Together In The Trades https://www.togetherinthetrades.com/ Episode Sponsors 📸 CompanyCam – Get 50% off for 2 months https://companycam.com/auman 💰 Cycle CPA – Save $200 https://cyclecpa.com Use code: AUMAN 🛠 LMN Software – Save on onboarding https://golmn.com Use code: AUMAN 🚜⚙️🛠️ Steelwrist https://linktr.ee/AumanLandscape 🛠 Leanscaperhttps://leanscaper.com/ 🚜 Equip https://www.equipexposition.com/Use code: AUMAN 💰 John Pajakhttps://johnpajak.com 🧠 🎯 💡 FRWRD Coachinghttps://www.frwrdcoaching.com/
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    44 m
  • Ep 695. Control or Growth? Why You Can't Have Both

    Ep 695. Control or Growth? Why You Can't Have Both
    Apr 7 2026

    Caleb explains how transitioning from a heavy workload to a structured business model saved his landscape company from stagnation. He highlights the launch of "Built for Contractors," a coaching program and subscription service designed to help peers implement scalable systems and professional accountability. The discussion emphasizes that business growth requires clear standards and logistical planning rather than just working harder. Auman also stresses the importance of nurturing professional relationships over expensive advertising to secure high-quality referrals. Throughout the show, he encourages listeners to adopt positive self-talk and a leadership mindset to overcome common operational hurdles.

    Key Takeaways:

    • Practice intentional self-talk by speaking positively about your situation to influence better outcomes in your life and business.
    • Prioritize building scalable systems and structured processes over relying on raw motivation to overcome professional chaos.
    • Build a strong professional network by nurturing genuine relationships with peers and past clients without always leading with a sales pitch.
    • Establish and uphold high performance standards for your daily operations rather than just setting goals to ensure consistent quality.
    • Choose growth over total control by delegating responsibilities to your team and allowing them to solve specific problems independently.
    Connect with Auman Landscape

    📺 YouTube
    https://www.youtube.com/@AumanLandscape

    🌐 All Links
    https://linktr.ee/AumanLandscape

    📸 Instagram
    https://www.instagram.com/aumanlandscapellc/

    👷 👷‍♂️ 👷‍♀️ The Hardsacpe Academy
    https://www.thehardscapeacademy.com/

    April 10-11th In person training (https://www.thehardscapeacademy.com/in-person-training)

    👫 👩‍❤️‍👨 Together In The Trades
    https://www.togetherinthetrades.com/

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    🚜 Equip
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    💰 John Pajak
    https://johnpajak.com

    🧠 🎯 💡 FRWRD Coaching
    https://www.frwrdcoaching.com/
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    29 m
  • Ep 694. Tandem Marriage: Navigating the Cost of Success and Business Stress

    Ep 694. Tandem Marriage: Navigating the Cost of Success and Business Stress
    Apr 2 2026
    Caleb talks with Brad and Tammy Miller, the founders of Tandem Marriage. Drawing from their experience running a seven-figure counseling practice and their own 41-year marriage, the Millers discuss how professional success can lead to a "slow drift" that distances spouses. They emphasize that high-achieving business owners often fall into a "provider trap," mistakenly believing financial stability is the only way to show love while neglecting emotional connection. To counter this, they advocate for extreme intentionality, urging couples to remain curious about one another and prioritize their relationship as a unified team. The episode highlights various resources available at tandemarriage.com, including a video toolbox and mentorship advice, to help couples move from a mediocre marriage to a thriving one. Key Takeaways: Commit to being intentional in your relationship every day to prevent the natural "slow drift" that occurs when life and business become overwhelming.Prioritize a loving relationship with your spouse as the greatest gift you can give your children, providing them with a foundation of security and a healthy model for their own lives.Develop self-awareness during conflicts by pausing to ask yourself if there is any truth in what your spouse is saying before you react defensively.Ensure that your role as a financial provider never usurps your responsibility to be an emotionally present and supportive partner at home.Regularly seek outside guidance through mentors, coaching, or educational resources to keep your marriage thriving as you navigate different seasons of life and business. Connect with Auman Landscape 📺 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@AumanLandscape 🌐 All Links https://linktr.ee/AumanLandscape 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aumanlandscapellc/ 👷 👷‍♂️ 👷‍♀️ The Hardsacpe Academy https://www.thehardscapeacademy.com/ April 10-11th In person training (https://www.thehardscapeacademy.com/in-person-training) 👫 👩‍❤️‍👨 Together In The Trades https://www.togetherinthetrades.com/ Episode Sponsors 📸 CompanyCam – Get 50% off for 2 months https://companycam.com/auman 💰 Cycle CPA – Save $200 https://cyclecpa.com Use code: AUMAN 🛠 LMN Software – Save on onboarding https://golmn.com Use code: AUMAN 🚜⚙️🛠️ Steelwrist https://linktr.ee/AumanLandscape 🛠 Leanscaperhttps://leanscaper.com/ 🚜 Equip https://www.equipexposition.com/Use code: AUMAN 💰 John Pajakhttps://johnpajak.com 🧠 🎯 💡 FRWRD Coachinghttps://www.frwrdcoaching.com/
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    1 h y 1 m
  • Ep 693. Pricing Like a Pro: Lessons from Contractor Expert Andy Mulder

    Ep 693. Pricing Like a Pro: Lessons from Contractor Expert Andy Mulder
    Mar 31 2026

    Caleb talks with Andy Mulder of Mulder Outdoors about how great communication, showing up, cleanliness, and finishing strong helped build a premium landscaping brand. Andy explains that better clients come when you deliver a better experience, choose professionalism over excuses, and keep improving the details. He also warns that many contractors underprice their work and stresses the importance of knowing costs, using systems, and building a strong brand over time.

    Connect with Auman Landscape

    📺 YouTube
    https://www.youtube.com/@AumanLandscape

    🌐 All Links
    https://linktr.ee/AumanLandscape

    📸 Instagram
    https://www.instagram.com/aumanlandscapellc/

    👷 👷‍♂️ 👷‍♀️ The Hardsacpe Academy
    https://www.thehardscapeacademy.com/

    April 10-11th In person training (https://www.thehardscapeacademy.com/in-person-training)

    👫 👩‍❤️‍👨 Together In The Trades
    https://www.togetherinthetrades.com/

    Episode Sponsors

    📸 CompanyCam – Get 50% off for 2 months
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    💰 Cycle CPA – Save $200
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    Use code: AUMAN

    🛠 LMN Software – Save on onboarding
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    💰 John Pajak
    https://johnpajak.com

    🧠 🎯 💡 FRWRD Coaching
    https://www.frwrdcoaching.com/
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    1 h y 10 m
  • Ep 692. Hold Your Ground on Your Rates: Let the Data Do the Talking

    Ep 692. Hold Your Ground on Your Rates: Let the Data Do the Talking
    Mar 26 2026

    Caleb and Brittany are discussing the importance of maintaining an abundance mindset during the busy spring season. They encourages business owners to "hold the line" by refusing low-profit projects and trusting that better opportunities will arise through consistent marketing and historical data. The episode includes an AI-assisted segment that defines the difference between acting out of fear-based scarcity and strategic confidence. While Caleb emphasizes the need for disciplined pricing and personal growth, Brittany shares the emotional challenge of overcoming the worry associated with providing for a team.

    Key Takeaways:

    • Adopt an abundance mindset by trusting that the right opportunities will continue to arise if you focus on value rather than fear.
    • Utilize historical data and management software to determine your actual costs and maintain profitable pricing.
    • Exercise the discipline to say no to low-margin or misaligned work to leave room for higher-quality, strategic projects.
    • Prioritize working on yourself and your internal mindset to prevent personal fears from limiting your professional and personal growth.
    • Regularly review your project pipeline and schedule to ensure a consistent workflow through intentional management rather than reactive scrambling.
    Connect with Auman Landscape

    📺 YouTube
    https://www.youtube.com/@AumanLandscape

    🌐 All Links
    https://linktr.ee/AumanLandscape

    📸 Instagram
    https://www.instagram.com/aumanlandscapellc/

    👷 👷‍♂️ 👷‍♀️ The Hardsacpe Academy
    https://www.thehardscapeacademy.com/

    April 10-11th In person training (https://www.thehardscapeacademy.com/in-person-training)

    👫 👩‍❤️‍👨 Together In The Trades
    https://www.togetherinthetrades.com/

    Episode Sponsors

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    💰 Cycle CPA – Save $200
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    18 m
  • Ep 691. Stop Selling Landscapes: How to Become the Trusted Brand in Your Market

    Ep 691. Stop Selling Landscapes: How to Become the Trusted Brand in Your Market
    Mar 24 2026
    Caleb interviews Diego López Fernández from One Fifty Three Brand Marketing, a brand strategist who helps landscapers differentiate themselves in a saturated market. Diego argues that contractors often struggle because they sell services based on price and utility rather than uncovering their deeper purpose. He encourages business owners to move past a victim mentality and embrace a heroic identity by recognizing the profound human connection their work facilitates. By defining a clear "why" and aligning it with consistent branding, owners can transition from being mere operators to becoming visionary leaders. The discussion emphasizes that high-level success requires mental clarity, robust systems, and the belief that one is building a lasting legacy rather than just performing manual labor. Key Takeaways: Define your deep purpose by looking beyond your daily tasks to understand the ultimate impact your work has on the lives of others.Adopt a hero mindset by choosing to believe that challenges happen for you and your growth rather than seeing yourself as a victim of circumstance.Create clarity and reduce chaos in your life and business by implementing structured systems and frameworks to manage your goals.Focus on selling outcomes rather than just services by painting a clear picture for others of what life looks like after their problem is solved.Establish clear expectations for yourself and those you lead to ensure everyone is aligned and held accountable to the same standards. Connect with Auman Landscape 📺 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@AumanLandscape 🌐 All Links https://linktr.ee/AumanLandscape 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aumanlandscapellc/ 👷 👷‍♂️ 👷‍♀️ The Hardsacpe Academy https://www.thehardscapeacademy.com/ 👫 👩‍❤️‍👨 Together In The Trades https://www.togetherinthetrades.com/ Episode Sponsors 📸 CompanyCam – Get 50% off for 2 months https://companycam.com/auman 💰 Cycle CPA – Save $200 https://cyclecpa.com Use code: AUMAN 🛠 LMN Software – Save on onboarding https://golmn.com Use code: AUMAN 🚜⚙️🛠️ Steelwrist https://linktr.ee/AumanLandscape 🛠 Leanscaperhttps://leanscaper.com/ 🚜 Equip https://www.equipexposition.com/Use code: AUMAN 💰 John Pajakhttps://johnpajak.com 🧠 🎯 💡 FRWRD Coachinghttps://www.frwrdcoaching.com/
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    47 m
  • Ep 690. Stop Managing Time and Start Managing Your Choices: A New Blueprint for Hardscape Pros

    Ep 690. Stop Managing Time and Start Managing Your Choices: A New Blueprint for Hardscape Pros
    Mar 19 2026

    This episode of the Kid Contractor Podcast features Caleb Auman interviewing Tonya Dalton, an expert on purposeful productivity and best-selling author. Dalton challenges the traditional concept of time management, arguing that time itself cannot be managed; instead, individuals must manage their choices, intentions, and energy. She introduces her "five Ps" framework—purge, process, prioritize, protect, and propel—to help listeners transition from a state of constant busyness to one of meaningful achievement. The conversation emphasizes the importance of habit stacking over raw discipline and encourages entrepreneurs to define their "cathedral," or long-term vision, to filter daily tasks. Dalton highlights that true productivity is not about doing more work, but about performing the most important work to ensure personal happiness and presence.

    Key Takeaways:

    • Shift your focus from trying to manage time to intentionally managing your choices, activities, and intentions.
    • Perform a weekly "purge" by writing down every idea and task in your head to create mental clarity and reduce stress.
    • Establish a long-term vision, or "cathedral," and work backward to determine the practical steps you need to take in the coming months.
    • Schedule non-negotiable blocks of time on your calendar for deep work and strategic thinking to prevent your day from being consumed by minor distractions.
    • Implement habit stacking by attaching a new, small desired behavior to a routine you already perform consistently every day.
    Connect with Auman Landscape

    📺 YouTube
    https://www.youtube.com/@AumanLandscape

    🌐 All Links
    https://linktr.ee/AumanLandscape

    📸 Instagram
    https://www.instagram.com/aumanlandscapellc/

    👷 👷‍♂️ 👷‍♀️ The Hardsacpe Academy
    https://www.thehardscapeacademy.com/

    👫 👩‍❤️‍👨 Together In The Trades
    https://www.togetherinthetrades.com/

    Episode Sponsors

    📸 CompanyCam – Get 50% off for 2 months
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    💰 Cycle CPA – Save $200
    https://cyclecpa.com
    Use code: AUMAN

    🛠 LMN Software – Save on onboarding
    https://golmn.com
    Use code: AUMAN

    🚜⚙️🛠️ Steelwrist
    https://linktr.ee/AumanLandscape

    🛠 Leanscaper
    https://leanscaper.com/

    🚜 Equip
    https://www.equipexposition.com/
    Use code: AUMAN

    💰 John Pajak
    https://leanscaper.com/

    🧠 🎯 💡 FRWRD Coaching
    https://www.frwrdcoaching.com/
    Más Menos
    45 m