Are your I-9 forms compliant, or are you at risk for massive fines? Immigration attorney Nataly Mualem joins the show to discuss the sharp increase in I-9 audits and ICE enforcement targeting landscaping businesses.

With labor shortages and shifting government policies, it’s easy to get caught off guard by simple paperwork mistakes that can lead to six-figure fines. Nataly breaks down exactly what an I-9 form is, why every single employee (even U.S. citizens) needs one, and the most common errors that put businesses at risk.

This episode is a must-listen for any landscaping owner who wants to protect their company. You’ll learn the step-by-step process for conducting a self-audit, how to properly correct mistakes you find, and why classifying workers as “independent contractors” isn’t the simple fix you might think it is.

Find Nataly Mualem:

1. Website: https://www.mualemfirm.com/

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As a landscaping business owner, are you focused on the right kind of growth? Scott welcomes Ezra McCarthy of Green Frog Web Design to discuss why chasing more revenue and bigger jobs can actually keep your business stuck.

It’s easy to get caught in the day-to-day grind of running your company, but if you’re not growing personally, your business will eventually hit a ceiling. Scott and Ezra break down John Maxwell’s “Law of the Lid”—the idea that your company’s potential is limited by your own development. They share personal stories about shifting from a small-time operator mindset to thinking like a CEO.

This episode is for you if you feel like you’re working harder than ever but not getting ahead. You’ll learn how to identify the real constraints holding your business back, why your personal growth directly impacts your bottom line, and practical ways to start learning from others—even when you’re on a tight budget.

Find Ezra McCarthy:

1. Podcast: The Lawn Care Blueprint

2. Website: GreenFrogWebDesign.com or ILoveMyFrog.com

👉 Action Step: Want to stop attracting the wrong kind of leads? A professional, clean website does the filtering for you. Our team at LeadSpeed builds lead-generating 5-page landscape websites for just $97/month. No tech headaches, just better calls.

Head over to LeadSpeed.io to get your website working for you!

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Is bigger always better in the landscaping business? This week, Scott brings on Evan Lindman and Greg Durbin from the Turf Nerds Podcast to talk about why staying small, lean, and professional can be more profitable—and enjoyable—than running a massive operation.

Evan and Greg are in the trenches daily as owner-operators, and they share exactly how they’ve built dense, profitable routes by focusing on what the big crews often miss: the personal touch. You’ll learn why old-school flyers still beat Facebook ads, how being the “eyes on the property” builds incredible trust with clients, and the simple ways professionalism helps you win better jobs from competitors who are just trying to get to the next lawn as fast as possible.

This episode is for any landscaping or lawn care owner who feels the pressure to scale but wonders if there’s a better way. Before you think about adding more trucks and crews, listen to this conversation about how to “count the cost” and build a thriving business that serves you, your family, and your clients without the headaches of managing a large team.

👉 Action Step: Want to stop attracting the wrong kind of leads? A professional, clean website does the filtering for you. Our team at LeadSpeed builds lead-generating 5-page landscape websites for just $97/month. No tech headaches, just better calls.

Head over to LeadSpeed.io to get your website working for you!

Follow Million Dollar Landscaper:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube