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Published by Blue Collar Business Accelerator
Welcome to The Violent Action Podcast where real stories meet real results. Each episode features driven entrepreneurs, contractors, and business owners who are taking action and building something bigger than themselves. We dive into their journeys—the wins, the setbacks, and the lessons learned along the way. If you're serious about growth, business, and making things happen, this podcast is for you.
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Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At just 23 and 27 years old, Lincoln and Derek from Precision Property Services went from college baseball teammates to building a landscaping, hardscaping, drainage, and concrete company doing roughly $200K in revenue during their first year. They started with virtually no money, bought their first truck with cash, rented equipment instead of financing it, and built the business with only around $2,500 in monthly overhead. Before starting Precision Property Services, both guys spent years working in the trades. Lincoln worked on golf courses, gas lines, and landscaping projects, while Derek started working in landscaping at just 14 years old. Lincoln eventually wrote a handwritten letter to a local business owner offering to trade his time for knowledge. That opportunity gave him the experience he needed to eventually start his own company. Derek had also tried starting multiple businesses, but most never went anywhere. Neither had a strong online presence, established brand, or consistent lead-generation system. After joining the Blue Collar Business Accelerator, they shifted their focus from general land clearing and dirt work toward more specialized services, including drainage. That decision helped them land their biggest project of the year: a roughly $15,700 drainage job, even though they were one of the most expensive bids. Their first 15 jobs came from website forms—not family, friends, or Facebook. By focusing on reviews, branding, Google, and fast communication, they were able to generate consistent leads despite being a brand-new company. They also faced a major setback when an approximately 1,100-square-foot concrete driveway was damaged by rain. The mistake cost them roughly $10K to fix. Instead of avoiding the homeowner or hiding the problem, they chose to own it, redo the driveway, and stand behind their work. In this episode, you’ll discover: • How two college baseball players built a roughly $200K business in their first year • Why they chose to rent equipment instead of financing everything • How a handwritten letter helped Lincoln find a mentor • Why they shifted from land clearing into drainage • How their first 15 jobs came from website leads • How they landed a $15,700 project without being the cheapest bid • Why speed and communication helped them win jobs • How free work and reviews helped establish credibility • How they handled a $10K concrete mistake • Why they’re focused on $100K in profit next year • How they operate with only around $2,500 in monthly overhead • Why clearly defined roles have helped them work together • What they learned from their first 26 projects Precision Property Services is proof that you don’t need a massive equipment fleet or a huge amount of startup money to build a successful service business. With the right skills, marketing, communication, and willingness to learn, two young entrepreneurs were able to turn their experience in the trades into a growing company. Find Precision Property Services, M.N. on Instagram and Facebook. If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and share it with another contractor.
Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At just 20 years old, Ty Frank from Frank’s Outdoor Services in Northfield, Minnesota is on pace to do roughly $250K–$275K this season. Ty started mowing lawns at 15 with a push mower his parents dropped him off with. By 16, he had saved enough money to buy his first $3,000 riding mower. He went from 7 lawns to 17, then eventually more than 60 accounts while still in high school. After graduating, Ty chose to keep building his business instead of going to college. He grew from lawn maintenance into landscaping and eventually landed his biggest project yet—a $13,000 install. But the growth came with some painful lessons. Ty learned that revenue doesn't equal profit when you're not accounting for labor, fuel, travel time, and overhead. He hired employees without properly adjusting his pricing and spent years keeping customers at rates that were too low. He also struggled with lead flow. Last year, his landscaping work dried up and he found himself scrambling to keep his crew busy. He spent $700 on direct mail and generated zero leads, while relying heavily on Facebook posts to find work. After joining the Blue Collar Business Accelerator, things started to change. Last year, August was his lowest month. This year, it became his highest. He went from struggling to keep the schedule full to being booked solid, while generating more revenue from landscaping than lawn care. You’ll discover: How Ty went from mowing lawns at 15 to building a $275K business at 20 How saving every dollar from his first lawns helped him buy his first $3,000 mower Why hiring employees without adjusting his pricing hurt his profit How he grew from roughly 35 lawn accounts to more than 60 Why revenue can look great while your actual profit tells a different story How lawn care became a lead source for larger landscaping projects Why his $700 direct-mail campaign produced zero leads How he went from struggling with lead flow to being booked solid How a neighbor turned into his biggest project yet—a $13,000 landscaping install Why Ty blew the engine on his mini skid during his biggest project How YouTube and gradually taking on bigger jobs helped him learn the trade Why knowing your overhead and numbers can completely change your bids Why one of the biggest problems in your market may simply be that nobody knows you exist Today, Ty is running a growing outdoor services company with employees, equipment, and roughly $3,000 a month in overhead. His goal for next year is $400K–$500K. Ty's story proves you don't need decades of experience to build a serious contracting business. You need to take action, know your numbers, put yourself out there, and keep learning as you grow. If you're a young contractor—or you're stuck around $50K, $100K, or $200K and don't know how to keep growing—this episode is for you.
Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At 32 years old, Dalton started Landscaping Solutions with a $1,500 Chevy pickup, a 10-foot trailer, and virtually no money. Just four years later, his landscaping, hardscaping, snow removal, hydroseeding, and commercial maintenance company is on track to do roughly $2.7–$3M in revenue. Dalton didn’t build the company by taking on massive debt or buying brand-new equipment. His early setup included a $14,000 used skid steer, a $10,000 truck he bought with cash, and another skid steer he acquired through a barter deal. With less than $30K invested in equipment, he eventually did roughly $800K in revenue. His growth started with small jobs and word of mouth. One early patio led to a $40,000 project, while a $35-a-day local radio advertisement consistently generated landscaping leads. From there, Dalton used Facebook, reviews, community involvement, contractor relationships, and a growing brand to move into larger projects. He went from roughly $800K in year two to $2.1M, eventually landing seven projects over $100K in a single year. But chasing growth also taught him some painful lessons. After taking on major commercial snow accounts and investing heavily in equipment, he experienced firsthand how 60–120+ day payment terms can destroy cash flow—even when the business is profitable. Today, Dalton is running a leaner company, doing more revenue with fewer employees, while focusing on profitability, systems, design, delegation, and building a brand customers are willing to wait for. You’ll discover: How Dalton went from a $1,500 truck and 10-foot trailer to a company approaching $3M How he generated roughly $800K with less than $30K invested in equipment Why staying profitable and stacking cash gave him opportunities other contractors couldn't take How a $35/day local radio ad became a consistent source of landscaping leads How one small patio turned into a $40,000 project through word of mouth Why $5K–$10K jobs can sometimes be more valuable than chasing $100K projects How contractor relationships helped him land his first $100K+ project How he went from $800K to $2.1M in revenue The hard lesson he learned chasing major commercial snow accounts Why long payment terms can create massive cash-flow problems How he grew revenue while reducing his crew from nine employees to seven Why detailed designs, job packets, material lists, and 3D visuals helped him become more efficient How delegating payroll and accounting allowed him to focus on growing the business Why Dalton stopped trying to build the company everyone else was building Today, Landscaping Solutions is on pace for roughly $2.7–$3M in revenue—just four years after Dalton started with almost nothing. His biggest lesson? Focus on the company you want to build, not everything you see other people doing. Essential listening for any contractor who wants to grow while staying profitable, controlling overhead, and building a business that can actually last.
Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At 31 years old, Gary from A&E Outdoors in Minnesota is on pace to hit roughly $1M in revenue this year with his lawn, landscape, hardscape, and snow business. But getting there wasn't easy. Gary started landscaping at 16, mowing lawns while still in high school. After years of working for other companies, he began building A&E Outdoors on the side while working a full-time job. He started with snow work using an old pickup and shovels, eventually building a landscape business through Facebook leads and word of mouth. He worked all day, ran estimates at night, and admits he was drastically underpricing his jobs. In 2021, Gary went full-time with A&E Outdoors and did roughly $140K in revenue. The company then grew to approximately $230K, $360K, $480K, and $650K. Today, he's around $770K and expects to reach roughly $850K soon, with a goal of hitting $1M. But revenue wasn't the real problem. For years, Gary thought growing meant taking on more work, buying more equipment, hiring more people, and pushing the top-line number higher. The result was a growing business that wasn't nearly as profitable as it should have been. After learning to focus on profitability, everything changed. Gary began realizing that doing LESS work could actually make him MORE money. Instead of chasing every job, he's focused on profitable projects, controlling overhead, and building a company that can make more money without constantly adding people and equipment. You'll discover: • How Gary went from mowing lawns at 16 to building a business approaching $1M • How he built A&E Outdoors while working a full-time job • Why he underpriced his early hardscape jobs • How he grew from $140K to $650K+ • Why chasing revenue led to more equipment, employees, and overhead • Why $1M in revenue means very little without profit • How focusing on profitable jobs changed his business • Why his typical landscape/hardscape ticket is $10K–$20K • Why some of his favorite jobs are only $6K–$9K • How he manages roughly $21K in fixed monthly overhead • How his snow operation generated roughly $450K last year • Why he's focused on efficiency instead of simply adding more accounts • Why mentorship became a turning point in his business Gary's story is a lesson in the difference between growing a business and building a profitable business. More revenue isn't always the answer. Sometimes the fastest way to grow is to stop chasing growth—and start keeping more of the money you already make.
Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At 32 years old, Scotty from Four Seasons Junk Removal left a corporate B2B sales career paying roughly $150K–$180K a year to build a junk removal business from scratch. With no industry experience, he started by flipping couches from Facebook Marketplace. He quickly realized the same idea could become a real junk removal company. He bought a $65,000 truck, launched Four Seasons Junk, and thought he had finally found his path. Then life hit hard. After landing a $25,000 job, Scotty and his wife filed for divorce. He went from owning a home and living a comfortable life to moving into a studio apartment with very little money. To keep the business alive, he worked 10–12 hour shifts as an Amazon delivery driver while running Four Seasons Junk the rest of the week. He was averaging roughly 26,000 steps a day just from Amazon. Meanwhile, the business was struggling. At one point, he was doing only around $14,000 in sales over an entire quarter. He was deep in what he calls the "Valley of Despair" and seriously considered quitting. Scotty initially resisted Blue Collar Business Accelerator after already losing thousands of dollars on other coaching. Eventually, he put his ego aside and started implementing the strategies. The results started to change. In August, Four Seasons Junk did roughly $24,000 in revenue—a massive jump from the previous year's August numbers. He believes the company is now on pace for roughly $250K this season. And he's doing it with one truck and around $3,500 in fixed monthly overhead. You'll discover: • How Scotty went from a $150K+ corporate career to owning a junk removal company • How flipping couches led to the idea for Four Seasons Junk • Why spending $65K on a truck before proving demand was a huge lesson • How a $25K job was followed by one of the hardest periods of his life • How he survived financially while working Amazon and building the business • How the company went from roughly $14K in quarterly sales to a $24K month • Why Scotty initially rejected BCBA—and what changed his mind • How implementation and repetition helped him escape the "Valley of Despair" • The costly lesson he learned from underbidding labor • How he's building a business with one truck and minimal overhead • Why he believes he could rebuild the company in six months if he had to start over • His goal of making Four Seasons Junk the biggest junk removal company in the Twin Cities This is a story about getting punched in the mouth, refusing to quit, and learning how to actually build a business. Scotty didn't have perfect circumstances. He had to figure it out while his personal life was falling apart, his finances were tight, and the business was barely producing enough to survive. Now, Four Seasons Junk is producing record months—and Scotty believes the best is still ahead. Sometimes the biggest advantage you can have isn't money, experience, or the perfect market. It's refusing to quit.
Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com Brett from Yeti Earthworks started his excavation and hardscape business in Northern Minnesota with one mini excavator, a borrowed trailer, and a $1,200 stump-removal job. Four years later, the company was doing just under $1.2M in annual revenue — but Brett learned the hard way that more revenue doesn't always mean more money in your pocket. After spending 15 years in the pipeline industry, Brett wanted to stop living on the road and build something of his own. His first year in business brought in roughly $75K. As Yeti grew, so did the equipment, employees, and overhead. Brett found himself falling into the same trap many contractors do: believing that more equipment and a bigger crew automatically meant more growth. Eventually, he realized the business was making money just to send it right back out the door. Brett shares how he went from chasing revenue and adding overhead to intentionally building a leaner, more profitable company. He also explains how his mindset around pricing completely changed. He once believed Northern Minnesota couldn't support premium pricing, until he realized he was limiting himself by only thinking about the smaller jobs in his market. Today, Yeti focuses on higher-end customers and larger projects, including $50K patios and $80K walls, while turning away or referring smaller jobs that aren't the right fit. You'll discover: • How Brett went from 15 years in the pipeline industry to starting Yeti Earthworks • How a $1,200 stump-removal job became his first project • How he built roughly $75K in his first year • Why more equipment, employees, and overhead nearly became a trap • How Yeti grew to nearly $1.2M in annual revenue • Why Brett intentionally reduced his crew to improve profitability • How he learned that revenue growth doesn't always equal profit • Why he stopped believing that Northern Minnesota couldn't support premium pricing • How Yeti began landing $50K patios and $80K walls • Why higher-end hardscape projects can create better margins • How clean equipment, branding, and presentation helped Yeti stand out • Why referrals, word of mouth, Facebook groups, and community connections became major lead sources • How Brett learned to focus on higher-end customers instead of trying to serve everyone • Why referring smaller jobs to other contractors can actually strengthen your network • The biggest lessons Brett learned from over-leveraging his business Brett's story is a great example of why contractors shouldn't chase revenue just for the sake of a bigger number. Growth only matters if the business is actually putting money in your pocket. Instead of trying to have the biggest fleet, the biggest crew, or the most revenue, Brett is now focused on building a leaner company, taking on better customers, doing higher-value work, and creating a business that is profitable and sustainable.
Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com Stefano Narducci started Northern Snow at just 18 years old with two walk-behind snow blowers and a simple idea: find a problem in his market and solve it better than everyone else. His first summer generated roughly $20K. Today, Northern Snow is on track for around $7.5M in top-line revenue. But getting there was anything but easy. In this episode, Stefano breaks down the three major stages of building Northern Snow — going from $0 to $1M, getting stuck in the $1M–$3M “swamp,” and then figuring out how to scale from $3M toward $7M+. He explains how he went door-to-door to build his first customers, why snow removal became the foundation of the company, and how a tractor-based operation allowed Northern Snow to grow from a handful of driveways into thousands of residential properties. You’ll discover: • How Stefano identified a gap in his local snow removal market and turned it into a business • How he went from two walk-behind snow blowers to an operation with dozens of tractors • How Northern Snow grew from roughly 175 driveways to nearly 6,000 • Why trying to offer landscaping, hardscaping, roofing, lawn care, and snow removal all at once slowed the company down • Why focusing almost exclusively on residential snow became one of the biggest turning points in the business • What the $1M–$3M “swamp” actually looked like and why the next stage of growth required completely different systems • How a disastrous season resulted in roughly a $700K loss and put the company in an extremely difficult financial position • What happened when staffing problems, customer complaints, tax obligations, and operational issues all hit at once • How Stefano survived 24–48 hour work stretches while trying to keep the business alive • How he rebuilt the company through better systems, training, delegation, hiring, and accountability • Why having the right people became more important than simply buying more equipment • How raising prices and improving operational efficiency helped create more room for growth • How organic content and social media became powerful marketing tools for Northern Snow • Why Stefano believes failure, risk, and difficult seasons can become some of the biggest catalysts for growth Stefano’s story is a look at what really happens when a service business moves beyond the early stages of growth. The strategies that get you to $1M aren’t necessarily the strategies that get you to $3M, and what works at $3M can become a massive problem when you're trying to reach the next level. This is a conversation about finding a valuable problem, building systems around it, making difficult decisions, surviving major mistakes, and constantly improving the way a business operates. If you’re a contractor or service-business owner trying to build a company that can grow beyond the owner, this episode is packed with lessons you can apply to your own business. #BlueCollarBusinessAccelerator #NorthernSnow #SnowRemoval #Contractor #Entrepreneur #ServiceBusiness #BusinessGrowth
Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At 28 years old, Darren from Lent Excavating, Landscaping & Forestry has built a business doing roughly $300K–$350K a year after starting from scratch just four years ago. But his path to becoming a successful excavation, landscaping, tree, and boulder contractor was anything but straightforward. Darren started working on a dairy farm at just 13 years old, spent years job hopping, learned to operate heavy equipment, and eventually discovered his ability to sell while door knocking for a tree company. After years of working for other companies, Darren finally decided to bet on himself and start his own business. He quickly learned that owning equipment and knowing how to do the work doesn't automatically mean customers will show up. His first year brought in roughly $90K in revenue, but he only took home around $15K. He bought equipment he didn't need, took whatever work he could find, and spent thousands of dollars on lead services that produced little in return. Over the next few years, Darren figured out how to find better work, price jobs properly, generate his own leads, and build a more profitable business. Revenue grew from roughly $90K in year one, to $135K–$140K in year two, over $200K in year three, and more than $300K in year four. You’ll discover: How Darren went from working on a dairy farm at 13 to running a $300K+ home service business How door knocking taught him the sales skills that helped build his company Why his first year generated $90K but only put about $15K in his pocket The expensive lessons he learned from buying equipment before having the work to justify it How he got into the boulder business and turned rocks into a major source of opportunity Why spending thousands on Angi and other lead services was one of his biggest mistakes How door knocking helped him generate a consistent flow of tree work Creative ways to find leads through township meetings, auctions, sales barns, and estate sales How Darren grew from $90K to $300K+ while remaining a lean operation Why getting rid of unnecessary equipment actually made the business MORE profitable The importance of working ON the business instead of constantly working IN it What happened when Darren tipped over a 65-size excavator on a job site The crazy customer story that involved a backpack blower, a sheriff, and a wealthy family How a customer dispute eventually turned into a lawsuit Why treating customers with respect and simply picking up the phone can have a massive impact Today, Darren runs a leaner, more profitable business focused on tree work, excavation, boulder walls, lot clearing, and agricultural work. His story is a raw look at what building a home service business actually looks like: bad jobs, slow seasons, bad investments, lawsuits, expensive lessons, and plenty of mistakes. But through all of it, Darren kept hustling, kept learning, and kept moving forward. As he says: block out the haters, do your homework, treat people right, and keep going.
Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At 16 years old, Rob from FYI Landscaping started mowing lawns and doing small landscaping jobs for neighbors. Today, at 30, he has 7–8 employees, a fleet of heavy equipment, has completed projects north of $200K, and is on track to do roughly $1.4M this year. Rob's journey wasn't built overnight. After earning a construction management degree, an internship opportunity fell through, which led him to realize he could turn his landscaping business into a full-time career. What started as roughly $50K–$100K on the side eventually grew into a seven-figure operation. One of the most interesting parts of Rob's business is his four-day work week. Rather than building a company around nonstop grinding, he created a culture focused on productivity, quality work, and giving his employees a life outside of work. The result? A team that keeps coming back, works efficiently, and helped the company grow from just over $1M last year toward $1.4M this year. Rob also shares the mistakes that shaped the business, including a $30K project that went south because of poorly documented change orders, and how he learned to gradually move from $5K patios to $30K, $80K, $100K+ and eventually $200K+ projects. You’ll discover: How Rob went from mowing lawns at 16 to building a $1.4M landscaping company How he grew the business organically while staying largely debt free Why smaller $5K–$30K projects can be extremely profitable How he built a four-day work week without sacrificing growth The $30K mistake that taught him a massive lesson about change orders How he gradually worked his way into $100K–$200K+ projects Why over-communication is critical when managing large jobs How he finds and keeps great employees Why taking responsibility for employee mistakes can transform your company culture How knowing your numbers helps you make smarter decisions Why investing in people and equipment mattered more than buying flashy trucks Today, Rob has built more than just a seven-figure landscaping company. He's built a business focused on efficiency, strong people, profitability, and work-life balance. His story proves you don't have to grow overnight. You can start small, reinvest into the business, learn from your mistakes, and build something far bigger than you originally imagined.
Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At 28 years old, Ethan from Homebeam Outdoor Lighting is on pace to do roughly $800K this year with a niche landscape lighting business. Just last winter, he was nearly $70K in debt. Now, he's paid it off, paid himself, and is on track to finish the year with six figures in the bank. But three years ago, Ethan was working a $70K–$75K engineering job. After spending three years behind a desk, Ethan realized he didn't want to spend the rest of his career waiting for small raises and eventually becoming a supervisor. When his wife became pregnant, he decided it was time to bet on himself and build a business that could support his family. He started Homebeam in 2023 while still working full-time. His first major project was around $10K, but he severely underpriced it because he didn't understand overhead or true job costs. Then things got worse. After quitting his job in 2024, Ethan generated roughly $125K in revenue while spending $45K–$55K on advertising. He lost money, burned through his savings, and was told to spend even more on ads. Eventually, he realized the problem wasn't his market. It was how he was running the business. After joining the Blue Collar Business Accelerator, Ethan drastically reduced his ad spend and focused on pricing, sales, branding, social proof, referrals, and better lead generation. The result? His revenue jumped from roughly $125K to $450K. Now in year three, he's on pace for $750K–$800K and believes he could eventually build a $1.5M business within his current 45-minute service area. You’ll discover: How Ethan went from a $70K engineering job to an $800K landscape lighting business Why a niche trade doesn't mean your market is too small How underpricing his first $10K project taught him the importance of understanding overhead Why spending $45K–$55K on ads produced only $125K in revenue How he nearly 4X'd revenue from $125K to $450K Why raising his prices actually improved his profitability How door hangers became one of his most reliable lead sources Why referrals, Google, repeat customers, and organic marketing became more important than paid ads How he paid off nearly $70K of debt while still paying himself Why taking calculated risks and getting out of analysis paralysis changed his business How he went from believing his market was too small to believing $1.5M is possible Today, Ethan has a growing team, a profitable niche business, and a completely different perspective on what's possible. The biggest lesson from his story? Your market might not be the problem. For years, Ethan believed his market was too limited and customers wouldn't pay higher prices. Once he improved his pricing, sales process, branding, and customer experience, he discovered that people were willing to pay far more than he thought. Three years ago, he was behind a desk making $70K–$75K. Today, he's building an $800K business. Sometimes the biggest thing holding your business back isn't the market. It's what you believe is possible.
Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com Jeff from Clean and Seal started his business during the 2008 recession with little experience, no roadmap, and plenty of reasons to quit. After getting into trouble as a teenager, working dead-end jobs, and working for his dad’s landscaping company, Jeff decided to build something of his own. He started Clean and Seal around 2008–2009, learning paver sealing through trial and error when almost nobody even knew what the service was. The early years were brutal. Jeff worked constantly, made plenty of mistakes, and came close to quitting multiple times. Instead, he kept grinding, educated contractors, and eventually landed larger projects that changed the trajectory of the business. From there, Clean and Seal expanded into abrasive blasting, coatings, masonry, industrial work, and multiple locations. Jeff also acquired competing companies, built a real estate portfolio, got into aviation, and created new business opportunities through networking. In this episode, Jeff breaks down: • Starting a business during a recession • Going from almost quitting to building a multi-location company • Why grinding matters more than choosing the “perfect” trade • How he found and acquired competing businesses • How to properly vet subcontractors • Why commercial work can destroy businesses without cash flow • The importance of hiring great people • How he transitioned out of the day-to-day • Building wealth through real estate and diversification • Why networking has created some of his biggest opportunities • How aviation became part of his business strategy • Why surrounding yourself with successful people changes everything Jeff’s story is a reminder that success rarely happens overnight. It comes from years of hard work, learning from mistakes, taking risks, and refusing to quit. If you’re building a blue-collar business, this episode is packed with lessons you can put to work immediately. Violent action towards the goal.
Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At just 27 years old, Logan from Kittock Landscape Services is on pace for roughly $750K this year. But just a few years ago, he never planned on owning a business. Logan started working at a sod farm at 16, became a foreman at 18, and eventually began taking small side jobs while his wife was in school. What started with selling leftover sod on Facebook quickly turned into sod installations, landscaping, patios, and hardscaping. One $940 sale of leftover sod made him realize he could make more money on his own than at his job. Before long, he was taking Fridays off just to keep up with side work. His first year in business brought in roughly $100K, followed by around $360K–$370K the next year. You’ll discover: * How Logan went from laying sod at 16 to building Kittock Landscape Services toward $750K * How a $940 side-job paycheck convinced him to take his business seriously * Why he started taking Fridays off from his job because he had too much side work * How he grew from roughly $100K in his first year to $360K–$370K the following year * How buying his first skid steer and bringing his brother into the business changed everything * Why starting with smaller $2K–$5K projects helped him learn how to build a real business * How he hand-dug a roughly 900-square-foot patio without a skid steer * How moving to a new market forced him to rebuild his customer base from scratch * How social media, quality work, and stacking projects helped generate leads * How he built a team of five employees during the busiest part of the season * What it really costs to operate a landscaping company with nearly $15K in monthly fixed expenses * How he landed a massive project involving 102 pallets of wall block and 135 tons of river rock * The nightmare customer situation that cost him nearly $5K in extra work * Why Logan believes quality of work should always come before chasing money Today, Kittock Landscape Services has a shop, heavy equipment, a growing team, and roughly $727K on the books. From a $940 side-job paycheck to a landscaping business approaching $750K, this is a story about taking action, learning as you go, and building something bigger one project at a time.
Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At just 21 years old, Luke from Erlandson Hydroscapes in Brainerd, Minnesota is on track for roughly $550K this year after doing just under $200K his first year. But Luke didn’t start with a big bankroll or years of business experience. He started with roughly $8,000 in the bank, put it down on an $18,000 hydroseeder, quit his job with no work lined up, and bet on himself. After a slow start, Luke joined the Blue Collar Business Accelerator and began focusing on the business side of his trade. Today, he runs three crews, averages $7K–$10K hydroseeding projects, works with major contractors and lake-home builders, and has virtually no direct competition in his market. Even more impressive, Luke entered this year with his accounts essentially at zero after spending aggressively on equipment. Now, he's approaching $200K in profit. You’ll discover: How Luke went from landscaping at 16 to running a $550K hydroseeding company at 21 Why he put $8K down on an $18K hydroseeder before having jobs lined up How Facebook Marketplace helped him land his first customers How he went from under $200K to roughly $550K in revenue How he went from nearly $0 in the bank to nearly $200K in profit How he built a business with virtually no direct competition Why answering the phone and getting reviews can give you a huge advantage How contractor relationships helped him land bigger projects Why profitability matters more than simply chasing revenue How learning the business side transformed his company Luke's story is proof that you don't need everything figured out before you start. He took a massive risk at 21, learned from his mistakes, and turned a hydroseeding side hustle into a highly profitable business. If you've been waiting for the perfect time to bet on yourself, this episode is for you.
Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At 27 years old, Sam from Gatz Home Renovations is on track to do roughly $550K in revenue this year after starting his business almost by accident. With a degree in law enforcement and no real plan to become a remodeler, Sam’s path into the trades started during COVID when he and his wife bought a house to flip after getting inspired by HGTV. That first project turned into a much bigger journey. Sam realized he needed his GC license, passed the test on his second attempt, and began learning the trades through a three-and-a-half-year stretch working alongside an experienced contractor. He learned how to build houses, decks, basements, and structural projects before eventually stepping away to take on his own jobs. Sam went from relying almost entirely on friends, family, and community connections to landing projects in the $50K–$100K range, including a roughly $325K–$350K renovation and addition for his parents. But when those community leads started drying up, he found himself stuck without a clear plan for how to consistently generate business. After discovering the Blue Collar Business Accelerator, Sam finally started building the business side of his company. His online presence improved, Google began generating leads, his confidence grew, and he started feeling like a legitimate business owner instead of someone simply waiting for the next referral. You’ll discover: How a law enforcement degree eventually led Sam into the remodeling industry Why an HGTV-inspired house flip completely changed the direction of his career How Sam passed his GC test after failing his first attempt What he learned from spending three and a half years working under another contractor How he went from friends-and-family jobs to $50K–$100K remodeling projects How he landed and completed a roughly $325K–$350K renovation and addition Why relying on community and family referrals eventually left him feeling stuck How improving his online presence started generating leads from Google Why confidence can be just as important as lead generation when growing a business How Sam went from not knowing what to do next to finally having a clear trajectory for his company Why being a great remodeler isn't enough anymore — you also need to understand business How Sam is building a remodeling company around a better client experience Today, Sam runs a true general contracting business with no employees, managing subcontractors, schedules, finances, and entire remodeling projects himself. His goal isn't simply to do more jobs — it's to create an experience where clients finish a project thinking, “Wow, that was easy.” His story is a great example of what happens when someone stops waiting for things to happen and starts learning the business side of the trades. From a law enforcement degree to flipping a house, learning the trades for three and a half years, and eventually building a remodeling company on pace for $550K, Sam's journey proves you don't have to start with a perfect plan to build something real. You just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At just 20 years old, Jadon from Elevated Curb Appeal is on track to do over $600K in revenue with a concrete curbing business he started with almost no experience. At 19, Jadon quit his asphalt job, took out a $100,000 SBA loan, and bought a curbing operation with only about $1,000 in work lined up. He barely knew how to operate the equipment, had no real marketing system, and had no idea what he was getting himself into. His first year was filled with mistakes. He underbid jobs, struggled with concrete mixes, dealt with cracked projects, and had almost no leads. He tried Facebook Marketplace, Google Ads, billboards, and yard signs just to keep the business moving. Then things started to snowball. After joining the Blue Collar Business Accelerator, Jadon went from roughly 1–2 leads per week to 3–4 leads per day. His close rate went from around 20–30% to roughly 75%, and he stopped competing on being the cheapest contractor. Today, most of his leads come from Google and referrals, he has a full-time employee he trusts, and he's built a business on pace for over $600K. You’ll discover: How Jadon went from dropping out of high school to building a $600K concrete curbing business at 20 Why he took out a $100K SBA loan with almost no experience and only $1,000 in work booked How Facebook Marketplace generated roughly 90% of his leads during his first year How a simple Marketplace lead eventually turned into a $60K HOA project Why one damaged mailbox led to a landscaping job and multiple referrals How he went from closing only 20–30% of jobs to roughly 75% Why being the cheapest contractor isn't always the best way to win work How reviews, professional presentation, and fast follow-up transformed his lead flow Why your customers are worth far more than just the check they give you How learning to delegate and trust employees is helping him scale Jadon's story is a perfect example of what can happen when you stop waiting until you're ready and simply take action. He didn't have the experience. He didn't have the perfect plan. He made plenty of mistakes and had plenty of people question his decision. But he kept moving forward. Now he's 20 years old with a $600K business and a goal of reaching $3–5 million. As Jadon puts it: dedicate everything to what you want to do, put your head down, and make it happen.
Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At just 23 years old, Daniel from Two Rivers Lawn & Landscape has gone from mowing $15 lawns on rollerblades to building a company on pace for roughly $750K–$800K this year. Daniel started mowing lawns at 12 years old and eventually began rollerblading around his neighborhood handing out flyers to get customers. At 16, he hired his younger brother, bought a small trailer, and grew the business to roughly $20K in revenue. For years, the business stayed relatively small while Daniel played junior hockey. At 21, he decided to take the business seriously. His first year going all in brought in roughly $115K, but he was still learning how to price jobs, generate leads, and actually grow a profitable business. Last year, the company passed $300K. After attending a Blue Collar Business Accelerator event, Daniel's entire mindset around growth changed. Instead of thinking growth meant buying more trucks and equipment, he focused on branding, reviews, community involvement, and generating consistent leads. Now, Two Rivers has four employees, handles roughly 100 residential lawns a week, takes on $10K–$20K landscape projects, and is on pace for $750K–$800K this year. You’ll discover: How Daniel went from $15 lawns and rollerblades to an $800K landscaping company Why handing out thousands of flyers became the foundation of his business How he went from roughly 3–10 leads a month to 25–50+ landscape leads What changed when he stopped believing growth meant buying more trucks and equipment How the Blue Collar Business Accelerator changed his mindset around business growth Why branding, reviews, and getting involved in his community created a massive increase in leads How more leads allowed him to become more selective with customers and projects How he transitioned from being in the field constantly to running a hybrid role between the field and the business Why becoming a better leader and communicator is his next step toward building multiple crews Why you should never compare your business to what you see on social media Why dropping your ego, asking questions, and connecting with other contractors can change your trajectory Today, Daniel has a lean, profitable operation and a company on pace for nearly $800K. But his story is proof that you don't need a massive fleet, a huge marketing budget, or years of experience to build a successful business. Sometimes you just need a push mower, a pair of rollerblades, and the willingness to hustle. And Daniel's biggest piece of advice? Watch your own bobber. Don't compare your business to the guy next to you or the contractor you see on Instagram. You have no idea what's actually happening behind the scenes. If you're building a landscaping business and feel like you're behind, this is an episode you don't want to miss.
Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At just 20 years old, Matthew from Brothers Landscaping Services is on track to do roughly $1.3M–$1.5M this year after doing just $20K his first year. In only a few years, he went from shoveling rock into an F-150 for an $800 job to running multiple crews, managing roughly 18 employees across two companies, and completing six-figure landscaping projects. Matthew shares how he and his brother started as teenagers with almost no money, experience, or idea how to price jobs. Their first major project was an $800 rock removal job that took three days and left them with almost nothing after dump fees. Instead of quitting, they kept knocking doors, posting online, taking jobs, and figuring things out as they went. By year two, the company had reached roughly $674K in revenue. The following year they hit around $1.2M, and now Matthew is expanding into excavation, utilities, lawn maintenance, and snow removal. You’ll discover: How Matthew went from an $800 rock job at 16 to building a business on pace for $1.5M How the company went from roughly $20K to $674K and then $1.2M in just a few years Why doing the things other contractors won't do can create a massive competitive advantage How subcontracting for larger companies helped them get experience and scale The biggest mistake Matthew made on a major project by building without proper plans Why detailed plans and SOPs can completely change how your crews perform How he successfully completed a nearly $100K retaining wall after learning from an earlier project Why asking questions and learning from experienced contractors has helped him take on projects he didn't initially know how to do How he built a team of hungry employees who actually want to work and grow Why repetition is one of the biggest factors in building confidence in sales How branding, clean job sites, wrapped trucks, and professional crews have directly generated new leads Why maintenance contracts could become a $1M revenue stream and a lead source for larger projects Today, Matthew is running a rapidly growing landscaping company while building a second excavation and utilities business. But the biggest lesson from his story isn't just the revenue. It's the mindset. He didn't start with years of experience or everything figured out. He asked questions, took action, made mistakes, surrounded himself with the right people, and kept executing. If you're young, inexperienced, or waiting until you feel "ready" to take your business to the next level, this episode is for you. As always, violent action towards the goal.
Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At 32 years old, Alex and Kelsey from Amundson Concrete are on track to do roughly $800K this year — profitably. But for the first six years, they were stuck between $300K–$500K in revenue while struggling with margins, inconsistent work, hiring, and the stress of keeping the business afloat. Amundson Concrete started in March 2020 during COVID. Alex had spent his entire life in the concrete industry, but knowing how to pour concrete didn't mean he knew how to run a profitable business. For years, they struggled to turn their hard work into real money. Everything started changing when they joined the Blue Collar Business Accelerator. They completely changed how they approached pricing, branding, sales, customer communication, and their overall business strategy. They went from guessing at square-foot pricing to understanding their numbers, from struggling to find work to booking into the following spring, and from constantly worrying about money to finally bringing home real profit. You’ll discover: Why doing $300K–$500K a year doesn't necessarily mean you're running a profitable business How underpricing concrete jobs kept them stuck for years Why square-foot pricing was costing them money How one concrete mistake cost them more than $10K How better branding helped them attract higher-quality customers How they went from struggling to find work to being booked into spring Why standing behind your work and actually answering the phone can separate you from the competition How buying their own mini skid is saving them roughly $4K–$6K every month How working together as a husband-and-wife team helped transform the business Why trade knowledge alone isn't enough to build a profitable company Today, Amundson Concrete has a five-person team, their own equipment, a growing pipeline of work, and is on pace for roughly $800K. Their story is proof that sometimes the thing holding your business back isn't your trade — it's the way you're running the business. If you've been stuck at the same revenue level for years and feel like you're working harder without making more money, this episode is for you.
Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At just 20 and 21 years old, Austin and Ryan from RNA Lawn & Landscape are on track to do nearly $1 million this year across lawn maintenance, snow, landscaping, and hardscaping. But their story started in high school with two teenagers, a couple snow blowers, and a willingness to knock on doors. After a snowstorm helped them land 30–35 clients, a single Facebook post from a happy customer caused their phones to blow up. They began reinvesting everything they made, eventually buying their first zero-turn mower and trailer before they even had lawn-care clients lined up. Then a customer asked if they built patios. They had never built one before. They said yes. That roughly $9,500 patio took far longer than expected and they essentially broke even, but it showed them what was possible. After graduating, they skipped college and went all in on the business. Their revenue exploded: $110K → $225K → $540K → Nearly $1M Today, they have five full-time employees, multiple crews, and have gone from mowing lawns to completing projects worth tens of thousands of dollars—including a six-figure project. In this episode, you’ll learn: How two teenagers built a nearly $1M landscaping business How they went from $110K to nearly $1M in just a few years Why they skipped college and went all in on the trades How a single Facebook post generated a massive wave of leads How they went from small lawn jobs to six-figure projects The expensive change-order mistake that cost them thousands Why every change order needs to be priced and approved in writing How they built a team of young employees through their local network Why hiring friends can become a major problem without clear expectations How becoming a fixture in their community helped transform their brand Austin and Ryan didn't start with experience, money, or a perfect plan. They started small, made mistakes, learned expensive lessons, and kept taking action. Now they're building a nearly $1 million landscaping and hardscaping company before they’re even old enough to rent a car. Essential listening for anyone in the trades who wants to see what's possible when you stop worrying about what everyone else thinks and go all in.
Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At 20 years old, Jack from Waters Landscape Design is on track to do roughly $600K this year after starting with just $40K in revenue. But his story is far from a straight line. Before building a successful hardscape, landscape, and concrete business, Jack dropped out of high school, struggled with alcohol at a young age, and spent time rebuilding his life before finding his way back into the trades. Jack shares how his first-ever patio was a complete disaster: a roughly 400-square-foot job sold for just $2,000, built with reused pavers, and based with river rock. He and a buddy spent four days figuring it out as they went, and after another early patio job, he found himself roughly $10,000 underwater. But instead of quitting, he kept learning, kept selling, and kept taking on bigger opportunities. After making around $40K his first year on small jobs, Jack joined the Blue Collar Business Accelerator, quit his factory job, and went all in on building a real business. He went from having virtually no online presence to building a brand, knocking doors, collecting reviews, generating leads, and eventually having 50K months. In his second year, the business jumped to roughly $350K in revenue. You’ll discover: * How Jack went from skipping school to work landscaping jobs to running a business on pace for $600K * Why his first $2,000 patio was one of the most expensive lessons of his career * How he lost roughly $10K on another patio because he didn’t know how to price the work * What changed when he stopped treating landscaping like a side hustle and started building a real business * Why quitting his job and betting on himself completely changed his mindset * How door knocking and free reviews helped him build a brand and generate his first major wave of leads * How his average project size grew from around $500–$2,000 to roughly $30K * Why you don’t need massive six-figure projects to build a highly profitable company * How he entered this season with nearly $100K already booked before the season started * Why taking action matters more than knowing everything before you start Today, Jack has employees, equipment, money in the bank, and a growing business that is already on pace for around $600K. But the biggest takeaway from his story is that he didn’t start with the knowledge, experience, or perfect circumstances most people think they need. He made mistakes. He underbid jobs. He lost money. He second-guessed himself. But he kept moving forward and eventually turned a side hustle into a real business. Essential listening if you’ve ever felt like your past mistakes, lack of education, or lack of experience disqualify you from building something bigger." but based off this transcript
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