Crooked Stripes Podcast

Hosted by Brandon Brubacher, Kyle Breiner

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Episodes

121

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-CA

About the show

The Crooked Stripes Podcast is where contractors talk shop. Hosted by Brandon Brubacher in Canada and Kyle Breiner in Ohio, the show features real conversations about lawn care, landscaping, snow removal, and what it takes to build a business in the green industry. From equipment and efficiency to marketing and the day-to-day grind, each episode shares honest insights from the field. New episodes weekly.

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60 recent

October 19, 2026Episode 12057 min

120: Equip Expo 2026 Preview | Listen Before You Go

Brandon Brubacher and Breiner Lawn kick off the countdown to Equip Expo 2026 in Louisville, covering travel plans, booth setup, giveaway details, and the equipment they most want to check out on the show floor. It’s a practical pre-show episode for anyone attending, with plenty of field talk mixed in on fall cleanup, leaf management, and the realities of running a lawn care business heading into the busy season. In this episode: Takeaways: Brandon and Breiner compare travel plans for Equip Expo, including flying, driving, and getting in a day early The guys break down their leaf workflow, from backpack blowers to mulching leaves with the Cub Cadet and vacuuming them up with the Walker They rate a pre-expo “crooked crack” and joke about doing more of those at the booth Other Links: 👨‍🌾 Stripe Life Canada: @stripelifecanada 🅾️ Breiner Lawn @breinerlawn

October 9, 2026Episode 11955 min

119: Working With Matt | Building a Business While Keeping It Real

This episode of Crooked Stripes features Brandon Brubacher, Kyle Breiner, and guest Matt from Working With Matt talking shop on lawn care, hardscaping, equipment, and the realities of scaling a service and landscape business. Matt shares how he went from mowing neighbors’ lawns to running a 45 employee operation with multiple crews, plus the hard lessons he learned about debt, delegation, and staying profitable. They also get into social media, brand sponsorships, battery powered tools, and why Equip is such a big deal for the industry. Takeaways: Business growth from small to large scale Importance of proper legal and financial setup Social media's role in marketing and branding Other Links: 👨‍🌾 Stripe Life Canada: @stripelifecanada 🅾️ Breiner Lawn @breinerlawn 📋 Get a FREE 14-Day Trial of Jobber + Partner Discount: getjobber.com

September 21, 2026Episode 1181 hr 1 min

118: The Man Behind Equip Exposition with Kris Kiser

Kris Kiser, President & CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), joins us for a big one. This episode is a pretty cool full-circle moment for us. The Crooked Stripes Podcast started because of our love for this industry and Equip Exposition, and now we get to sit down with one of the people behind the organization that makes it all happen. We talk with Kris about his journey into the outdoor power equipment industry, what OPEI actually does, and everything that goes on behind the scenes to support manufacturers, dealers, contractors and the industry as a whole. Of course, we had to dive deep into Equip Exposition. We talk about how the show has grown, what has changed over the years, what makes Equip different, and where the show is headed next. We also get into the upcoming move to Orlando in 2029, what that could mean for the show, and the outdoor demo area that everyone has been asking about. We also get into some bigger industry conversations around technology, battery equipment, robotics, the relationship between manufacturers and contractors, and where Kris sees the outdoor power equipment industry heading. Thanks for listening to Episode 118! Takeaways: Kris Kiser’s journey into the outdoor power equipment industry What OPEI actually does How Equip Exposition has grown The future of Equip and the move to Orlando in 2029 Outdoor demo areas and the future of the show Technology, battery equipment and robotics The relationship between manufacturers and contractors Where the outdoor power equipment industry is heading Other Links: 👨‍🌾 Stripe Life Canada: @stripelifecanada 🅾️ Breiner Lawn: @breinerlawn

September 14, 2026Episode 11749 min

117: The September Grind is On

Kyle is finally back after a busy week in Canada and Montana, so naturally we had to hear all about it. With September officially here, the season is starting to shift into the final stretch. We talk about the September grind, what we’ve been working on, and why this is such a big time of year for lawns with top dressing, overseeding, aeration and all the fall work starting to pile up. From there, we get into some bigger industry conversations around where landscaping is heading, the difference between revenue and actually making money, technology and software, bigger companies vs. smaller owner-operators, and some of the changes we’re seeing across the industry. And of course, Expo is coming up FAST, so we talk about what we’re looking forward to, equipment, manufacturers, and what we’re hoping to see. A lot of industry talk, a lot of stories, and a whole lot of shooting the shit in this one. Thanks for listening to Episode 117! Takeaways: Kyle’s trip through Canada & MontanaEconomic impact on landscaping businesses The September grind Landscaping industry trends Other Links: 👨‍🌾 Stripe Life Canada: @stripelifecanada 🅾️ Breiner Lawn @breinerlawn

August 31, 2026Episode 11636 min

116: Is Bigger Actually Better? The Future of Landscaping Crews

In this episode, Brandon discusses the challenges and adaptations in the landscaping industry, including leaner business models, the impact of economic shifts, and upcoming industry events like the expo and golf tournament. Takeaways: Industry shifts towards smaller crews Economic impact on landscaping businesses Importance of maintenance and small jobs Other Links: 👨‍🌾 Stripe Life Canada: @stripelifecanada 🅾️ Breiner Lawn @breinerlawn 👨‍💻Episode Sponsor: Green Frog Web Design https://greenfrogwebdesign.com/

August 21, 2026Episode 11557 min

115: We Mowed All Day … Then Broke the Z3

In this episode, Brandon and Kyle discuss their recent experiences, landscaping projects, and plans for upcoming events like the Equip Expo. They share insights on landscape design, equipment maintenance, and community involvement, offering valuable tips for landscapers and enthusiasts. In this episode, Brandon and a guest discuss the latest equipment, industry trends, and upcoming events like Equip Expo, sharing insights on battery technology, equipment innovations, and networking opportunities in the green industry. Takeaways: Equipment maintenance and troubleshooting Event planning for the Equip Expo Community involvement and cleanup efforts Other Links: 👨‍🌾 Stripe Life Canada: @stripelifecanada 🅾️ Breiner Lawn @breinerlawn 👨‍💻Episode Sponsor: Green Frog Web Design https://greenfrogwebdesign.com/

August 11, 2026Episode 11454 min

114: From Pushing a Mower to Building a Business at 16 | Clarke Williamson

In this episode, Clark Williamson shares his journey of starting a lawn care business at 16, managing 32 accounts, and planning for future growth while balancing school and work. We discuss equipment choices, pricing strategies, marketing, and tips for young entrepreneurs in the lawn care industry. Kyle is also back in the house! Takeaways: Clark Williamson's journey into lawn care at age 16 Equipment choices: mowers, blowers, and trucks Balancing trade school, school, and business growth Other Links: 👨‍🌾 Stripe Life Canada: @stripelifecanada 🅾️ Breiner Lawn @breinerlawn 👨‍💻Episode Sponsor: Green Frog Web Design https://greenfrogwebdesign.com/

August 5, 2026Episode 1131 hr 20 min

113: 35 Years in Lawn Care: Here's What Average Anthony Has Learned

In this episode, Average Anthony shares his extensive experience in lawn care, focusing on systematizing operations, equipment longevity, and the art of mowing and trimming efficiently. Discover practical tips for managing large teams, choosing the right equipment, and achieving perfect lawn stripes. In this episode, Anthony shares his insights on running a successful landscaping business, equipment maintenance, and the importance of systems and specialization. He discusses the challenges of competition, scaling wisely, and the value of hands on management. Takeaways: Systematizing lawn care operations Equipment maintenance and longevity Lawn aesthetics and stripe techniques Business scaling and downsizing Importance of systems and specialization Customer relationships and word-of-mouth Whether you're a NASCAR fan, a lawn care guy, or just someone thinking about betting on yourself, there's something in this one for you. And a few laughs too. Other Links: 👨‍🌾 Stripe Life Canada: @stripelifecanada 🅾️ Breiner Lawn @breinerlawn 👨‍💻Episode Sponsor: Green Frog Web Design https://greenfrogwebdesign.com/ Follow Anthony! @averageanthony

July 19, 2026Episode 11235 min

112: The Mid-Season Grind Continues

It's a solo episode this week! Kyle's out in the field, so it's just me catching you up on everything that's been happening lately. From busy days on the mower and a big new commercial project to the latest Expo news, Elmira's water situation, and why marketing yourself matters more than ever—there's plenty to talk about. Thanks for tuning in! 🤝 Takeaways: Landing a big new commercial project and life on the mid-season grind The latest Expo updates and what to expect this year Thoughts on Elmira's ongoing water situation Why marketing yourself is one of the best investments you can make Other Links: 👨‍🌾 Stripe Life Canada: @stripelifecanada 🅾️ Breiner Lawn: @breinerlawn 👨‍💻 Episode Sponsor: Green Frog Web Design https://greenfrogwebdesign.com/

June 29, 2026Episode 1111 hr 19 min

111: Your body is the business ft. Cole Martin

In this episode, Brandon and Cole discuss the importance of staying healthy in the trades, including tips on nutrition, exercise, and injury prevention, as well as insights into trading jobs and the value of proper body care. In this episode, Brandon and Cole dive into the challenges faced by small businesses, infrastructure issues, and the importance of quick lead response in the landscaping industry. They also touch on local politics, taxes, and the upcoming landscape expo, providing valuable insights for entrepreneurs and industry enthusiasts Takeaways: Here are your takeaways for this episode: Your body is the business. What you put in is what you get out — protein, creatine, sleep, and a chiropractor aren't luxuries when your back and legs are how you pay the bills. Cole's dad was out there grinding all day without a word of complaint. They really don't make them like that anymore. The economy is patchy right now — protect yourself with diversification, locked-in contracts, and lean overhead Other Links: 👨‍🌾 Stripe Life Canada: @stripelifecanada 🅾️ Breiner Lawn @breinerlawn 👨‍💻Episode Sponsor: Green Frog Web Design https://greenfrogwebdesign.com/

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