Kid Contractor Podcast with Caleb Auman

Hosted by Caleb Auman

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733

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Aug 2026

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About the show

A show focusing on a wide range of contractors from the Green Industry to General Contractors and beyond. Your host Caleb, runs a successful 7 figure business with his wife Brittany, and has over 20 years in the industry. "The Kid" has learned some valuable lessons he wants to share with you. The principles discussed will energize and empower you to crush your goals.

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60 recent

September 1, 202652 min

E736. $3 Million + Series | Cooper Leary Founder CLS Landscape Construction

Cooper Leary is a Canadian entrepreneur who manages a multimillion-dollar enterprise encompassing landscape supply, construction, and snow removal companny. Based in Calgary, Leary shares his journey from starting the business during university to overseeing nearly 90 employees and generating $16 million in annual revenue. The discussion with Caleb highlights the transition from an owner-operator mindset to an enterprise-level leadership style, emphasizing the importance of systemization, data-driven decision-making, and high-level delegation. Leary attributes his success to being customer-obsessed, maintaining a growth mindset, and fostering a team culture defined by grit and lifelong learning. Key Takeaways: Optimize your crew sizes by keeping teams to a lean three-person setup and using equipment to maintain high productivity. Delegate key responsibilities early to competent people so you can step away from daily tasks and focus on strategic growth. Have ongoing conversations about performance with your team members so that a final, difficult talk never comes as a surprise. Establish core guiding principles and rely on solid business data to make your largest, most impactful decisions. Prioritize weekly one-on-one meetings to genuinely show up for your employees and help them develop professionally. 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 🛠 Leanscaper https://leanscaper.com/ 🚜 Equip https://www.equipexposition.com/ Use code: AUMAN 💰 John Pajak https://johnpajak.com 🧠 🎯 💡 FRWRD Coaching https://www.frwrdcoaching.com/

August 27, 202653 min

E735. Slow Growth, High Quality: Retention Secrets of a 20-Year Legacy Contractor

Adam Coupe, owner of a New York-based landscaping company discusses the operational philosophies of running a high-volume service business, including how his single crew manages 150 weekly mowing properties through route density. Coupe shares his preference for staying in the field rather than focusing on administrative tasks, emphasizing that owners should build a business structure that aligns with their personal happiness. The conversation also covers the importance of client screening, using specific equipment for finished property work, and maintaining a debt-free financial model. Additionally, Coupe reflects on the economic lessons learned during the 2008 recession and the value of professional CRM systems for growth. Key Takeaways: Focus on accumulating small, consistent wins to build your overall success instead of constantly chasing high-stress, high-risk projects. Learn to comfortably say "no" to opportunities that do not align with your geographic boundaries or target audience to keep your daily schedule highly efficient. Build your career or business around the day-to-day work you actually enjoy rather than forcing yourself into administrative roles just to follow standard industry advice. Adopt a rainy-day financial mindset by actively saving for future replacement costs and avoiding debt so you can start every workday with a completely clear mind. Recognize that running an organization and managing people are two completely different jobs that require entirely separate skill sets and mindsets to master. 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 🛠 Leanscaper https://leanscaper.com/ 🚜 Equip https://www.equipexposition.com/ Use code: AUMAN 💰 John Pajak https://johnpajak.com 🧠 🎯 💡 FRWRD Coaching https://www.frwrdcoaching.com/

August 25, 202656 min

E734. $3 Million + Series | Bob Scott CEO of Lowe's Greenhouse

Bob shares his blueprint for breaking past the $3 million mark and scaling a landscape business to nearly $9 million in total revenue. Scott explains that his business journey involved transitioning from a small-scale operation to a large-scale enterprise by purchasing a local garden center and integrating his landscape services. A major theme of the discussion is the evolution of leadership, specifically the necessity of delegating tasks to specialists who possess more talent than the owner in specific areas. Bob emphasizes that maintaining high organizational standards and having difficult conversations are essential for cultivating a professional culture and high-quality staff. Key Takeaways: Hire people who are smarter and more skilled than you in specific areas to unlock higher-quality results and free up your time to focus on high-level growth. Lean into uncomfortable conversations early by framing them around your professional responsibilities rather than making them feel like a personal attack. Enforce strict, consistent standards daily because the behaviors you permit in your life or organization are ultimately the behaviors you promote. Prune the bottom five percent of your clients or projects to eliminate unnecessary time drains and redirect your energy toward high-value opportunities. Prioritize progress over perfection by trusting your gut, making timely decisions, and keeping yourself moving forward even if the path isn't perfectly straight. Lowes Greenhouse: https://lowesgreenhouse.com/ 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 🛠 Leanscaper https://leanscaper.com/ 🚜 Equip https://www.equipexposition.com/ Use code: AUMAN 💰 John Pajak https://johnpajak.com 🧠 🎯 💡 FRWRD Coaching https://www.frwrdcoaching.com/

August 20, 202620 min

E733. Instagram Mailbag: Your Hardscape Hiring & Contract Questions Answered

Your hardscape business will only grow as fast as your worst contract clause, your weakest hire, or the client you should have turned down. Caleb tackles these operational landmines head-on, answering a series of rapid-fire Instagram DM questions sent in by listener Jesse Zimmerman. The result is a practical blueprint for building the strict operational, financial, and legal guardrails required to run a highly profitable, protected seven-figure contracting company. Key Takeaways: Hire team members who possess a growth mindset and a willingness to learn, rather than those who believe they already know everything. Protect your business cash flow by heavily frontloading payment schedules so you are never left chasing a massive final check over minor details. Document every job site thoroughly with daily photos from day one to eliminate "he-said, she-said" liability disputes with clients or crews. Practice polite and immediate rejection of wrong-fit clients because providing fast clarity is far kinder than making them wait for an estimate you do not want to write. Apply the "ghost project" rule to your marketing by never posting or sharing work that you do not want to repeat in the future. 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 🛠 Leanscaper https://leanscaper.com/ 🚜 Equip https://www.equipexposition.com/ Use code: AUMAN 💰 John Pajak https://johnpajak.com 🧠 🎯 💡 FRWRD Coaching https://www.frwrdcoaching.com/

August 18, 20261 hr 9 min

E732. $3 Million + Series | Andy Mulder Founder of Mulder Outdoors

Growing at the Speed of Cash: The Debt-Free Path to $3 Million Andy shares his refreshing, profit-first perspective on the mindset shifts required as a business approaches and breaks the $3 million revenue mark. Rather than chasing massive top-line growth at all costs, Mulder outlines a philosophy centered on financial clarity, strategic delegation, and maintaining a sustainable lifestyle. Key Takeaways: Focus on your bottom-line net margins rather than chasing vanity metrics like top-line revenue. Fix operational and financial chaos early while volume is low, as scaling a business only magnifies existing problems. Delegate low-value tasks you dislike to capable team members so you can buy back your mental energy and protect your time. Grow only at the speed of cash and maintain fully funded reserves to eliminate financial anxiety and protect your peace of mind. Remove emotion from decision-making by pausing and waiting for clarity instead of making rash, impulsive choices when challenges arise. 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 🛠 Leanscaper https://leanscaper.com/ 🚜 Equip https://www.equipexposition.com/ Use code: AUMAN 💰 John Pajak https://johnpajak.com 🧠 🎯 💡 FRWRD Coaching https://www.frwrdcoaching.com/

August 13, 202631 min

E731. 7 Critical Checkpoints to Hit Before Year-End

Finish strong and prepare for Q4! The Auman's discuss the transition from a chaotic, "hamster wheel" business model to a structured, system-driven enterprise. Caleb introduces his new "Built for Contractors" mentorship program, which focuses on providing scalable processes and accountability for hardscaping professionals. They emphasize the importance of financial clarity and the courage to fire underperforming service providers to ensure long-term growth. They also review seven critical end-of-year metrics, including profitability, labor efficiency, and backlog management, to help listeners prepare for the fourth quarter. Key Takeaways: Implement structured, scalable systems in both the office and the field instead of relying solely on hard work to escape the endless business hamster wheel. Embrace "clarity is kindness" by letting go of service providers, partners, or employees who aren't performing or communicating well so they have the chance to improve elsewhere. Calculate your true revenue per hour by dividing your gross invoiced revenue by the total paid hours to quickly spot gaps in your estimating and crew production rates. Proactively map out your remaining weeks of capacity and backlog in the fourth quarter to build a realistic schedule that successfully lands the plane by year-end. Begin squirreling away cash and aligning on winter expectations with your financial advisor during the busy season so you can afford to retain your crew during the colder months. 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 🛠 Leanscaper https://leanscaper.com/ 🚜 Equip https://www.equipexposition.com/ Use code: AUMAN 💰 John Pajak https://johnpajak.com 🧠 🎯 💡 FRWRD Coaching https://www.frwrdcoaching.com/

August 11, 202639 min

E730. $3 Million+ Series | Charlie Kerrigan Founder of VIL Landscaping

Charlie Kerrigan is a twenty-year-old entrepreneur managing a landscape construction firm in Toronto nearing $3 million in revenue. The discussion centers on the personal evolution required to lead a growing business, emphasizing the dangers of expanding too quickly without maintaining operational efficiency. Kerrigan candidly shares lessons on avoiding excessive overhead, the importance of "leading from the trenches," and why profitability must take precedence over high-end equipment or vanity metrics. He also highlights the value of clear communication and the necessity of addressing difficult conversations to prevent professional stagnation. Key Takeaways: Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty and stay active in the trenches where the real work happens, no matter how much success or scale you achieve. Organize your week with dedicated time blocks on your calendar to gain control over your schedule and ensure your daily actions align with your major goals. Face difficult conversations and ask hard questions immediately , since delaying necessary conflict only multiplies the problems down the road. Put your ego aside and ask for help from mentors, peers, and team members when making big decisions or navigating challenges. Choose to find joy and have fun through the chaos , realizing that things will inevitably go wrong but you always have control over how seriously you take them. 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 🛠 Leanscaper https://leanscaper.com/ 🚜 Equip https://www.equipexposition.com/ Use code: AUMAN 💰 John Pajak https://johnpajak.com 🧠 🎯 💡 FRWRD Coaching https://www.frwrdcoaching.com/

August 5, 20261 hr 0 min

E729. Breaking the $3 Million Barrier

What's Really Holding Your Business Back? In this episode, Caleb and Brittany introduce a series of interviews with leading professionals who have successfully navigated the challenges of reaching and surpassing major revenue milestones. The central message is that mindset is often the first key to business growth. The right mindset pushes owners to seek better systems, experienced mentors, stronger pricing strategies, and new ways of leading their teams. Caleb believes mindset must come first, while Brittany emphasizes that understanding your financial numbers is equally important. Services such as Cycle CPA can help business owners make sure increased revenue leads to real profit, rather than simply producing impressive gross revenue numbers. Key Takeaways: The Owner Can Become the Bottleneck Business owners often limit their own growth by refusing to delegate, holding on to too many responsibilities, or failing to create dependable systems. Strong Systems Support Growth Software such as LMN for estimating and CompanyCam for jobsite documentation can help reduce poor communication, inaccurate time tracking, and other costly inefficiencies. Growth Creates New Leadership Challenges As a company grows, clear policies and Standard Operating Procedures become increasingly important. Caleb and Brittany share a disagreement involving reimbursement for an employee's custom hard hat. The situation demonstrated why growing businesses must move away from emotional, case-by-case decisions and toward consistent policies outlined in an employee handbook. The Million-Dollar Myth Brittany recalls hearing from local contractors that it was nearly impossible to remain profitable after reaching $1 million in annual revenue. A conversation with Mark Bradley helped change that perspective. He explained that growth can remain both sustainable and profitable when the company has the right team, processes, systems, and pricing in place. Ultimately, Caleb and Brittany emphasize that working on yourself is just as important as working on your business. The questions you are afraid to ask may be the same questions preventing your company from reaching the next level. 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 🛠 Leanscaper https://leanscaper.com/ 🚜 Equip https://www.equipexposition.com/ Use code: AUMAN 💰 John Pajak https://johnpajak.com 🧠 🎯 💡 FRWRD Coaching https://www.frwrdcoaching.com/

July 30, 202655 min

E728. How Strengthening Your Marriage Can Save Your Contracting Company

Why We Almost Quit Together in the Trades and Why We Never Will. Caleb and Brittany recount their recent experience in Williams, Arizona, where they initially intended to end the conference series due to logistical and financial challenges. However, after witnessing the profound emotional impact on attendees and the strong sense of community it fostered, they decided to continue the tradition. The discussion highlights key themes of vulnerability, spiritual perseverance, and open communication, featuring insights from speakers like Marty Grunder and Casey from Marriage 365. Key Takeaways: Schedule regular realignment meetings with your spouse to discuss your weekly plans and ensure your personal and professional goals are in sync. Practice the knee-to-knee apology method by looking your partner in the eye and expressing sincere regret for specific actions and how those actions affected them. Adopt the mindset that marriage is a summitless peak, understanding that it requires constant effort and there is always more room for growth. Find a community of like-minded peers in your industry to create a safe space for discussing business challenges and finding mutual support. Develop a bias to act by taking immediate ownership and initiative whenever you encounter a problem that needs to be solved. 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 🛠 Leanscaper https://leanscaper.com/ 🚜 Equip https://www.equipexposition.com/ Use code: AUMAN 💰 John Pajak https://johnpajak.com 🧠 🎯 💡 FRWRD Coaching https://www.frwrdcoaching.com/

July 28, 202645 min

E727. Why Client Retention is the Secret Weapon for Massive Profit Gains

This episode of the Kid Contractor Podcast features Andy Wilson , a former law enforcement officer who transitioned into the green industry after surviving aggressive throat cancer. Wilson shares his journey of overcoming ten surgeries and the loss of his voice to build a thriving lawn care business with 140 recurring clients. The discussion highlights essential business strategies such as client retention, route density, and the importance of accurate job documentation through tools like Company Cam. Wilson emphasizes that a successful brand is built on personal reliability and maintaining impeccable records to ensure a business is scalable and sellable. Key Takeaways: Commit to getting back up every time you face a setback and keep pushing forward until you land your one good punch in business or life. Focus on retaining your current clients as it is five times cheaper than onboarding new ones and leads to much higher profit margins. Build a brand based on your personal character and the experience you provide rather than just focusing on a logo. Increase your profitability by prioritizing route density to maximize the amount of money you earn per hour while minimizing travel time. Learn to say no to the wrong opportunities so that you can protect your time and focus on the clients who truly fit your ideal business model. 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 🛠 Leanscaper https://leanscaper.com/ 🚜 Equip https://www.equipexposition.com/ Use code: AUMAN 💰 John Pajak https://johnpajak.com 🧠 🎯 💡 FRWRD Coaching https://www.frwrdcoaching.com/