The Commercial Landscaper Podcast

Hosted by Robert Clinkenbeard

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100

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

The journey of an entrepreneur, replete with the challenges of self-belief, vulnerability, and consistency, can often feel overwhelming. "The Commercial Landscaper Podcast" hosted by Robert Clinkenbeard, is designed to elevate your entrepreneurial mindset. Robert offers a fresh perspective that ensures you never feel isolated in your journey, instilling a firm belief that you not only deserve success but are fully capable of achieving it. Through twenty-minute weekly episodes, his podcast features interviews with global experts to maintain a well-rounded perspective on all aspects of your life, both personal and professional. The content is both highly relatable and motivating, empowering listeners to take decisive steps as emerging business pioneers.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 10, 202640 min

Interview with Byron McFarland, Founder of The McFarland Group

Byron is an accomplished entrepreneur, advisor, and speaker who has made a significant impact in the world of business. With his expertise in guiding entrepreneurs on selling a business to management and maximizing the value of their enterprises, he has become a trusted source for strategic advice and practical solutions. Throughout his career, Byron has helped entrepreneurs unlock the full potential of their businesses and navigate the intricate process of selling to management. With his invaluable insights and proven methodologies, he has enabled entrepreneurs to not only secure lucrative deals but also ensure that they get paid fairly for their hard work and dedication. Byron's ability to simplify complex concepts and provide direct, plain-spoken guidance has earned him a reputation for being a true expert in his field. Byron's impact goes beyond individual businesses. As a member of the prestigious Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) and a former board member for the Nebraska chapter, he has actively contributed to fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial community. Byron's dedication to sharing his knowledge and empowering others has led him to be a sought-after speaker at conferences for business owners. Through his engaging presentations, he has inspired countless entrepreneurs to aim higher and achieve their business goals. Born into a small business family, Byron developed a deep understanding of the challenges faced by business owners from an early age. Growing up in the environment of his parents' small construction company, he witnessed firsthand the trials and tribulations that come with running a business. This experience instilled in him a strong sense of empathy and a genuine desire to help entrepreneurs overcome obstacles and achieve success. Before embarking on his entrepreneurial journey, Byron served in the United States Marine Corps, where he honed his discipline, leadership skills, and unwavering commitment to excellence. These qualities have become integral to his approach as a business advisor, allowing him to provide steadfast support to his clients. When he's not immersed in the world of business, you can find Byron indulging in his passions for fly fishing and motorcycle riding. Standing in cool, clear mountain streams, casting a fly to rising trout, or cruising along two-lane highways on his antique road king, Byron finds solace and inspiration in the great outdoors. As the Founder and Managing Member of The McFarland Group, a renowned business advisory firm specializing in management buyouts and equity compensation, Byron continues to make a profound impact in the entrepreneurial landscape. Having guided over a billion dollars in business value, his expertise and track record speak volumes about his ability to drive tangible results. With his wealth of experience, dedication to simplifying complexities, and passion for empowering entrepreneurs, Byron McFarland is a true authority in the realm of selling businesses to management and leveraging business value to win the war for talent. Connect with Byron! https://www.linkedin.com/in/byronkmcfarland/ Check out Byron's book! https://thebankablebuyer.com/ Connect with Wilson360! https://wilson-360.com/

June 3, 202630 min

Interview with Noe Loarca, Owner & Founder of Avanza Landscaping & Maintenance, LLC

As the owner of Avanza Landscaping, Noe Loarca is passionate about more than just creating beautiful outdoor spaces—he is committed to growing a company that empowers individuals, builds strong relationships, and delivers exceptional results for clients. With a focus on innovation and collaboration, Noe strives to create an environment where both his team and customers can thrive, believing in raising others up as the company grows. Whether enhancing a client's property or mentoring a team member to reach their full potential, his core values of empowerment, excellence, and relationships guide every decision. Based in Northern Virginia, Avanza Landscaping specializes in top-tier landscaping services for residential and commercial properties across Arlington, Alexandria, Vienna, and Falls Church. The company's offerings range from lawn care and hardscaping to seasonal services like holiday lighting and snow removal, with every project reflecting a commitment to quality and care. Always looking for ways to grow both personally and professionally, Noe welcomes opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals who share a passion for landscaping, leadership, and building meaningful connections.

May 27, 202626 min

Interview with Courtney Krstich, Co-Founder and CEO of EarthaPro

Courtney Krstich is the Co-Founder and CEO of EarthaPro, a software platform built specifically for small lawn care and pest control businesses. With a background in sales at Fortune 500 companies, she now focuses on helping green industry operators simplify their back office, improve profitability, and modernize without unnecessary tech complexity. She's active in the industry through trade shows, speaking engagements, and contractor-focused education.

May 20, 202627 min

Interview with Ryan Hogan, Founder & CEO of Talent Harbor

Ryan Hogan is a Partner & CEO at Talent Harbor, a specialized core leadership search and fractional services firm catering to EOS-powered businesses. Talent Harbor has a unique methodology focusing on the particular needs of EOS-powered companies to provide tailored talent solutions that align with the company culture and growth goals. The Talent Harbor Methodology involves three essential phases: Assess, Search, and Integrate, ensuring a thorough evaluation of organizational dynamics, careful talent screening for cultural fit, and seamless integration processes. Prior to his work at Talent Harbor, Ryan Hogan co-founded Hunt A Killer, a renowned interactive murder mystery experience, recognized as one of the World's Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company and the fastest-growing CPG company by Inc Magazine. Ryan's diverse background includes service in the U.S. Navy as both an MH-53E aircrewman and Surface Warfare Officer, as well as founding ventures like WarWear and Run For Your Lives, showcasing strong entrepreneurial skills utilized in his current endeavors. He holds a Master of Arts in Defense and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing & Management (Entrepreneurship) from the University of Maryland - Robert H. Smith School of Business. Ryan has been associated with various organizations, including being a Host at Confessions of an EOS Implementer, Founder of Creators Combine, Founder of Warwear, Co-Founder and CEO of Hunt A Killer, and more. Connect with Ryan! https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanehogan/ Wilson360 Peer Groups! https://wilson-360.com/peer-groups/

May 13, 202635 min

Interview with Kory Mitchell, CEO of Iconic Founders Group

Kory Mitchell is a strategic growth expert, proven business builder, and trusted advisor. He has walked the exact path he now helps other Founders navigate. With over 25 years in the specialty contracting industry, Kory has experienced the full entrepreneurial journey—from building a small regional business into a nationally recognized brand to a nine-figure transaction. Like most business Owners, Kory learned along the way, working very closely with his dad and brother to grow both organically and through small acquisitions. In 2019 the business merged with another regional leader to form EIS Holdings. They continued the growth journey and ultimately had a very successful financial exit in 2021. Kory transitioned the CEO role in 2024. Today, the business thrives as a $200 million leader in the environmental services space. Since that time, business Owners have asked Kory for advice on how they might run a similar playbook. Many Founders and Owners struggle with how to take their businesses to the next level through acquisitions, or how to sell their businesses without destroying the legacy of the brand. As a result, Iconic Founders Group was born. Instead of going it alone, business Owners now have someone who thinks and speaks like they do, and someone who can advocate for their best interests.

May 6, 202629 min

Interview with Daniel Simpson, Product Marketing Leader at Fleetio

Daniel Simpson is a Product Marketing leader at Fleetio, where he helps fleet-driven businesses solve everyday operational challenges with practical, easy-to-adopt technology. Before entering the software world, Daniel worked in construction and has supported business operations across Canada, the UK, Australia, and the United States. That hands-on experience shapes his approach today, with a focus on helping both field teams and leadership make smarter decisions about their assets and operations. He's passionate about turning real-world fleet challenges into solutions that make work safer, more efficient, and more predictable.

April 29, 202629 min

Interview with Katelyn Milanes, Director of Culture & Engagement at Fisk Lawnscapes

Katelyn Milanes is the Director of Culture & Employee Engagement at Fisk Lawnscapes. Katelyn has a proven track record of cultivating positive workplace cultures and creating people-centered organizations that thrive. She specializes in organizational culture, professional development, and human resources strategy. Before moving to Colorado, she spent eight years working in Media & Advertising in New York City. Katelyn also co-founded CoVe, a startup in NYC built for women pursuing personal and professional development. Katelyn graduated from Montclair State University in 2016 with a B.A. in Communication, a Public Relations Concentration, and a Business Minor. In her free time, Katelyn enjoys socializing, exploring in the mountains, and hiking with her puppy.

April 22, 202628 min

Interview with Karen Schakarov, Chief Marketing Officer of Monarch Landscape Companies

Karen Schakarov joined Monarch in January 2024. As Chief Marketing Officer, Karen is responsible for leading strategic marketing initiatives and enhancing the Monarch brand to drive growth and value for all stakeholders. Prior to joining Monarch, Karen was President and founder of ES&SY Group, where for two decades she drove growth and innovation for clients such as Toyota, JFK International Airport, JetBlue, and Sony. She led the development of a corporate culture program for JFK's $2.5 billion expansion and created philanthropic initiatives for Toyota/Lexus. Her strategic programs have also increased brand awareness for non-profits like City of Hope and the Tiger Woods Foundation. Prior to ES&SY Group, Karen was Vice President of Marketing at Caesarstone US, where she transformed the brand into a market leader. Under her guidance, Caesarstone's brand awareness increased by 40% year-over-year, and company revenue grew by 500%. She managed high-profile celebrity partnerships and secured extensive media coverage, achieving 1.7 billion media impressions in 2015. Karen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Arts Administration from New York University.

April 15, 202644 min

Interview with Richard Sperber, Former Founder and Executive Chairman of Sperber Landscape Companies

Richard Sperber is a veteran landscape industry entrepreneur best known for leading the family legacy behind ValleyCrest Landscape Companies and later founding Sperber Landscape Companies. He began his career at ValleyCrest, the business started by his father, Burt Sperber, and went on to take leadership of the company in 2001, helping expand it to more than 100 locations worldwide. In 2014, he led ValleyCrest's merger with The Brickman Group to create BrightView, which became the industry's largest landscape company. After stepping away for a short period, he returned in 2019 to launch Sperber Landscape Companies, building the business around trust, strong local brands, and a people-first operating philosophy. In his own telling, Sperber's leadership has been shaped by a belief that lasting success comes from doing right by employees, customers, and partners, preserving company culture through growth, and creating opportunity for the next generation. Company messaging has likewise emphasized training, safety, career development, craftsmanship, and long-term stewardship as central to the Sperber identity. Industry reporting in March 2026 said Sperber had parted ways with Sperber Landscape Companies, while also indicating he did not view that departure as retirement from the industry. Connect with Richard Sperber! https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-sperber-16375b6b/ Connect with Wilson360! https://wilson-360.com/ W360 Scotland Trip! https://event.wilson-360.com/wilson360-scotland-trip

April 8, 202631 min

Interview with Aaron Kroll, Co-Founder & Partner at Sterling Point Advisors

Aaron is the Co-Founder of Sterling Point Advisors, a boutique mergers and acquisitions firm focusing on guiding privately held companies through the strategic challenges of exiting their businesses. He has successfully completed 70+ transactions since founding Sterling Point in 2018. Aaron earned a Juris Doctor from The University of Akron in addition to a Master of Business Administration, summa cum laude, in Finance. He also received an executive leadership certificate from Cornell University. Aaron received a Bachelor of Science, cum laude, in Business Management from Virginia Tech. Outside of work Aaron enjoys spending time at the lake with his family.