The Cost of Doing Business

Hosted by Weston Zimmerman

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Episodes

102

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Jun 2026

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About the show

The Cost of Doing Business Podcast is here to help business owners find the path to profitability. We look beyond the glamour and glitz of the Instagram highlight reel by digging into the behind-the-scenes work necessary to achieve our goals. Your host, Weston Zimmerman, is the co-founder of SynkedUP. This award-winning landscape business management software is making a real difference for owners looking for a budgeting and overhead recovery tool and helps with estimating and job costing.

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June 8, 202610 min

Ep 102. We Asked Contractors: What's The Hardest Challenge You've Overcome?

What's the most difficult challenge you've overcome? We asked that question to contractors and business owners from across the industry, and the answers weren't what you'd expect. Some talked about losing money. Some talked about learning to say no. Some talked about letting go, finding balance, and getting out of their own way. The common theme? Growth usually comes from the challenges you'd never choose for yourself. Watch the full compilation and let us know. What's been the toughest challenge you've overcome in your business? Featuring: https://www.instagram.com/suttonoutdoorllc/ https://www.instagram.com/nunezoutdoorliving/ https://www.instagram.com/rcoutdoor/ https://www.instagram.com/pandolfilandscapeconstruction/ https://www.instagram.com/anthonygrouphardscapes/ https://www.instagram.com/derbycitypools/ https://www.instagram.com/wesrobertslandscaping/ https://www.instagram.com/stone_craftdesigns/ https://www.instagram.com/innovativelawnandlandscapellc/ https://www.instagram.com/gregwittstockthepondguy/ If you're interested in learning more about SynkedUP, check us out: SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software https://synkedup.com/ Follow us on Instagram: @SynkedUP #contractor #businessowner #businessgrowth #synkedup #knowyournumbers

May 25, 202636 min

Ep 101. Hiring Great Employees With The Right Attitude

Most landscaping companies have a hard time finding and keeping good workers. In this episode, Sean and Kerry Sweeney from Blue Ribbon Companies talk about why skilled workers actually WANT to work for their company. Their team members show up with good attitudes, useful skills, and a willingness to learn. As a family-run business, the Sweeneys explain how treating employees well and investing in their team has helped them grow their landscaping business to $3 million without losing their company culture. Give Blue Ribbon a follow: https://www.blueribbonnh.com https://www.facebook.com/blueribboncompany/ https://www.instagram.com/blueribboncompanies?igsh=MWNidTltb2ExZG15MQ== If you're interested in learning more about SynkedUP, check us out: SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software https://synkedup.com/ Follow us on Instagram: @SynkedUP #contractor #hiring #businessowner #synkedup #knowyournumbers

May 11, 202646 min

Ep 100. The Cost of Starting My Business Too Early | Kory Jones

Most people romanticize starting a business early. Nobody talks about the stress it puts on your family when you're not prepared. In this episode, Kory Jones talks about what he wishes he knew before starting his landscaping business… from cash flow struggles to hiring challenges to learning that passion alone isn't enough. One of the best lines from the episode: "You can do the right thing at the wrong time." Give Kory a follow: https://www.instagram.com/jonesoutdoors.ut/ If you're interested in learning more about SynkedUP, check us out: SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software https://synkedup.com/ Follow us on Instagram: @SynkedUP #contractor #landscapingbusiness #businessowner #synkedup #knowyournumbers

April 27, 202636 min

Ep 99. 30 Years in Business and Thinking About the End Game | Mark Arsenault

Most guys don't think about the end when they start a business. In this episode, Weston sits down with Mark Arsenault from Green Monster Landscapes to talk about what changes when you've been doing this for a long time… and start thinking about what comes next. Mark shares his path through nearly three decades. Building crews, going through a full reset, and rebuilding the business in a way that actually fits how he wants to work. They get into something that hits for a lot of contractors. A lot of owner operators aren't building something they can step away from… they're building a job. When you start thinking about retirement, that reality hits a little different. Give Mark a follow: https://www.instagram.com/greenmonsterlandscapes/ If you're interested in learning more about SynkedUP, check us out: SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software https://synkedup.com/ Follow us on Instagram: @SynkedUP #contractor #landscapingbusiness #businessowner #synkedup #knowyournumbers

April 13, 202637 min

Ep 98. I Almost Quit Landscaping After Years of Losing Money | Jason Nolt

Running a landscaping business isn't always what it looks like from the outside. In this episode, Weston sits down with Jason Nolt of Authentic Homescapes to talk about the early years of his business… and how close he came to quitting altogether. Jason shares what it actually looked like behind the scenes. Losing money, wearing every hat, growing too fast, and hitting a point where it just wasn't working. We get into what changed, what he learned stepping away for a season, and what helped him turn things around when he came back. If you've ever felt stuck or like you're spinning your wheels, this one will hit. Give Jason a follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authentichomescapes/ If you're interested in learning more about SynkedUP, check us out: SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software https://synkedup.com/ Follow us on Instagram: @SynkedUP #contractor #landscapingbusiness #businessowner #synkedup #knowyournumbers

March 30, 202637 min

Ep 97. When Is Enough Enough in Business? | James Doyle

In this episode, Weston sits down with James Doyle of Innovative Lawn & Landscape to talk about what happens when growth comes fast and the pressure to keep pushing never really goes away. James shares what it's been like building his company over the last 9 years, the struggle of never feeling satisfied, and the question a lot of owners don't talk about… when is enough actually enough? We also get into hiring with intention, learning how to let go as an owner, and why focusing on efficiency instead of just more revenue can be the next step in growing a healthier business. If you've ever felt like you're always pushing for more but not sure where it ends, this conversation will hit close to home. Give James a follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/innovativelawnandlandscapellc/ If you're interested in learning more about SynkedUP, check us out: SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software https://synkedup.com/ Follow us on Instagram: @SynkedUP #contractor #businessowner #entrepreneurship #landscapingbusiness #synkedup

March 16, 202625 min

Ep 96. Pressure Is the Price of Running a Business | Wes Roberts

Running a business comes with pressure. That's part of the deal. In this episode, Weston sits down with Wes Roberts of Wes Roberts Landscaping to talk about the mindset it takes to keep going after nearly three decades in the industry. Wes shares how the biggest obstacle in business is often yourself, why challenges never really go away as you grow, and how pressure can actually give purpose to the work we do as entrepreneurs. If you've ever asked yourself "why am I doing this?" while running your business, this conversation will hit home. Give Wes a follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wesrobertslandscaping/ If you're interested in learning more about SynkedUP, check us out: SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software https://synkedup.com/ Follow us on Instagram: @SynkedUP #contractor #businessowner #entrepreneurship #owneroperator #synkedup

March 2, 202658 min

Ep 95. The Hard Part of Scaling Nobody Warns You About | Jordan Daneker

Scaling a business sounds great on paper. In reality, it can get harder before it gets better. In this episode, Weston sits down with Jordan Daneker, co-owner of Evolve Design + Build, to talk about the side of growth most contractors don't expect. Jordan shares what it's really like scaling fast, why more revenue doesn't always mean more money, and how cash flow, confidence, and systems become critical as your team and overhead grow. We also get into the moment when the owner becomes the bottleneck and what it takes to get out of the way. If you've grown your business and thought, "This isn't what I thought it would feel like," this conversation will hit close to home. Give Jordan a follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evolve_design_build/ If you're interested in learning more about SynkedUP, check us out: SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software https://synkedup.com/ Follow us on Instagram: @SynkedUP #contractor #businessgrowth #designbuild #knowyournumbers #synkedup

February 16, 202620 min

Ep 94. I Was Winning Jobs and Still Losing Money (Here's Why) | Cody Adkins

Most contractors don't lose money because they're bad at the work. They lose money because they don't actually know where it's going. In this episode, I sit down with Cody Adkins of Tri-State Outdoor Living to talk about what it looks like when you're winning jobs, staying busy, and still coming up short, especially when winter hits. Cody shares how square foot pricing left him negative on jobs, the pressure of going into winter with four kids, and what changed once he started breaking down labor, overhead, and profit instead of guessing. We also get into running lean crews, paying guys more to produce more, and why efficiency matters more than chasing bigger jobs. If you've ever thought, "We're slammed, so why does this still feel tight?" this one will hit close to home. Follow Cody on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/codyadkinsofficial/ https://www.instagram.com/tristateoutdoorliving/ If you're interested in learning more about SynkedUP, check us out: SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software https://synkedup.com/ Follow us on Instagram: @SynkedUP #contractor #owneroperator #knowyournumbers #pricing #landscapingbusiness #synkedup

February 2, 202627 min

Ep 93. Why Charging More Didn't Hurt My Business | Thomas Vanamerongen

Most contractors don't undercharge on purpose. They just don't see everything that's actually coming out of their business. In this episode, I sit down with Thomas Vanamerongen of Niagara Waterscapes to talk about the wake-up call that came when he realized his pricing didn't reflect reality. Thomas shares how starting out at $65 an hour quickly turned into $90, then $110, once all the hidden costs were laid out in black and white. We talk about pricing confidence, head trash, and imposter syndrome, and why letting the market tell you no is better than saying no for yourself. We also get into niching down and building recurring maintenance revenue. If pricing ever feels uncomfortable or you've caught yourself second guessing your numbers, this conversation will hit close to home. Give Niagara Waterscapes a follow: https://www.instagram.com/niagara_waterscapes/ If you're interested in learning more about SynkedUP, check us out: SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software https://synkedup.com/ Follow us on Instagram: @SynkedUP #pricing #owneroperator #contractor #knowyournumbers #synkedup