The Mulder Life Podcast

Hosted by Andy Mulder

Business Entrepreneurship

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Episodes

175

Latest episode

Jul 2026

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About the show

A live show featuring questions all about landscaping, equipment, business, and life. Join our live show weekly on Instagram @MulderOutdoors. Monday nights at 8:30 pm Central time to ask your questions or tune in here for the replay. Thanks for joining us

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60 recent

July 8, 202649 min

Ep 176. Living the American Dream Through Landscape Success

Andy shares how steady growth, hard work, and smart business decisions are helping him live the American dream through landscape success. He covers updates on the new shop, managing two busy crews, an upcoming open house and equipment demo day, advice on buying used equipment, a change in landscape edging, and future opportunities for the business. 🚨 Engcon Demo Day & Shop Open House 🚨 Saturday, July 25 RSVP here: https://mulderoutdoors.com/open-house-rsvp/ 👋 Connect with Andy 📸 Instagram: @mulderoutdoors 🛒 Shop Mulder Outdoors: mulderoutdoors.com/shop 🧰 Business Resources Save 10% on top resources with code: MULDERLIFEPODCAST 📘 How to Price My Job 🛒 Amazon Store 💥 Partner Discounts 🧱 Pave Tool — Use MULDEROUTDOORS50 to get $50 off a purchase of $500 or more 🔪 Blades Direct — Use MULDER20 to save $20 📏 Perma Paver Edging 🚧 SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software 👷 Brunt Workwear — Use MulderOutdoors10 to save $10 🍬 Albanese Candy — Official Candy of the Podcast 🛠️ Automatic Supply / Heritage Plus — Use MULDERLIFEPODCAST for 15% off (up to $1,500 — one per company) 🧱 Unilock 🎨 Dirty Graphix ⚙️ CMP Attachments 🚧 Engcon 🚜 A&D Equipment 📚 The Hardscape Academy 🪨 Amborn Stone — Call: 913-837-6729 💎 Latux Diamond Blades — Use code MULDER to save 20%

July 1, 202648 min

Ep 175. The Landscape Masterpiece That Changed Everything

Andy looks back on the Landscape Masterpiece project and how it shaped the future of Mulder Outdoors. He talks about why that job still feels like a pinch-me moment, how great work opens doors, and why 12 years of consistency, craftsmanship, communication, and customer service matter more than any single project. Andy also shares honest thoughts on hiring, answering the phone, giving clients bad news early, and building a company that people trust. 🚨 Engcon Demo Day & Shop Open House 🚨 Saturday, July 25 RSVP here: https://mulderoutdoors.com/open-house-rsvp/ 👋 Connect with Andy 📸 Instagram: @mulderoutdoors 🛒 Shop Mulder Outdoors: mulderoutdoors.com/shop 🧰 Business Resources Save 10% on top resources with code: MULDERLIFEPODCAST 📘 How to Price My Job 🛒 Amazon Store 💥 Partner Discounts 🧱 Pave Tool — Use MULDEROUTDOORS50 to get $50 off a purchase of $500 or more 🔪 Blades Direct — Use MULDER20 to save $20 📏 Perma Paver Edging 🚧 SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software 👷 Brunt Workwear — Use MulderOutdoors10 to save $10 🍬 Albanese Candy — Official Candy of the Podcast 🛠️ Automatic Supply / Heritage Plus — Use MULDERLIFEPODCAST for 15% off (up to $1,500 — one per company) 🧱 Unilock 🎨 Dirty Graphix ⚙️ CMP Attachments 🚧 Engcon 🚜 A&D Equipment 📚 The Hardscape Academy 🪨 Amborn Stone — Call: 913-837-6729 💎 Latux Diamond Blades — Use code MULDER to save 20%

June 24, 202646 min

Ep 174. Fathers Day Special: 60 Things My Dad Taught Me

For a Father's Day special, Andy shares a personal list of 60 lessons his late father taught him—ranging from practical skills with tools, trucks, boating, and work ethic to marriage, parenting, leadership, faith, and family dinner—explaining his hope that sharing it encourages better fathers and preserves family memories. 🚨 Engcon Demo Day & Shop Open House 🚨 Saturday, July 25 RSVP here: https://mulderoutdoors.com/open-house-rsvp/ 👋 Connect with Andy 📸 Instagram: @mulderoutdoors 🛒 Shop Mulder Outdoors: mulderoutdoors.com/shop 🧰 Business Resources Save 10% on top resources with code: MULDERLIFEPODCAST 📘 How to Price My Job 🛒 Amazon Store 💥 Partner Discounts 🧱 Pave Tool — Use MULDEROUTDOORS50 to get $50 off a purchase of $500 or more 🔪 Blades Direct — Use MULDER20 to save $20 📏 Perma Paver Edging 🚧 SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software 👷 Brunt Workwear — Use MulderOutdoors10 to save $10 🍬 Albanese Candy — Official Candy of the Podcast 🛠️ Automatic Supply / Heritage Plus — Use MULDERLIFEPODCAST for 15% off (up to $1,500 — one per company) 🧱 Unilock 🎨 Dirty Graphix ⚙️ CMP Attachments 🚧 Engcon 🚜 A&D Equipment 📚 The Hardscape Academy 🪨 Amborn Stone — Call: 913-837-6729 💎 Latux Diamond Blades — Use code MULDER to save 20%

June 17, 202649 min

Ep 173. Would You Hire Yourself?

Andy answers questions about Hydra Buckets and Beacon Hill Smooth pavers, then reflects on "Would you hire yourself?" sharing how past landscaping experience, family values, and Christian faith shaped his work ethic. Andy says he would hire himself for reliability, attitude, communication, and leadership, while admitting he wants to improve vision casting, communication, and tone under stress. 🚨 Engcon Demo Day & Shop Open House 🚨 Saturday, July 25 RSVP here: https://mulderoutdoors.com/open-house-rsvp/ 👋 Connect with Andy 📸 Instagram: @mulderoutdoors 🛒 Shop Mulder Outdoors: mulderoutdoors.com/shop 🧰 Business Resources Save 10% on top resources with code: MULDERLIFEPODCAST 📘 How to Price My Job 🛒 Amazon Store 💥 Partner Discounts 🧱 Pave Tool — Use MULDEROUTDOORS50 to get $50 off a purchase of $500 or more 🔪 Blades Direct — Use MULDER20 to save $20 📏 Perma Paver Edging 🚧 SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software 👷 Brunt Workwear — Use MulderOutdoors10 to save $10 🍬 Albanese Candy — Official Candy of the Podcast 🛠️ Automatic Supply / Heritage Plus — Use MULDERLIFEPODCAST for 15% off (up to $1,500 — one per company) 🧱 Unilock 🎨 Dirty Graphix ⚙️ CMP Attachments 🚧 Engcon 🚜 A&D Equipment 📚 The Hardscape Academy 🪨 Amborn Stone — Call: 913-837-6729 💎 Latux Diamond Blades — Use code MULDER to save 20%

June 10, 20261 hr 10 min

Ep 172. Maximizing Profit Through Advanced Excavation Attachments

In this episode, Andy interviews Anthony LaFata, the co-owner of A&D Equipment and a veteran of the excavation industry. The discussion highlights how specialized attachments, such as screening and crushing buckets, can revolutionize landscaping and construction by increasing profitability and streamlining material management. LaFata shares his personal history as a second-generation excavator, illustrating the evolution of technology from manual tools to autonomous machinery and life-saving military applications. The guys emphasizes the importance of building community relationships and educating crews to ensure new equipment is utilized effectively on the job site. 🚨 Engcon Demo Day & Shop Open House 🚨 Saturday, July 25 RSVP here: https://mulderoutdoors.com/open-house-rsvp/ 👋 Connect with Andy 📸 Instagram: @mulderoutdoors 🛒 Shop Mulder Outdoors: mulderoutdoors.com/shop 🧰 Business Resources Save 10% on top resources with code: MULDERLIFEPODCAST 📘 How to Price My Job 🛒 Amazon Store 💥 Partner Discounts 🧱 Pave Tool — Use MULDEROUTDOORS50 to get $50 off a purchase of $500 or more 🔪 Blades Direct — Use MULDER20 to save $20 📏 Perma Paver Edging 🚧 SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software 👷 Brunt Workwear — Use MulderOutdoors10 to save $10 🍬 Albanese Candy — Official Candy of the Podcast 🛠️ Automatic Supply / Heritage Plus — Use MULDERLIFEPODCAST for 15% off (up to $1,500 — one per company) 🧱 Unilock 🎨 Dirty Graphix ⚙️ CMP Attachments 🚧 Engcon 🚜 A&D Equipment 📚 The Hardscape Academy 🪨 Amborn Stone — Call: 913-837-6729 💎 Latux Diamond Blades — Use code MULDER to save 20%

June 3, 202655 min

Ep 171. Innovate, Illuminate, and Celebrate: Diving into Hardscaping and Community Events

Andy returns after Memorial Day with a recap of a rainy Engcon Demo Day trip to Bozeman/Belgrade, Montana, updates on his crews, and a first-time strip-lighting install under coping. He also previews the free July 25 Engcon Demo Day/Open House at Mulder Outdoors in Crown Point, Indiana, with sponsors, equipment, food, kids activities, giveaways, and RSVP perks at mulderoutdoors.com. Listener questions cover irrigation poly-pipe storage, landscape lighting brands, warranties, color-changing transformers, and an update on the new shop build, which is expected to be handed over in about two weeks. 🚨 Engcon Demo Day & Shop Open House 🚨 Saturday, July 25 RSVP here: https://mulderoutdoors.com/open-house-rsvp/ 👋 Connect with Andy 📸 Instagram: @mulderoutdoors 🛒 Shop Mulder Outdoors: mulderoutdoors.com/shop 🧰 Business Resources Save 10% on top resources with code: MULDERLIFEPODCAST 📘 How to Price My Job 🛒 Amazon Store 💥 Partner Discounts 🧱 Pave Tool — Use MULDEROUTDOORS50 to get $50 off a purchase of $500 or more 🔪 Blades Direct — Use MULDER20 to save $20 📏 Perma Paver Edging 🚧 SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software 👷 Brunt Workwear — Use MulderOutdoors10 to save $10 🍬 Albanese Candy — Official Candy of the Podcast 🛠️ Automatic Supply / Heritage Plus — Use MULDERLIFEPODCAST for 15% off (up to $1,500 — one per company) 🧱 Unilock 🎨 Dirty Graphix ⚙️ CMP Attachments 🚧 Engcon 🚜 A&D Equipment 📚 The Hardscape Academy 🪨 Amborn Stone — Call: 913-837-6729 💎 Latux Diamond Blades — Use code MULDER to save 20%

May 20, 202651 min

Ep 170. Engcon Demo Day Unveiled: Behind the Scenes with Andy Mulder

Andy unveils details for a free Engcon Demo Day/Open House on July 25 in Crown Point, Indiana, including RSVP-only event T-shirts, equipment demos, family activities, food, and attending vendors. He shares how busy the season is, why he's prioritizing time and spending less effort on social media, and describes his daily routine, reliance on to-do lists, and staying focused on design and estimating rather than running equipment. Andy answers listener questions about charging for landscape designs, estimating the tons and loads of millings and other materials used on his property, sourcing free millings through local road projects, crew hours and Saturday work, and comments on the precision and complexity behind a current high-end hardscape project. 🚨 Engcon Demo Day & Shop Open House 🚨 Saturday, July 25 RSVP here: https://mulderoutdoors.com/open-house-rsvp/ 👋 Connect with Andy 📸 Instagram: @mulderoutdoors 🛒 Shop Mulder Outdoors: mulderoutdoors.com/shop 🧰 Business Resources Save 10% on top resources with code: MULDERLIFEPODCAST 📘 How to Price My Job 🛒 Amazon Store 💥 Partner Discounts 🧱 Pave Tool — Use MULDEROUTDOORS50 to get $50 off a purchase of $500 or more 🔪 Blades Direct — Use MULDER20 to save $20 📏 Perma Paver Edging 🚧 SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software 👷 Brunt Workwear — Use MulderOutdoors10 to save $10 🍬 Albanese Candy — Official Candy of the Podcast 🛠️ Automatic Supply / Heritage Plus — Use MULDERLIFEPODCAST for 15% off (up to $1,500 — one per company) 🧱 Unilock 🎨 Dirty Graphix ⚙️ CMP Attachments 🚧 Engcon 🚜 A&D Equipment 📚 The Hardscape Academy 🪨 Amborn Stone — Call: 913-837-6729 💎 Latux Diamond Blades — Use code MULDER to save 20%

May 13, 202655 min

Ep 169. You're Invited: Mulder Outdoors' New Shop Grand Opening

Andy shares that business is extremely busy with estimating and design work while running two crews. He gives detailed updates on his new shop nearing completion (doors, railings, water softener, plumbing, painting timing, and upcoming concrete apron prep) and announces a public grand opening/open house with an Engcon demo day on July 25 from 9 AM–4 PM CST with free food, activities, and demo excavators, plus registration for free event T-shirts. He answers listener questions about choosing a 60x150 building size, discusses cautious project scheduling by giving ranges rather than firm dates, explains why he likes PaveTool hybrid edging over concrete edging, mentions buying a Vermeer vibratory plow, and notes an additional vehicle purchase to be revealed later. 👋 Connect with Andy 📸 Instagram: @mulderoutdoors 🛒 Shop Mulder Outdoors: mulderoutdoors.com/shop 🧰 Business Resources Save 10% on top resources with code: MULDERLIFEPODCAST 📘 How to Price My Job 🛒 Amazon Store 💥 Partner Discounts 🧱 Pave Tool — Use MULDEROUTDOORS50 to get $50 off a purchase of $500 or more 🔪 Blades Direct — Use MULDER20 to save $20 📏 Perma Paver Edging 🚧 SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software 👷 Brunt Workwear — Use MulderOutdoors10 to save $10 🍬 Albanese Candy — Official Candy of the Podcast 🛠️ Automatic Supply / Heritage Plus — Use MULDERLIFEPODCAST for 15% off (up to $1,500 — one per company) 🧱 Unilock 🎨 Dirty Graphix ⚙️ CMP Attachments 🚧 Engcon 🚜 A&D Equipment 📚 The Hardscape Academy 🪨 Amborn Stone — Call: 913-837-6729 💎 Latux Diamond Blades — Use code MULDER to save 20%

May 6, 202648 min

Ep 168. What I've Learned from Running Two Install Crews

Andy shares lessons from a month of operating two install crews plus a maintenance crew during the busiest spring of the company's 12 seasons. He explains that adding a second crew means he can't work hands-on in the field, spends far more time driving and managing projects, must stay two steps ahead with materials and communication, and needs the right people in the right roles to maintain quality. He answers audience questions about hiring experienced crew members with clean driving records, IQ saw blades, Deere vs. Kubota equipment and dealer support, running the business out of shipping containers for 10 years, and why he switched from Takeuchi to Kubota during COVID. He also discusses feeling overwhelmed by the volume of estimates and designs, and explains that if he started over he would still grow the company debt-free for long-term stability and family security. 👋 Connect with Andy 📸 Instagram: @mulderoutdoors 🛒 Shop Mulder Outdoors: mulderoutdoors.com/shop 🧰 Business Resources Save 10% on top resources with code: MULDERLIFEPODCAST 📘 How to Price My Job 🛒 Amazon Store 💥 Partner Discounts 🧱 Pave Tool — Use MULDEROUTDOORS50 to get $50 off a purchase of $500 or more 🔪 Blades Direct — Use MULDER20 to save $20 📏 Perma Paver Edging 🚧 SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software 👷 Brunt Workwear — Use MulderOutdoors10 to save $10 🍬 Albanese Candy — Official Candy of the Podcast 🛠️ Automatic Supply / Heritage Plus — Use MULDERLIFEPODCAST for 15% off (up to $1,500 — one per company) 🧱 Unilock 🎨 Dirty Graphix ⚙️ CMP Attachments 🚧 Engcon 🚜 A&D Equipment 📚 The Hardscape Academy 🪨 Amborn Stone — Call: 913-837-6729 💎 Latux Diamond Blades — Use code MULDER to save 20%

April 29, 20261 hr 3 min

Ep 167. Grow Without the Shop: What Shipping Containers Taught Me About Business

A shop can be a great asset, but it is not the thing that makes a landscape business successful. Andy breaks down how Mulder Outdoors operated for roughly a decade using shipping containers for storage, salt, tools, equipment, and yard organization while keeping overhead low and avoiding unnecessary debt. This episode traces the real progression from a small driveway setup to multiple containers, a stone parking lot, power, lighting, vents, shelves, locks, and a system that supported a growing landscape company. Andy shares what worked, what failed, and what he wishes he had done sooner. Covered in this episode: • How shipping containers helped Mulder Outdoors grow without a traditional shop • Why the first container was purchased for bulk salt storage • The difference between 10-foot, 20-foot, 40-foot, 45-foot, standard-height, and high-cube containers • What to inspect before buying a used container, especially doors, roof, and flooring • Why ventilation matters and how condensation can damage small engines • Lighting options, from extension-cord construction lights to battery-powered motion lights • Using magnets, E-Track, hooks, and shelving to organize tools and supplies • The value of container wheel kits for moving loaded containers around a property • Painting containers to clean up the look of a yard or property • Locks, security, and freeze-thaw issues around container doors For contractors trying to grow carefully, control costs, and make the most of the space they have, this conversation offers a practical look at building infrastructure one step at a time. 👋 Connect with Andy 📸 Instagram: @mulderoutdoors 🛒 Shop Mulder Outdoors: mulderoutdoors.com/shop 🧰 Business Resources Save 10% on top resources with code: MULDERLIFEPODCAST 📘 How to Price My Job 🛒 Amazon Store 💥 Partner Discounts 🧱 Pave Tool — Use MULDEROUTDOORS50 to get $50 off a purchase of $500 or more 🔪 Blades Direct — Use MULDER20 to save $20 📏 Perma Paver Edging 🚧 SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software 👷 Brunt Workwear — Use MulderOutdoors10 to save $10 🍬 Albanese Candy — Official Candy of the Podcast 🛠️ Automatic Supply / Heritage Plus — Use MULDERLIFEPODCAST for 15% off (up to $1,500 — one per company) 🧱 Unilock 🎨 Dirty Graphix ⚙️ CMP Attachments 🚧 Engcon 🚜 A&D Equipment 📚 The Hardscape Academy 🪨 Amborn Stone — Call: 913-837-6729 💎 Latux Diamond Blades — Use code MULDER to save 20%