The Violent Action Podcast

Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com Brett from Yeti Earthworks started his excavation and hardscape business in Northern Minnesota with one mini excavator, a borrowed trailer, and a $1,200 stump-removal job. Four years later, the company was doing just under $1.2M in annual revenue — but Brett learned the hard way that more revenue doesn't always mean more money in your pocket. After spending 15 years in the pipeline industry, Brett wanted to stop living on the road and build something of his own. His first year in business brought in roughly $75K. As Yeti grew, so did the equipment, employees, and overhead. Brett found himself falling into the same trap many contractors do: believing that more equipment and a bigger crew automatically meant more growth. Eventually, he realized the business was making money just to send it right back out the door. Brett shares how he went from chasing revenue and adding overhead to intentionally building a leaner, more profitable company. He also explains how his mindset around pricing completely changed. He once believed Northern Minnesota couldn't support premium pricing, until he realized he was limiting himself by only thinking about the smaller jobs in his market. Today, Yeti focuses on higher-end customers and larger projects, including $50K patios and $80K walls, while turning away or referring smaller jobs that aren't the right fit. You'll discover: • How Brett went from 15 years in the pipeline industry to starting Yeti Earthworks • How a $1,200 stump-removal job became his first project • How he built roughly $75K in his first year • Why more equipment, employees, and overhead nearly became a trap • How Yeti grew to nearly $1.2M in annual revenue • Why Brett intentionally reduced his crew to improve profitability • How he learned that revenue growth doesn't always equal profit • Why he stopped believing that Northern Minnesota couldn't support premium pricing • How Yeti began landing $50K patios and $80K walls • Why higher-end hardscape projects can create better margins • How clean equipment, branding, and presentation helped Yeti stand out • Why referrals, word of mouth, Facebook groups, and community connections became major lead sources • How Brett learned to focus on higher-end customers instead of trying to serve everyone • Why referring smaller jobs to other contractors can actually strengthen your network • The biggest lessons Brett learned from over-leveraging his business Brett's story is a great example of why contractors shouldn't chase revenue just for the sake of a bigger number. Growth only matters if the business is actually putting money in your pocket. Instead of trying to have the biggest fleet, the biggest crew, or the most revenue, Brett is now focused on building a leaner company, taking on better customers, doing higher-value work, and creating a business that is profitable and sustainable.

Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com Stefano Narducci started Northern Snow at just 18 years old with two walk-behind snow blowers and a simple idea: find a problem in his market and solve it better than everyone else. His first summer generated roughly $20K. Today, Northern Snow is on track for around $7.5M in top-line revenue. But getting there was anything but easy. In this episode, Stefano breaks down the three major stages of building Northern Snow — going from $0 to $1M, getting stuck in the $1M–$3M “swamp,” and then figuring out how to scale from $3M toward $7M+. He explains how he went door-to-door to build his first customers, why snow removal became the foundation of the company, and how a tractor-based operation allowed Northern Snow to grow from a handful of driveways into thousands of residential properties. You’ll discover: • How Stefano identified a gap in his local snow removal market and turned it into a business • How he went from two walk-behind snow blowers to an operation with dozens of tractors • How Northern Snow grew from roughly 175 driveways to nearly 6,000 • Why trying to offer landscaping, hardscaping, roofing, lawn care, and snow removal all at once slowed the company down • Why focusing almost exclusively on residential snow became one of the biggest turning points in the business • What the $1M–$3M “swamp” actually looked like and why the next stage of growth required completely different systems • How a disastrous season resulted in roughly a $700K loss and put the company in an extremely difficult financial position • What happened when staffing problems, customer complaints, tax obligations, and operational issues all hit at once • How Stefano survived 24–48 hour work stretches while trying to keep the business alive • How he rebuilt the company through better systems, training, delegation, hiring, and accountability • Why having the right people became more important than simply buying more equipment • How raising prices and improving operational efficiency helped create more room for growth • How organic content and social media became powerful marketing tools for Northern Snow • Why Stefano believes failure, risk, and difficult seasons can become some of the biggest catalysts for growth Stefano’s story is a look at what really happens when a service business moves beyond the early stages of growth. The strategies that get you to $1M aren’t necessarily the strategies that get you to $3M, and what works at $3M can become a massive problem when you're trying to reach the next level. This is a conversation about finding a valuable problem, building systems around it, making difficult decisions, surviving major mistakes, and constantly improving the way a business operates. If you’re a contractor or service-business owner trying to build a company that can grow beyond the owner, this episode is packed with lessons you can apply to your own business. #BlueCollarBusinessAccelerator #NorthernSnow #SnowRemoval #Contractor #Entrepreneur #ServiceBusiness #BusinessGrowth

Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At 28 years old, Darren from Lent Excavating, Landscaping & Forestry has built a business doing roughly $300K–$350K a year after starting from scratch just four years ago. But his path to becoming a successful excavation, landscaping, tree, and boulder contractor was anything but straightforward. Darren started working on a dairy farm at just 13 years old, spent years job hopping, learned to operate heavy equipment, and eventually discovered his ability to sell while door knocking for a tree company. After years of working for other companies, Darren finally decided to bet on himself and start his own business. He quickly learned that owning equipment and knowing how to do the work doesn't automatically mean customers will show up. His first year brought in roughly $90K in revenue, but he only took home around $15K. He bought equipment he didn't need, took whatever work he could find, and spent thousands of dollars on lead services that produced little in return. Over the next few years, Darren figured out how to find better work, price jobs properly, generate his own leads, and build a more profitable business. Revenue grew from roughly $90K in year one, to $135K–$140K in year two, over $200K in year three, and more than $300K in year four. You’ll discover: How Darren went from working on a dairy farm at 13 to running a $300K+ home service business How door knocking taught him the sales skills that helped build his company Why his first year generated $90K but only put about $15K in his pocket The expensive lessons he learned from buying equipment before having the work to justify it How he got into the boulder business and turned rocks into a major source of opportunity Why spending thousands on Angi and other lead services was one of his biggest mistakes How door knocking helped him generate a consistent flow of tree work Creative ways to find leads through township meetings, auctions, sales barns, and estate sales How Darren grew from $90K to $300K+ while remaining a lean operation Why getting rid of unnecessary equipment actually made the business MORE profitable The importance of working ON the business instead of constantly working IN it What happened when Darren tipped over a 65-size excavator on a job site The crazy customer story that involved a backpack blower, a sheriff, and a wealthy family How a customer dispute eventually turned into a lawsuit Why treating customers with respect and simply picking up the phone can have a massive impact Today, Darren runs a leaner, more profitable business focused on tree work, excavation, boulder walls, lot clearing, and agricultural work. His story is a raw look at what building a home service business actually looks like: bad jobs, slow seasons, bad investments, lawsuits, expensive lessons, and plenty of mistakes. But through all of it, Darren kept hustling, kept learning, and kept moving forward. As he says: block out the haters, do your homework, treat people right, and keep going.

Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At 16 years old, Rob from FYI Landscaping started mowing lawns and doing small landscaping jobs for neighbors. Today, at 30, he has 7–8 employees, a fleet of heavy equipment, has completed projects north of $200K, and is on track to do roughly $1.4M this year. Rob's journey wasn't built overnight. After earning a construction management degree, an internship opportunity fell through, which led him to realize he could turn his landscaping business into a full-time career. What started as roughly $50K–$100K on the side eventually grew into a seven-figure operation. One of the most interesting parts of Rob's business is his four-day work week. Rather than building a company around nonstop grinding, he created a culture focused on productivity, quality work, and giving his employees a life outside of work. The result? A team that keeps coming back, works efficiently, and helped the company grow from just over $1M last year toward $1.4M this year. Rob also shares the mistakes that shaped the business, including a $30K project that went south because of poorly documented change orders, and how he learned to gradually move from $5K patios to $30K, $80K, $100K+ and eventually $200K+ projects. You’ll discover: How Rob went from mowing lawns at 16 to building a $1.4M landscaping company How he grew the business organically while staying largely debt free Why smaller $5K–$30K projects can be extremely profitable How he built a four-day work week without sacrificing growth The $30K mistake that taught him a massive lesson about change orders How he gradually worked his way into $100K–$200K+ projects Why over-communication is critical when managing large jobs How he finds and keeps great employees Why taking responsibility for employee mistakes can transform your company culture How knowing your numbers helps you make smarter decisions Why investing in people and equipment mattered more than buying flashy trucks Today, Rob has built more than just a seven-figure landscaping company. He's built a business focused on efficiency, strong people, profitability, and work-life balance. His story proves you don't have to grow overnight. You can start small, reinvest into the business, learn from your mistakes, and build something far bigger than you originally imagined.

Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At 28 years old, Ethan from Homebeam Outdoor Lighting is on pace to do roughly $800K this year with a niche landscape lighting business. Just last winter, he was nearly $70K in debt. Now, he's paid it off, paid himself, and is on track to finish the year with six figures in the bank. But three years ago, Ethan was working a $70K–$75K engineering job. After spending three years behind a desk, Ethan realized he didn't want to spend the rest of his career waiting for small raises and eventually becoming a supervisor. When his wife became pregnant, he decided it was time to bet on himself and build a business that could support his family. He started Homebeam in 2023 while still working full-time. His first major project was around $10K, but he severely underpriced it because he didn't understand overhead or true job costs. Then things got worse. After quitting his job in 2024, Ethan generated roughly $125K in revenue while spending $45K–$55K on advertising. He lost money, burned through his savings, and was told to spend even more on ads. Eventually, he realized the problem wasn't his market. It was how he was running the business. After joining the Blue Collar Business Accelerator, Ethan drastically reduced his ad spend and focused on pricing, sales, branding, social proof, referrals, and better lead generation. The result? His revenue jumped from roughly $125K to $450K. Now in year three, he's on pace for $750K–$800K and believes he could eventually build a $1.5M business within his current 45-minute service area. You’ll discover: How Ethan went from a $70K engineering job to an $800K landscape lighting business Why a niche trade doesn't mean your market is too small How underpricing his first $10K project taught him the importance of understanding overhead Why spending $45K–$55K on ads produced only $125K in revenue How he nearly 4X'd revenue from $125K to $450K Why raising his prices actually improved his profitability How door hangers became one of his most reliable lead sources Why referrals, Google, repeat customers, and organic marketing became more important than paid ads How he paid off nearly $70K of debt while still paying himself Why taking calculated risks and getting out of analysis paralysis changed his business How he went from believing his market was too small to believing $1.5M is possible Today, Ethan has a growing team, a profitable niche business, and a completely different perspective on what's possible. The biggest lesson from his story? Your market might not be the problem. For years, Ethan believed his market was too limited and customers wouldn't pay higher prices. Once he improved his pricing, sales process, branding, and customer experience, he discovered that people were willing to pay far more than he thought. Three years ago, he was behind a desk making $70K–$75K. Today, he's building an $800K business. Sometimes the biggest thing holding your business back isn't the market. It's what you believe is possible.

Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com Jeff from Clean and Seal started his business during the 2008 recession with little experience, no roadmap, and plenty of reasons to quit. After getting into trouble as a teenager, working dead-end jobs, and working for his dad’s landscaping company, Jeff decided to build something of his own. He started Clean and Seal around 2008–2009, learning paver sealing through trial and error when almost nobody even knew what the service was. The early years were brutal. Jeff worked constantly, made plenty of mistakes, and came close to quitting multiple times. Instead, he kept grinding, educated contractors, and eventually landed larger projects that changed the trajectory of the business. From there, Clean and Seal expanded into abrasive blasting, coatings, masonry, industrial work, and multiple locations. Jeff also acquired competing companies, built a real estate portfolio, got into aviation, and created new business opportunities through networking. In this episode, Jeff breaks down: • Starting a business during a recession • Going from almost quitting to building a multi-location company • Why grinding matters more than choosing the “perfect” trade • How he found and acquired competing businesses • How to properly vet subcontractors • Why commercial work can destroy businesses without cash flow • The importance of hiring great people • How he transitioned out of the day-to-day • Building wealth through real estate and diversification • Why networking has created some of his biggest opportunities • How aviation became part of his business strategy • Why surrounding yourself with successful people changes everything Jeff’s story is a reminder that success rarely happens overnight. It comes from years of hard work, learning from mistakes, taking risks, and refusing to quit. If you’re building a blue-collar business, this episode is packed with lessons you can put to work immediately. Violent action towards the goal.

Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At just 27 years old, Logan from Kittock Landscape Services is on pace for roughly $750K this year. But just a few years ago, he never planned on owning a business. Logan started working at a sod farm at 16, became a foreman at 18, and eventually began taking small side jobs while his wife was in school. What started with selling leftover sod on Facebook quickly turned into sod installations, landscaping, patios, and hardscaping. One $940 sale of leftover sod made him realize he could make more money on his own than at his job. Before long, he was taking Fridays off just to keep up with side work. His first year in business brought in roughly $100K, followed by around $360K–$370K the next year. You’ll discover: * How Logan went from laying sod at 16 to building Kittock Landscape Services toward $750K * How a $940 side-job paycheck convinced him to take his business seriously * Why he started taking Fridays off from his job because he had too much side work * How he grew from roughly $100K in his first year to $360K–$370K the following year * How buying his first skid steer and bringing his brother into the business changed everything * Why starting with smaller $2K–$5K projects helped him learn how to build a real business * How he hand-dug a roughly 900-square-foot patio without a skid steer * How moving to a new market forced him to rebuild his customer base from scratch * How social media, quality work, and stacking projects helped generate leads * How he built a team of five employees during the busiest part of the season * What it really costs to operate a landscaping company with nearly $15K in monthly fixed expenses * How he landed a massive project involving 102 pallets of wall block and 135 tons of river rock * The nightmare customer situation that cost him nearly $5K in extra work * Why Logan believes quality of work should always come before chasing money Today, Kittock Landscape Services has a shop, heavy equipment, a growing team, and roughly $727K on the books. From a $940 side-job paycheck to a landscaping business approaching $750K, this is a story about taking action, learning as you go, and building something bigger one project at a time.

Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At just 21 years old, Luke from Erlandson Hydroscapes in Brainerd, Minnesota is on track for roughly $550K this year after doing just under $200K his first year. But Luke didn’t start with a big bankroll or years of business experience. He started with roughly $8,000 in the bank, put it down on an $18,000 hydroseeder, quit his job with no work lined up, and bet on himself. After a slow start, Luke joined the Blue Collar Business Accelerator and began focusing on the business side of his trade. Today, he runs three crews, averages $7K–$10K hydroseeding projects, works with major contractors and lake-home builders, and has virtually no direct competition in his market. Even more impressive, Luke entered this year with his accounts essentially at zero after spending aggressively on equipment. Now, he's approaching $200K in profit. You’ll discover: How Luke went from landscaping at 16 to running a $550K hydroseeding company at 21 Why he put $8K down on an $18K hydroseeder before having jobs lined up How Facebook Marketplace helped him land his first customers How he went from under $200K to roughly $550K in revenue How he went from nearly $0 in the bank to nearly $200K in profit How he built a business with virtually no direct competition Why answering the phone and getting reviews can give you a huge advantage How contractor relationships helped him land bigger projects Why profitability matters more than simply chasing revenue How learning the business side transformed his company Luke's story is proof that you don't need everything figured out before you start. He took a massive risk at 21, learned from his mistakes, and turned a hydroseeding side hustle into a highly profitable business. If you've been waiting for the perfect time to bet on yourself, this episode is for you.

Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At 27 years old, Sam from Gatz Home Renovations is on track to do roughly $550K in revenue this year after starting his business almost by accident. With a degree in law enforcement and no real plan to become a remodeler, Sam’s path into the trades started during COVID when he and his wife bought a house to flip after getting inspired by HGTV. That first project turned into a much bigger journey. Sam realized he needed his GC license, passed the test on his second attempt, and began learning the trades through a three-and-a-half-year stretch working alongside an experienced contractor. He learned how to build houses, decks, basements, and structural projects before eventually stepping away to take on his own jobs. Sam went from relying almost entirely on friends, family, and community connections to landing projects in the $50K–$100K range, including a roughly $325K–$350K renovation and addition for his parents. But when those community leads started drying up, he found himself stuck without a clear plan for how to consistently generate business. After discovering the Blue Collar Business Accelerator, Sam finally started building the business side of his company. His online presence improved, Google began generating leads, his confidence grew, and he started feeling like a legitimate business owner instead of someone simply waiting for the next referral. You’ll discover: How a law enforcement degree eventually led Sam into the remodeling industry Why an HGTV-inspired house flip completely changed the direction of his career How Sam passed his GC test after failing his first attempt What he learned from spending three and a half years working under another contractor How he went from friends-and-family jobs to $50K–$100K remodeling projects How he landed and completed a roughly $325K–$350K renovation and addition Why relying on community and family referrals eventually left him feeling stuck How improving his online presence started generating leads from Google Why confidence can be just as important as lead generation when growing a business How Sam went from not knowing what to do next to finally having a clear trajectory for his company Why being a great remodeler isn't enough anymore — you also need to understand business How Sam is building a remodeling company around a better client experience Today, Sam runs a true general contracting business with no employees, managing subcontractors, schedules, finances, and entire remodeling projects himself. His goal isn't simply to do more jobs — it's to create an experience where clients finish a project thinking, “Wow, that was easy.” His story is a great example of what happens when someone stops waiting for things to happen and starts learning the business side of the trades. From a law enforcement degree to flipping a house, learning the trades for three and a half years, and eventually building a remodeling company on pace for $550K, Sam's journey proves you don't have to start with a perfect plan to build something real. You just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At just 20 years old, Jadon from Elevated Curb Appeal is on track to do over $600K in revenue with a concrete curbing business he started with almost no experience. At 19, Jadon quit his asphalt job, took out a $100,000 SBA loan, and bought a curbing operation with only about $1,000 in work lined up. He barely knew how to operate the equipment, had no real marketing system, and had no idea what he was getting himself into. His first year was filled with mistakes. He underbid jobs, struggled with concrete mixes, dealt with cracked projects, and had almost no leads. He tried Facebook Marketplace, Google Ads, billboards, and yard signs just to keep the business moving. Then things started to snowball. After joining the Blue Collar Business Accelerator, Jadon went from roughly 1–2 leads per week to 3–4 leads per day. His close rate went from around 20–30% to roughly 75%, and he stopped competing on being the cheapest contractor. Today, most of his leads come from Google and referrals, he has a full-time employee he trusts, and he's built a business on pace for over $600K. You’ll discover: How Jadon went from dropping out of high school to building a $600K concrete curbing business at 20 Why he took out a $100K SBA loan with almost no experience and only $1,000 in work booked How Facebook Marketplace generated roughly 90% of his leads during his first year How a simple Marketplace lead eventually turned into a $60K HOA project Why one damaged mailbox led to a landscaping job and multiple referrals How he went from closing only 20–30% of jobs to roughly 75% Why being the cheapest contractor isn't always the best way to win work How reviews, professional presentation, and fast follow-up transformed his lead flow Why your customers are worth far more than just the check they give you How learning to delegate and trust employees is helping him scale Jadon's story is a perfect example of what can happen when you stop waiting until you're ready and simply take action. He didn't have the experience. He didn't have the perfect plan. He made plenty of mistakes and had plenty of people question his decision. But he kept moving forward. Now he's 20 years old with a $600K business and a goal of reaching $3–5 million. As Jadon puts it: dedicate everything to what you want to do, put your head down, and make it happen.

Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At just 23 years old, Daniel from Two Rivers Lawn & Landscape has gone from mowing $15 lawns on rollerblades to building a company on pace for roughly $750K–$800K this year. Daniel started mowing lawns at 12 years old and eventually began rollerblading around his neighborhood handing out flyers to get customers. At 16, he hired his younger brother, bought a small trailer, and grew the business to roughly $20K in revenue. For years, the business stayed relatively small while Daniel played junior hockey. At 21, he decided to take the business seriously. His first year going all in brought in roughly $115K, but he was still learning how to price jobs, generate leads, and actually grow a profitable business. Last year, the company passed $300K. After attending a Blue Collar Business Accelerator event, Daniel's entire mindset around growth changed. Instead of thinking growth meant buying more trucks and equipment, he focused on branding, reviews, community involvement, and generating consistent leads. Now, Two Rivers has four employees, handles roughly 100 residential lawns a week, takes on $10K–$20K landscape projects, and is on pace for $750K–$800K this year. You’ll discover: How Daniel went from $15 lawns and rollerblades to an $800K landscaping company Why handing out thousands of flyers became the foundation of his business How he went from roughly 3–10 leads a month to 25–50+ landscape leads What changed when he stopped believing growth meant buying more trucks and equipment How the Blue Collar Business Accelerator changed his mindset around business growth Why branding, reviews, and getting involved in his community created a massive increase in leads How more leads allowed him to become more selective with customers and projects How he transitioned from being in the field constantly to running a hybrid role between the field and the business Why becoming a better leader and communicator is his next step toward building multiple crews Why you should never compare your business to what you see on social media Why dropping your ego, asking questions, and connecting with other contractors can change your trajectory Today, Daniel has a lean, profitable operation and a company on pace for nearly $800K. But his story is proof that you don't need a massive fleet, a huge marketing budget, or years of experience to build a successful business. Sometimes you just need a push mower, a pair of rollerblades, and the willingness to hustle. And Daniel's biggest piece of advice? Watch your own bobber. Don't compare your business to the guy next to you or the contractor you see on Instagram. You have no idea what's actually happening behind the scenes. If you're building a landscaping business and feel like you're behind, this is an episode you don't want to miss.

Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At just 20 years old, Matthew from Brothers Landscaping Services is on track to do roughly $1.3M–$1.5M this year after doing just $20K his first year. In only a few years, he went from shoveling rock into an F-150 for an $800 job to running multiple crews, managing roughly 18 employees across two companies, and completing six-figure landscaping projects. Matthew shares how he and his brother started as teenagers with almost no money, experience, or idea how to price jobs. Their first major project was an $800 rock removal job that took three days and left them with almost nothing after dump fees. Instead of quitting, they kept knocking doors, posting online, taking jobs, and figuring things out as they went. By year two, the company had reached roughly $674K in revenue. The following year they hit around $1.2M, and now Matthew is expanding into excavation, utilities, lawn maintenance, and snow removal. You’ll discover: How Matthew went from an $800 rock job at 16 to building a business on pace for $1.5M How the company went from roughly $20K to $674K and then $1.2M in just a few years Why doing the things other contractors won't do can create a massive competitive advantage How subcontracting for larger companies helped them get experience and scale The biggest mistake Matthew made on a major project by building without proper plans Why detailed plans and SOPs can completely change how your crews perform How he successfully completed a nearly $100K retaining wall after learning from an earlier project Why asking questions and learning from experienced contractors has helped him take on projects he didn't initially know how to do How he built a team of hungry employees who actually want to work and grow Why repetition is one of the biggest factors in building confidence in sales How branding, clean job sites, wrapped trucks, and professional crews have directly generated new leads Why maintenance contracts could become a $1M revenue stream and a lead source for larger projects Today, Matthew is running a rapidly growing landscaping company while building a second excavation and utilities business. But the biggest lesson from his story isn't just the revenue. It's the mindset. He didn't start with years of experience or everything figured out. He asked questions, took action, made mistakes, surrounded himself with the right people, and kept executing. If you're young, inexperienced, or waiting until you feel "ready" to take your business to the next level, this episode is for you. As always, violent action towards the goal.

Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At 32 years old, Alex and Kelsey from Amundson Concrete are on track to do roughly $800K this year — profitably. But for the first six years, they were stuck between $300K–$500K in revenue while struggling with margins, inconsistent work, hiring, and the stress of keeping the business afloat. Amundson Concrete started in March 2020 during COVID. Alex had spent his entire life in the concrete industry, but knowing how to pour concrete didn't mean he knew how to run a profitable business. For years, they struggled to turn their hard work into real money. Everything started changing when they joined the Blue Collar Business Accelerator. They completely changed how they approached pricing, branding, sales, customer communication, and their overall business strategy. They went from guessing at square-foot pricing to understanding their numbers, from struggling to find work to booking into the following spring, and from constantly worrying about money to finally bringing home real profit. You’ll discover: Why doing $300K–$500K a year doesn't necessarily mean you're running a profitable business How underpricing concrete jobs kept them stuck for years Why square-foot pricing was costing them money How one concrete mistake cost them more than $10K How better branding helped them attract higher-quality customers How they went from struggling to find work to being booked into spring Why standing behind your work and actually answering the phone can separate you from the competition How buying their own mini skid is saving them roughly $4K–$6K every month How working together as a husband-and-wife team helped transform the business Why trade knowledge alone isn't enough to build a profitable company Today, Amundson Concrete has a five-person team, their own equipment, a growing pipeline of work, and is on pace for roughly $800K. Their story is proof that sometimes the thing holding your business back isn't your trade — it's the way you're running the business. If you've been stuck at the same revenue level for years and feel like you're working harder without making more money, this episode is for you.

Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At just 20 and 21 years old, Austin and Ryan from RNA Lawn & Landscape are on track to do nearly $1 million this year across lawn maintenance, snow, landscaping, and hardscaping. But their story started in high school with two teenagers, a couple snow blowers, and a willingness to knock on doors. After a snowstorm helped them land 30–35 clients, a single Facebook post from a happy customer caused their phones to blow up. They began reinvesting everything they made, eventually buying their first zero-turn mower and trailer before they even had lawn-care clients lined up. Then a customer asked if they built patios. They had never built one before. They said yes. That roughly $9,500 patio took far longer than expected and they essentially broke even, but it showed them what was possible. After graduating, they skipped college and went all in on the business. Their revenue exploded: $110K → $225K → $540K → Nearly $1M Today, they have five full-time employees, multiple crews, and have gone from mowing lawns to completing projects worth tens of thousands of dollars—including a six-figure project. In this episode, you’ll learn: How two teenagers built a nearly $1M landscaping business How they went from $110K to nearly $1M in just a few years Why they skipped college and went all in on the trades How a single Facebook post generated a massive wave of leads How they went from small lawn jobs to six-figure projects The expensive change-order mistake that cost them thousands Why every change order needs to be priced and approved in writing How they built a team of young employees through their local network Why hiring friends can become a major problem without clear expectations How becoming a fixture in their community helped transform their brand Austin and Ryan didn't start with experience, money, or a perfect plan. They started small, made mistakes, learned expensive lessons, and kept taking action. Now they're building a nearly $1 million landscaping and hardscaping company before they’re even old enough to rent a car. Essential listening for anyone in the trades who wants to see what's possible when you stop worrying about what everyone else thinks and go all in.

Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At 20 years old, Jack from Waters Landscape Design is on track to do roughly $600K this year after starting with just $40K in revenue. But his story is far from a straight line. Before building a successful hardscape, landscape, and concrete business, Jack dropped out of high school, struggled with alcohol at a young age, and spent time rebuilding his life before finding his way back into the trades. Jack shares how his first-ever patio was a complete disaster: a roughly 400-square-foot job sold for just $2,000, built with reused pavers, and based with river rock. He and a buddy spent four days figuring it out as they went, and after another early patio job, he found himself roughly $10,000 underwater. But instead of quitting, he kept learning, kept selling, and kept taking on bigger opportunities. After making around $40K his first year on small jobs, Jack joined the Blue Collar Business Accelerator, quit his factory job, and went all in on building a real business. He went from having virtually no online presence to building a brand, knocking doors, collecting reviews, generating leads, and eventually having 50K months. In his second year, the business jumped to roughly $350K in revenue. You’ll discover: * How Jack went from skipping school to work landscaping jobs to running a business on pace for $600K * Why his first $2,000 patio was one of the most expensive lessons of his career * How he lost roughly $10K on another patio because he didn’t know how to price the work * What changed when he stopped treating landscaping like a side hustle and started building a real business * Why quitting his job and betting on himself completely changed his mindset * How door knocking and free reviews helped him build a brand and generate his first major wave of leads * How his average project size grew from around $500–$2,000 to roughly $30K * Why you don’t need massive six-figure projects to build a highly profitable company * How he entered this season with nearly $100K already booked before the season started * Why taking action matters more than knowing everything before you start Today, Jack has employees, equipment, money in the bank, and a growing business that is already on pace for around $600K. But the biggest takeaway from his story is that he didn’t start with the knowledge, experience, or perfect circumstances most people think they need. He made mistakes. He underbid jobs. He lost money. He second-guessed himself. But he kept moving forward and eventually turned a side hustle into a real business. Essential listening if you’ve ever felt like your past mistakes, lack of education, or lack of experience disqualify you from building something bigger." but based off this transcript

Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com Nate from Tommy Johnny Landscape started his business doing just $80K in revenue his first year. Now, only a few years later, he’s on pace to do roughly $750K–$800K while landing $50K, $60K, and even $100K landscape installs. But his growth didn’t come from simply buying more trucks, adding crews, or spending more money on ads. In year two, Nate spent over $20,000 on a marketing agency—a decision he says was one of the worst he ever made. He went on more than 100 estimates from the campaigns and only landed five jobs, ultimately wasting money and valuable time. Instead of quitting, he learned from it. Nate went from doing $2K–$3K landscaping jobs and posting in Facebook groups to averaging roughly $20K–$40K projects, building a stronger local brand, getting involved in his community, and growing the business from roughly $240K to nearly $590K in one year. Now, despite being on pace for nearly $800K, Nate still runs one crew by choice. Rather than rushing to add more employees, trucks, and overhead, he’s focused on building cash reserves, raising prices, landing better projects, and strengthening the business before making his next move. You’ll discover: How Nate went from $80K in year one to nearly $800K in just a few years Why spending over $20K on paid ads became one of his biggest business lessons How he went on more than 100 estimates and only landed five jobs from those campaigns Why doing more revenue doesn’t automatically mean you should add more crews How staying with one crew could actually make him more profitable than expanding Why renting equipment instead of buying everything has helped him build a stronger business How his average project size grew from roughly $2K–$3K to $20K–$40K Why he’s now competing for $50K, $60K, and $100K landscape installs How being responsive and showing customers you care can win jobs over larger competitors Why Nate believes paid ads are a waste of money for many small, local contractors How getting involved in the community can create more valuable opportunities than paid advertising Why your first big job should never be the first time you try something you’ve never done before Why growing too aggressively can create more problems instead of more profit Today, Nate is building a business with better projects, a stronger brand, more cash, and the ability to choose the type of work he wants to take on. The biggest takeaway from his story? Real growth isn’t always about looking bigger. Sometimes the smartest move is to slow down, stay profitable, build the right foundation, and prepare before attacking the next level. Essential listening for any contractor who wants to grow without ending up with more trucks, more employees, more revenue—and more problems.

Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com Less than two years ago, Nate Wielkiewicz from Property Potential Services had essentially no business, two lawns paying $40 each, and maybe $1,000 to his name. Today, he’s on pace to approach $1 million in revenue with roughly 40% margins, four full-time employees, and two part-time team members. But Nate’s story is about more than rapid growth. After years working in asphalt and paving, he started his business expecting accounts to roll in simply because he did good work. When that didn’t happen, he had to confront one of the biggest lessons of his journey: business growth doesn’t happen overnight. He shares how he went from putting out 500 door hangers without getting a single call to landing his first major five-figure jobs. He explains why his mindset was simply “it’s going to work or it’s going to work,” how he put his first month in the Accelerator on a credit card, and why dropping his ego and becoming more teachable changed everything. After generating just a few thousand dollars early on, Nate did roughly $300K last year and is now approaching $1 million with zero money spent on paid advertising. You’ll discover: How Nate went from mowing two $40 lawns to running an asphalt maintenance business on pace for nearly $1M Why his first 500 door hangers produced zero calls—and what that taught him about patience How three five-figure jobs gave him the confidence to quit his job and go all in Why doing good work alone isn’t enough to build a successful company How dropping his ego and staying teachable became one of the biggest drivers of his growth Why he shifted his focus from chasing revenue to building a more profitable business How his average job grew from $40 lawns to $30K–$60K projects How systems, SOPs, and clear expectations allow him to step away from the job site Why building a recognizable brand helped generate leads, relationships, and real community support How his company helped raise nearly $11K in less than 24 hours for his foreman after a serious accident Why the worst-case scenario of starting a business is often simply returning to the job you already have Today, Nate is still in the trenches, waking up before 4 AM, loading trucks, working with his crew, selling projects, and building the systems necessary to scale even further. The biggest takeaway from his story is simple: Nate didn’t start with money, a massive customer base, paid ads, or years of business experience. He started with a couple of lawns, a willingness to learn, and the belief that if he kept taking the right actions long enough, the results would eventually come. He made mistakes. He expected things to happen too quickly. He compared his chapter one to other people’s chapter 20. But instead of quitting when things didn’t work immediately, he stayed disciplined, adjusted his expectations, and kept moving forward. Essential listening if you’ve ever felt like your business is too small, your industry is too niche, or you don’t have the resources to build something bigger.

Apply to join the Accelerator ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com At 20 years old, Jack from Waters Landscape Design is on track to do roughly $600K this year after starting with just $40K in revenue. But his story is far from a straight line. Before building a successful hardscape, landscape, and concrete business, Jack dropped out of high school, struggled with alcohol at a young age, and spent time rebuilding his life before finding his way back into the trades. Jack shares how his first-ever patio was a complete disaster: a roughly 400-square-foot job sold for just $2,000, built with reused pavers, and based with river rock. He and a buddy spent four days figuring it out as they went, and after another early patio job, he found himself roughly $10,000 underwater. But instead of quitting, he kept learning, kept selling, and kept taking on bigger opportunities. After making around $40K his first year on small jobs, Jack joined the Blue Collar Business Accelerator, quit his factory job, and went all in on building a real business. He went from having virtually no online presence to building a brand, knocking doors, collecting reviews, generating leads, and eventually having 50K months. In his second year, the business jumped to roughly $350K in revenue. You’ll discover: How Jack went from skipping school to work landscaping jobs to running a business on pace for $600K Why his first $2,000 patio was one of the most expensive lessons of his career How he lost roughly $10K on another patio because he didn’t know how to price the work What changed when he stopped treating landscaping like a side hustle and started building a real business Why quitting his job and betting on himself completely changed his mindset How door knocking and free reviews helped him build a brand and generate his first major wave of leads How his average project size grew from around $500–$2,000 to roughly $30K Why you don’t need massive six-figure projects to build a highly profitable company How he entered this season with nearly $100K already booked before the season started Why taking action matters more than knowing everything before you start Today, Jack has employees, equipment, money in the bank, and a growing business that is already on pace for around $600K. But the biggest takeaway from his story is that he didn’t start with the knowledge, experience, or perfect circumstances most people think they need. He made mistakes. He underbid jobs. He lost money. He second-guessed himself. But he kept moving forward and eventually turned a side hustle into a real business. Essential listening if you’ve ever felt like your past mistakes, lack of education, or lack of experience disqualify you from building something bigger.

➡️ Apply to join the Accelerator https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com A&A Outdoor Services started with two young guys knocking on doors and cleaning up lake weeds. Today, at just 19 and 20 years old , they’re on track to do roughly $500K this year . Andrew and Adam started working at 13 and 14 years old. After spending summers tying up boats around the Brainerd lakes area, they got tired of working for someone else and decided to make money for themselves. So they started knocking on doors. With no real brand, little equipment, and no idea how to price jobs, they offered shoreline weed removal. From there, they got into snow removal, lawn care, and landscaping — building A&A Outdoor Services through door knocking, Facebook, door hangers, and a willingness to take risks before they felt ready. They bought their first mower before they had a single lawn account. They signed their first commercial account before owning the equipment needed to service it. And at one point, they spent nearly everything they had on a $24,500 dump trailer , leaving just $500 in the bank . Their growth has been fast: $40K → $120K → $225K → on track for $500K this year. In this episode, they break down how they’ve grown the company, the risks they’ve taken, and what it really takes to build a business at a young age. You’ll discover: How they started working and hustling at just 13 and 14 years old Why they went door to door offering lake weed removal as teenagers How a simple Facebook post brought them 15 snow customers in one snowfall Why they bought a $5,000 mower before they had a single lawn account How they went from $40K to $500K in just a few years Why they spent $24,500 on a dump trailer and left themselves with $500 How they signed a commercial account before owning the equipment needed to do the work Why taking risks before feeling completely ready helped accelerate their growth Why they skipped college and bet on their business How they hired two experienced full-time employees at just 19 and 20 years old Why building a strong local brand helped them attract better employees How they divide responsibilities between operations, sales, estimating, and the back end of the business Why being young is never a valid excuse for not starting How investing in education and getting around the right people accelerated their growth How they went from not knowing how to turn on a mower to building a company on track for half a million dollars Andrew and Adam’s story is proof that you don’t need to have everything figured out before you start. You don’t need to be older. You don’t need decades of experience. And you don’t need to know exactly how everything is going to work. You just need to start, take risks, learn fast, and keep betting on yourself. If you’re a young entrepreneur, contractor, landscaper, or home service business owner trying to build something bigger, this episode is packed with lessons on risk, branding, hiring, sales, operations, mindset, and what can happen when you stop making excuses and start taking action. The sky might be higher than you think.

➡️ Apply to join the Accelerator https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.info/apply-336997 Check out our website ➡️ https://bluecollarbusinessaccelerator.com Chad with Davis Dirtworks spent 18 years working his way from a laborer to a foreman before finally starting his own excavation business. Today, he’s on track to do roughly $800K in revenue this season with just two employees. But he didn’t start with everything figured out. Chad launched Davis Dirtworks as a side hustle in 2018, taking on pole barn pads, clearing, boulder walls, and pretty much any job the phone rang about. He spent nearly five years waiting for the “perfect time” to quit his W-2 job. In 2022, he finally stopped waiting. At 38 years old, with two young kids and just $2,000 in his bank account , Chad quit his job and went all in. Since then, he’s grown Davis Dirtworks from a one-man operation into a business approaching $800K in annual revenue. Along the way, he learned expensive lessons about taking bad jobs, rushing work, managing cash flow, buying equipment, hiring employees, and building a brand. In this episode, Chad shares why being “busy” doesn’t always mean you’re making money, how he learned to focus on more profitable projects, and why getting help changed the way he thinks about business. You’ll discover: How Chad went from laborer to foreman before starting his own business Why he spent nearly five years building the business on nights and weekends Why he quit his W-2 job with only $2,000 in the bank How taking any job can keep business owners stuck Why being busy doesn’t always mean you’re making money How Chad went from doing $300–$500 jobs to landing $100K+ projects Why focusing on ideal projects helped him take control of his business How he’s on track for roughly $800K with just two employees Why profit matters more than revenue How setting your ego aside and getting help changed the way he runs his business What actually happens when you hit a gas line — and what Chad did after it happened How much his gas line mistake actually cost Why rushing jobs can become expensive How he destroyed a $6,500 garage door How social media helped him find customers, connections, and even an employee Why simple iPhone videos can outperform expensive drone footage Why building a personal brand can help you grow a trade business Why it’s never too late to start your own business Chad’s story is proof that you don’t need to start at 20 years old, have everything figured out, or wait until you have the perfect amount of money in the bank. If you’re a contractor, excavator, landscaper, or home service business owner trying to stop chasing every random job, create a more consistent pipeline, build a stronger brand, and take control of your business, this episode is packed with practical lessons on mindset, profit, marketing, hiring, mistakes, and growth. Essential listening for anyone in the trades who knows they’re capable of more — but keeps waiting for the perfect time to make the move.