Trades Talk

John Vlay: A Career Fueled by Partnerships & Connection

In this episode of TradesTalk, Justin and Maggie sit down with John Vlay, a seasoned leader in the landscape industry, to explore his impressive career and his vision for the future. Starting as an assistant estimator at Jensen Landscape in 1983, John worked his way up to CEO, where he helped transition the company to an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). He shares the benefits and challenges of ESOPs and why Jensen ultimately sold to Monarch Landscape in 2015.
John’s post-Jensen career is just as inspiring. He discusses his work promoting battery-powered and robotic equipment with Garden Land and his latest venture with Cold Bore Capital, where he’s building a platform to acquire and grow landscape companies using cutting-edge technology like AI, robotics, and battery power. Throughout the episode, John emphasizes the importance of partnerships, innovation, and staying connected in the industry.

Trades Talk Rewind: A Year of Insights, Highlights, and a Big Reveal!

A special episode drop, with some exciting news!

Mark Tipton & Whitney Griffin: How Aspire is Revolutionizing the Landscape Industry with Innovation

 
In this episode of TradesTalk, CEO and co-founder Mark Tipton and Senior Product Owner Whitney Griffin take us through Aspire’s incredible 11-year journey, from a small startup to a powerhouse serving over 1,500 customers in the landscape industry. They reveal how Aspire’s partnership with ServiceTitan has fueled growth, tripling investment in new features like estimate revisions, equipment scheduling, and enhanced site audits. Whitney dives deep into how customer feedback drives innovation, while Mark shares the company's vision for the future amidst an evolving industry and economic uncertainty.Mark's LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-t-tipton/
Whitney's LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitney-griffin-phd-acspo-01357040/ 

Jason & Tony Batallan: Building a $35M Landscape Empire from the Ground Up

In this episode of Trades Talk, Justin sits down with Jason and Tony Batallan, the founders of Property Works, a $35 million commercial landscape empire. The Batallan brothers share their remarkable journey of leveraging their real estate expertise to build one of the most successful landscape businesses in the industry.
Listeners will discover how Property Works scaled quickly through strategic acquisitions, while maintaining a focus on professionalism and operational excellence. The Batallan brothers explain how they expanded into complementary services like janitorial and painting, creating a one-stop solution for commercial property management.
With a goal to hit $50 million in revenue in the next two years, Jason and Tony break down the systems they’ve developed to ensure sustainable growth while keeping employees engaged and clients satisfied. They share insights on balancing rapid expansion with maintaining company culture and profitability.
If you're looking to grow and diversify your business, this episode is packed with actionable strategies from the Batallan brothers’ playbook, offering a roadmap to take your company to the next level.
Tune in now to learn how Property Works became a $35 million success story—and how you can apply the same principles to your business!
 
How to find Jason and Tony:
https://propertyworksonline.net/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-batallan-47957385/
 

Matt Budnick: How Cam Property Services Is Redefining Recurring Revenue In California

In this episode, TradesTalk welcomes Matt Budnick, Director of Key Accounts at Cam Property Services, to discuss his role in managing key clients and Cam's strategic growth. Matt explains how Cam has evolved since its founding in 1987, offering eight service lines and focusing on commercial and multifamily properties. He highlights the company's shift in strategy following the Aspire Ignite conference, including changes in compensation programs, leadership rebuilding, and a focus on high performance and retention. The episode also covers Cam's hiring strategies, accountability, and the importance of networking.
 
If you want to reach out to Matt you can fine him on LinkedIn here: 
 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-budnick?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Greg Herring: Unlock the Secrets to Skyrocketing Profits and Free Time

 
In this episode of TradesTalk, Justin and Maggie sit down with Greg Herring, founder of The Herring Group, to reveal the secrets to boosting profits and work-life balance for landscape and trade businesses. Greg breaks down why tracking operating profit margins is essential for success and how tools like Aspire can unlock powerful data insights. Learn how early financial expertise and empowering key employees can transform your business, giving owners more freedom and control. If you're ready to maximize profits and reclaim your time, this episode is a must-listen!
Click here for or more information on The Herring Group

Barry Schulman: Revolutionizing Hiring with the Predictive Index

In this episode of TradesTalk, Justin and Maggie sit down with Barry Schulman to explore the transformative power of the Predictive Index (PI) in the hiring process. Barry, drawing on his extensive experience in executive search, explains how the PI tool delves into key behavioral drives—like dominance, extroversion, patience, and formality—to ensure candidates are matched with roles where they can excel. Through real-world examples, the discussion highlights how PI can optimize team dynamics, uncover hidden talent, and drive business growth, offering a fresh approach to talent management.

Justin & Maggie: Labor Challenges, Technology, Economic Headwinds and more!

In this insightful episode of "Trades Talk," hosts Maggie and Justin delve into the unexpected obstacles facing the trades industry, providing practical advice and expert insights. They cover seven main areas:
Supply Chain Disruptions:
The hosts discuss challenges with irrigation supplies and materials, such as long lead times and the need for substitution approvals.
They emphasize planning ahead, maintaining strong vendor relationships, and leveraging buying power for priority access to materials.
Plant shortages and quality issues resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic's surge in demand are also highlighted.
Skilled Labor Shortages:
While not detailed in this excerpt, the hosts acknowledge the significant impact of skilled labor shortages on the industry.
Technology Integration:
This episode briefly touches on technology integration, indicating a deeper discussion in future episodes.
Client Expectations and Communication:
Identified as a key challenge, with more insights expected in upcoming discussions.
Economic Fluctuations:
The importance of adapting to economic changes is noted, with further exploration anticipated in future talks.
Regulatory Changes:
Ongoing regulatory changes affecting the trades industry are acknowledged, promising detailed analysis in subsequent episodes.
Weather-Related Challenges:
Discussion on the impact of extreme heat and hurricanes on business operations, emphasizing the need for businesses to be prepared to pivot and adjust accordingly.
Tune in for a comprehensive exploration of these challenges and learn how to navigate the complexities of the trades industry with strategic planning and expert advice

Hilani Ellis: Unlocking Time and Potential with Executive Admins

In this transformative episode of Trades Talk, we delve into the art of unlocking time and potential with the guidance of Hilani Ellis, founder of Exceptional Admins. Holani, a seasoned expert in executive administrative partnerships, shares how these relationships can elevate your business to the next level.
Hilani Ellis has extensive experience in administrative support, having worked with top executives in the entertainment industry and private equity. Known as the "CEO Assistant Matchmaker," she excels at matching executives with the perfect administrative partners to enhance efficiency and productivity.
Join us as Hilani reveals her journey from her early career to becoming a leading authority in administrative support. Learn practical tips on improving efficiency, fostering professional growth, and creating a culture of excellence within your team. Whether you're an admin professional, a business leader, or simply interested in enhancing your organizational skills, this episode offers powerful insights and actionable strategies.
For more information or to connect with Hilani, visit:
Website: Exceptional Admins
Email: hilani@exceptionaladmins.com
Podcast: Exceptional Admins Podcast
Don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of the best in the business! Tune in now and discover how to achieve new levels of productivity and professionalism through executive administrative partnerships.

Matt Garrett: Managing Money and Increasing Profits in the Trades

In this insightful episode of TradesTalk, hosts Justin and Maggie are joined by Matt Garrett, Founder and CEO of TGG Accounting, to delve into the critical aspects of financial management tailored specifically for the trades industry. Matt, with over two decades of experience in finance and a mission to elevate small and medium-sized businesses, shares his wealth of knowledge on how trades professionals can effectively manage their money and maximize profits.
 
Throughout the episode, listeners will gain valuable insights into:
 
•Optimizing Cash Flow: Discover practical tips and strategies to ensure steady cash flow, manage expenses, and avoid common pitfalls that can disrupt your financial stability.
•Boosting Profit Margins: Learn how to identify and implement changes that can significantly enhance your profitability, from cost-saving measures to revenue-boosting tactics.
•Financial Best Practices: Understand the importance of accurate financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting, and how these practices can provide clarity and confidence in your business decisions.
•Real-World Examples: Matt shares real-life examples and success stories from his extensive career, illustrating how sound financial management has transformed businesses in the trades.
•Actionable Advice: Get ready to take notes as Matt offers actionable advice that you can implement immediately to start seeing improvements in your financial health and business growth.
 
Whether you’re a seasoned trades professional or just starting, this episode is packed with essential information to help you take control of your finances, make informed decisions, and ultimately increase your bottom line. Tune in to learn how to navigate the financial challenges of the trades industry and set your business on a path to long-term success.