I don't know what happened for sure but I love it. This is the man I started watching for a couple of years. The truth will set you free. Keep up the awesome work. God bless you.

Started with maintenance for the first 3 years. Now 7 years in and focusing just on Sod everything. We have now become in the top 5 out of all of Central Florida by focusing just on 1 item. Amen love the channel!

We always used mowing lawns as the gateway to all the other services we use... it has always been a great tool to get our foot in the door with customers. We never get into bidding wars, we price every lawn to make money and most of our customers are the ones that hired the company or person that has no clue how to run a business... and then they just disappear on the customer so they usually come to us asking to charge whatever we need to and also "what else do you offer"

Uncle Stanley always being straight forward and not sugar coating the truth. I been watching him for years. And there are videos that he made years ago that I still go back and watch them for motivation. Thank you uncle Stanley. You truly have helped so many of us.

I bet I am the only person who ran a lawn cutting business with a boat.. before I got a drivers licence I used my 14’ boat with 6 hp.to get to my customers . I’d only cut grass to people who lived on the lake. Did that for 2-3 years..Then later got a truck..

Been in Business 14 years. Got rid of our lawn and property maintenance 3 years ago. Focusing on only excavating, have a 3 excavators , 14 ton, 10 ton, 3.5 ton, and one track loader asv. Best move ever. No more headaches for such a small profit margin. Leaner company. Your channel has been super helpful over the years!

You are the one of the most fair person ive ever watch,thank you for your bluntness! Hope you and the family had a great holidays !

About to watch but I really like your stuff! I’m starting a hardscaping company in NYS. Your stuff has been great advice. Thank you.

Can't knock the hustle. Keep it up fellas. Don't let videos like this discourage you.

❤ the amount of times you go into the details of running a professional profitable business is astounding for the average entrepreneur. I wish I had a your mindset installed in my circle surrounding me on the daily basis. That’s why I keep watching your videos! You have such a great positive impact on my life.

I love this video, Stanley. Thank you for sharing.

Great solid info….glad I watched to the end! Meet you 2 years ago at equip expo and the same dude on the camera is who I got in person 💯

I know what you are saying and would agree for small operations but I'm not sure I totally agree in all cases. We have a very profitable business that is 90% commercial mowing/maintenance . Everyone also says that you can't make money on commercial maintenance..... False. You just have to be better AND MORE PROFESSIONAL than the competition so that you get the really good contracts that the competition can't keep.....not the lowballers that put everything out to the lowest bidder every year. I'm talking about contracts 100,000 a year and up. Hardscaping is great but its really construction and is subject to economic conditions. If the economy goes south, people can hold off on a hardscape project. A large commercial facility or business park can't hold off on mowing a couple hundred acres in the middle of a city. Agree 100% on upselling to existing customers. Farm the lands you own first!

Stan you are always a straight shooter, thanks. You are doing a great service to the rest of us.

When I first started watching green industry videos almost a decade ago, I noticed immediately that many of the guys doing it were KZfaq folks that cut grass. There were very few landscapers that made videos. I think it's even worse now. I can think of only two or three channels that I would say are 'real' landscaping companies. Not taking anything away from these guys that are focused on making content. There's a ton of work involved as you know. Heck, I tried it for a bit and it took too much focus away from what I consider my actual work 100% agree with everything you said in this. Although, I have to admit, I didn't realize excavation work was offering so little profit these days (it makes sense with the flood of folks involved now). I have always looked at landscape maintenance (I mean full maintenance, not just mowing. Trimming hedges, ornamental bed weed control, etc...) as a 'loss leader' bit without the loss aspect. I can handle the low profit margins that come with maintenance due to the add on services that you mentioned (and many you didn't). That being said, the way the economy is going, basic maintenance is a service that isn't optional for businesses, therefore, it's going to be a steady source of income in economic downturns. Hardscapes, aeration, ponds, design/installation work can and will dry up as people are more and more about their finances. One thing I've always regretted has been not learning how to weld. If you want to get to that top tier of innovation, fabrication skills are a necessity. Great video and, of late, your content has been on fire.

I've been in hardscaping for over a decade and have been a business owner for 2 years now. Hardscaping is so profitable its crazy. The more pride you have in your work, the better your books will look.

I missed this side of you i definitely needed this video

Great video man.. hopefully people don't tune out just because they hear something they don't like. This information was valuable👍🏻

And No wonder I follow your KZfaq because you are the best straight forward guy. Learned so much from your video so keep them coming

Another very informative video. Thank you for sharing light in our industry.

as a 23 year old in the industry thank you for being honest and telling us the cold hard truth!

Stan, I’ve watched you for years. You’re the best and love your vids. I’m sure I’ve missed a few episodes over the years. But toward the end of your #1, you got into KZfaqrs and if they make it transparent to us on how they make their money. I don’t recall you ever telling us how you make your money. We all know KZfaq is good. But what about everything else y’all do? So with that said. How do you make your money? Lol. Keep up the great work and vids,you have a great crew!

YOU ARE TELLING THE TRUTH.. SPOT ON..

We love you, brother! From a concrete contractor from Cali❤

love it!! I completely agree with you. Cutting grass is good but increasing customers with several services is the best thing to do. also cutting grass helps generate new customers for hardscaping.

Man we have to get Toro onboard with showing their testing. I just bought a Multiforce and I am unbelievably impressed by it. This is coming from someone who used to run exclusively Wright (still do) where the CEO is more in touch with his consumers than any other company I've ever seen and he's a seasoned engineer. I love pretty much everything about my Multiforce and would love to see how they test these things and what the engineers are thinking when they're devloping a machine like that.

This is my 3rd season doing lawncare. I do spray yards which can pay well. This year I am getting more into the landscaping side of the business. I did one retaining wall last year and I had my friend help me do the estimate. He used to do the business but now sells trailers now. The profit from the retaining wall showed me real quick why guys do this kind of work.

I have been in lawn & landscaping business for 30 years I done pretty well I have good customers and do a lot for new houses the whole job most of the landscaping sod mulching and patio wall building and last 2 years I add pressure washing decks driveway etc pressure washing I have too crews doing that’s daily in spring summer and fall but I do know we’re you coming from if don’t up charge on lawn care like we do there’s is some profit but you add in extra services there’s is more profit and Stan I love your video your videos I learn from them thanks for sharing

Thanks for another educational and honest move that I subscribe to. God be with you.

I love your house man!! Was hard to focus with the beautiful stone work 😂

I think you’re spot on because your #4 you can add on things like Vineyard installs and Fencing installations, too.

What are your thoughts on focusing on garden bed landscaping? Profitable enough? Things like installs / tear-outs / bed maintenance plus some aeration / dethatching services is what I try to focus on. 2nd year in, trying to stay away from mowing/hardscaping myself

great vid for people who are new to small business, cheers.

I’m pushing for more mowing, you can’t beat the simplicity. One team member per truck (f150 or similar) with a ramp rack, v-ride, 21” mower, back pack, trimmer and some fuel, rinse and repeat. The right person can be trained up in a couple weeks. I was told long ago mowing is your bread and butter and I still believe it. Don’t get me wrong hardscaping is great but if you’re young and hungry throw a mower in the trunk of your car and get at it.

Sheesh you’ve always kept it 100 and that’s why I follow you !

💛💛💛THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO 👍👍👍 KEEP UP THE GOOD CONTENT 💛💛💛

I think a lot about how our environment shapes our personalities and peculiarities. You should travel the country and find the different types of dirt monkeys from all the different parts of the US. I think the country is having a hard time understanding how huge our country is and how it creates so many different types of people and lives because there are so many different types of lands and climate. I live in Jacksonville, FL and it is immediately apparent how much easier my day to day is being in a COMPLETELY flat semi-urban environment, summer humidity and potholes are my only true obstacles, never once thought of getting a skid steer, never had to think of upgrading my old Ranger to battle up mountains and hills. I imagine I am more chill than I would be if I lived in the mountains or the cold. Loving this video!

Good info. I'm find that it's more than just having equipment and trying to do work with it...anyone can rent a skidsteer or mini for 300 a day. The key part is the knowledge and skill to get the job done right. Problem is that people (customers AND businesses) don't understand that and think it's about showing up. It is a race to the bottom because there's people out there willing to work for free or break even just to play with their toy they bought even though they didn't need.

Spot on love it. I love mowing lawn and yes that is how I started but today I only mow around 3 a day. Each one of those we are doing other things on the property lots of other things and we may decide to go just work at other properties if its in the cards that day. Like I said I still love mowing lawn just not 18 of them a day. Do not follow the crowd make your own path. Make and do what you want.

Love your videos I’m really trying to find my niche! I just bought a Harley rake and am trying to specialize in final grade. Can you give me some ideas on what I should be bidding or how I should be bidding.

Love your videos as always. I've been in biz since 86. If i'd known what I know now I would have persued hardscaping long ago.

Another great video, Thanks Stan! Any chance you could do a video on marketing? How to get more calls for a new business.. Maybe bring a marketing expert that you trust on the show?

My grandpa owns QPS Pluming and he also owns a 1998 bobcat 331 Mini Excavtor so every day after school I go out with him and run it for 10-15 dollars an hour digging trenches and septic tank holes. The excavator my be small but it’s powerful and gets the job done.

Those hanger basket pitcher plant thing is cool looking!

You’re completely correct about Lawn Mowing! I got rid of that service from my business a year ago. I get my customers to come back every year with Power Raking and Aerating in the Spring, and doing Sprinkler Blow Outs in the Fall. Then all summer long I don’t waste my time mowing and I can do landscape projects that make money instead of waste my time.

The education and thoughts you have given in your videos from Day 1 have helped me so much with my business. All your the “How To’s”, products, and information you give is so vital in order to be successful. Thank you so much for all the content you have given and are still creating for us!

I started mow blow and go, customers asked me can you build a block wall so I learned how to. I found the other landscapers weren’t my competitors it was the home owners dollars. Was the money going to the landscaping or the kitchen and bathroom remodel! Today I’m a general contractor that has a plumbing division! We now have customers we have done their kitchens, landscaping and new garages with mother-in-law apartments.

I’m a lawn guy but branching out more into what your talking about. Tying to regrow both my lawn and a customers lawn right now and honestly I am doing it for way cheap, because I haven’t done it before. But now I understand what all it takes, and how much work I’m actually doing that I wasn’t considering.

I hear you bro ... our family had the last "out house " permit issued in our home town .. with 6 kids They tried for years to cancel that permit Of course I'm not saying what town

Hey, you kept it so real I had to subscribe

That is why wright is amazing.

I go into my garage that I just started renting for my tree equipment. Go mess around with my climbing gear, Lift weights, listen to music. I love it

You have talked about finding market price when bidding paver jobs, but how do I go about finding that out? I'm looking to start a hardscaping business, but only have my current employer to base pricing off of. Love the videos!

Thank you for sharing this

Observation, an advantage of value-add projects (hardscapes, application, etc) is the markup you get to put on the product you are selling as part of your service.

Please do a video about all possible machines to buy and use. Motorized.

What would you say best thing for a newbie I have a tractor with dump trailer things have been rocky to the point I have wanted to get a job smh I like grading. Really want to get more knowledgeable with things and scale my business have a few avenues I can travel. Thanks love your content greatly appreciated

Dammit stan i stared a general excavation business because of you!! Hahah its accually goimg good here in idaho

I Appreciate the upload.

That was very good . Keep up the good work to u are doing very good in my world in illinois .Robert.

Great video Stan.

Thank you... Always 💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥😎👍

I don't know What kind of new coffee you started drinking, but I like it.

Used to estimate heavy highway work, you cannot understand expenses until you are filling in all the costs, down to the cell phones, guesstimated equipment downtime on average, etc. Existing material removal, like curb, gutter, asphalt, trees etc, was always the easy money.

Spot on. Mowing really is the worst way to make money. I have been in the commercial maintenance business all my life and the only way to make it is to upsell. Even at that so many guys are not looking at their route density. Guys shouldn’t even consider leaving their zip code if they want to attempt to make it as a mow blow guy. I only work in one neighborhood mowing now and won’t compromise on that choice. Other services we will travel but even then we won’t go more than a few miles from home base. Too many chucks with trucks around.

Keep up the good work. And content you make....

great video .Like your basketball hoop.

I started my landscaping business three years ago but have trouble getting Hardscape jobs. I’m really skilled at it but I just can’t seem to get them. I ventured into maintenance as a result. Do you recommend reaching out to builders and architects to connect and getting jobs from them potentially?

im personally buying one of the chinese stand on skids for my landscape company !! i cant afford a 37 thousand john deer or 48 thousand ,actual skid steer when i might only be in bizness for a certain amount of time i was tryna weigh it out !! average company time in bizness / big machine expense i do just grass so im guilty of the worst way !! LoL thankks for informative video as always Stan 🇺🇸

Thanks Stan. You mean everyone doesn't have a dirt floor? Hmmm. It's mine though. Wouldn't trade it for piles of debt. Thanks for the content. I admit sometimes I'm a fish out of water struggling to breathe. Watching your videos helps me stay motivated. Thanks.

Pretty on point but could you make a video on the worst way to store equipment next and show us your stuff just sitting out everywhere 😅😅 sorry I had to lol

I did landscape estimating and installation in western WI and some on the east side of the twin cities, as an employee not owner, for 8 years. We did everything from new build lawn install with grading, irrigation, seeding and sod. Paver patios, paths, steps, retaining walls and outdoor kitchens. Ponds and Streams and outdoor LV lighting. As well as all plant beds and trees. I am now out of the industry. I if was to ever start my own business with the knowledge i have; I would do patios and walls almost exclusively. The ability to separate yourself by simply using better products and having pride in your installation makes for, in my opinion, walls and pavers to be the easiest place to see higher profits. Irrigation is NOT hard work imo, but its difficult to install systems withour offering startups and blowouts which is a deterrent from more lucrative work if you dont specialize in irrigation alone. Low Voltage lighting is an easy money maker but typically an upsell on top of other work, not standalone. I would NOT ever take work to install lawns or do landscape maintenance. No matter what, attention to detail and taking care of your customers is what will make you successful. Word of Mouth means alot. If you do the cheapest work, youll get the cheapest homeowners.

Bro, that beard is very distinguished. You have now become like an Aristotle of landscaping.

Great no sugar coating video....

Tight runs, good systems, good employees makes a big difference. Then add landscaping services and that makes a big difference also.

Cutting lawns is a great side hustle and a wonderful way to get into your next business. I make an extra 40% of my paycheck in about 10 hours a week mowing after my job. That is 15% increase in pay and that includes a couple hours a week in maintenance. That money was used to pay cash for truck, trailer, excavator. Now I’m onto step 2. 5 year plan to be self employed.

Facts Stanley.

Dont be scared tp rock that "cowboy" hat, the hat with the beard looks ridiculously cool!!

Thank you Stan.

it's amazing how many parallel's to my business in this video. I've known it for a long time but i keep doing it anyway. The reason is because some money is better than no money. Stanley always cuts through the BS. I love these videos.

Where would you rank lawn irrigation on your list.

Yes! Ive mowed for 5 years solo and averaged only 4-5k profit a month during the cuting season. This is the first year where I am doing landscaping only and I made 15k profit this month after all expenses! And minimum tools. I plan to build up

My Dad used to buy mowers as cheap as possible, then fix them up and double his money.

Great video Stan

Awesome video thnx

Stan, your green room is awesome 🤩

You touched just a little on the 1 topic. SNOW / Winter Work. That one is a big one. As special Insurance. That is the bigest Killer in Ontario Canada. Slip and Falles. People will sue you if they Fall. I Salt our Driveway each Storm. God Bless.

Check out the Amprobe ACD-51NAV or 52NAV. both are the cheapest I could find for checking THD. Price aroud $350.

If I went back to 2002 when I studied production horticulture thinking I’d eventually have a greenhouse… still working on that - I would have specialized in arboriculture - get ISA certified and specialize in high end tree services, don’t be a tree hacksmith… great work and great money whenever I do tree work, but I killed my back snowboarding as a young guy, and as of last fall - 100% transitioned to e-commerce and will be developing my own landscape/horticulture industry based products. Edit: typed this comment before hearing him talk about category #5!! Woot woot!

Happy Monday stan! Glad to see another post.

You're absolutely correct, I'm not in to landscaping, but I did do it when I was in my teens, but I started a company doing renovations, I did basically everything involved in making a house look good, but I noticed I was missing numbers, loosing money, so a lot of my work was tiling, so I certified myself in tile installation and bathroom Reno's, it seemed like less money a year at first but after a couple years my profits have almost doubled, protecting one thing makes you a professional at that one thing!!

Agreed, it might be a cliche but, “Not putting all your eggs in one basket” really is something worth thinking about in the long run. I’ve sacked my current job off as I’m tired of working for these big firms who don’t keep promises, don’t provide the equipment you need then allow you to get taxed into oblivion after you do the job of several people for stupid hours a day. I’m going to work with someone who has their own business later in the summer once this disc issue in my neck has been sorted out as I want to know how to run one myself, that’s where I want to go from this point of as I turn 40 next year, enough is enough, the employed worker has no rights at all in the United Kingdom, it’s no wonder we have such a problem with people not wanting to work, often choosing to defraud the benefits system instead. Overheads and whatnot is the thing I’ll have to learn about as it is not something I’m familiar with, in my country you can offset the costs of running your business against your tax bill, but you still have to pay them which means you have to adjust for it, you just deduct those costs from your tax bill that year. I don’t know how it is in the States but I assume there must be something similar.

Had guy ask me the other day if I would do his Cummins isx overhaul for 1800 dollars told him get someone else because my price starts at 2400 . Told me he wasn't going to pay but 1800 told him good luck . I learned the hard way you can get paid to do it right what it's worth or you can do it again for free

100% agree to the mowing !

Your right and when a month has 5 weeks most of the time landscape maintenance is free

Good work

I've been landscaping and Snowplowing for over 25 years you are absolutely right the only way to make the $ is to upsale all the other services that comes with lawn care. Great video bro. Oh and it's plenty of influences that don't let u know but they make it so obvious if u have any common sense 😂

Stan , your green room is awesome! And legal! 😅

Guess what, someone gotta keep the yards maintained lol more money for me. I have my clients on s schedule. I clean cut, weed eat, edge, blow leaves on every yard.cause that's my standard. But i also do flower beds (full blown clean and lay down), trim hedges all for extra

Finding a good contractor to work for is difficult ... im older and have been landscape construction labor and hardscape guy for 8 years ... any advice?