In this week's show, Josh Currivan of Currivan Green Co. and the WeScape Podcast talks to David Consoli, co-founder and owner of Pleasant Valley Landscape in Methuen, MA.
As an industry veteran of over 30 years, having started the business way back in 1988, David has a lot - and we mean, a LOT - of great insights about the industry: where it’s come from, where it’s going, where its weaknesses still are, and more.
Topics on the show today include:
how he originally set out to be a civil engineer before realizing that wasn't for him
how paying his own way in college led to his landscaping career
how he works with contractors why project management skills are key in this industry
why they don't like to be on a job for more than three days
why he shies away from hardscaping
why data is so key when it comes to the direction of your business
why you need to treat your vendors right to be successful
the secret to finding and keeping employees
why it's important to have a policy and guidelines manual
how to keep morale positive
when you need an employee handbook, and when you don't
why reporting damage is key to building trust
how civility has changed in the last 5 years
why projecting the right image is important
when to upgrade your equipment
why we should be mentoring new and younger pros
why you shouldn't negotiate your pricing
why you need to have a contract for even the smallest jobs
why you need to cut non-profitable customers loose
why you should consider a "no money down" approach
why you need to take the emotion out of your decisions
why you should never bite the hand that feeds
how your reputation will follow you your entire life, so make it a good one
why you need to keep your personal politics out of your business
why referrals and word of mouth remain the best source of business
David's one biggest piece of advice for newcomers to the industry
Settle in for some great insights on the industry we all love, and take away a host of tips for your own business, no matter what stage you’re at with it. Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode!
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