The first $50,000 is the hardest! Mike Rhine grows the TurfGuy from zero to $250,000.

Learn about Mike Rhine's journey building The TurfGuy from scratch in 2019. Six years in, Mike is positioned to grow to $400–500K in 2026. This is after starting with a nearly paid-off Camaro and no clients in 2019. The first $50K–60K was the hardest part. Once he figured out his process and marketing, the business accelerated to $250K.

This episode is for the landscaper just starting out. Mike talks about how he got going, what steps he took to increase his growth, and how he achieved over 40% revenue growth last year. He also gives direction on where to focus and what to avoid when you're starting out. Mike breaks down real overhead numbers, how he priced his way out of undercharging, why he had to let go of the field work, and how he thinks about business risk through the lens of poker.

TIMESTAMPS

00:01:44 – Mike Rhine intro and background

00:02:27 – Golf course roots and turf school

00:08:00 – Launching the business during COVID

00:11:33 – Danielle's role from day one

00:16:23 – Pricing and real overhead breakdown

00:24:39 – Early marketing: Nextdoor, newspaper, Facebook

00:38:28 – Choosing LMN over WorkWave

00:46:21 – Poker parallels to running a business

ABOUT THE GUEST

Mike Rhine is the owner of The TurfGuy in Kokomo, Indiana. He spent a decade as a golf course superintendent before starting his landscaping company at the beginning of COVID. In five years he grew the business to $250K in revenue and is targeting $400–500K in his sixth season.

Website: https://www.the-turfguy.com

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Price your jobs to cover real overhead, not just your labor rate.

Start with landscape maintenance tasks like bush trimming before buying heavy equipment.

Use low-cost marketing like Nextdoor and local newspapers when starting out.

Invest in scalable software early so it grows with the business.

Focus on process. The results follow when the process is solid.

Know when to walk away from a risky job or client.

RESOURCES MENTIONED

landscapebusinessgrowthlab.com

https://nextdoor.com

https://golmn.com

Ron McCabe sits down with Todd Blossom, owner of Blossom in Portland, Oregon, to talk about how a values driven landscape company takes shape over time. Ron walks through Todd's early years in the field, what pulled him toward permaculture, and how caring for land, people, and city infrastructure came together in one business. Todd talks about right livelihood, what it means to build a company that matches his life, and how he keeps work grounded in observation instead of trends.

Ron also talks with Todd about the stormwater retrofit work he led with the City of Portland, his move into electric maintenance equipment, and how native plants and lawn conversions support birds, soil, and long term garden health. Todd shares how contracts with the city helped him ride out market swings, why his team now leans on clear systems and SOPs, and what it takes to grow at a steady pace without losing the heart of the company.

Chapters:

1. 00:07 - Learning Through Mistakes in Permaculture
2. 03:38 - The Journey of Growth and Self-Discovery in Landscaping
3. 12:20 - Embracing Permaculture Philosophy
4. 15:08 - The Role of Stormwater Management in Urban Planning
5. 24:14 - Transitioning to Electric Equipment in Landscaping
6. 29:01 - The Importance of Team Dynamics in Business Growth
7. 38:17 - Navigating Business Growth: The Conductor's Role
8. 44:09 - The Importance of Nature in Our Lives
9. 46:07 - Building an Ecological Mindset

1. Blossom (Blossom PDX)
2. City of Portland
3. Greenworks (equipment partner)
4. Bird Alliance (Backyard Habitat Certification Program)

1. Blossom PDX: https://www.blossompdx.com
2. Landscape Business Growth Lab: https://landscapebusinessgrowthlab.com
3. Overbearing Services: https://overbearingservices.com
4. Bird Alliance Backyard Habitat Program: https://birdallianceoregon.org/backyard-habitat-certification-program

Todd Blossom owns and leads Blossom, a Portland based company that focuses on ecologically sound residential and commercial landscapes. His work blends permaculture thinking, stormwater management, native plants, and electric maintenance services. Todd brings decades in the green industry and a...

In this episode, I sat down with Will Bailey from Avid Landscape to talk about building a solid landscape business. Will shared his journey from working in his dad's mechanic shop to running operations at some of Seattle's top landscaping companies. We covered what it takes to grow without losing quality, the real experience of going through a business acquisition, and how to think about your exit when the time comes.

Will and I also spent time talking about his late father, Rod Bailey, who was a true pioneer in bringing financial discipline to the landscaping industry. Rod's influence shaped not just Will's career but the entire Pacific Northwest landscape community. We got into the details of project management, the role of technology in scaling a service business, and what it means to build something that lasts.

Chapters:

• 00:06 - The Impact of Retirement on Life
• 04:53 - The Legacy of a Landscape Business
• 08:34 - The Influence of a Legacy: Rod Bailey's Impact on the Landscaping Industry
• 14:50 - The Legacy of a Pioneer: Lessons from a Life in Business
• 19:32 - Navigating Business Partnerships and Changes
• 31:02 - Navigating Business Transitions: Insights on Selling and Succession Planning
• 33:44 - The Importance of Staying Engaged After Retirement

Takeaways:

• The line between retirement and active life is thinner than we think, with many folks still having much to offer post-retirement, as highlighted in the discussions.
• Investing in landscaping isn't just about aesthetics; it represents a growing business opportunity that can lead to significant financial returns and personal satisfaction.
• The importance of personal integrity and accountability in business is paramount, as learned from the experiences shared about Rod Bailey's legacy in the industry.
• Navigating business acquisitions can be complex, and understanding the motivations of buyers is crucial for a successful transition, as shared through personal experiences.
• Technology is revolutionizing the landscaping industry, streamlining operations and enhancing customer service, which is vital for future growth and efficiency.
• Considering different options for business transition, such as employee stock ownership plans (ESOP), can provide opportunities for legacy preservation and financial security for business owners.

Companies Mentioned

Avid Landscape

Evergreen Services Corporation

Trugreen Landcare

Signature Landscape Services

Monarch

University of Washington

Washington Association of Landscape Professionals (WALP)

Aspire

Websites Mentioned

landscapebusinessgrowthlab.com

Guest Information

Will Bailey is the owner of Avid Landscape in Edmonds, Washington, with over 34 years of experience in the landscaping industry. He spent seven years at his father's company, Evergreen Services Corporation, followed by 15 years as a partner at Signature Landscape Services, and four years with Monarch after the acquisition. Will completed the Executive Development Program at the University of Washington and now runs Avid Landscape with his business partner.