69. The Real Cost of Doing Business

69. The Real Cost of Doing Business

Everybody talks about revenue; nobody talks about the bill that never shows up on a spreadsheet. In this episode, Shay and Zac get honest about what running a business actually costs... Not just the equipment, but the payroll, the overhead, the slow months, as well as the parts that hit harder. Things like the dinners you missed, the weekends that disappeared, the people you thought had your back who went quiet the second things got hard, and the ones who showed up without being asked. This episode goes past the numbers... The hosts break down the real expense of building something, how it reshapes your time with your family, and how it forces you to take a hard look at who actually belongs in your corner. Then they get practical about the money side, how to stop bleeding cash you don't have to, and how to set yourself up so the business pays you back instead of just taking. If you own a business, run a crew, or you're thinking about going out on your own, this is the conversation nobody had with you before you started. Pull up a chair, this one's worth your time. The Landscaping Podcast is hosted by Shay Brickhouse and Zac Small of Landscaping Unlimited Inc., serving Eastern North Carolina and beyond. (New episodes drop weekly)

68. Choosing Passion Over Comfort (Zac's One Year Anniversary Episode)

One year ago, Zac walked back through the doors at Landscaping Unlimited A year later, he's taking the mic solo to talk about what that decision meant. No co-host, and no script, just an honest reflection on relationships, purpose, and the kind of life worth building. In this episode, Zac makes the case that we were never meant to be line items on a payroll or interchangeable providers in a system. He talks about the relationships we let slide when we're chasing stability, the work that actually feeds us versus the work that just pays us, and why choosing a life of passion over the false comfort of security might be the bravest move a person can make. If you've ever felt like your job was slowly turning you into a number, this one's for you.

67. A Slow Hurricane Season Doesn't Mean No Preparation is Required

North Carolina is expected to have a slower hurricane season, but slower does not mean safe. In this episode of The Landscaping Podcast, Zac talks about why property owners, business owners, and homeowners still need to prepare before the storms arrive. A quiet forecast can create a false sense of security, but it only takes one major storm, one blocked drainage area, one weak tree limb, or one unprepared property to create expensive damage. This episode is a reminder that preparation beats reaction every time. From checking trees and drainage to securing outdoor areas and having a plan before the weather turns, the goal is simple: don’t wait until the storm is already on the radar to start thinking about what should have been done weeks earlier. Proactive beats reactive. Powered by Landscaping Unlimited.

66. Why Good Help Is Hard to Find and How to Build the Right Team Anyways

Every business owner knows that Good help is hard to find. In this episode of The Landscaping Podcast, Zac breaks down four practical ways to address the challenge of finding, hiring, and keeping the right people for your company. He talks about why your company needs to show who you are, what you do, and what kind of person fits your culture. Your social media should not just sell your services. It should show your work, your team, your standards, and the kind of mission people can see themselves joining. Zac also discusses why experience is not always the most important thing. Sometimes the best hire is not the person with the longest resume, but the person with the right mindset, work ethic, attitude, and willingness to learn. Then the topic goes to the importance of promoting from within. When you give your current teammates a path to grow, you build loyalty, strengthen your culture, and make hiring easier because you only need to bring people in at the entry level. Most importantly, it's why business owners cannot afford to be discouraged. This hiring struggle is not just happening in landscaping; it is happening across every industry. The companies that stay positive, keep showing up, and keep building the right team will be the ones that last. If you own a landscaping company, lead a crew, manage a small business, or struggle with finding reliable employees, this episode is for you.

65. Don't Forget to Enjoy the Ride

There is a dangerous trap that hard-working people fall into. They become so focused on building the business, chasing the goal, growing the company, serving the customer, fixing the problems, and proving themselves that they forget to actually live the life they say they are working so hard to create. This episode was inspired by a message from Sahil Bloom about the importance of not waiting until “one day” to enjoy your life. In this conversation, Zac talks about why stepping away from work is not weakness, laziness, or a lack of ambition. It is part of staying sharp, being a better leader, and keeping your mind healthy enough to see the work clearly. Sometimes the best ideas do not come when you are buried in the grind; they come when you are walking away from it for a minute, when you are with your family, when you are outside, when you are driving, when you are resting, or when your mind finally has enough room to connect the dots in a new way. If you own a business, lead a crew, work in the trades, or are building something that matters, this episode is a reminder that the ride matters too. The work matters, but so does the life you are building around it. Don’t forget to enjoy the ride.