The Commercial Landscaper Podcast

Interview with Ryan Markewich, Founder of Creative Roots Landscaping | Business Coach at RMark Coaching

Ryan Markewich is a landscape entrepreneur and business advisor based in Kelowna, British Columbia. He founded Creative Roots Landscaping over 30 years ago and has since transitioned the company to an employee ownership model, selling 85% of the business to key team members. For nearly two decades, Ryan has operated using open-book management, building a highly engaged team that understands the financials and participates in improving them. Today, Creative Roots is known for its strong culture, leadership development, and long-term approach to ownership and succession. Ryan now works with a small number of companies as a strategic advisor, helping owners improve profitability and build more resilient, people-centered businesses. His focus is simple: when more people understand how the business works and have a stake in the outcome, better decisions get made. He spends part of the year in Mexico, is actively involved in developing future leaders, and continues to explore how transparency, structure, and shared ownership can change the way companies operate.

Interview with Luke Rykbost, Commercial Project Manager at Natorp's Nursery Outlet & Landscape

Luke Rykbost is a Commercial Project Manager at Natorp's in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he oversees complex landscape installations with a focus on operational excellence and technical precision. A graduate of Cedarville University with a degree in Management and a minor in Construction, Luke brings a disciplined, modern perspective to one of the region's most established green industry leaders. His expertise is rooted in the field, having grown up in his father's full-service landscape company in Massachusetts; this background instilled in him a "boots-on-the-ground" understanding of production, crew dynamics, and the critical role of technology in a successful business. Beyond his work at Natorp's, Luke is deeply invested in the intersection of legacy craftsmanship and modern innovation. He is currently spearheading the implementation of AI and advanced software systems at Natorp's to streamline commercial operations, while simultaneously developing a business management platform for growth-minded contractors. Whether he is navigating complex architectural plans or refining software architecture, Luke is passionate about equipping the next generation of landscape professionals with the tools and systems they need to scale effectively.

Interview with Joshua Canfield, President & CEO of Pinstripe Lawn Care & Landscaping

Josh Canfield is the President and CEO of Pinstripe Lawn Care and Landscaping. He founded the company in 2020, turning the challenges of the COVID era into an opportunity to build something of his own. What began as a single venture has since grown into an operation spanning four states, specializing in commercial lawn maintenance. Under Josh's leadership, Pinstripe has earned a reputation for reliability and quality, serving commercial clients with the kind of attention to detail that keeps customers coming back. Beyond his work, Josh is a proud husband and dad, and that same commitment to the people he cares about carries through into how he runs his business.

Interview with Eric Watkins, President of Abstrakt Marketing Group

Eric Watkins is the President of Abstrakt, the nation's top lead generation agency. He leads the company's enterprise growth strategy across its portfolio of B2B services. Since joining the organization in 2012 as an intern, Eric has played a hands-on role in scaling the business into a national leader for each of their products: Outbound BDR, Inbound SDR, Creative Sweets, Talent Solutions, Sapper, and Cloud. His background spans sales leadership, operational strategy, and team development, with a focus on building predictable, repeatable growth systems for both Abstrakt and its partners. Eric is known for his practical, results-driven approach to business growth, emphasizing disciplined outbound strategy, strong sales culture, and continuous process improvement. He has helped shape Abstrakt's omni-channel prospecting model and its commitment to performance accountability, including appointment-setting guarantees and market exclusivity. Today, he works closely with executive leadership and enterprise partners to drive long-term revenue outcomes, while continuing to mentor internal teams and develop future leaders within the organization.

Interview with Byron McFarland, Founder of The McFarland Group

Byron is an accomplished entrepreneur, advisor, and speaker who has made a significant impact in the world of business. With his expertise in guiding entrepreneurs on selling a business to management and maximizing the value of their enterprises, he has become a trusted source for strategic advice and practical solutions. Throughout his career, Byron has helped entrepreneurs unlock the full potential of their businesses and navigate the intricate process of selling to management. With his invaluable insights and proven methodologies, he has enabled entrepreneurs to not only secure lucrative deals but also ensure that they get paid fairly for their hard work and dedication. Byron's ability to simplify complex concepts and provide direct, plain-spoken guidance has earned him a reputation for being a true expert in his field. Byron's impact goes beyond individual businesses. As a member of the prestigious Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) and a former board member for the Nebraska chapter, he has actively contributed to fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial community. Byron's dedication to sharing his knowledge and empowering others has led him to be a sought-after speaker at conferences for business owners. Through his engaging presentations, he has inspired countless entrepreneurs to aim higher and achieve their business goals. Born into a small business family, Byron developed a deep understanding of the challenges faced by business owners from an early age. Growing up in the environment of his parents' small construction company, he witnessed firsthand the trials and tribulations that come with running a business. This experience instilled in him a strong sense of empathy and a genuine desire to help entrepreneurs overcome obstacles and achieve success. Before embarking on his entrepreneurial journey, Byron served in the United States Marine Corps, where he honed his discipline, leadership skills, and unwavering commitment to excellence. These qualities have become integral to his approach as a business advisor, allowing him to provide steadfast support to his clients. When he's not immersed in the world of business, you can find Byron indulging in his passions for fly fishing and motorcycle riding. Standing in cool, clear mountain streams, casting a fly to rising trout, or cruising along two-lane highways on his antique road king, Byron finds solace and inspiration in the great outdoors. As the Founder and Managing Member of The McFarland Group, a renowned business advisory firm specializing in management buyouts and equity compensation, Byron continues to make a profound impact in the entrepreneurial landscape. Having guided over a billion dollars in business value, his expertise and track record speak volumes about his ability to drive tangible results. With his wealth of experience, dedication to simplifying complexities, and passion for empowering entrepreneurs, Byron McFarland is a true authority in the realm of selling businesses to management and leveraging business value to win the war for talent. Connect with Byron! https://www.linkedin.com/in/byronkmcfarland/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/byronkmcfarland/] Check out Byron's book! https://thebankablebuyer.com/ [https://thebankablebuyer.com/] Connect with Wilson360! https://wilson-360.com/ [https://wilson-360.com/]