Why Your Hardest Season is The Key to an Unbreakable Culture with Chris Lee

Why Your Hardest Season is The Key to an Unbreakable Culture with Chris Lee

In this episode, Dayany Peredo sits down with Chris Lee, President of Earthworks, to explore the defining moments of his 27-year career and the mindset shifts that scaled a family business into a landscaping powerhouse. Chris shares the raw reality of his upbringing on a Colorado farm, lessons in accountability and hard work that he once resented but now credits as his greatest blessings. From nearly taking a corporate consulting job to choosing the path of entrepreneurship in Texas, Chris discusses the challenges of scaling, the "anti-climactic" reality of hitting a $10 million revenue goal, and why he stopped focusing on five-year plans to prioritize "stacking good days". Key topics in this episode include: The "Accidental" Career: How a last-minute phone call from his mother changed Chris's professional trajectory forever. Sales vs. Compliance: Why Earthworks separated recruiting from HR to treat talent acquisition as a high-stakes sales function. Leading Through Crisis: The "catastrophic" 2015 H-2B visa cap that forced management back into the field and inadvertently forged an unbreakable company culture. The Power of Vulnerability: Why "I screwed up" is one of the most important phrases a leader can master. Controlling the Controllable: Shifting focus from rigid revenue targets to the daily processes that guarantee long-term success. Whether you’re a business owner navigating scaling pains or an aspiring leader looking for a fresh perspective on resilience, this conversation offers a masterclass in staying grounded while building big. Remember to tune in on Climbing. every month! Intro & Outro Music: Title: No Quit Artist: Ketsa Source: Free Music Archive License: CC BY 4.0

The Intentional Leader: Trust, Resilience, and the Courage to Begin Again with Kyle Cahill

In this episode, we sit down with Kyle Cahill, the founder of Grow & Co and a respected leader in the Texas landscaping industry. Kyle shares his transition from working on multi-million dollar projects at a major firm in Dallas to starting his own business from his garage in Houston.We dive deep into:His Journey to Horticulture: How a summer spent working in a Mississippi lumberyard after Hurricane Katrina led him to discover his passion for horticulture science at Texas A&M.The "Back to Basics" Mindset: Kyle discusses the humility required to go from managing large teams to personally mulching neighbors' yards to build his first team.Overcoming the Fear of Failure: A candid look at the mental challenges of starting over and the "hill and valley" seasons of entrepreneurship.Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned leader, Kyle’s story is a masterclass in stewardship, consistency, and building a people-first culture.Remember to tune in on Climbing. every month!Intro & Outro Music:Title: 21Artist: KetsaSource: Free Music ArchiveLicense: CC BY 4.0

Building an Empire From Scratch with Joshua Gámez

In this inspiring and tactical interview, we sit down with Joshua Gamez, Founder and CEO of East Coast Facilities, Inc., to unpack the blue-collar blueprint for building an empire rooted in purpose, hard work, and faith. Joshua, a first-generation Mexican-American, shares his journey from cleaning windows in New Jersey river towns to leading a dynamic multi-company organization. This conversation is essential for any entrepreneur facing financial hurdles, looking to scale their service business, or seeking to lead with a true mission. Remember to tune in on Climbing. every month! Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 03:49 - Humble Beginnings: The First-Generation Mexican-American Journey 07:09 - Why I Became an Entrepreneur (and wanted to win) 10:58 - The Hardest Business Lessons: Revenue & Cash Flow Management 14:50 - The CEO's Crisis Mentality: "I Have Nothing to Lose" 17:14 - Navigating Financial Catastrophe (The "No-Snow" Winter) 18:46 - Why I Run To The Fight (The Power of Discipline)33:14 - Scaling Systems: Building a Digital Operations Manual 37:01 - Advice for New Entrepreneurs: You Can't Give Up / Embrace the Suck 46:33 - Lightning Round 49:10 - What Joshua Gámez Wants His Legacy To Be Intro Music: Title: Longer Wait Artist: Ketsa Source: Free Music Archive License: CC BY 4.0 Outro Music: Title: Tide Turns Artist: Ketsa Source: Free Music Archive License: CC BY 4.0

From Middle School Side Hustle to Landscaping Powerhouse with Mike Haynes

From mowing lawns as a middle schooler to founding The Loving Companies and building NextDaySod.com, Mike Haynes has turned hard work, vision, and purpose into real impact. In this episode of Climbing., we dive deep into his journey his “why,” the lessons that shaped him, and how he’s transforming communities while growing powerhouse businesses. From custom landscaping to innovative software, Mike’s story is full of insights on leadership, resilience, and purpose. This isn’t just a story, it’s a reminder that every step, no matter how small, can lead to something extraordinary. Chapters: 01:38: Mike's Background and Work Ethic 03:03: College vs. Entrepreneurship 15:05: A CEO's Morning Routine 16:23: Navigating the Valleys through Mentors 27:02: A Guide to Mentors 31:54: Finding a mentor 36:14: Recruiting the Right Fit 45:44: Mike's Legacy 51:32: Rapid Fire Questions Intro and Outro music: Title: Tide Turns Artist: Ketsa Source: Free Music Archive License: CC BY 4.0

Legacy: Family, Law, and Landscaping with Brandon Sheppard

Join us for an insightful conversation with Brandon Sheppard, a key force behind Weed Man's explosive growth and a sub-franchisor for the Southern Region. As a leader in the lawn care and landscaping industry, Brandon has built a legacy not just through business, but by developing people and elevating an entire industry.   In this episode, we dive into Brandon's unique journey, from growing up in a middle-class family in Ontario, Canada , to earning a law degree from West Virginia University with no intention of practicing law. Discover how the intellectual exercise of problem-solving from his legal education became a powerful tool in his entrepreneurial career.   We explore the challenges and rewards of working with family, as Brandon shares how he and his father, along with his younger brother, navigated building a business while maintaining strong personal relationships. Brandon offers invaluable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of planning and adaptability. He stresses that while plans may be useless, the process of planning is everything, preparing you to be nimble when things go wrong. We also discuss the mindset needed to overcome doubts and setbacks, highlighting the power of surrounding yourself with good mentors and the humility to ask for help.   Finally, we hear Brandon's vision for the landscaping industry, focusing on how it can be seen as a solution for building healthier communities and addressing environmental challenges. Remember to tune in on Climbing. every month. - Intro and Outro music: Title: Tide Turns Artist: Ketsa Source: Free Music Archive License: CC BY 4.0