From Backyard Installs to Scalable Lawn Care: How Nick Thompson Built Grounded Lawn

Buying a 60-Year-Old Swiss Bakery with Dane Sawyer, Owner of Roland’s Swiss Pastry & Bakery

Listen now on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2N1glEn5ZLCNPkG5iuNjRx?si=e4ccbcd77e0f4e2c] or YouTube [https://youtu.be/lo9g7YsrGAc?si=I-NAnldO2WmHvSgB]. When Dane Sawyer came across Roland Swiss Pastry & Bakery, he wasn’t looking to buy a food business. In fact, he told every broker he wanted nothing to do with food. But Roland wasn’t just any bakery. It was a 60-year Houston institution founded by a Swiss craftsman in the 1960s, someone who once rented a pizza shop’s oven at night to bake gingerbread houses because it was the only one he could find. Today, Dane is the third-generation owner, running a 95% wholesale, 5% retail operation that supplies pastries and desserts to hotels, convention centers, stadiums, and coffee shops across the city. In this episode, Dane shares how he stepped into a business with decades of history, why the bakery’s danishes “can’t be copied,” and what it really takes to keep an artisanal operation running day and night. We talk about the challenges of managing inventory and labor in a 24-hour kitchen, how standing orders and smart pricing stabilized the business, and why owning a bakery is one of the hardest, but most rewarding, ways to build something that lasts. Key Takeaways * Artisanal moat: Unique, documented recipes + a veteran team (20–25+ year tenures) make the product hard to replicate. * Wholesale first: ~95% wholesale / 5% retail; hotels, convention centers, and stadiums drive predictable volume. * Operational rhythm: Offset shifts keep six stacked ovens humming; early crew starts ~2:00 a.m. for coffee shop runs. * Volume at a glance: ~50 dozen jumbo muffins/day, ~100 dozen danishes/day, ~20 sheet cakes/day, plus handheld desserts. * Inventory strategy: Standing orders (with a 15% discount) create baseline demand; extra buffer handles last-minute hotel spikes. * Pricing to market: Benchmarking against broadline distributors and on-route intel unlocked price resets without churn. * Distribution control: In-house delivery preserves freshness and quality control, harder, but part of the brand. * Cost focus: COGS, labor scheduling, route optimization, and van maintenance are the weekly KPIs that matter. * Owner reality: Bakeries aren’t “mailbox money”, expect time intensity, but also addictive fulfillment. * Process over playbooks: No EOS; Dane leans on his Lean Six Sigma background to build living SOPs as issues arise. Where to find Dane Sawyer and Roland’s Swiss Pastry & Bakery: * Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dane-sawyer-muffin-man-86babb1ab/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dane-sawyer-muffin-man-86babb1ab/] * Website: https://www.rolandsswissbakery.com/ [https://www.rolandsswissbakery.com/] In this interview, we discuss: * 00:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lo9g7YsrGAc] Origin Story of Roland’s Swiss Bakery * 1:53 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lo9g7YsrGAc&t=113s] What Makes Swiss & European Pastries Unique * 3:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lo9g7YsrGAc&t=210s] Why Buy a Bakery * 5:04 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lo9g7YsrGAc&t=304s] How Wholesale Became 95% of Revenue * 7:01 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lo9g7YsrGAc&t=421s] Supplying Houston’s Stadiums & Hotels * 8:23 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lo9g7YsrGAc&t=503s] A Day in the Life at the Bakery * 10:04 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lo9g7YsrGAc&t=604s] Production Volume & Operations * 12:36 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lo9g7YsrGAc&t=756s] Managing Costs & Delivery Logistics * 14:06 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lo9g7YsrGAc&t=846s] Building Culture with a Longtime Team * 17:16 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lo9g7YsrGAc&t=1036s] Optimizing Inventory & Standing Orders * 19:53 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lo9g7YsrGAc&t=1193s] Lessons from Owning a Bakery This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit smb15.substack.com [https://smb15.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

From Backyard Installs to Scalable Lawn Care: How Nick Thompson Built Grounded Lawn

Listen now on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2N1glEn5ZLCNPkG5iuNjRx?si=e4ccbcd77e0f4e2c] or YouTube [https://youtu.be/JMi96-TZcKM]. When Nick Thompson launched Grounded Lawn, it started as a side hustle doing backyard installs, sod, rock, and hardscape projects for new Colorado homes. By 2021, he realized there was a bigger opportunity. Recurring maintenance wasn’t just steadier income; it was a more sellable business model. In this episode, Nick shares how he turned Grounded into a profitable, scalable operation without relying on paid marketing or debt, while keeping a six-person team working year-round. We talk about the realities of cash flow in a seasonal business, how reputation can grow through simple Google reviews, and why Nick believes buying a business is often easier than building one from scratch. Key Takeaways * From installs to maintenance: Grounded started with project-based installs (median $20K–$30K jobs) before shifting to recurring lawn care for predictable revenue. * Recurring revenue wins: Weekly mowing (27–30 visits per client per year) turned one-off projects into year-round contracts. * Smart seasonality management: Winter months are filled with installs and snow removal, keeping W2 employees fully staffed year-round. * Route density = profitability: Each worker runs solo routes, covering 2–3 properties per hour, maximizing efficiency and reducing payroll bloat. * Tech + transparency: Using Lawn Buddy for routing, tracking, and customer communication helped streamline ops without marketing spend. * Culture of servitude: Grounded’s three values, Responsibility, Quality, Servitude, drive how they operate and win referrals. * Selling the business: Nick’s now preparing for an exit. His main lesson: zero to one is hardest—and buying an existing “engine” can be smarter than building one. Where to find Nick Thompson and Grounded Lawn: * Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-thompson-b6915587/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-thompson-b6915587/] * Website: https://www.groundedlawn.com/ [https://www.groundedlawn.com/] In this interview, we discuss: * 00:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMi96-TZcKM] From backyard installs to Colorado lawns * 00:45 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMi96-TZcKM&t=45s] Landscaping vs. hardscaping 101 * 1:20 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMi96-TZcKM&t=80s] Learning installs from his dad’s DIY projects * 2:05 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMi96-TZcKM&t=125s] Targeting new builds during the COVID boom * 3:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMi96-TZcKM&t=180s] Job sizes: $3K to $75K, most in the $20Ks * 3:40 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMi96-TZcKM&t=220s] Why recurring maintenance beat one-off projects * 4:25 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMi96-TZcKM&t=265s] Keeping six W-2 employees through winter * 5:05 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMi96-TZcKM&t=305s] Snow removal as the off-season bridge * 6:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMi96-TZcKM&t=360s] Over-communicating with customers * 6:45 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMi96-TZcKM&t=405s] The 2021 pivot to recurring revenue * 7:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMi96-TZcKM&t=450s] Route density: solo crews > teams * 8:15 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMi96-TZcKM&t=495s] How Lawn Buddy powers daily ops * 9:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMi96-TZcKM&t=540s] Splitting commercial vs. residential routes * 9:40 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMi96-TZcKM&t=580s] Smarter gear: ramp racks, standers, no trailers * 10:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMi96-TZcKM&t=630s] Lessons from late-night R&D * 11:20 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMi96-TZcKM&t=680s] Grounded’s three values: responsibility, quality, servitude * 12:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMi96-TZcKM&t=720s] Growth without marketing—just Google reviews * 12:45 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMi96-TZcKM&t=765s] Nick’s role today: payroll and check-signing * 13:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMi96-TZcKM&t=810s] Preparing Grounded for sale * 14:15 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMi96-TZcKM&t=855s] “Buying is easier than building” * 15:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMi96-TZcKM&t=900s] How to know if you’re wired to build * 15:45 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMi96-TZcKM&t=945s] Final lessons on leadership and honesty This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit smb15.substack.com [https://smb15.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Giving Fire Trucks a Second Life with Brian Reyburn, Owner of Firetrucks Unlimited

Listen now on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2N1glEn5ZLCNPkG5iuNjRx?si=e4ccbcd77e0f4e2c] or YouTube [https://youtu.be/8NZSOkzaOH8?si=Ripo1zkY8F-DFgDw]. When Brian Reyburn’s father left the Air Force fire service to start a landscaping company, no one could have predicted it would lead to refurbishing fire trucks for the U.S. military and fire departments across the country. In this episode of SMB15, Brian shares the 20-year journey of building Fire Trucks Unlimited, from a “dumb idea” combining old landscaping mechanics and fire service connections into a thriving 50+ person operation. Key Takeaways * Market creation: Fire Trucks Unlimited applied military refurbishment practices to municipal fire departments after the 2008 crisis, inventing a market where none existed. * Economics: A new ladder truck can cost $1.2M–$2.5M. Refurbishment? Less than half that. * Funding model: They avoid debt and floor plan financing by collecting 50% deposits up front. * Trust in sales: Photo journaling refurbishments created transparency and built trust across fire departments nationwide. * Family business lessons: Respect isn’t automatic, Brian had to earn it with his team, even as the founder’s son. * Exit wisdom: “Get as much money day one” when selling to PE; earnouts favor the buyer. * Personal balance: After selling, Brian shifted into sales-only to prioritize family time during his kids’ last years at home. Where to find Brian Reyburn and Firetrucks Unlimited: * Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-reyburn-7bb84746/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-reyburn-7bb84746/] * Website: https://www.firetrucksunlimited.com/ [https://www.firetrucksunlimited.com/] In this interview, we discuss: * 0:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NZSOkzaOH8] Brian’s family roots in business * 1:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NZSOkzaOH8&t=60s] From landscaping to fire trucks * 2:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NZSOkzaOH8&t=120s] First big break with the military * 3:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NZSOkzaOH8&t=210s] 2008 crash creates a new market * 4:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NZSOkzaOH8&t=270s] Fire truck economics: $2.5M new vs half the cost refurbished * 5:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NZSOkzaOH8&t=330s] How the industry consolidated to 3 big players * 6:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NZSOkzaOH8&t=390s] Early projects, big losses, key lessons * 7:45 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NZSOkzaOH8&t=465s] Funding projects with customer deposits * 9:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NZSOkzaOH8&t=540s] What “refurbishment” really means * 10:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NZSOkzaOH8&t=600s] How long fire trucks actually last * 11:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NZSOkzaOH8&t=660s] Anyone can buy a fire truck (and people do) * 12:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NZSOkzaOH8&t=720s] Wildest sales stories: ISIS, war zones, remote islands * 13:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NZSOkzaOH8&t=780s] Photo journaling turns into a sales engine * 16:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NZSOkzaOH8&t=960s] Family business: challenges + respect on the shop floor * 17:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NZSOkzaOH8&t=1050s] Lean manufacturing lessons from Tesla to fire trucks * 20:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NZSOkzaOH8&t=1200s] What Brian learned from selling businesses (twice) * 22:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NZSOkzaOH8&t=1320s] Advice for sellers: get paid upfront, beware earnouts * 23:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NZSOkzaOH8&t=1380s] Life after the sale: shifting into sales, focusing on family This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit smb15.substack.com [https://smb15.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

From Store Manager to Owner: Jeff Carroll on Starting and Scaling Wine Dads

Listen now on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2N1glEn5ZLCNPkG5iuNjRx?si=e4ccbcd77e0f4e2c] or YouTube [https://youtu.be/Egek_ZjoSuE?si=lUl5mYv-uU8XP-X5]. From a life-changing trip to Sonoma to scaling three retail locations in New Jersey, Jeff Carroll’s journey with Wine Dads shows how passion and persistence can reshape a career. He shares the leap from Trader Joe’s into entrepreneurship, the million-dollar challenge of opening his first store, and why he calls Wine Dads “a boutique shop cleverly disguised as a liquor store.” In this episode, we dive into the realities of alcohol retail: licensing hurdles, financing constraints, and cash flow management. Jeff also shares lessons on hiring sommeliers, curating a product mix, and finding expansion opportunities near Trader Joe’s. His story offers a candid look at how to build a retail brand in one of the most regulated industries. Key Takeaways * Passion can pivot careers. A trip to Sonoma in 2008 transformed Jeff from a casual drinker into a wine professional determined to open his own shop. * Location is leverage. Positioning Wine Dads near Trader Joe’s allowed Jeff to capture traffic and build awareness while maintaining his boutique identity. * Licensing is the biggest hurdle. In New Jersey, retail liquor licenses can cost seven figures, and navigating regulation is half the battle. * Cash flow is king. With alcohol invoices due in 30 days, retailers need disciplined inventory turnover. Wine Dads manages 10–12 turns per year. * Hire for expertise. Sommeliers and certified staff not only elevate the customer experience but also give credibility to the shop. * Approachability wins. By disguising a boutique selection inside a standard liquor-store look, Jeff made Wine Dads welcoming to everyday shoppers. Where to find Jeff Carroll and Wine Dads: * Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-carroll-61252364/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-carroll-61252364/] * Website: https://winedadshoboken.com/ [https://winedadshoboken.com/] In this interview, we discuss: * 00:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Egek_ZjoSuE] - Falling in love with wine * 02:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Egek_ZjoSuE&t=120s] - Early retail lessons * 04:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Egek_ZjoSuE&t=240s] - Opening the first Wine Dads * 07:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Egek_ZjoSuE&t=450s] - Financing & licensing hurdles * 10:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Egek_ZjoSuE&t=630s] - Expansion strategy near Trader Joe’s * 13:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Egek_ZjoSuE&t=810s] - Pocket licenses & growth plan * 15:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Egek_ZjoSuE&t=930s] - Hiring sommeliers & staff * 17:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Egek_ZjoSuE&t=1020s] - Delegating store management * 20:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Egek_ZjoSuE&t=1200s] - Cash flow challenges in alcohol retail * 22:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Egek_ZjoSuE&t=1350s] - Building a curated selection * 24:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Egek_ZjoSuE&t=1470s] - Advice for aspiring shop owners * 26:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Egek_ZjoSuE&t=1560s] - What’s next for Wine Dads This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit smb15.substack.com [https://smb15.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

How Will Barrett Grew a 5-Star Window Cleaning Company

Listen now on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2N1glEn5ZLCNPkG5iuNjRx?si=e4ccbcd77e0f4e2c] or YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU3WLr8pp4A]. From a five-star review on his very first job to scaling toward $600K in revenue, Will Barrett’s journey with Will Do It Windows shows what happens when you combine grit with speed of execution. He shares the scrappy beginnings, the early hires, and the lessons that helped him turn a simple service into a serious business. In this episode, we dive into starting lean, finding the right marketing mix, and building culture in the trades. Will explains how he used door knocking, Google reviews, and Meta ads to drive growth, and why “just doing it” is the only real way to learn. Key Takeaways * Start small, sell first. Don’t waste thousands on equipment until you actually have paying customers. Focus on landing jobs, then invest in tools that help you move faster. * Hire early to scale. Will realized within a month that he couldn’t sell, clean, and manage everything at once. Bringing on a technician freed him up to focus on growth. * Culture drives consistency. Reliability, communication, and shared vision are what keep his technicians motivated. Every five-star review reinforces both accountability and pride in the work. * Marketing doesn’t have to be complicated. Meta ads, steady Google reviews, and even simple yard signs have been enough to build consistent inbound demand. * Execution beats perfection. Will doesn’t wait for the “right time”, he acts on ideas quickly, learns from mistakes, and adjusts. This mindset helped him grow fast without overthinking. * Community matters. Small business ownership isn’t just about revenue; it’s about relationships. Running into clients at the grocery store or events makes the work more personal and rewarding. Where to find Will Barrett and Will Do It Windows: * Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-barrett-101840313 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-barrett-101840313] * Website: https://www.willdoitwindows.com/ [https://www.willdoitwindows.com/] In this interview, we discuss: * 00:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU3WLr8pp4A] - First job * 01:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU3WLr8pp4A&t=60s] - Door knocking * 02:20 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU3WLr8pp4A&t=140s] - First hire * 04:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU3WLr8pp4A&t=240s] - Residential vs. commercial * 05:40 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU3WLr8pp4A&t=340s] - Building culture * 07:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU3WLr8pp4A&t=420s] - Marketing channels * 08:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU3WLr8pp4A&t=480s] - Starting an agency * 08:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU3WLr8pp4A&t=510s] - Why business is simple * 09:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU3WLr8pp4A&t=570s] - Bootstrapping lessons * 10:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU3WLr8pp4A&t=630s] - 2026 goals * 11:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU3WLr8pp4A&t=690s] - Soft wash story * 12:40 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU3WLr8pp4A&t=760s] - Community connections * 14:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU3WLr8pp4A&t=840s] - Where to find Will This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit smb15.substack.com [https://smb15.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]