The Ultimate Landscape CEO - Jeffrey Scott

Christian Ruf owns Uncommon Elite, an Executive Recruiting firm. In this conversation, Christian Ruf shares his journey from military service to becoming a niche recruiter for veterans in the business world. He discusses the unique skills and attributes that military veterans bring to civilian roles, including leadership, resilience, and the ability to navigate chaos. Ruf emphasizes the importance of assessing talent based on attributes rather than experience and highlights the challenges veterans face when transitioning to civilian life. He also provides insights into effective onboarding processes for veterans and the value they add to organizations. Takeaways: Christian Ruf transitioned from military service to recruiting veterans. He emphasizes the importance of leadership learned in the armed forces. Veterans possess unique skills that are valuable in civilian roles. The ability to navigate chaos is a key strength of military professionals. Recruiting should focus on attributes rather than just experience. Veterans are often adaptable and can pivot quickly in business environments. Onboarding processes are crucial for the success of veteran hires. Military training instills a strong sense of planning and execution. There are stereotypes about military professionals that don’t reflect reality. Veterans can bring a wealth of experience and skills to various industries. The post Recruiting Top Level Managers from Special Forces, with Christian Ruf [https://jeffreyscott.biz/recruiting-top-level-managers-from-special-forces-with-christian-ruf/] appeared first on Jeffrey Scott [https://jeffreyscott.biz].

Matthew Knick is the founder and president of WillowGrove Landscape in Mandeville, Louisiana. His company does $4M in revenue with 40 employees and a 50/50 split between high-end maintenance and design-build. In this conversation, Matt shares his powerful personal journey from battling addiction to building a values-driven company. He talks about the habits that keep him grounded—like meditation and journaling—and how they help him manage the stress of running a business in a high-pressure industry. Matt explains how he and his team created a new set of core values that are more than just words on a wall. He shares how they use those values to hire, fire, and even evaluate clients—ensuring alignment across the board. He also digs into how WillowGrove avoids meeting fatigue while running an impressive cadence of focused, productive meetings that drive real results. Matt discusses the value of surrounding yourself with people smarter than you, his approach to hiring for roles he doesn’t fully understand, and how participating in a JSC peer group has helped him grow as a leader. He emphasizes the importance of creating a culture of ownership and integrity, and how living with purpose—at work and at home—drives everything he does. Matt opens up about leadership, personal growth, and building a company where people can thrive both professionally and personally. This episode is packed with insight for anyone looking to lead with intention and build something that truly lasts. The post Leading with Purpose: Matt Knick on Culture, Clarity, and Core Values [https://jeffreyscott.biz/leading-with-purpose-matt-knick-on-culture-clarity-and-core-values/] appeared first on Jeffrey Scott [https://jeffreyscott.biz].

Marcus Sheridan is the author of “They Ask, You Answer” and “Endless Customers,” which show you why and how to use content marketing to become the go-to company on the internet. In this conversation, Marcus discusses the evolution of marketing and sales in the home improvement industry, emphasizing the importance of understanding today’s buyers, building a trusted brand, and implementing effective pricing strategies. He shares insights from his journey with River Pools and the principles outlined in his brand new book, ‘Endless Customers,’ highlighting the need for transparency, customer education, and adapting to the changing landscape influenced by AI and self-service tools. Marcus also discusses the importance of pricing estimators and self-service tools in enhancing customer engagement and generating leads. He emphasizes the need for businesses to adapt to modern marketing strategies, including the use of video content and disruption in traditional practices. The conversation concludes with a focus on building trust and taking control of one’s brand in a rapidly changing market. Takeaways: Today’s buyers are more informed and impatient than ever. 75% of buyers prefer a seller-free sales experience. Building a known and trusted brand is crucial for success. Transparency in pricing can differentiate your business. Video content is essential for engaging customers. Understanding the ‘Big Five’ topics is key to customer research. Referral-based businesses need to invest in marketing to scale. Your personal brand is more important than your company brand. Pricing estimators can significantly increase lead generation. AI tools can simplify the creation of pricing estimators. Consistent, higher quality visits lead to better customer engagement. Pricing estimators increase customer investment in your company. AI tools make it easier to implement pricing estimators. Self-service tools are becoming essential for businesses. Video content is crucial for brand visibility and engagement. Disruption can change industry standards and practices. Building trust is fundamental for long-term business success. Understanding customer needs is key to effective marketing. Businesses must adapt to multiple platforms for brand growth. The post They Ask, You Answer: The Secret to Content Marketing, with Marcus Sheridan [https://jeffreyscott.biz/they-ask-you-answer-the-secret-to-content-marketing-with-marcus-sheridan/] appeared first on Jeffrey Scott [https://jeffreyscott.biz].

Jeffrey Scott interviews Jon Rick, the Owner of two landscape firms totaling $3.5M in revenue: J. Rick Lawn & Tree in Colorado Springs, CO, and Dakota OutdoorScapes in Bizmark, N.D. Jon shares insights into his diverse business ventures, including a couple non-landscape companies. He discusses the challenges of finding the right operations manager, his approach to financial management and profit setting, and strategies for scaling both businesses. He emphasizes the importance of professionalism as part of his sales advantage and reflects on balancing work and family life after becoming a father. He also highlights the significance of responsiveness in business and the impact of setting clear goals for growth. In this conversation, Jon Rick discusses the intricacies of managing a landscape business in North Dakota, focusing on efficiency in estimation, seasonal challenges, and profit expectations. He reflects on the balance between growth and stability, the dynamics of his team, and the need for future leadership. Additionally, he shares insights into his personal life, including family activities and interests, while navigating the complexities of real estate investments and business management. Takeaways His Colorado Springs company focuses on chemical lawn care, while Bismarck specializes in landscape construction. Finding a suitable operations manager has been a significant challenge. Jon prioritizes financial management and aims for a minimum 20% profit margin. The North Dakota ranch services business has shown substantial growth and potential. Professionalism in the landscaping industry can set a company apart. Jon balances work and family life after becoming a father. Clear growth goals and incentives are crucial for employee motivation. Jon handles all estimating for his Bismarck, ND company, ensuring quality control. I need to hire a general manager if I want to grow that business. I got offered 15 times EBITDA for my business. It’s a grind, and I love it. To learn about Jeffrey Scott’s landscape business consulting services, go to: https://jeffreyscott.biz/consulting/ [https://jeffreyscott.biz/consulting/] The post Crushing It With 2 Profitable Businesses In Different States with Jon Rick [https://jeffreyscott.biz/crushing-it-with-2-profitable-businesses-in-different-states-with-jon-rick/] appeared first on Jeffrey Scott [https://jeffreyscott.biz].

In this conversation, Jeffrey Scott talks to Mary Vales, Chief People Officer at Schill Grounds Management. She shares her secrets to success in HR, recruiting tips, software support, onboarding processes, and of course the importance of company culture. She discusses her career journey, the need for great processes in HR, and the challenges of HR in the field of mergers and acquisitions. She shares the significance of hiring practices (do’s and dont’s) in shaping a successful organization. Mary emphasizes the need for honesty and critical interview skills when recruiting, and when assessing a company to buy. Link to Summer Growth Summit: > 2025 Summer Growth Summit [https://jeffreyscott.biz/2025-summer-growth-summit/] Takeaways · Mary Vales is the Chief People Officer at Schill Grounds Management. · She emphasizes the importance of being close to the business operations in order to suc · Compliance and onboarding are critical, but just the beginning in HR success. · Mary’s career journey includes diverse experiences across industries. · Hiring practices should focus on finding the right fit for the company culture and the job. · Mergers and acquisitions require careful due diligence and cultural understanding. · HR professionals should have a continuous improvement mindset. · Technology plays a significant role in modern HR practices. · Honesty in recruitment leads to better employee retention. For more information on Schill Grounds Management, go here: https://www.schilllandscaping.com/ [https://www.schilllandscaping.com/] The post The HR Advantage with Schill’s Chief People Officer, Mary Vales [https://jeffreyscott.biz/the-hr-advantage-with-schills-chief-people-officer-mary-vales/] appeared first on Jeffrey Scott [https://jeffreyscott.biz].