In this episode of Titan Talks, Jonathan Stern interviews John Brouder, owner of Brouder & Sons Landscaping and Irrigation. John talks about starting his business during college and evolving it from lawn maintenance to specializing in hardscapes, irrigation, and low-voltage lighting due to the low profitability and high competition in lawn mowing. He mentions working through New England’s seasons, including performing snow plowing in winter. Despite having a small team, John emphasizes quality work and customer satisfaction, which have contributed to his success, noting the challenge of balancing expansion with maintaining personal happiness and service quality. He also discusses the potential for his sons to take over the business, highlighting his elder son David’s significant contribution during a period when John’s health was compromised.

In this episode of Titan Talks, host Jonathan Stern interviews Matt Ringle, owner of Curb Impressions, a successful landscaping company based in Toledo, Ohio, about his journey from starting with just eight lawns to achieving over $850,000 in revenue last year. Matt shares the importance of providing exceptional services, treating customers well, and the impact that the company’s website and social media presence have had on his business. He also discusses the value of having a dedicated, loyal, and skilled team, as well as overcoming challenges faced during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In this episode of Titan Talks, Tanner Mullen shares his journey from working with his dad as a painter to growing his painting business and becoming the founder of DripJobs, a software platform for home service professionals. He discusses his interest in technology and automation, which led him to develop DripJobs. He also shares his experience building and improving the software, including the journey to find a CTO and the responsibility he feels toward supporting the 600 companies that use his platform. At the end of the show, he discusses his vision for the future of trades and the role of technology companies in enabling that future.