Million Dollar Landscaper

In this episode, Scott (@MillionDollarLandscaper) explains why running ads too soon will drain your wallet—and what you should do first. He breaks down why word of mouth is still king, how to tap past customers for easy wins, why yard signs, vehicle wraps, and “5 arounds” create instant trust, and how networking groups keep work coming in. He also covers why a Google Business Profile, consistent social media, and a simple, mobile-friendly website are non-negotiable before you ever spend a dime on ads.   Welcome to The Million Dollar Landscaper Podcast w/Scott Molchan, landscaper-turned-coach helping business owners stop spinning their wheels, build smart systems, and finally run a profitable company without burning out. On this podcast, you’ll hear how to attract better customers, price your work for profit, and learn the lessons Scott picked up while scaling his own landscaping business.   Wanna stop wasting money on ads? Schedule your free strategy call and get a brand-new website built for free (just pay h

You’re paying $35 an hour—and guys still don’t show up. Sound familiar? In this episode, Scott unpacks a heated Facebook discussion where landscapers vented about the worker shortage—and shared what’s actually working to keep crews together. You’ll learn: ✅ Why paying more isn’t enough to fix turnover ✅ Simple ways to build loyalty (without spending a fortune) ✅ Coaching tips for hiring slow, onboarding right, and checking in often ✅ The “employee” you can add who never quits, never calls in sick, and works 24/7 If you’re burned out from the revolving door of employees, this episode gives you practical steps to steady your crew—and your business.

You’re running jobs, meeting with clients, and trying to keep your crew on track. But meanwhile, the admin side of your business is stacking up—emails, invoices, scheduling, social media, customer follow-ups. Before you know it, you’re buried in $12/hour tasks while the big money jobs get put on hold.   In this episode, Scott sits down with Derek Shaw and Kelli Anh of Hyre (formerly Hey Lieu) to show landscapers how Virtual Assistants (VAs) can save you from burnout and help you grow faster.   You’ll learn: ✅ The 3 smartest ways landscapers are using VAs right now ✅ Real-world examples of how VAs handle bookkeeping, scheduling, social media, and customer follow-up ✅ How VAs can support your crew in the field—so techs focus on the work, not the paperwork ✅ Simple steps to delegate without losing control of your business ✅ Why holding onto every task yourself is costing you money   If you’re stuck doing everything on your own—or you’ve hit that awkward stage where you can’t yet afford another hire—this episode

You spend time and money to get the phone to ring. But if you don’t answer within minutes, that lead is gone—and they’re calling your competitor.   In this episode, Scott shares how AI Voice Agents and Conversation AI Chatbots can act as your 24/7 sales team, making sure you never miss another lead (even when you’re busy or off the clock).   You’ll learn: ✅ Why slow response times are killing your conversion rate ✅ How AI can answer calls, qualify leads, and even book appointments for you ✅ The difference between an old-school chatbot and a trained Conversation AI ✅ How to make AI sound like you so it still feels personal ✅ Why these tools cost far less than hiring staff—and never take a day off   If you’re tired of losing jobs because you couldn’t answer fast enough, this is the simplest way to fix it—and it works 24/7.   Quick win: Add a chatbot to your website that collects lead info instantly, even if you can’t respond right away.  

Turn Your Google Business Profile into a Lead Machine with AI   Most landscapers set up their Google Business Profile once—and never touch it again. But here’s the truth: if it’s not optimized and active, you’re missing out on leads that are already searching for your services.   In this episode, Scott breaks down how you can use simple AI tools (like ChatGPT) to fix and maintain your profile so it actually brings in paying jobs—without spending hours on marketing.   You’ll learn: ✅ Why having more reviews doesn’t mean you’ll rank higher ✅ The exact sections of your profile Google actually looks at ✅ How AI can write your descriptions, posts, and service details in minutes ✅ What to post each week—and how to schedule it all in under an hour ✅ How to respond to reviews (even bad ones) without sounding stiff or robotic If your phone isn’t ringing as much as it should be, your Google profile might be the reason. The good news? You can fix it fast—and AI can do most of the heavy lifting.   Quick win: Update your

Your New Sales Team Works 24/7—and Doesn’t Call in Sick   Too many landscapers are slammed with calls, questions, and quote requests they don’t have time to answer. And that means one thing: missed leads.   In this episode, Scott and Kati break down how you can use AI tools like chatbots and voice assistants to handle common sales conversations without adding more to your plate. These tools work around the clock, never call in sick, and can be trained to sound just like your business.   You’ll learn: ✅ How chatbots and AI voicemail actually work (no tech degree required) ✅ What they can really do for a busy landscaping business ✅ How to use them to pre-qualify leads and answer FAQs automatically ✅ Why this isn’t about replacing people—it’s about reclaiming your time ✅ How AI can help you stop losing jobs to faster competitors   If you're tired of feeling behind or overwhelmed, this might be the simplest way to get back in control without hiring more help.  

Ever felt like this business is breaking you? You’re not alone—and you’re not weak. In this episode, Scott gets brutally honest about burnout in the landscaping world. From long days in the field to nonstop client demands, broken equipment, and crew no-shows—it adds up fast. And sometimes, it makes you question whether it’s all worth it If you’ve ever thought about walking away from your business, this episode is for you.   You’ll learn: ✅ What burnout actually looks like (it’s not always obvious) ✅ Why most landscapers carry too much for too long—and how to stop ✅ How to simplify your business so you stop dreading work ✅ The mindset shift that saved Scott from burning it all down ✅ What to do when you’ve “lost the spark” but still want to make it work   Scott shares his own story, what he’s hearing from coaching clients, and simple but powerful ways to pull yourself out of the chaos—without quitting your business or sacrificing your sanity.  

Ever feel like you’re paying Google—but not getting paid?   In this episode, Scott sits down with Katie Kingsbery of Revkey to unpack why most landscapers struggle with Google Ads—and how to finally make them work. If you’ve ever burned through your budget and ended up with zero real leads, this one’s for you.   You’ll learn: ✅ Why showing up on Google is about more than just clicks—it’s brand credibility ✅ The #1 website mistake that kills your conversions (and how to fix it) ✅ How to target high-quality homeowners instead of tire-kickers ✅ The truth about keywords, budgets, and why DIY Google Ads usually fail ✅ Smart tips to stop wasting money and start getting leads that actually close   Katie and Scott cut through the fluff and get real about how Google Ads actually work for landscaping businesses. From landing pages to targeting tricks, this is the guide you wish you had before clicking "Start Campaign."  

Ever feel like your work looks pro—but your business doesn’t?   In this episode, Scott sits down with Ezra McCarthy of Green Frog Web Design to unpack the truth about branding for landscapers—and why it has nothing to do with your logo. If you’ve ever lost a job to a “cheaper” competitor, this one’s for you.   You’ll learn: ✅ Why your truck, quote, and crew say more than your Facebook page ever could ✅ The difference between branding and marketing (and how most landscapers get it wrong) ✅ Real talk on websites, logos, and what customers really notice ✅ How branding helps you charge more—and attract clients who actually pay on time ✅ The simple fix to make your business look like it’s worth the price   Ezra and Scott don’t pull punches—this is straight talk about why your image matters, how to stop looking like a one-man show (even if you are), and how to build trust before you even pick up the phone.  

Ever had a homeowner say, “You’re too expensive”—and not know what to say next? In this episode, Kati breaks down exactly how to handle price objections without getting defensive or dropping your pants (your prices, that is).   You’ll learn: ✅ Why “too expensive” is usually just a conversation starter ✅ The power of “What” questions to uncover what the customer really cares about ✅ How to turn sticker shock into a sale (with mulch, patios, or planting beds) ✅ Real-world scripts and responses you can steal today ✅ How to use AI (yep, even ChatGPT) to practice these conversations   Kati walks you through examples word-for-word so you can confidently answer price pushback—and sell the value, not just the job.  

If you’re a landscaper staring at a to-do list that’s bigger than your mulch pile—this episode is for you.   Kati flies solo and unpacks the D4 System (Delay, Delegate, Delete, Do), her go-to move for beating busy-season overwhelm without working longer hours.   You’ll learn: ✅ What the D4 filter is—and why a plain brain-dump isn’t enough ✅ How to spot tasks you can delay until the slow season ✅ Fast ways to delegate jobs (yes, even grocery runs) so you stay on-site ✅ The power of the delete button to kill time-sucking distractions ✅ How to decide what to do now and knock it out before Friday freak-outs hit   Kati also shares real examples from a “frazzled Friday,” showing exactly how she sorted her list, freed up family time, and still recorded this podcast.  

If you’re a landscaper who’s sick of chasing leads, getting ghosted, or losing jobs to someone who “just called back faster”—this episode is for you.   Scott sits down with James Hatfield, a former painter turned tech expert, to break down what “speed to lead” really means—and why calling people back fast (and with video) could be the key to booking more jobs.   You’ll learn: ✅ Why slow follow-up is costing you money ✅ How to use simple video to close jobs without extra drive time ✅ The 3 types of leads—and how to spot tire-kickers fast ✅ Real ways to stand out and build trust with new customers ✅ How to stop wasting time on callbacks, no-shows, and repeat site visits James also shares how his company, LiveSwitch, is helping landscapers like you use video to quote jobs faster, document work in the field, and keep customers happy—all without needing to be a tech expert.  

If you’re a landscaper trying to get found on Google but you’re running your business out of your truck, garage, or storage unit—you’re not alone. In this episode, Scott breaks down 5 of the most common (and most important) questions landscapers ask about Google Business Profile. These are the questions that come up when you're ready to grow, get more leads, and actually show up on Google Maps. You’ll learn: ✅ How to set up your profile the right way—even without a storefront ✅ The exact photos to upload to get more calls ✅ Easy ways to get more reviews (without being pushy) ✅ How long it really takes to start ranking ✅ The biggest mistake that kills your chances of showing up Whether you already have a profile or you’re just getting started, this episode will help you turn that free Google listing into a lead machine.  

In this episode, Scott breaks down how small landscaping businesses can outrank national chains on Google Maps—without spending big on ads or hiring a marketing agency.   Spoiler alert: You already have a secret weapon the big brands can’t compete with. Scott shares the 3 ranking factors Google actually uses to decide who shows up at the top—and how small, scrappy landscapers can win by leaning into what makes them local and trustworthy.   You’ll learn: The #1 mistake landscapers make with their Google Business Profile How to turn everyday jobsite photos into visibility boosters Why your local reputation matters more than brand recognition What “relevance” really means—and how to update your profile to match it How to use reviews the right way to build trust and climb the ranks   Plus, Scott shares the overlooked reason some landscapers with fewer reviews are still beating the competition—and how you can do the same with a simple weekly routine.  

In this episode, Scott breaks down one of the biggest myths in local marketing: that all you need to rank higher on Google is more 5-star reviews.   Spoiler alert: It’s not true.   Scott shares the results of recent tests run with real landscaping businesses—and reveals how some are outranking competitors with double (or triple!) the number of reviews by simply posting updates and photos consistently.   You’ll learn: Why reviews alone won’t boost your Google ranking The posting strategy that sends the right “signals” to Google What types of photos and updates move the needle the most How to turn your job site into free SEO fuel The minimum number of reviews you do need before this works   Plus, Scott explains how to set up a simple weekly routine that builds trust with Google and potential customers—without hiring an SEO agency or begging for reviews.  

In this episode, Scott sits down with Matt Thibeau, founder of Savant Marketing, to break down what landscapers really need to know about running Facebook ads that actually get results.   Matt’s agency specializes in marketing for lawn, landscape, and outdoor living businesses—and in this conversation, he clears up the confusion around boosted posts, ad budgets, creative content, and more.   You’ll learn: Why most Facebook ads fail (and how to fix yours before wasting money) The three things every landscaping ad needs to succeed How to create offers that attract quality leads—not price shoppers The surprising power of personal branding (and why your face beats a fancy logo)   Plus, Matt shares what kind of budget you actually need to make Facebook ads work—and why following up fast matters more than fancy tech.  

In this episode, Scott sits down with Paul Sanneman, founder of Contractor Staffing Source, to tackle one of the biggest headaches in the landscaping industry: finding (and keeping) good employees.   Paul has helped contractors across North America hire over 4,500 team members—and in this conversation, he breaks down exactly why your hiring strategy probably isn’t working, and what to do instead.   You’ll learn: Why the best candidates are never on job boards (and how to reach them) The real difference between hiring and recruiting (and why it matters) How to use AI to write better job ads and build a reliable hiring system What landscapers get wrong about pay, culture, and onboarding   Plus, Paul shares the one mistake that kills company culture faster than anything else—and how to avoid it.  

In this episode, Scott sits down with AI expert Jonathan Mast, founder of Whitebeard Strategies, to break down how landscapers can actually use AI to save time, win more jobs, and grow their businesses faster.   Jonathan shares real-world examples of how AI can help with everything from writing emails and building SOPs to creating instant landscape mockups right in front of clients — and why landscapers who start using these tools now will have a major edge.   You'll also learn practical tips on how to "train" AI to sound like you, avoid rookie mistakes, and use it safely without risking your business info.   Ready to start using AI the right way (without sounding like a robot)?  

Before you run ads for your landscaping business, you need to make sure your business is actually ready. In this episode of the Million Dollar Landscaper Podcast, Scott and Katie explain why more leads won’t fix a broken foundation—and how skipping steps can waste your money and wreck your reputation. You'll learn: ✅ Why "Reach" is the final step in the R6 system ✅ The #1 reason most landscaping ads fail ✅ Simple checks to know if you’re really ready to start advertising

Episode 5 of the R6 Framework Series Are you always chasing new leads... but forgetting about the easiest sales you could be making? In this episode of the Million Dollar Landscaper Podcast, Scott Molchan breaks down why reselling to past clients is one of the fastest, cheapest ways to grow your landscaping business—and why so many landscapers are leaving easy money on the table.