In this inspiring conversation, Jamie Seeker sits down with Derek Taussig — Army veteran, ultra-marathoner, and CEO of Taussig Landscape — to unpack what it really means to build a business with heart. Derek shares how mowing lawns as a teen evolved into running a full-service landscaping company with a powerful mission: enriching lives through the outdoors.

From battlefield lessons in leadership to business systems and employee development, Derek walks us through the gritty and transformative path of entrepreneurship. He opens up about the emotional weight of being a business owner, how he stepped out of the “it only works if I’m in it” mindset, and the three pillars that helped him grow: trust, training, and hiring.

• Early Roots: Derek talks about how his entrepreneurial drive started with a desire for a new bike and turned into a lawn-mowing business — with help and encouragement from his parents.
• Military Mindset: His service as a U.S. Army combat medic shaped not just his discipline, but his deep understanding of team dynamics and leadership — including what not to do.
• Business Evolution: Derek describes how he scaled from a solo operator to leading multiple teams by responding to demand and building a culture that values excellence.
• Stepping Out (Sort of): He shares the moment he thought he was out of the business — only to realize he was just in a different role. A local executive development course became a turning point.
• Building Systems: Derek emphasizes solving problems permanently through systems, handbooks, and clear expectations so the business doesn’t rely solely on him.
• Project Flow: We get a peek into the logistics of running a landscape design-build company, and how Derek’s team manages the entire process using specific software and defined job roles.
• Key Growth Lessons: The move from “everyone does everything” to hiring for specific skill sets was critical to sustainable growth.
• Leadership Philosophy: Derek breaks down his core principles: hire the right person, train them well, and build trust by giving them ownership — even when mistakes happen.
• Real Talk: Derek gets honest about burnout, doubt, and the emotional toll of business ownership — and why grit kept him going when things got tough.