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The Untrapped Podcast With Keith Kalfas

The Untrapped Podcast With Keith Kalfas

By: Keith Kalfas
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 Small Business Ownership & Personal Development Hosted by Keith Kalfas from the Landscaping Employee Trap & Window Cleaning Blueprint.Greenwood Publishing 2023 Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Marketing Marketing & Sales
Episodes
  • Shop tour and the plan to crack $1M with Brian's Lawn Maintenance

    Shop tour and the plan to crack $1M with Brian's Lawn Maintenance
    Sep 13 2025
    In this episode, Keith drops by Brian Fullerton’s shop (yes, after a literal mulch fire 🤯) to dig into how Brian’s Lawn Maintenance is systematizing for scale. Brian breaks down the jump from $427k to a rolling $550k and why the team is on track to crack $1M — with an eye toward a $10–$20M BHAG at 15–20% profit. He shares the mindset shift from residential to commercial work, the blade-sharpening science that actually drives quality, and the shop organization moves (lever rack + pallet racking) that keep the crew humming. Brian also opens up about cash flow, financing, and the language of business he wishes he’d learned sooner, plus the advice he gives new operators about delivering on promises and building trust. “Build the system so the system can build the business.” – Brian Fullerton Topics Covered: From $427k to $1M+: Rolling 12 numbers, what’s working, and why 300k→$1M is the hardest jump. Commercial vs. Residential: Bidding strategy, margins, and “one shot” first impressions. Nerdy but profitable: Why a true 90° blade edge matters more than marketing gimmicks. Shop that sells: Lever rack + painted pallet racking for vertical storage, culture, and speed. Money lessons: Cash flow, leverage, banking conversations, and qualifying for growth capital. Keep your word: Deliver first visits perfectly; relationships compound revenue. Snow = scale: Q3–Q4 push to grow the snow division as the revenue accelerator. BHAG: Building toward $10–$20M without losing authenticity or team pride. Real-world impact: A listener salvaging $100k in accounts using Brian’s pricing play. Gear moment: The Bobcat L28 (wrapped and ready) moving mountains of mulch. Key Takeaways Build the System That Builds the Business: Scaling from $300k to $1M+ isn’t about working harder—it’s about creating systems that run smoothly without you. When the system builds the business, growth becomes inevitable. Trust Is Earned on Day One: Your first impression with a new client sets the tone for the entire relationship. Promise big, deliver bigger, and prove reliability from the very first visit. Speak Finance, Unlock Growth: Knowing the language of business—cash flow, leverage, EBITDA—turns lender “no’s” into capital fuel. Master finance early, and you’ll accelerate past plateaus. Connect with Brian Fullerton Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brianslawnmaintenance/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianslawnmaintenanceYT/?view_public_for=551659395235621 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brianslawnmaintenanceyt?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc Connect with Keith Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keithkalfas/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelandscapingemployeetrap Website: https://www.keithkalfas.com/resources Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@keith-kalfas Resources and Websites: Start Getting Leads Now https://www.footbridgemedia.com/keith Resources You Need To Build A Successful Business https://www.keithkalfas.com/resources 🙋♂️Get My Free Landscaping Business Startup Video Series Here👇 Here https://www.keithkalfas.com/Landscaping-Series Landscaping Course https://keith-kalfas.mykajabi.com/store/8bFERMcs LANDSCAPING BUSINESS How to Guide: https://www.keithkalfas.com/16 Get Jobber: https://getjobber.com/im/ambassador-referral/?gspk=a2VpdGhrYWxmYXM4NTIx&gsxid=Rs6pwtznLDcs Get Ballard: https://www.ballard-inc.com/ Easy Budgeting Blueprint: keithkalfas.com/budget Smartphone Video Creation Guide: Keithkalfas.com/smartphone Identifying Your Superpower: Keithkalfas.com/superpower Become An influencer And Monetize Your Expertise: https://www.keithkalfas.com/influence Multiple Ways to Monetize: https://www.keithkalfas.com/multipleways LevelUp Your Landscaping Business to $100K and beyond: https://www.keithkalfas.com/LEVELUP The Untrapped Alliance: https://www.keithkalfas.com/alliance
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    39 mins
  • How I Went FULL-TIME Landscaping Business | WARNING ⚠️ Life Changing Video

    How I Went FULL-TIME Landscaping Business | WARNING ⚠️ Life Changing Video
    Sep 7 2025
    In today’s episode, Keith Kalfas opens up about how he started his landscaping business with no money, no car, and a mountain of debt—offering raw, actionable advice for anyone ready to escape a dead-end job and take control of their future. With motivational insights and no-nonsense truths, this is a deeply personal look at entrepreneurship, survival, and the drive to transform your life against the odds. "Nothing's going to change unless you change it." – Keith Kalfas Episode Highlights: [00:00:01] Equip Expo Promo Keith shares details on the Equip Expo, the biggest green industry event in America, taking place in Louisville, Kentucky (Oct 21–24). Listeners can save 50% on tickets with promo code KEITH50. [00:00:38] How to Start a Landscaping Business With No Money Keith introduces the core topic—starting a landscaping business from scratch. He talks directly to those stuck in dead-end jobs and struggling to take the leap into entrepreneurship, addressing common fears about money, equipment, and providing for a family. [00:02:09] Keith’s Personal Story: From Rock Bottom to Six Figures Keith shares his own journey, revealing the desperation that drove him: job loss, debt collectors, eviction notices, and the terrifying uncertainty he faced with no startup money or resources. [00:04:58] The Turning Point: Getting Off the Ground Driven by imminent eviction and overwhelming debt, Keith describes the gritty first steps he took—posting Craigslist ads, knocking on doors, handing out homemade business cards, and pulling weeds for cash. He transparently shares the realities of using his wife’s car and borrowed equipment just to get started. [00:06:30] Bootstrapping and Beating the Odds Keith recounts pulling his life together: borrowing a truck, working countless hours, fighting discouragement, and doing everything necessary—even poorly paid jobs—to survive and build his business from nothing. [00:08:02] Hitting the Breakthrough: Quitting to Go All In Keith reaches his breaking point, describing the day he finally quit his job after replacing his income with landscaping work—then pouring himself into his business, putting in 90–100 hour weeks. He talks about the emotional and financial risks, but also the payoff: freedom and self-respect. Key Takeaways Starting With Nothing Is Possible: Keith’s story proves you can start a business with zero money, no vehicle, and even bad credit—persistence and hustle are key. Let Go of Excuses: The only way out of being stuck is to take uncomfortable, consistent action—even if it means humble beginnings. Leverage Relentless Hustle: Overcome obstacles by working harder and longer—90 to 100 hours a week if needed to break through. Accept Humble Beginnings: Start small—even if it means hauling weeds in someone else’s old pickup. Humility is part of the journey. Claim Your Freedom: True freedom comes from betting on yourself and taking massive, sometimes scary, action toward your own vision. Connect with Keith Kalfas: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keithkalfas/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelandscapingemployeetrap Website: https://www.keithkalfas.com/resources Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@keith-kalfas Resources & Sponsor Links Equip Expo: https://plus.mcievents.com/equipexpo2025?RefId=KEITH50— 50% off tickets with code KEITH50 Footbridge Media: footbridgemedia.com/keith Jobber (Exclusive free trial + discount): getjobber.com/kalfas
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    9 mins
  • 12 Secrets Revealed Behind His Remote Million $ Empire with DJ Carroll

    12 Secrets Revealed Behind His Remote Million $ Empire with DJ Carroll
    Aug 31 2025
    In this episode, Keith travels to Kentucky to interview Coach Carroll, a successful entrepreneur running two seven-figure businesses remotely. Coach Carroll shares insights on his tech and blue-collar companies, his real estate ventures, and leveraging AI for efficiency. The conversation covers his background, significant achievements, and the organizational strategies he created to keep his team aligned. He emphasizes the importance of investing in mentorship and knowledge for business success. The episode also touches on his biggest failures, the importance of helping others, and his long-term goals, including a nine-figure tech company exit. “Pay to get ahead. Stop negotiating the price of your success. Hire the mentor, hire the coach, buy the course, go to the event—pay for the knowledge others already have so you can make quantum leaps in your business.” – DJ Carroll Topics Covered: Overview of His Businesses Revenue & Business Breakdown From Lawn Care to AI: The Origin Story Organizational Strategy: Heading Adjustments Books That Shaped His Success Running Global Operations from the Command Center Advice for Entrepreneurs Starting Out Future Goals, Big Vision & Lessons from Failure Fulfillment Through Helping Others & Where to Find Him Q&A and Final Thoughts Key Takeaways Pay to Shortcut the Struggle: Don’t waste years trying to reinvent the wheel. The fastest way to level up in business is to invest in mentors, courses, and events that give you access to proven strategies. Knowledge is one of the few assets that appreciates instantly and pays you back for a lifetime. Keep the Team Aligned: Success isn’t just about building systems—it’s about keeping people in sync. Monthly “Heading Adjustments” give employees space to share challenges, measure satisfaction, and realign with core values. This proactive approach prevents small frustrations from snowballing into resignations and builds a stronger, more engaged culture. Turn Setbacks Into Strategy: Every failure carries the seeds of a better system. Losing a business venture taught Coach Carroll the irreplaceable value of having the right CPAs, lawyers, and advisors. Instead of letting breakdowns end the game, treat them as tuition fees for your entrepreneurial education—fuel to grow smarter and stronger. Connect with DJ Carroll Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dj_carroll/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dj-carroll-65589b21/ Website: http://www.coachcarroll.com/ Connect with Keith Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keithkalfas/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelandscapingemployeetrap Website: https://www.keithkalfas.com/resources Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@keith-kalfas Resources and Websites: Start Getting Leads Now https://www.footbridgemedia.com/keith Resources You Need To Build A Successful Business https://www.keithkalfas.com/resources 🙋♂️Get My Free Landscaping Business Startup Video Series Here👇 Here https://www.keithkalfas.com/Landscaping-Series Landscaping Course https://keith-kalfas.mykajabi.com/store/8bFERMcs LANDSCAPING BUSINESS How to Guide: https://www.keithkalfas.com/16 Get Jobber: https://getjobber.com/im/ambassador-referral/?gspk=a2VpdGhrYWxmYXM4NTIx&gsxid=Rs6pwtznLDcs Get Ballard: https://www.ballard-inc.com/ Easy Budgeting Blueprint: keithkalfas.com/budget Smartphone Video Creation Guide: Keithkalfas.com/smartphone Identifying Your Superpower: Keithkalfas.com/superpower Become An influencer And Monetize Your Expertise: https://www.keithkalfas.com/influence Multiple Ways to Monetize: https://www.keithkalfas.com/multipleways LevelUp Your Landscaping Business to $100K and beyond: https://www.keithkalfas.com/LEVELUP The Untrapped Alliance: https://www.keithkalfas.com/alliance
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    19 mins
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