On this Weekly Update on Trades Talk, Justin White kicks off the year with major updates from K&D Landscaping, showcasing bold moves in robotics, automation, and expansion. He frames 2026 as a defining moment for disruption and urges trade leaders to lean into innovation while staying grounded in fundamentals. K&D is expanding into San Luis Obispo and San Jose, while investing in futuristic tech like Kress’ fully autonomous mower, robotic 3D concrete printers, and partnerships with physical AI pioneers. Justin also outlines how automation can unlock six-figure wages for frontline workers, all while reshaping what a landscaping company can be. The vibe is confident, energized, and tech-forward. K&D receives the first autonomous “Voyager” mower in California for real-world testing Strategic push into San Luis Obispo and San Jose, with major contracts secured Partnering with Reservoir Farms to build a testing ground for landscape robotics Vision: Use automation to double wages and halve project timelines Upcoming episode: MineCloud’s Jamie Royce on why automations come before AI Justin closes with a challenge to the trades: don’t wait for a perfect tech test, iterate, and lead the future from the front lines.

This week on Trades Talk, Justin White sits down with Angelique Robb, founder of Synkd Magazine and Synkd Live, to trace her journey from oil rigs and deep-well engineering to redefining what collaboration looks like in the landscape industry. Angelique shares stories from her early career as a petroleum engineer, working offshore by helicopter in her teens, before shifting into project management and later launching a landscape design firm in Scotland. That blend of systems thinking and hands-on operations led her to notice the fragmentation in the U.S. landscape space. Through Synkd, she’s now working to synchronize design, build, and maintain under one roof, while surfacing key technical and business gaps. Justin and Angelique explore the “missing middle” of landscape project management, the opportunity in specialty subcontractor collaboration, and why small business owners hit a ceiling when they try to do everything alone. The episode also covers how Synkd Live New Orleans is structured differently from traditional trade shows, and what both founders believe is holding the industry back and what’s about to push it forward. Angelique’s early career offshore and how project integration shaped her systems lens Why most landscape companies get stuck at 4–6 employees and how to scale beyond that The problem with the word “landscaper” and why she rebranded to Synkd How U.S. firms lag in stormwater design and what Europe’s 20-year lead teaches us Angelique and Justin close by comparing private equity to “sweat equity” and laying out the ownership mindset that can help small firms scale without selling out. Sign up for The Disruptors Social taking place during SYNKD Live : https://www.jwhitegroup.com/event-details/disruptors-social-strikes-and-strategy-at-fulton-alley

On this Weekly Update of Trades Talk, Justin White kicks off 2026 with part one of a powerful new series: The Disruptor’s Advantage. After reflecting on the wild ride of 2025, Justin sets the tone for the year ahead by exploring what it truly means to be a disruptor in the trades. From AI to electrification to mindset, he lays out why this moment is built for bold thinkers ready to challenge the status quo. He makes a strong case that trades are not just alive and well. they’re thriving. With tech leaders spotlighting skilled labor and facilities requiring landscape design by law, landscapers and builders are positioned to win. Justin draws from Harvard’s Innovator’s Dilemma and his own experience going all-electric to show how innovation, not price, is now the dealbreaker. The episode previews major 2026 bets from K&D and invites listeners to a year of transformation. The trades are positioned for massive growth in 2026 and beyond AI may threaten office jobs first, but hands-on trades remain essential Being different and innovative beats being just better or cheaper K&D’s move to all-electric maintenance is already paying off Disruptors make bold bets, measure, learn, and evolve This is the first of a three-part series on the disruptor mindset, with live events and exclusive workshops already on the calendar. Get ready for a year of change and choose to lead it.

This week on Trades Talk, Justin White sits down with Scott Hutcheon, founder of Hey Flora, to explore how AI is reshaping the landscape industry. From field crews to business owners, Scott shares how Hey Flora serves as a full operating system, not just a chatbot, designed specifically for the challenges of trades companies. They dive into what makes landscaping so complex, why traditional tech adoption has been slow, and how AI-powered workflows can transform field communication, training, reporting, and even customer proposals. Scott reveals how property-level “intelligence layers” are being built through voice, photo, and video input—and why early adopters will pull ahead. Hey Flora offers bilingual, voice-first AI agents to support field crews and streamline operations Property-specific “graphs” compile notes, photos, and chat history to power proactive reminders Flora generates client-facing proposals and reports from daily crew inputs automatically Flora Docs and Vibe Scaping tools speed up design-build timelines and elevate sales LEAF framework ensures AI outputs meet OSHA and industry standards for safety and compliance Future tools may include AI safety glasses, digital twins, and procurement via simple chat AI won’t replace leaders, but those who adopt it early will outpace those who don’t. If you’re not building AI into your workflows, you’re already falling behind.

This week on Trades Talk, Justin White sits down with Eric Triplett, better known as The Pond Digger, to talk about the power of podcasting, AI, community, and leadership. With decades of experience in the trades, Eric shares how his cancer diagnosis, personality awareness, and content creation journey transformed his life and business. They dive into how AI is already reshaping the contractor experience from property walkthroughs to client-ready reports in minutes, and why podcasting built trust, saved time, and created national exposure. Eric opens up about leading through grief, burnout, and what happens when you really know yourself, and your team. How Eric launched his podcast after a chance moment with his son Why AI walkthroughs are helping him close deals faster and deliver more value What personality tools like Enneagram and DISC unlocked in his leadership How he ended up working with Gary V Lessons from cancer, reinvention, and building a second act on a ranch Eric’s story is raw, bold, and deeply human. You’ll walk away inspired to lead with more clarity, care, and confidence.

On this Weekly Update on Trades Talk, Justin White breaks down how K&D is planning for 2026, and why he believes AI agents will soon change everything about how landscaping companies sell, fulfill, and scale. He shares insights from a two-day strategy session, his investment lens on early-stage AI companies, and answers hot-seat questions on revenue growth and hiring from Brian Fullerton’s peer group. It’s tactical, future-focused, and packed with real lessons from the front lines of building a billion-dollar business. How AI agents will reshape sales and proposals in the trades The four-part strategic planning framework K&D is using for 2026 A three-part system for scaling revenue beyond the owner Why structured hiring beats gut instinct every time Why now is the perfect time to lean into AI, even if it’s still early If you’re serious about growth, tech adoption, or building a team that lasts, this one’s a blueprint. Attending SYNKD Live in New Orleans? Come to our Disruptor Social!

This week on Trades Talk, Justin White sits down with Jeremy Talboy, founder of North Georgia Landscape Management, to talk growth, leadership, and the systems behind a $20 million leap. Jeremy shares how authenticity, clear strategy, and a people-first culture have helped shape one of the Southeast’s standout landscape companies. From doubling revenue with smarter systems to avoiding the pitfalls of private equity, Jeremy unpacks the practical moves and mindset shifts that made a big impact.  In this episode, Jeremy shares: Why switching from EOS to Lean Scaper better aligned with his team and goals How dedicated pruning crews helped fix a common HOA complaint and protect reputation Why investing in Greenius and Jobber streamlined training, ops, and customer experience The power of authenticity and showing up, on social and in person, to build influence and trust If you’re scaling fast or just trying to stay grounded while growing, this episode brings a real-world look at what works, what breaks, and how to stay ahead.

On this weekly update on TradesTalk, Justin White reflects on a high-stakes win and the mindset spiral that followed. After attending the first-ever FutureScapes USA event in Los Angeles, K&D took home the Residential Project Over $500K award and earning a spot at the global finals in Saudi Arabia. But with growth came self-doubt. Justin opens up about hitting a wall of imposter syndrome just days after the celebration. This episode is a deep dive into the real emotional journey of leading a company aiming to scale fast and what it takes to steady yourself in the middle of the ride. Major win at FutureScapes and what it means for K&D’s global stage Why imposter syndrome shows up even when things are going well Leadership feedback as a sign of a healthy culture, not failure Mindset shifts to overcome doubt and show up stronger Tools that work: cold plunges, meditation, and reflection through TradesTalk If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re the right person to lead your business to the next level; this one’s for you.

This week on Trades Talk, Justin White sits down with Greyson Walldorff, Founder of Lawn Capital, Blake Meahl, CFO and Maintenance Operations lead at Garden View Landscape, and Todd Zimmerman and Meg Butterley from Kress. Together, they break down the electric and robotics revolution in landscaping; not as a future trend, but as a current shift that’s already changing how top operators work. They share firsthand insights from adopting electric fleets, deploying autonomous mowers, navigating turf legislation, and dealing with team pushback. Whether you’re in a regulated state or not, the message is clear: those who adapt early will own the next chapter of this industry. Grayson shares how Lawn Capital went 90% electric across urban Atlanta, including trucks, handhelds, and mowers Blake explains how California’s turf legislation and noise regulations are forcing operators to rethink equipment investment and operational models Todd introduces the Voyager: Kress’s fully autonomous ZTR designed for weekly route work, with cost savings and crew efficiency in mind Meg discusses the shift from theory to execution and how Kress is partnering with progressive companies to modernize their fleets Justin challenges owners to pick a lane: become the Netflix of your market or risk becoming Blockbuster This episode is a crash course in how forward-thinking companies are using electrification and automation to cut costs, retain talent, and win bids. All while staying ahead of regulation and market pressure.

This week Justin breaks down one of the most important tools in the landscape industry: the annual Benchmark Report from Greg Herring and The Herring Group. Hundreds of companies contribute real financial data each year and the results show where the industry is winning, where it is tightening, and what top performers do differently. Justin unpacks the shift from the old twelve percent net profit target to today’s new normal of ten percent. He explains why inflation and market dynamics pushed this change and why profit alone does not always tell the real story of customer experience or long term health. He also shares real examples from K and D’s own journey and why fast growing companies need a clear view of investment versus expense when analyzing profit. In this episode you will hear clear targets for 2026 planning including gross profit, overhead labor, total overhead, operational expense, marketing investment and AR days. Justin explains how to interpret each benchmark and how to use them to strengthen your budget and strategy. You will also hear why construction heavy companies struggled this year, why recurring revenue continues to rise in value and why construction might actually be the hidden opportunity for the next cycle. This is a deep dive for owners, leaders and anyone who wants to understand the numbers behind a healthy landscape company. You will walk away with clearer profit targets, a stronger sense of how to interpret your financials and a better framework for building your 2026 plan. Takeaways • Ten percent net profit has become the industry’s new standard • Benchmark targets help leaders understand performance more clearly • Growth investments can temporarily pull net profit down • AR discipline is one of the most underrated profitability levers • Construction may be a major opportunity while the rest of the industry focuses on recurring revenue If you want a deeper dive, check out Landscape Intelligence inside the Disruptors community. It now includes the full 2025 Benchmark Report so you can benchmark your company instantly.

This week on Trades Talk, Justin White sits down with Ken Thomas of Envisor Consulting to unpack decades of lessons from growing, selling, and advising landscape companies. From the early days of M&A rollups to building the Green Dot Operating System, Ken shares how contractors can scale with clarity, lead with purpose, and build companies that last. In this episode, Ken shares: His path from biology student to founding, scaling, and selling multiple landscape companies What he learned during the first major industry rollup and how it compares to today’s PE activity How Envisor Consulting built the Green Dot framework used by hundreds of contractors The key inflection points and role specializations that come with scaling past $10M and $15M Why super crew leaders and pay-for-performance models are shaping the future workforce How to align leadership, vision, and culture to drive long-term business success Whether you’re building your first crew or refining systems at scale, this episode is packed with insights for building a strong culture, growing with clarity, and leading with intention.

This week marks number twenty six of the journey from twenty million to one billion, and the theme is simple. Let go so you can grow. Justin shares why the past year forced a reset, how K and D navigated one point two to one point five million in lost profitability, and what it looked like to rebuild the leadership team from the inside out. You will hear the story behind new leaders joining the table, how culture was protected through major shifts, and why stepping back is now the most important move for long term scale. Inside the episode • The biggest lesson of the week: you cannot chase perfection • Why embracing your team’s mistakes accelerates growth • How restructuring created space for real leadership to emerge • Introducing new leaders Brian Gates and Andy Howley and the impact they are already making • The full breakdown of the new eight person K and D leadership team • Why CEOs get stuck acting like COOs and how that stalls growth • The concept of taking back the CEO role and giving the keys back to the team • A powerful quote from Justin’s early days in construction and how it still guides him • The model behind sustainable happiness and why you get out what you put in • A challenge for you as we close the year: define what you desire in twenty twenty six Justin closes with a message about self trust, living the life you actually want, and going all in on yourself and the people around you. New week. New clarity. New momentum.

This week on Trades Talk, host Justin White sits down with Nick Bartolo of Essential Partners for a deep dive into wealth building, exit planning, and tax strategy for trades business owners. From Wall Street to the trades, Nick brings a rare combination of CPA expertise, institutional investment experience, and a passion for helping entrepreneurs protect and grow what they’ve built. In this episode, Nick shares: How he went from global investing to advising trades entrepreneurs Why most owners misunderstand the “magic number” when selling a business How to calculate what really matters: after-tax, reinvested, and sustainable wealth The truth about equity rollovers, private equity structures, and risk exposure What buyers actually look for—and what they overlook Why building a valuable company starts long before you’re ready to sell How to think like an investor while staying true to your business The difference between concentration and diversification at each stage of growth Whether you’re years away from a sale or just getting started on your path to wealth, this episode unpacks the financial playbook every trades leader should know

Welcome back to Weekly Update 25 on the Trades Talk Podcast. Justin shares a high energy breakdown of how he is preparing himself and K and D Landscaping for the year ahead. This episode gives you a front row seat into personal planning, financial readiness, technology adoption, and the mindset shifts needed to win in 2026. In This Episode Personal planning before strategic planning Justin explains why personal clarity must come before company planning. When leaders feel off balance in their own life, their teams feel it too. Three personal planning focus areas for 2026 Justin walks through the three areas he focused on this week • Pre death planning and making sure your family is protected • A simple money system for 2026 • Building a digital calendar with non negotiables for the year The technology leap at K and D Justin introduces a new role inside K and D: the Coordinator of Technology and Innovation. He explains why the company is going all in on tech and how this shift plays into the long term plan of becoming a technology company that happens to do landscaping. Financial systems for long term wealth Justin shares the three part money framework he learned from mentor Matt Garrett • Spend less than you make • Hold three months of cash on hand • Invest the rest in simple, diversified tools like S and P index funds He also covers 401k matches, Roth IRAs, and the power of dollar cost averaging. Event updates and travel schedule • Futurescapes USA in Los Angeles • Iritech irrigation mastermind • Leanscaper Revenue Intensive • Synked Live in New Orleans The path forward into 2026 Justin previews the launch of the Disruptor Insider newsletter and upcoming guest episodes with leaders like Mark Pyrrah and Nick Bartolo. Takeaways • Personal clarity makes you a stronger leader • Technology adoption is becoming a competitive advantage • Simple money systems create long term stability • Planning 2026 begins with organizing your life, your calendar, and your financial structure • Your team performs better when you lead from confidence rather than chaos

This week on Trades Talk, Justin White sits down with Mark Pyrah, cofounder of Peak Landscaping, to explore how focus, humility, and disciplined execution fueled one of Portland’s most respected commercial landscape companies. Mark shares how he went from estimating jobs at night to building a company that now pulls in over $16 million a year with a reputation built on relationships, reliability, and real results. From the early days of door-knocking to navigating recessions and scaling leadership, his story is a roadmap for sustainable growth. In this episode: The strategic move from install to maintenance and what that unlocked Why Peak only hires account managers with people skills, not plant knowledge How strong partnerships and clear vision guide every major decision What Mark’s planning now to hit the next level in 2026 and beyond Whether you’re starting from scratch or scaling past $10 million, this one is packed with insight from a leader who’s done both; and is still climbing.

Trades Talk Weekly Update #24 In this week’s update Justin takes listeners into three important topics shaping the future of the trades as we head toward the end of the year. He opens with a reminder to pause, reflect, and appreciate the impact we make on our teams, our communities, and the people who count on us. Justin shares what he is learning from skip level one to ones and why these conversations help leaders stay grounded in the day to day reality of their companies. He explains the questions he uses, the traps to avoid, and why listening without jumping in to fix things creates stronger cultures. He also gives a behind the scenes look at his recent meetings with several private equity firms. With billions of dollars looking for a home in the landscape and service industries, he talks candidly about how owners should think about valuation, timing, and the sameness he sees in many PE strategies. Finally he revisits one of the hottest topics in the industry, electric equipment. Justin breaks down why electrification is accelerating, how robotics and AI are reshaping what is possible, and why teams who make the shift early will have an advantage when autonomous equipment becomes mainstream. Justin closes with an invitation to share the episode with someone who would benefit, and encourages listeners to reach out with guest ideas or to join the show.

This week on Trades Talk, host Justin White sits down with Diego Lopez, brand strategist and founder of 153 Studio, for a deep dive into the power of branding that puts people and purpose first. In this episode, Diego breaks down: • Why branding is not your logo, it’s how your clients feel • How to align story, operations, and values across every touchpoint • The critical mistake companies make trying to serve everyone • How internal silos erode external trust • Why marketing should force operational introspection • The branding opportunity on social media that most contractors are missing Diego shares examples from the trades, explains how companies can stop faking ”luxury” and actually deliver it, and shows why your team, not your font, is your brand. If you want to build a business that attracts the right clients, earns deep trust, and reflects your true values, this one’s for you.

In this weekly update, Justin White shares insights from his recent experience at the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) conference, discussing the vibrant energy and opportunities within the landscape industry. He emphasizes the importance of leveraging artificial intelligence and automation to enhance business efficiency and competitiveness. White also addresses the current state of mergers and acquisitions in the industry, highlighting the challenges and opportunities for growth. He concludes with a motivational message about believing in one’s potential and the exciting future for trades professionals. https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-white-%E2%98%85-35b7a210b/

This week on Trades Talk, host Justin White sits down with Andrew Martin, founder of Urban Landcare, to explore how personal grit, strategic pivots, and people-first leadership built one of San Diego’s most exciting landscape companies. From growing up on construction sites in Northern Kentucky to becoming a disruptive force in Southern California, Andrew’s journey is a masterclass in betting on yourself and evolving with the industry. In this episode, Andrew shares: How he launched Urban Landscapes in 2018 with two employees and 15 properties Why he quickly shifted from residential to commercial and leaned into irrigation as a profit center What he’s doing to stay ahead of California turf regulations and tech trends Why he took the time to learn Spanish and how it transformed his connection with the team His approach to competing with national firms by focusing on personal relationships and service consistency Whether you’re building your book from scratch or scaling into the millions, Andrew’s story offers a grounded, real-world look at what it takes to grow smart, lead well, and stay true to your values. Tune in to hear how one founder is dominating his local market while planning for what’s next.

This week on Trades Talk, Justin White breaks down the three questions every trade leader should be asking to assess culture, clarity, and hiring momentum. Inside the episode: • How a simple 1–10 scale can reveal culture gaps • What separates A players from C players, and why it matters • Five keys to building a growth-focused culture that attracts top talent • Why problems are actually your greatest asset Justin also shares updates from the Disruptors community, real coaching wins from members like Dylan Whitlow, and how custom GPTs like Landscape Intelligence are changing the game for contractors. If you want to build a culture that fuels growth, and learn how top operators think about team, tools, and mindset, this one’s for you.