The LeanScaper Podcast

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In this episode of the LeanScaper Podcast, Benji Carlson sits down with Mark Bradley to break down the five stages of scaling a landscaping business—from startup hustle to legacy enterprise. Mark shares raw stories, painful lessons, and powerful frameworks that every entrepreneur needs to hear.

Whether you’re stuck at $500K, fighting to get past $3M, or steering a $20M company, this roadmap will help you scale with clarity, systems, and sanity.

Timestamps: 
  • 00:45 – Why scaling is harder than people think
  • 02:00 – Entrepreneurship = personal development
  • 04:03 – The fear of not knowing what’s next
  • 08:10 – The Starter Zone ($0–500K): hustle & accidental profit
  • 12:36 – Mark’s story: hiring at Home Depot & early struggle
  • 22:23 – The Grow Zone ($500K–$3M): the hardest stage
  • 30:21 – When your business feels like a plane going down
  • 38:56 – Scaling ($3M–$10M): grit stops working
  • 46:10 – Hire your mentors & specialists
  • 56:54 – Dreamer vs. visionary: the CEO shift
  • 1:02:53 – Enterprise & legacy: culture, coaching, and succession
  • 1:12:31 – Final advice to Mark’s younger self 

What is The LeanScaper Podcast?

The LeanScaper Podcast is where serious landscape leaders go to grow.

If you want new school systems for an old school industry, expertly crafted interviews with world class experts, endless inspiration you’ve come to the right place.

Hosted by Benji Carlson and Mark Bradley. New Episodes release every Monday, on every platform.