In this episode of TradesTalk, Justin White and Maggie Wymore sits down with Carlos del Pozo, founder of Team Engine, to dive into how technology can reshape hiring and retention for blue-collar industries like landscaping and construction.

Carlos shares how his background in small business and the military led him to develop Team Engine, a software platform built specifically to recruit, retain, and engage field-based workforces. From automated text communication with applicants to onboarding support and internal team messaging, Team Engine helps bridge the gap between office and field.

With turnover rates in the trades averaging 50% and some roles needing to be filled 4 to 5 times per year, Carlos shares why speed and consistency are the new keys to successful hiring. He outlines practical strategies including keeping your pipeline full year-round, responding to applicants faster, and even over-hiring to account for training time.

If you’re struggling to find and keep great people, this episode is packed with smart, tech-forward solutions you can implement today.

Team Engine Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/team-engine/

https://www.teamengine.io

Disruptor Links:

Disruptors Community Home Page

Landscape Intelligence Chat GPT

In this episode of TradesTalk, Justin and Maggie are joined by Paul Sanneman, founder and CEO of Contractor Staffing Source, to dive into one of the most critical and misunderstood aspects of the trades industry: recruiting.

With over 50 years of experience coaching and working with more than 2,000 contractors, Paul brings a deep, no nonsense perspective on what it really takes to build a winning team. From the early days of pagers to the age of AI, he has seen how talent fuels growth and how the right hiring strategy can make or break a company.

Paul breaks down the biggest myths in the industry, including the idea that you should only recruit when you need someone or that internal hiring is always the best route. He makes the case for continuous recruiting, writing job ads that inspire, and outsourcing your hiring to experts who know how to find and evaluate top tier candidates.

Whether you are running a small team or scaling a multimillion dollar company, this episode will challenge how you think about hiring and give you the tools to do it better.

In this powerful episode of TradesTalk, Justin White sits down with Chris O'Donohue owner of the Great Canadian Landscape Company, to explore how personal transformation can fuel professional success.

With 25 years in business, 50 employees, and $10M in revenue, Chris opens up about the pivotal experiences that reshaped his life—starting with a transformative ski trip organized by LMN founder Mark Bradley. What started as a helicopter skiing adventure turned into a deep, vulnerable mastermind with 16 industry leaders, leading Chris to re-evaluate his health, leadership, and priorities.

Chris shares how he lost 40 pounds, restructured his business, started 6 AM workouts, and began leading with empathy—all driven by his desire to be more present for his two daughters and break generational health patterns.

The episode dives into how self-care became his most important business strategy, how he’s navigating challenges in Vancouver’s real estate and labor markets, and why he believes in abundance over competition.

Through honest reflections, leadership lessons, and inspiring mantras, Chris challenges listeners to rethink success—not just in terms of growth and revenue, but by how well you take care of yourself, your people, and your purpose.

In this episode of TradesTalk, Justin White sits down with Mike Loftus, founder of Connor’s Landscape, to break down how he scaled his business from a single truck and $10,000 to a $6 million commercial landscaping powerhouse.

Mike reveals his acquisition-first approach, using SBA 7(a) loans and seller financing to buy small, overlooked businesses that larger companies ignore. He shares how annual price increases, strategic diversification, and careful due diligence have helped him grow while staying in full control—without outside investors.

With more landscape business owners looking to sell in the next five years, Mike sees a huge opportunity ahead. His top advice? Always raise prices 2-3% annually to stay ahead of rising costs and protect profitability.

In this episode of TradesTalk, Justin sits down with Kris Kiser, President & CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) and EquipExpo, the industry’s largest trade show for landscape professionals.

Kris shares how EquipExpo, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, has grown into a must-attend event, offering hands-on equipment demos, networking with top manufacturers, and valuable learning opportunities. The conversation dives into key industry trends, including the rise of battery-powered and robotic equipment, and how OPEI is driving innovation.

Beyond the expo, Kris also discusses the Turf Mutt Foundation, an initiative that educates kids about environmental stewardship using a fun, cartoon dog mascot.

If you're in the landscaping industry, you won’t want to miss Kris’s insights on how EquipExpo continues to evolve, bringing the industry together in new and exciting ways.

In this episode of TradeTalk, host Justin White interviews Derek Derdivanis, a seasoned entrepreneur and Vistage coach, who shares his insights on the seven key principles for building a successful business. Derek emphasizes the importance of accountability, a strong company culture, understanding team dynamics, strategic planning, and the value of having an executive assistant. He also highlights the significance of lifelong learning and being part of a peer advisory group to enhance leadership skills. The conversation is rich with practical advice and personal anecdotes, making it a valuable resource for current and aspiring business leaders.

In this episode of TradesTalk, Justin White is joined by industry veterans Bryan Mours and Sean Eddy to discuss the role of technology and innovation in driving efficiency and productivity in the trades industry. Bryan, with over 45 years of experience in landscaping and HVAC, shares his journey from helping build Aspire software to advising companies like Top Green. Sean brings his sales expertise and passion for bridging sales and production to empower field teams and improve operations.

Together, they dive into the critical need for technology-driven solutions in landscaping and other trades, offering insights on how Top Green is creating efficiencies and supporting business growth. Whether you're in the trades industry or looking to improve operations, this conversation is packed with actionable advice and forward-thinking strategies.

Disruptors Link: https://www.skool.com/disruptors/about

In this episode, Justin White underscores how a clear vision and consistent communication keep teams aligned and motivated—especially important as businesses brace for the challenges of 2025. He points out that many companies, particularly in the landscaping sector, struggle with profitability due to inadequate pricing structures that fail to account for true costs. By focusing on pricing for profit and boosting labor efficiency, organizations can streamline expenses, improve margins, and create a healthier bottom line.

White also highlights access to capital as a catalyst for growth, enabling a “buy and build” approach that quickly expands market reach. Establishing a sellable business—one with transferable systems and processes—allows for more operational freedom and future flexibility. Finally, he stresses the importance of massive action to stay competitive and avoid missed opportunities in an ever-evolving marketplace.