LCR Media Podcast #545 — $1,000,000 Landscaper Roundtable

Date: March 24, 2026
Host: Naylor Taliaferro (LCR Nail)
Guests: Mike Garvey, Larry Delisanti, Eric Triplett (Pond Digger)
Location: Pot House, Las Vegas (on-site during Con Expo 2026)

Episode Overview

This special roundtable episode brings together industry pros Naylor Taliaferro, Mike Garvey, Larry Delisanti, and Eric Triplett live from their Pot House compound in Las Vegas. The group recaps their experiences at Con Expo 2026—a massive construction industry event—and dives deep into topics such as branding, collaboration within the landscaping trade, the birth of "Pot House," and the value of documenting their journeys as entrepreneurs and podcasters. Listeners are treated to candid stories, actionable insights, and plenty of laughs, offering a behind-the-scenes look at what drives community and progress in the modern green industry.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. First Impressions of Con Expo 2026

[00:21–08:52]

• Massive Scale and Overwhelm:

  • Over 100,000 attendees, multilevel convention center with sprawling wings.
  • Mike: “It's overwhelming… I was like, let's take a little piece of that. That was great. See some things we need to see. And then let's go get lunch and do a debrief.” (01:37)
  • Naylor steps tallied over 12,000 in just two hours.

• Equipment Variety & Mini Skid Steers:

  • Naylor and Mike highlighted Vermeer’s impact on mini loader technology.
  • Naylor: “Vermeer is like changing the game… they literally like are changing the whole category of the mini skid steer.” (03:51)
  • Mike set up a demo after being impressed by Vermeer's smaller machines.

• Event Organization & Logistics:

  • Eric Triplett: “When the parking was clean, I got registered so fast… The pizza line was longer than anything.” (04:40)
  • Naylor praises the event’s clear signage and helpful ‘question ladies’.
  • Scalability for industry pros: Naylor thinks even non-construction-focused landscapers can benefit.

2. Branding and Business Growth in Landscaping

[08:52–14:09]

• Panel Discussion Recap (Branding):

  • Range of ages and backgrounds on stage offers diverse branding perspectives.
  • Eric: “Everything we talked about was pre social media and social media now, and what would it be like post social media if social media disappears?” (10:09)
  • A veteran $50-million-a-year contractor was eager to engage post-panel, underscoring branding’s relevance at every stage.

• Practical Branding Tips:

  • Beyond logos—brand is your story, service delivery, and professionalism.
  • Naylor: “Branding is key… It’s more than just a logo… it's the story that your customers are saying about you... your setup, your professionalism, all that's part of your brand.” (13:25)
  • Mike: Importance of consistent and professional appearances—matching trucks, clean yard signs, professional websites.

3. The Origin & Power of Pot House

[14:09–23:52]

• How Pot House Was Born:

  • Eric recounts missing a hotel night at Equip, crashing with Mike & co.:
    • “It's totally your fault. Pot house wouldn’t even exist if it wasn't for you, bro.” (15:02)
    • Mike: “We need to just get podcasters in a house and call it Pod house.” (16:24)
  • Pot House established as a content/narrative home base for creators.

• Pot House Compound in Las Vegas:

  • Accidental discovery of a separate two-bedroom suite becomes new “standard.”
  • Group revels in camaraderie, sharing stories about early mornings and room assignments.

• Vision for Pot House’s Future:

  • Mike: “It's gonna be a snowball… different people come through... The sky's the limit, I think.” (19:11)
  • Combination of networking, content creation, and community building.

4. Why Pot House and Content Collaboration Matter

[20:42–29:28]

• Documenting the Journey:

  • Eric: “A lot of times… you don't really document the journey as much as you should… Let's bring in a chef, plenty of food… lock in all that networking time, and we can record it like we're doing right now.” (20:49, 21:38)
  • Podcasts as a ‘time capsule’—easily referenced and evergreen, distinct from video.

• Brand Partnerships:

  • Authentic contractor testimonials bridge the gap between brands and end users.
  • Mike: “Brands... can talk about their product to contractors... But bridging the gap with people that actually use a product... That’s really something that we could use.” (27:46)

5. The Unique Community of the Landscape Industry

[29:28–40:01]

• Collaboration Over Competition:

  • Naylor: “...the landscape industry is, like, one of the only industries, like, really, that really help each other… I never met a person that I talked to that did not give me information about how to make my business better...” (31:11)
  • Contrasts landscaper camaraderie with toxic competitiveness witnessed in other service industries.

• Diversity, Shared Origin Stories, Mutual Growth:

  • Many landscape business owners share similar motivations—improving family life, escaping jobs they dislike, desire for rewarding work.

• Healthy Competition:

  • Eric: “I'm up for some good fuck you competition.” (38:17)
  • Mike and Naylor note that respectful rivalry can be motivating, but 'hating' competitors is counterproductive.

6. Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “The pizza line was longer than anything… I was almost late because I was trying to get some tacos.”
  —Eric Triplett (Pond Digger), on Con Expo logistics (04:40)

• “How do you separate yourself? Well, brand… it's the story that your customers are saying about you. It's the story that you're telling about yourself.”
  —Naylor Taliaferro, branding advice (13:25)

• “Pot house is partly your fault, dude… Pothouse wouldn't even exist if it wasn't for you, bro.”
  —Eric Triplett to Naylor Taliaferro on the show's spontaneous birth (15:02)

• “Podcasting is like a time capsule in a sense, because you're... encapsulating a memory, a moment, you know, connection...”
  —Naylor Taliaferro on the power of documenting via audio (23:52)

• “When, when you really, you feel like your business is being challenged and on the line by your competition, I think that's fiery and that's good... I'm up for some good fuck you competition.”
  —Eric Triplett, on using competition as motivation (38:17)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introductions and Con Expo impressions: [00:21–04:40]
• Event logistics & organization: [04:40–07:09]
• Branding panel and lessons: [08:52–14:09]
• Pot House origin story: [14:09–19:11]
• Why create Pot House? Content as time capsule: [20:42–23:52]
• Brand partners, authentic testimonials: [27:46–29:28]
• Community & collaboration in landscaping: [29:28–35:03]
• Industry comparisons (collaboration vs. competition): [32:52–35:44]
• Healthy competition & personal stories: [36:44–39:05]
• Closing gratitude, community call-to-action: [40:01–41:22]

Tone & Style

Camaraderie and honesty blend with practical advice and funny behind-the-scenes moments, capturing the unique energy when industry pros and content creators come together. The conversation balances actionable business tactics with personal anecdotes and genuine appreciation for the trade’s collaborative spirit.

Final Thoughts

This roundtable episode not only recaps an action-packed industry expo but celebrates the evolution of community within landscaping—both online and in person. By sharing their personal journeys and mutual support, the guests illuminate why the green industry’s collaborative, supportive nature remains its greatest asset.