Podcast
Plantscape Business School
Hosted by Brad Miller · EN
Welcome to the Plantscape Business School Podcast... the place for growing not just beautiful plants, but thriving plantscape businesses. This is your place to create the plantscape business you've longed for, a business that works, works with excellence, and ultimately works without you!
Hosted by longtime plantscape business owner, systems nerd, and small business innovator, Brad Miller, Plantscape Business School is where we simply your business and expand your life!
11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Financial System: Revenue, Profit, & Cash
2d ago00:13:28Tap to summarize"Revenue is vanity. Profit is sanity. Cash is reality." In this episode of the Plantscape Business School Podcast, Brad Miller dives into System #5: The Financial System—and why so many businesses struggle, even when they're busy. Because activity doesn't equal success. And revenue alone doesn't mean you're winning. Learn more at https://www.plantscapebusinessschool.com/the-plantscapers-financial-system Download the free Plantscape Business Systems Scorecard and assess all seven core systems inside your business: 👉 [Download Here]: https://www.plantscapebusinessschool.com
Transcribe →The Gardening System: Your Frontline for Growing and Protecting MRR
1w ago00:13:38Tap to summarize"The purpose of business is to create and keep customers." In a Plantscape business, that responsibility doesn't live in marketing… It doesn't even live in sales. It lives with your Gardener. In this episode of the Plantscape Business School Podcast, Brad Miller reframes the Gardening System—not as a concept, but as a frontline execution system driven by the people who show up to care for your clients' Plantscape. The Big Idea Your Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) is built and protected by one role more than any other: The Gardener They are not just maintaining plants… They are maintaining: The relationship The experience The value The Gardener is the system in action. The Gardener = The Frontline of the Relationship Every visit is a moment of truth. The client sees the results The client feels the professionalism The client decides—consciously or not—if you're worth keeping Retention doesn't happen in theory. It happens on the Gardener's route. 4 Keys to a Strong Gardening System 1. Right Plant, Right Place This is where everything begins. Proper plant selection Matching light, environment, and use Designing for long-term success—not short-term appearance The best service in the world can't fix the wrong plant in the wrong place. 2. Training Your Gardener is only as strong as your system. Clear standards Ongoing skill development Understanding not just what to do—but why it matters Trained Gardeners create consistent client experiences. 3. Plant Replacements This is a moment of truth. How quickly are plants replaced? How seamlessly is it handled? Does the client even notice? Great companies replace proactively. Average companies react too late. 4. Optimizing Routes Efficiency impacts everything: Time with each client Consistency of care Team energy and focus Well-designed routes create better service—and better margins. The Deeper Truth Most owners think growth comes from: More sales More marketing But real, sustainable growth comes from: Retention And retention is driven by: The consistency and quality of your Gardening System Closing Thought You don't keep customers with promises. You keep them with performance. And in a Plantscape business… Your Gardener is the face of that performance. Next Steps Download the free Plantscape Business Systems Scorecard and assess all seven core systems inside your business: 👉 [Download Here] http://www.plantscapebusinessschool.com About Plantscape Business School Plantscape Business School is dedicated to helping Plantscape business owners build companies that: <li class="MsoNormal" style= "color: black; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-...
Transcribe →The Installation System: Where Your Reputation Is Born
2w ago00:14:45Tap to summarizeMarketing gets the lead. Sales gets the agreement. But installation… builds your reputation. In this episode of the Plantscape Business School Podcast, Brad Miller shifts the focus to System #3: The Installation System—and why it's more than just putting plants in place. It's about order fulfillment—delivering on every promise you made during the sales process… and then some. The Big Idea Most owners think in terms of: Marketing Sales But fewer think deeply about: Installation as a system And even more importantly: Installation as fulfillment Think Bigger: Order Fulfillment Installation is not just a task. It's the moment where: Expectations are confirmed… or questioned Details are noticed… or missed Confidence is built… or lost This is where your client decides if you're truly professional. The Common Gap Most businesses: Invest in marketing Focus on closing sales But underestimate the importance of: Delivering the experience they sold And when installation is inconsistent… Your reputation becomes inconsistent. The Reframe Stop thinking: "Installation is the final step" Start thinking: "Installation is the beginning of the relationship" It sets the tone for: Ongoing service Client trust Future growth Closing Thought You don't build your reputation when you make the promise. You build it when you fulfill it. And the businesses that win long-term… are the ones that deliver—every time. Next Steps Download the free Plantscape Business Systems Scorecard and assess all seven core systems inside your business: 👉 [Download Here] http://www.plantscapebusinessschool.com About Plantscape Business School Plantscape Business School is dedicated to helping Plantscape business owners build companies that: Work Work with excellence And ultimately work without you Because the system… is the solution.
Transcribe →The IPS Selling System – Part 2: The Mechanics of Selling
3w ago00:15:21Tap to summarizeEpisode Overview Sales isn't magic. It's a system. In this episode of the Plantscape Business School Podcast, Brad Miller breaks down the Interior Plant Scapes Selling System—a proven, step-by-step approach to consistently winning the right clients. >>> Download the System Here If you've ever felt like sales is hit-or-miss, this episode will show you how to make it intentional, repeatable, and scalable. The Big Idea Great sales results don't come from talent alone. They come from a system. And inside every system are clear processes that guide each step of the sale. The 5 Modules of the IPS Selling System Module 1: Prospecting & Qualification (Your Market – The WHO) Identify and target the right opportunities based on: · Industry type · Demographics · Geography · Psychographics Key elements: · Clear message-to-market match · A reliable contact management system (you'll have prospects at every stage) · Mastering the telephone—still the most powerful direct sales tool Module 2: Discovery & Rapport A simple and effective two-call sales process: 1. Discovery Call o Learn the prospect's needs, pain points, and priorities o Build trust and rapport o Ask better questions Example question: "There are a lot of reasons businesses use professional plant services… from your perspective, what's the most important reason for you?" 2. Set the Presentation Appointment o The goal of discovery is clarity—and a next step Module 3: Design & Proposal Turn discovery into a clear, compelling plan: · Create a customized proposal based on the client's needs · Use standardized plant and container designs to simplify and scale · Make the proposal easy to understand—and easy to say yes to Module 4: Presentation & Getting to Yes This is where decisions happen. · Present to the decision-makers · Bring enthusiasm and vision for the transformation · Recap what you learned in discovery · Focus on benefits, not plants Then ask for the order. Module 5: Follow-Up & Follow-Through Where great companies separate themselves: · Smooth handoff to your service team · Handle all paperwork so the client doesn't have to · Execute a zero-defect installation (no go-backs) · Follow up after installation · Look for add-on opportunities · Ask for referrals The Deeper Truth When sales is a system: · You gain confidence · Your team gains consistency · Your clients get a better experience And your business becomes scalable. Closing Thought Sales isn't about guessing. It's not about personality. It's about systems. And the stronger your system… the more predictable your results. Next Steps Download the free Plantscape Business Systems Scorecard and assess all seven core systems inside your business: 👉 [Download Here] About Plantscape Business School Plantscape Business School is dedicated to helping Plantscape business owners build companies that: Work Work with excellence And ultimately work without you Because the system… is the solution.
Transcribe →Your Plantscape Sales BS
May 900:11:03Tap to summarize"How you think about business is how you end up doing business… and how you think about business has everything to do with how you think about sales." In this episode of the Plantscape Business School Podcast, Brad Miller challenges you to examine your Sales BS—your Belief Systems. Because here's the truth: Your results in sales are not random. They are perfectly aligned with what you believe about selling. If you're not happy with your current results, this episode will help you uncover why—and what needs to change. The Big Idea Your business is a reflection of your beliefs. And when it comes to sales: Your belief system drives your behavior. Your behavior drives your results. So the real question is… What do you actually believe about selling? 10 Sales Beliefs to Examine Brad walks through 10 core mindsets that shape every Plantscape sales professional: Selling is an honorable profession Selling is an acquired skill (not a personality trait) Selling is a system (not guesswork) Sales training is essential Sales is asking (not telling) Selling is a muscle (it strengthens with use) Selling is creating customers Sales is a priority (noun) — the function matters Selling is a priority (verb) — the activity matters Imposter syndrome can be a good thing — it means you're growing Which of these do you truly believe? And which ones are quietly limiting your growth? Most sales problems are not strategy problems… They're belief problems. If you believe selling is pushy → you'll avoid it If you believe it's a skill → you'll improve it If you believe it's a system → you'll build it Your beliefs set the ceiling for your business. Selling isn't magic. It's a system. And just like every system in your business: Your sales system is perfectly designed for the results you're getting. If you want better results… It starts with better beliefs. Next Steps Download the free Plantscape Business Systems Scorecard and assess all seven core systems inside your business: 👉 https://www.plantscapebusinesschool.com About Plantscape Business School Plantscape Business School is dedicated to helping Plantscape business owners build companies that: Work Work with excellence And ultimately work without you Because the system… is the solution.
Transcribe →A Plantscape Marketing System…"Creates Leads"
May 200:16:10Tap to summarizeGreat marketing doesn't wait for leads… It creates them. In this episode, Brad Miller breaks down how to build a marketing system that produces consistent, pre-qualified opportunities—so you're no longer dependent on referrals, SEO, or luck. The Marketing Triangle Every effective marketing system is built on: Market (Who) – Your ideal client Message (What) – What you say and how you say it Media (Where) – How it reaches them Your Advantage: Visible Prospects In the Plantscape business, your prospects are visible: You know the industries You know the locations You know they have the need That means you can go directly to them with your message. 4 Questions That Expose the Power of Your Marketing System Do You Know Your Ideal Client? Be specific. Premium clients require selective targeting. Are You Selling Plants—or Outcomes? Plants are the vehicle. Benefits are the value (image, experience, retention, ease). Do Leads Come in Consistently? If your leads rely on referrals or SEO alone… You're not in control. Are You Proactive? Great marketing nurtures the "Not Yet" buyer through follow-up and relationship building. The Deeper Truth Weak marketing creates pressure and uncertainty. Strong marketing creates: Better clients Better pricing Better control Marketing strength changes owner confidence—and business results. Closing Thought If you see gaps in your marketing system… good. That's clarity. And clarity gives you power…because, Clarity is the ultimate currency. Next Steps Download the free Plantscape Business Systems Scorecard and assess all seven core systems inside your business: 👉 https://www.plantscapebusinessschool.com About Plantscape Business School Plantscape Business School is dedicated to helping Plantscape business owners build companies that: Work Work with excellence And ultimately work without you. Because the system… is the solution.
Transcribe →The Plantscape Marketing System: Turning On the Lead Faucet
Apr 2500:14:26Tap to summarize💡 If you don't control your marketing… you don't control your growth. In this episode of Plantscape Business School podcast, Brad Miller breaks down the first of the 7 essential systems every Plantscape business owner must build: The Marketing System. Most Plantscape companies don't have a marketing faucet. They have weather. Sometimes it rains leads. Sometimes it doesn't. In this episode, you'll learn how to create predictable, proactive lead flow — instead of waiting for the phone to ring. In This Episode You'll Learn: What a true marketing system actually does Why referrals and SEO are not growth strategies How to know if your business is vulnerable Key Takeaways Without a marketing system, you wait. With a marketing system, you generate. Clarity precedes control. Next Steps Download the free Plantscape Business Systems Scorecard and assess all seven core systems inside your business: 👉 https://www.plantscapebusinessschool.com About Plantscape Business School Plantscape Business School is dedicated to helping Plantscape business owners build companies that: Work Work with excellence And ultimately work without you. Because the system… is the solution.
Transcribe →The 7 Benefits of Owning a Plantscape Business (That Most Owners Forget to Appreciate)
Apr 1700:13:25Tap to summarizeIn Episode 4 of the Plantscape Business School Podcast, Brad Miller steps back from the day-to-day work of plant care and looks at the bigger picture: the unique advantages of owning a plantscape business. Many owners focus on the challenges—service routes, plant replacements, and staffing—but rarely stop to appreciate the strengths built into the plantscape business model. Brad explores seven benefits that make plantscape companies unusually strong small businesses. Benefit 1: Monthly Recurring Revenue Most businesses have to chase revenue every month. Plantscape businesses are different. Service contracts create recurring revenue that provides stability, predictability, and the ability to plan and grow. Benefit 2: Long-Term Client Relationships Plantscape companies often build relationships that last for years or even decades. When clients trust you with something living in their space, they tend to trust you with the relationship. Benefit 3: Predictable Work Plantscape service is rhythmic work—regular routes, consistent services, and familiar environments. Predictability makes the business easier to train, delegate, and systemize. Benefit 4: Selling Outcomes, Not Hours Clients are not buying plants—they are buying how their space feels. Plants improve atmosphere, professionalism, and first impressions, allowing plantscape businesses to sell value rather than time. Benefit 5: High Switching Costs Once plants are installed and maintained, clients are less likely to change providers. Replacing a functioning plant program feels risky and disruptive, which helps support long-term retention. Benefit 6: A Business That Can Run Without You With strong systems—service routes, standards, training, and processes—a plantscape company can eventually operate without constant owner involvement. Benefit 7: Meaningful Work Plantscape businesses improve the environments where people work, heal, dine, and gather. The work quietly makes spaces feel better and more welcoming. When you look at these benefits together, something important becomes clear: the plantscape business is not a hustle business—it is a systems business. Plantscape Business School exists to help owners build businesses that work with excellence and eventually work without them. Simplify Your Business Expand Your Life Free Resource Mentioned in This Episode: The 7 Systems Every Plantscape Business Must Have https://www.plantscapebusinessschool.com
Transcribe →The Best Way
Apr 1100:14:09Tap to summarizeIn Episode 3 of the Plantscape Business School Podcast, Brad Miller introduces the second half of his framework: Your Best Work, The Best Way. Episode 2 focused on Your Best Work — identifying your ideal plantscape client and designing your business around serving the best 20% of customers. This episode focuses on the next step: The Best Way. The best way is about innovation — constantly improving how your company serves its best clients. Brad introduces a concept you'll hear often at Plantscape Business School: Force Multipliers. A force multiplier is an action that produces results far greater than the effort applied. When used intentionally, force multipliers allow a plantscape company to grow faster, operate more efficiently, and deliver a superior client experience. One of the most powerful force multipliers in business is marketing. Brad explains why he believes every business should be marketing-led — meaning you intentionally attract your ideal clients instead of accepting whatever business comes your way. When you know your ideal client and build a marketing system to reach them, you create something powerful: a predictable client acquisition system. The episode also explores how innovation applies to every part of a plantscape business, including marketing, sales, service and order fulfillment, hiring and staff development, and training systems. Brad shares a favorite insight from Peter Drucker: "Because of the nature of business, it has two—and only two—functions: innovation and marketing. Innovation and marketing produce results. Everything else is a cost." Plantscape Business School exists to help you build a business designed intentionally around your best clients, your best systems, and your best way of serving them. Simplify Your Business Expand Your Life Free Resource Mentioned in This Episode:The 7 Systems Every Plantscape Business Must Have https://www.plantscapebusinessschool.com/
Transcribe →Your Best Work, The Best Way
Apr 400:11:25Tap to summarizeIn Episode 2 of the Plantscape Business School Podcast, Brad Miller explores a powerful idea: You can choose how your business works. Many plantscape companies become complicated because owners say yes to everything—every client, every opportunity, every request. But complicated businesses are hard to run and hard to grow. The path forward is simplification. In this episode Brad introduces the concept of "Your Best Work, The Best Way." It begins with vision—deciding what kind of life you want and then designing a business that supports it. That vision starts with focusing on the best 20% of clients—the ideal plantscape customers who are profitable, professional, and enjoyable to work with. From there, the work becomes innovation: improving every part of the business—from marketing and sales to service and operations—so that the company is built around serving those best customers exceptionally well. When you build systems and processes around your best clients, the result is a business that becomes simpler, stronger, and more profitable. Plantscape Business School exists to help you: Simplify Your Business Expand Your Life Free Resource Mentioned in This Episode Download the guide: The 7 Systems Every Plantscape Business Must Have
Transcribe →