Podcast
Side Hustle Squad
Hosted by Mike Garvey · EN
Welcome to the Side Hustle Squad Podcast with your host, Mike Garvey! My goal is to provide entrepreneurs with all the tools and resources they need to start and succeed in the lawn care industry on the side while working a full-time career. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, or thinking about taking the leap into starting a business, this podcast will help you build and grow. Guests from the green industry and beyond will be on the show to share their experiences and advice. I provide in-depth interviews with successful entrepreneurs, offering insight into what it takes to succeed in running a business.
I will also discuss the various aspects of the lawn care industry, from equipment and industry trends to stories and experiences from my own lawn care business successes and failures. You will leave each episode feeling informed, empowered, and ready to hustle. No matter what stage of the journey you're in, the Side Hustle Squad is here to help you succeed. Tune in every week for the latest interviews, tips, tricks, and advice for growing your business.
67episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Ep 348. You Don't Scale Businesses, You Scale People!
5d ago00:32:50Summary readyIn this episode of the Side Hustle Squad Podcast, Eric Triplett and I dive into one of the most important lessons in business: putting the right people in the right positions. A business only truly works when the owner builds the business around people: their strengths, their roles, and their ability to grow. Too many owners try to scale systems, services, or operations without first developing the people who make it all happen. We talk about why successful businesses are built by understanding your team, placing people where they can win, and creating a structure that allows both the people and the business to grow. Because at the end of the day, you don't scale businesses — you scale people! 🔗 Important Links & Resources 🎙 Side Hustle Squad on Instagram @sidehustlesquadpodcast ROPED on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/roped.us/ 🌱 Coastal Fertilization on Instagram @coastalfertilization 💻 Branded Bull Website Design Visit BrandedBull.com 📋 Get Jobber – 20% Off for 6 Months Sign Up Here 🏗 EQUIP Exposition — Save 50% Register Now Use promo code: SIDEHUSTLE at checkout 👟 Save 10% on KUJO Yardwear Shop Now Discount automatically applies 📅 LiveSwitch Book a Demo 📬 PostcardMania Learn More 💵 Relay – Powerful Business Banking for Small Business Owners Learn More
SummaryEp 347. How Many Businesses Is Too Many? A Real Conversation About Side Hustles, Focus & Growth!
1w ago00:31:03Summary readyRecorded live at Profit Accelerator Live, Eric Triplett and I dive into one of the biggest questions entrepreneurs face: How many businesses is too many? We have an honest conversation about the excitement of starting new ventures, the danger of shiny object syndrome, and how to know when it's time to double down on what you already have instead of chasing the next opportunity. If you're juggling multiple businesses, thinking about launching a side hustle, or trying to build an empire without losing focus, this episode is for you. 🔗 Important Links & Resources 🎙 Side Hustle Squad on Instagram @sidehustlesquadpodcast ROPED on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/roped.us/ 🌱 Coastal Fertilization on Instagram @coastalfertilization 💻 Branded Bull Website Design Visit BrandedBull.com 📋 Get Jobber – 20% Off for 6 Months Sign Up Here 🏗 EQUIP Exposition — Save 50% Register Now Use promo code: SIDEHUSTLE at checkout 👟 Save 10% on KUJO Yardwear Shop Now Discount automatically applies 📅 LiveSwitch Book a Demo 📬 PostcardMania Learn More 💵 Relay – Powerful Business Banking for Small Business Owners Learn More
SummaryEp 346. Why Every Local Business Owner Should Join Their Chamber of Commerce
2w ago00:13:41Summary readyThis week, I'm sharing my experience attending a Greater Toms River Chamber of Commerce networking event and why local business owners should seriously consider getting involved in their local chamber. From meeting potential customers and referral partners to getting a chance to speak in front of dozens of business leaders, these events can create opportunities that simply don't happen behind a desk. I'll break down the value of networking, building community relationships, increasing visibility, and how chamber membership can help grow your business over the long term. 🔗 Important Links & Resources 🎙 Side Hustle Squad on Instagram @sidehustlesquadpodcast ROPED on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/roped.us/ 🌱 Coastal Fertilization on Instagram @coastalfertilization 💻 Branded Bull Website Design Visit BrandedBull.com 📋 Get Jobber – 20% Off for 6 Months Sign Up Here 🏗 EQUIP Exposition — Save 50% Register Now Use promo code: SIDEHUSTLE at checkout 👟 Save 10% on KUJO Yardwear Shop Now Discount automatically applies 📅 LiveSwitch Book a Demo 📬 PostcardMania Learn More 💵 Relay – Powerful Business Banking for Small Business Owners Learn More
SummaryEp 345. Lessons Learned Launching ROPED: What Nobody Tells You About Starting a Business!
2w ago00:15:42Summary readyLaunching a new business sounds exciting, and it is, but there are plenty of challenges nobody talks about. In this episode, Mike Garvey pulls back the curtain on the launch of ROPED (Robotic Outdoor Power Equipment Distributors) and shares the lessons he's learned from becoming a Kress distributor, building a mobile showroom, landing the first customers, creating partnerships, and navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Whether you're starting a new company, adding a new division, or considering a major pivot in your business, this episode is packed with real-world insights from the front lines of building something from the ground up. 🔗 Important Links & Resources 🎙 Side Hustle Squad on Instagram @sidehustlesquadpodcast ROPED on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/roped.us/ 🌱 Coastal Fertilization on Instagram @coastalfertilization 💻 Branded Bull Website Design Visit BrandedBull.com 📋 Get Jobber – 20% Off for 6 Months Sign Up Here 🏗 EQUIP Exposition — Save 50% Register Now Use promo code: SIDEHUSTLE at checkout 👟 Save 10% on KUJO Yardwear Shop Now Discount automatically applies 📅 LiveSwitch Book a Demo 📬 PostcardMania Learn More 💵 Relay – Powerful Business Banking for Small Business Owners Learn More
SummaryEp 344. The Fall Gold Rush: Our Complete Aeration & Overseeding Marketing Playbook!
3w ago00:15:09Summary readySpring may be winding down, but the smartest lawn care companies are already planning for fall. In this episode of the Side Hustle Squad Podcast, I break down our complete aeration and overseeding marketing strategy at Coastal Fertilization. From email campaigns and customer follow-up systems to Facebook and Instagram ads, direct mail, SEO, Google Business Profile optimization, route-density marketing, and leveraging our existing customer base, I'm sharing exactly how we're preparing to fill our fall schedule before the season even begins. If you're tired of scrambling for aeration work in September, this episode will help you create demand, build momentum, and maximize one of the most profitable services in the lawn care industry. Whether you're a solo operator or managing multiple crews, you'll walk away with actionable marketing ideas you can implement immediately to make this your best fall season yet. Topics include: Email and text marketing campaigns Facebook and Instagram advertising Direct mail and EDDM strategies SEO and Google Business Profile optimization Route-density marketing tactics Creating urgency and scarcity Turning existing customers into aeration and overseeding clients Building a full fall schedule before the season starts Don't wait until fall arrives—start marketing now and position your business for a record-breaking aeration and overseeding season. 🔗 Important Links & Resources 🎙 Side Hustle Squad on Instagram @sidehustlesquadpodcast 🌱 Coastal Fertilization on Instagram @coastalfertilization 💻 Branded Bull Website Design Visit BrandedBull.com 📋 Get Jobber – 20% Off for 6 Months Sign Up Here 🏗 EQUIP Exposition — Save 50% Register Now Use promo code: SIDEHUSTLE at checkout 👟 Save 10% on KUJO Yardwear Shop Now Discount automatically applies 📅 LiveSwitch Book a Demo 📬 PostcardMania Learn More 💵 Relay – Powerful Business Banking for Small Business Owners Learn More
SummaryEp 343. On the Road: Shop Updates, Robotics, North Jersey Growth & What's Next!
3w ago00:17:23Summary readyIn this laid-back, on-the-road episode of the Side Hustle Squad Podcast, I clipped on the microphones, hit the road for a robotic mower installation, and brought you along for the ride. I'm sharing updates on everything happening behind the scenes, including the progress at the shop, the continued growth of Coastal Fertilization of North Jersey, and the latest developments with ROPED as we bring robotic mowing technology to more customers across New Jersey. I also talk about the recent updates to our mobile showroom trailer, upcoming installs, and some of the exciting events on the horizon, including attending Naylor Taliaferro's Profit Accelerator event and other opportunities to connect with entrepreneurs and contractors throughout the industry. No formal interview this week—just a real-time conversation from the driver's seat about business growth, new opportunities, lessons learned, and what's coming next for Coastal, ROPED, and the Side Hustle Squad community. If you've ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes while building multiple businesses, this episode is for you. Buckle up and come along for the ride. 🔗 Important Links & Resources 🎙 Side Hustle Squad on Instagram @sidehustlesquadpodcast 🌱 Coastal Fertilization on Instagram @coastalfertilization 💻 Branded Bull Website Design Visit BrandedBull.com 📋 Get Jobber – 20% Off for 6 Months Sign Up Here 🏗 EQUIP Exposition — Save 50% Register Now Use promo code: SIDEHUSTLE at checkout 👟 Save 10% on KUJO Yardwear Shop Now Discount automatically applies 📅 LiveSwitch Book a Demo 📬 PostcardMania Learn More 💵 Relay – Powerful Business Banking for Small Business Owners Learn More
SummaryEp 342. The Spring Slowdown: Why This Might Be the Most Important Time of the Year!
4w ago00:11:35Summary readyThe spring rush is over, the phones aren't ringing quite as much, and many business owners start wondering what's next. But what if the slowdown isn't a problem? What if it's actually an opportunity? In this episode, Mike discusses why the weeks and months following the spring rush can be some of the most valuable of the entire year. From evaluating what went right (and wrong) during the busy season to planning fall marketing campaigns, building systems, strengthening relationships, and investing in personal growth, this is the season where great companies separate themselves from average ones. Mike shares lessons from Coastal Fertilization and ROPED, including how he's using this time to expand into new markets, build partnerships, prepare for fall aeration and overseeding campaigns, and create opportunities that may not pay off for months—or even years. If you've been feeling uneasy because things have slowed down, this episode will help you shift your mindset, embrace the season you're in, and use the summer months to set yourself up for a stronger fall and an even bigger year ahead. 🔗 Important Links & Resources 🎙 Side Hustle Squad on Instagram @sidehustlesquadpodcast 🌱 Coastal Fertilization on Instagram @coastalfertilization 💻 Branded Bull Website Design Visit BrandedBull.com 📋 Get Jobber – 20% Off for 6 Months Sign Up Here 🏗 EQUIP Exposition — Save 50% Register Now Use promo code: SIDEHUSTLE at checkout 👟 Save 10% on KUJO Yardwear Shop Now Discount automatically applies 📅 LiveSwitch Book a Demo 📬 PostcardMania Learn More 💵 Relay – Powerful Business Banking for Small Business Owners Learn More
SummaryEp 341. Paul Jamison interviews Mike at the Rehlko Event in Louisville, KY!
4w ago00:23:39Summary readyAt the Rehlko Guinness World Record event in Louisville, Kentucky, Paul Jamison turns the microphone around and interviews Mike Garvey about one of the biggest moves of his entrepreneurial journey—launching ROPED (Robotic Outdoor Power Equipment Distributors). In this conversation, Mike shares the vision behind bringing robotic mowing and battery-powered equipment to the green industry, why he believes automation is the future of landscape maintenance, and what it takes to introduce new technology to contractors, municipalities, schools, and property managers. 🔗 Important Links & Resources 🎙 Side Hustle Squad on Instagram @sidehustlesquadpodcast 🌱 Coastal Fertilization on Instagram @coastalfertilization 💻 Branded Bull Website Design Visit BrandedBull.com 📋 Get Jobber – 20% Off for 6 Months Sign Up Here 🏗 EQUIP Exposition — Save 50% Register Now Use promo code: SIDEHUSTLE at checkout 👟 Save 10% on KUJO Yardwear Shop Now Discount automatically applies 📅 LiveSwitch Book a Demo 📬 PostcardMania Learn More 💵 Relay – Powerful Business Banking for Small Business Owners Learn More
SummaryEp 340. Spring Rush Recap, Business Updates & Preparing for the Rest of the Season!
Jun 400:12:03Summary readyIn this solo episode of The Side Hustle Squad Podcast, I share a behind-the-scenes update on everything happening across my businesses. I talk about the growth and progress of Coastal Fertilization & Weed Control, the exciting developments at ROPED (Robotic Outdoor Power Equipment Distributors), and the launch of Coastal Fertilization of North Jersey. I also discuss my upcoming trip to Texas to celebrate the grand opening of Marshall Lawn Solutions' new facility, where I'll be connecting with great industry leaders, including John Pajak. With the spring rush beginning to wind down, I reflect on what worked, what we've learned, and how we're shifting our focus toward the next major opportunity: fall aeration and overseeding season. I break down some of the marketing strategies we're planning to use, including Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM), customer retention tactics, and how we're preparing now to finish the year strong. 🔗 Important Links & Resources 🎙 Side Hustle Squad on Instagram @sidehustlesquadpodcast 🌱 Coastal Fertilization on Instagram @coastalfertilization 💻 Branded Bull Website Design Visit BrandedBull.com 📋 Get Jobber – 20% Off for 6 Months Sign Up Here 🏗 EQUIP Exposition — Save 50% Register Now Use promo code: SIDEHUSTLE at checkout 👟 Save 10% on KUJO Yardwear Shop Now Discount automatically applies 📅 LiveSwitch Book a Demo 📬 PostcardMania Learn More 💵 Relay – Powerful Business Banking for Small Business Owners Learn More
SummaryEp 339. Inside Equip Expo 2026 with Kris Kiser: What's New, What's Next, and the Move to Orlando
Jun 200:26:05Summary readyIn this episode of The Side Hustle Squad Podcast, I sit down with Kris Kiser, President and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute and the driving force behind Equip Exposition, to discuss everything happening at the industry's biggest event. We dive into what attendees can expect at Equip Expo 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky, October 20–23, including new features, expanded hands-on experiences, networking opportunities, and how the show continues to break attendance records and evolve each year. We also discuss the future of Equip and the major announcement that the show will begin a two-city rotation in 2029, bringing Equip to Orlando, Florida for the first time. Whether you're a contractor, dealer, manufacturer, or entrepreneur in the green industry, this episode provides an inside look at where the industry is headed, why Equip continues to grow, and how you can maximize your experience at this year's show. 🔗 Important Links & Resources 🎙 Side Hustle Squad on Instagram @sidehustlesquadpodcast 🌱 Coastal Fertilization on Instagram @coastalfertilization 💻 Branded Bull Website Design Visit BrandedBull.com 📋 Get Jobber – 20% Off for 6 Months Sign Up Here 🏗 EQUIP Exposition — Save 50% Register Now Use promo code: SIDEHUSTLE at checkout 👟 Save 10% on KUJO Yardwear Shop Now Discount automatically applies 📅 LiveSwitch Book a Demo 📬 PostcardMania Learn More 💵 Relay – Powerful Business Banking for Small Business Owners Learn More
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