Side Hustle Squad Podcast, Ep 313

Title: We're Starting Over After 8 Years in Business!
Host: Mike Garvey
Release Date: March 3, 2026

Episode Overview

In this inspirational solo episode, host Mike Garvey shares exciting news: after eight years of growing his lawn care business, Coastal Fertilization, he’s launching a brand-new branch in a different county. Mike reflects on lessons learned from his startup journey, how he’s applying hard-won wisdom to this new venture, and gives listeners a transparent, behind-the-scenes look at what it means to "start over" as an experienced business owner. The theme is clear: applying the playbook, systems, and mindset developed over years to create something purposeful—and inviting the audience along for the ride.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Announcing the New Branch (00:52)

• Mike reports live from the Connex trade event in Vegas, mentioning partnerships and collaborations with industry friends and podcasters.
• Main announcement: opening a second branch of Coastal Fertilization in a new county, starting from scratch but "with the playbook in hand".

Quote:
"It's kind of, you know, how would you restart your business if you know, over in eight years you're getting comfortable protecting what you're built. But we're kind of doing the opposite… launching a brand new Coastal Fertilization branch and I want to bring you guys inside the whole entire process."
— Mike Garvey (02:10)

2. Motivation & Strategic Approach (04:00)

• Decision to open a new branch is driven by:
  • Identifying unmet demand in the new area.
  • Bringing in a trusted new partner to act as general manager (Rob)—someone from Mike’s previous career in the state police with shared values and strong work ethic.
  • Leveraging experience, systems, and structure developed over eight years.
• Emphasis on deliberate, measured growth ("baby steps"), learning from past mistakes, and not seeking rapid expansion.

Quote:
"There's a big difference between Mike Garvey in year one, 2017 versus year eight, Mike Garvey, you know, kind of steering the ship. So there's a lot of systems already in place. There's a lot of clarity on our numbers. We delegate a lot. We have a lot of partnerships. And I think I've grown a lot. I think Larry's grown a lot."
— Mike Garvey (03:30)

3. Choosing the Right Partner (05:00)

• New branch will be led by Rob, a trusted colleague from Mike’s law enforcement background.
• Importance of alignment in values, trust, and work ethic.
• Parallels drawn between Rob and Larry (existing partner): both deeply committed and share the vision for growth.

Quote:
"We work together in the state police, which is great. We have a lot of the same values. We are aligned, we trust each other… He reminds me a lot of Larry and... gets the vision and wants to learn."
— Mike Garvey (05:12)

4. Improved Systems, Structure, and Franchise Readiness (05:45)

• Operational upgrades since first launch:
  • Dedicated systems (Jobber in franchise mode per branch)
  • Clear separation of ownership, LLCs, and admin structures
  • Brand and support system transferability
• Focus on smarter marketing—exploring door hangers, digital ads, and customer referrals.

Operational Insight:
"Jobber will be in franchise mode. So we have a different Jobber for each branch, which you can really toggle between, which is pretty cool. So separate LLC, separate ownership allotments and stuff like that."
— Mike Garvey (06:00)

5. Learning from Past Mistakes (08:00)

• Admits to underpricing and overworking in the early days; plans to avoid these by sticking to profitable pricing and focusing on operational efficiency.
• Past mistakes included:
  • Underpricing jobs just to get business
  • Inefficient service geography ("jobs all over the place")
  • No proper management software or systems
  • Lack of delegation and delayed hiring
  • Poor tracking of metrics and numbers

Quote:
"We're going to learn from the underpricing that we did in the very beginning… significantly overworking ourselves.... We were wasting a lot of time driving around… We were overworking ourselves. We weren't delegating. We didn't have a phone system. We didn't have a administrative assistant and we waited long to hire and we weren't tracking our numbers."
— Mike Garvey (08:20)

6. Building for the Future — On Purpose (09:30)

• This new branch is a “pilot” for future expansion, aiming to replicate success through intentional, systematic processes and state-wide culture building.
• The team will build Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), establish a company culture from day one, and use this branch as a template for potential future growth.
• Transparent sharing: Listeners are invited to "see behind the curtain" throughout the journey, documenting real struggles and triumphs.

Quote:
"The first time we built, we were just figuring it out. This time we're building it on purpose. And you know, if you're listening right now, whether you're just starting out in your first business or scaling your third, I want to see what this actually looks like. I want you to see what this actually looks like behind the curtain."
— Mike Garvey (09:40)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On personal growth and the Enneagram:
  "I know that I'm a type 3. I'm a builder and I'm an achiever and I have a mindset of really building infrastructure. Thinking of the next thing and kind of helps me understand of why I am who I am."
  (04:22)
• On transparent leadership:
  "You're going to see real struggles. You're going to see how a business is built all over again and also how our other business is growing. Not just the highlight reel."
  (10:02)
• On vision:
  "This isn't the only branch that we're going to do and this is going to be the pilot of the, the, the rollout of launching new branches."
  (09:10)

Important Timestamps

• 00:52 — Mike’s intro from Connex; announcement of new branch
• 02:10 — Reasoning behind starting over after 8 years
• 04:00 — Difference in approach vs. first launch; bringing on a new partner
• 05:45 — Modern systems and franchise readiness
• 08:00 — Mistakes from first business and how to avoid them now
• 09:30 — Building SOPs and using this launch as a pilot for further growth
• 10:00 — Invitation for listeners to follow the journey in real time

Conclusion

Mike Garvey’s episode is both a blueprint for entrepreneurial growth and a personal invitation: seasoned or new, listeners will benefit from hearing how to apply past lessons to a new venture, avoid common pitfalls, and operate with intention. With transparency and humility, Mike promises to document the real journey, not just the “highlight reel,” making this episode a must-listen for those seeking honest, actionable business wisdom in the lawn care industry—or any side hustle pursuit.