Podcast
The Mulder Life Podcast
Hosted by Andy Mulder · EN
A live show featuring questions all about landscaping, equipment, business, and life. Join our live show weekly on Instagram @MulderOutdoors. Monday nights at 8:30 pm Central time to ask your questions or tune in here for the replay. Thanks for joining us
39episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Ep 169. You're Invited: Mulder Outdoors' New Shop Grand Opening
Yesterday00:55:04Summary readyAndy shares that business is extremely busy with estimating and design work while running two crews. He gives detailed updates on his new shop nearing completion (doors, railings, water softener, plumbing, painting timing, and upcoming concrete apron prep) and announces a public grand opening/open house with an Engcon demo day on July 25 from 9 AM–4 PM CST with free food, activities, and demo excavators, plus registration for free event T-shirts. He answers listener questions about choosing a 60x150 building size, discusses cautious project scheduling by giving ranges rather than firm dates, explains why he likes PaveTool hybrid edging over concrete edging, mentions buying a Vermeer vibratory plow, and notes an additional vehicle purchase to be revealed later. 👋 Connect with Andy 📸 Instagram: @mulderoutdoors 🛒 Shop Mulder Outdoors: mulderoutdoors.com/shop 🧰 Business Resources Save 10% on top resources with code: MULDERLIFEPODCAST 📘 How to Price My Job 🛒 Amazon Store 💥 Partner Discounts 🧱 Pave Tool — Use MULDEROUTDOORS50 to get $50 off a purchase of $500 or more 🔪 Blades Direct — Use MULDER20 to save $20 📏 Perma Paver Edging 🚧 SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software 👷 Brunt Workwear — Use MulderOutdoors10 to save $10 🍬 Albanese Candy — Official Candy of the Podcast 🛠️ Automatic Supply / Heritage Plus — Use MULDERLIFEPODCAST for 15% off (up to $1,500 — one per company) 🧱 Unilock 🎨 Dirty Graphix ⚙️ CMP Attachments 🚧 Engcon 🚜 A&D Equipment 📚 The Hardscape Academy 🪨 Amborn Stone — Call: 913-837-6729 💎 Latux Diamond Blades — Use code MULDER to save 20%
Summary
Ep 168. What I've Learned from Running Two Install Crews
1w ago00:48:58Summary readyAndy shares lessons from a month of operating two install crews plus a maintenance crew during the busiest spring of the company's 12 seasons. He explains that adding a second crew means he can't work hands-on in the field, spends far more time driving and managing projects, must stay two steps ahead with materials and communication, and needs the right people in the right roles to maintain quality. He answers audience questions about hiring experienced crew members with clean driving records, IQ saw blades, Deere vs. Kubota equipment and dealer support, running the business out of shipping containers for 10 years, and why he switched from Takeuchi to Kubota during COVID. He also discusses feeling overwhelmed by the volume of estimates and designs, and explains that if he started over he would still grow the company debt-free for long-term stability and family security. 👋 Connect with Andy 📸 Instagram: @mulderoutdoors 🛒 Shop Mulder Outdoors: mulderoutdoors.com/shop 🧰 Business Resources Save 10% on top resources with code: MULDERLIFEPODCAST 📘 How to Price My Job 🛒 Amazon Store 💥 Partner Discounts 🧱 Pave Tool — Use MULDEROUTDOORS50 to get $50 off a purchase of $500 or more 🔪 Blades Direct — Use MULDER20 to save $20 📏 Perma Paver Edging 🚧 SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software 👷 Brunt Workwear — Use MulderOutdoors10 to save $10 🍬 Albanese Candy — Official Candy of the Podcast 🛠️ Automatic Supply / Heritage Plus — Use MULDERLIFEPODCAST for 15% off (up to $1,500 — one per company) 🧱 Unilock 🎨 Dirty Graphix ⚙️ CMP Attachments 🚧 Engcon 🚜 A&D Equipment 📚 The Hardscape Academy 🪨 Amborn Stone — Call: 913-837-6729 💎 Latux Diamond Blades — Use code MULDER to save 20%
SummaryEp 167. Grow Without the Shop: What Shipping Containers Taught Me About Business
2w ago01:03:06Summary readyA shop can be a great asset, but it is not the thing that makes a landscape business successful. Andy breaks down how Mulder Outdoors operated for roughly a decade using shipping containers for storage, salt, tools, equipment, and yard organization while keeping overhead low and avoiding unnecessary debt. This episode traces the real progression from a small driveway setup to multiple containers, a stone parking lot, power, lighting, vents, shelves, locks, and a system that supported a growing landscape company. Andy shares what worked, what failed, and what he wishes he had done sooner. Covered in this episode: • How shipping containers helped Mulder Outdoors grow without a traditional shop • Why the first container was purchased for bulk salt storage • The difference between 10-foot, 20-foot, 40-foot, 45-foot, standard-height, and high-cube containers • What to inspect before buying a used container, especially doors, roof, and flooring • Why ventilation matters and how condensation can damage small engines • Lighting options, from extension-cord construction lights to battery-powered motion lights • Using magnets, E-Track, hooks, and shelving to organize tools and supplies • The value of container wheel kits for moving loaded containers around a property • Painting containers to clean up the look of a yard or property • Locks, security, and freeze-thaw issues around container doors For contractors trying to grow carefully, control costs, and make the most of the space they have, this conversation offers a practical look at building infrastructure one step at a time. 👋 Connect with Andy 📸 Instagram: @mulderoutdoors 🛒 Shop Mulder Outdoors: mulderoutdoors.com/shop 🧰 Business Resources Save 10% on top resources with code: MULDERLIFEPODCAST 📘 How to Price My Job 🛒 Amazon Store 💥 Partner Discounts 🧱 Pave Tool — Use MULDEROUTDOORS50 to get $50 off a purchase of $500 or more 🔪 Blades Direct — Use MULDER20 to save $20 📏 Perma Paver Edging 🚧 SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software 👷 Brunt Workwear — Use MulderOutdoors10 to save $10 🍬 Albanese Candy — Official Candy of the Podcast 🛠️ Automatic Supply / Heritage Plus — Use MULDERLIFEPODCAST for 15% off (up to $1,500 — one per company) 🧱 Unilock 🎨 Dirty Graphix ⚙️ CMP Attachments 🚧 Engcon 🚜 A&D Equipment 📚 The Hardscape Academy 🪨 Amborn Stone — Call: 913-837-6729 💎 Latux Diamond Blades — Use code MULDER to save 20%
SummaryEp 166. Shop Progress, Hiring Moves, and Smarter Growth
3w ago00:45:21Summary readySpring is moving fast, and so is the business. Andy shares what it looks like to lead through a packed season while balancing jobsite demands, team development, hiring decisions, client follow-up, and the ongoing build-out of the new shop. This solo conversation centers on the realities of running a growing landscaping company without losing sight of quality. Andy breaks down how he thinks about company culture, why careful growth matters more than fast growth, and what he is learning as the business reaches its busiest spring yet. Covered in this episode: • How Andy approaches company culture by leading from the front • Why small details shape customer experience more than big promises • What made a recent Saturday workday a strong example of team buy-in • How free lunches, gear, boots, and trust help with retention • A full update on the new shop, including cabinets, ceilings, HVAC, plumbing, appliances, and site work • How core team members were hired through referrals, networking, and Instagram • Why Andy has never had much success hiring through Indeed • What he looks for as he considers adding another team member • How he thinks through starting a second crew without hurting quality • His approach to following up on estimates without sounding pushy • Why he wants to grow at the speed of cash instead of forcing expansion • Early thoughts on future equipment and trailer investments There is also a practical look at the decision-making behind expansion. Andy talks through the tension of having strong leads, active design work, and more demand coming in while still wanting to protect craftsmanship, team morale, and long-term stability. It is a clear snapshot of what disciplined growth looks like in the middle of a busy season. 👋 Connect with Andy 📸 Instagram: @mulderoutdoors 🛒 Shop Mulder Outdoors: mulderoutdoors.com/shop 🧰 Business Resources Save 10% on top resources with code: MULDERLIFEPODCAST 📘 How to Price My Job 🛒 Amazon Store 💥 Partner Discounts 🧱 Pave Tool — Use MULDEROUTDOORS50 to get $50 off a purchase of $500 or more 🔪 Blades Direct — Use MULDER20 to save $20 📏 Perma Paver Edging 🚧 SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software 👷 Brunt Workwear — Use MulderOutdoors10 to save $10 🍬 Albanese Candy — Official Candy of the Podcast 🛠️ Automatic Supply / Heritage Plus — Use MULDERLIFEPODCAST for 15% off (up to $1,500 — one per company) 🧱 Unilock 🎨 Dirty Graphix ⚙️ CMP Attachments 🚧 Engcon 🚜 A&D Equipment 📚 The Hardscape Academy 🪨 Amborn Stone — Call: 913-837-6729 💎 Latux Diamond Blades — Use code MULDER to save 20%
SummaryEp 165. Mowing, Mulching, Marketing, and Machine Talk
4w ago00:57:34Summary readyAndy hosts a live Q&A episode covering landscaping, equipment, and business updates, including progress on his new shop build (epoxy office floors, drop ceiling, plumbing/HVAC work, and delayed interior ceiling work) and the start of the season with spring cleanups, mulching, drainage, seeding, and the first mowing day. He discusses current crew structure, whether to hire for a dedicated second crew, and how crew size and skillsets affect efficiency. Andy compares the Kubota SVL97-3 to a demoed John Deere 333P, highlighting cab sealing, cameras, power, technology features, and control feel, and addresses why technology may or may not be necessary. He answers questions about office staffing, shipping container moisture/venting, spring marketing, Trimble rover/GPS workflow challenges, fuel surcharges, consultation and design fees, and balancing paperwork with field production. 👋 Connect with Andy 📸 Instagram: @mulderoutdoors 🛒 Shop Mulder Outdoors: mulderoutdoors.com/shop 🧰 Business Resources Save 10% on top resources with code: MULDERLIFEPODCAST 📘 How to Price My Job 🛒 Amazon Store 💥 Partner Discounts 🧱 Pave Tool — Use MULDEROUTDOORS50 to get $50 off a purchase of $500 or more 🔪 Blades Direct — Use MULDER20 to save $20 📏 Perma Paver Edging 🚧 SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software 👷 Brunt Workwear — Use MulderOutdoors10 to save $10 🍬 Albanese Candy — Official Candy of the Podcast 🛠️ Automatic Supply / Heritage Plus — Use MULDERLIFEPODCAST for 15% off (up to $1,500 — one per company) 🧱 Unilock 🎨 Dirty Graphix ⚙️ CMP Attachments 🚧 Engcon 🚜 A&D Equipment 📚 The Hardscape Academy 🪨 Amborn Stone — Call: 913-837-6729 💎 Latux Diamond Blades — Use code MULDER to save 20%
SummaryEp 164. Maximizing Profits and Efficiency in the Landscaping Industry
Apr 800:53:57Summary readyAndy returns after missing two weeks due to illness and a family vacation to Utah. He shares how spring is ramping up at his landscaping business with strong leads, major projects (including a 400-ton natural stone pond job), and considers hiring while emphasizing trust in his crew. Andy gives a detailed shop build update (painted offices, upcoming epoxy floors, utilities and interior metal progress) and answers listener questions about whether he'd still build versus buy a shop, stressing the value of correct zoning for outdoor material storage. He explains why he transitioned from used to new trucks only when he could pay cash and stay debt-free, warns against buying for status, advises bidding jobs individually rather than per square/face foot, and notes personal health goals after losing 20 pounds. 👋 Connect with Andy 📸 Instagram: @mulderoutdoors 🛒 Shop Mulder Outdoors: mulderoutdoors.com/shop 🧰 Business Resources Save 10% on top resources with code: MULDERLIFEPODCAST 📘 How to Price My Job 🛒 Amazon Store 💥 Partner Discounts 🧱 Pave Tool — Use MULDEROUTDOORS50 to get $50 off a purchase of $500 or more 🔪 Blades Direct — Use MULDER20 to save $20 📏 Perma Paver Edging 🚧 SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software 👷 Brunt Workwear — Use MulderOutdoors10 to save $10 🍬 Albanese Candy — Official Candy of the Podcast 🛠️ Automatic Supply / Heritage Plus — Use MULDERLIFEPODCAST for 15% off (up to $1,500 — one per company) 🧱 Unilock 🎨 Dirty Graphix ⚙️ CMP Attachments 🚧 Engcon 🚜 A&D Equipment 📚 The Hardscape Academy 🪨 Amborn Stone — Call: 913-837-6729 💎 Latux Diamond Blades — Use code MULDER to save 20%
SummaryEp 163. Someone Else is Cheaper": How to Respond Without Losing Your Mind
Apr 100:58:11Summary readyIn tis "Best of" episode, Andy provides an update on business operations and personal projects. He shares his strategy for pre-purchasing equipment like forklifts and floor scrubbers ahead of a new shop build to manage future financial strain. He also discusses contractual warranties, the importance of maintaining price integrity against cheaper competitors, and the value of reliable staffing for business growth. The episode concludes with a lighthearted segment about his new black swans, which he added to his property to manage pests and enhance the landscape. 👋 Connect with Andy 📸 Instagram: @mulderoutdoors 🛒 Shop Mulder Outdoors: mulderoutdoors.com/shop 🧰 Business Resources Save 10% on top resources with code: MULDERLIFEPODCAST 📘 How to Price My Job 🛒 Amazon Store 💥 Partner Discounts 🧱 Pave Tool — Use MULDEROUTDOORS50 to get $50 off a purchase of $500 or more 🔪 Blades Direct — Use MULDER20 to save $20 📏 Perma Paver Edging 🚧 SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software 👷 Brunt Workwear — Use MulderOutdoors10 to save $10 🍬 Albanese Candy — Official Candy of the Podcast 🛠️ Automatic Supply / Heritage Plus — Use MULDERLIFEPODCAST for 15% off (up to $1,500 — one per company) 🧱 Unilock 🎨 Dirty Graphix ⚙️ CMP Attachments 🚧 Engcon 🚜 A&D Equipment 📚 The Hardscape Academy 🪨 Amborn Stone — Call: 913-837-6729 💎 Latux Diamond Blades — Use code MULDER to save 20%
SummaryEp 162. Nightmare Clients: Surviving Litigation Threats, Irrigation Disasters, and High-Conflict Personalities
Mar 1800:56:13Summary readyAndy provides a comprehensive update on his landscaping business and the ongoing development of his new company shop. He details technical construction choices, such as the benefits of using open-cell spray foam and his decision to install epoxy flooring in the office spaces. Despite facing recent weather delays and logistical hurdles with utility companies, he remains optimistic about the regional economic growth and a strong pipeline of work. The episode also explores equipment preferences, where Andy evaluates the performance of various machinery and explains his strategy of growing at the speed of cash. Finally, he reflects on the importance of client relationships, sharing personal stories about navigating difficult customer interactions while striving to maintain a high-end brand reputation. 👋 Connect with Andy 📸 Instagram: @mulderoutdoors 🛒 Shop Mulder Outdoors: mulderoutdoors.com/shop 🧰 Business Resources Save 10% on top resources with code: MULDERLIFEPODCAST 📘 How to Price My Job 🛒 Amazon Store 💥 Partner Discounts 🧱 Pave Tool — Use MULDEROUTDOORS50 to get $50 off a purchase of $500 or more 🔪 Blades Direct — Use MULDER20 to save $20 📏 Perma Paver Edging 🚧 SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software 👷 Brunt Workwear — Use MulderOutdoors10 to save $10 🍬 Albanese Candy — Official Candy of the Podcast 🛠️ Automatic Supply / Heritage Plus — Use MULDERLIFEPODCAST for 15% off (up to $1,500 — one per company) 🧱 Unilock 🎨 Dirty Graphix ⚙️ CMP Attachments 🚧 Engcon 🚜 A&D Equipment 📚 The Hardscape Academy 🪨 Amborn Stone — Call: 913-837-6729 💎 Latux Diamond Blades — Use code MULDER to save 20%
SummaryEp 161. From Landscaper to Specialist: Finding the Fast-Paced Concrete Niche
Mar 1101:01:10Summary readyAndy interviews Sal Bustos Villa, the owner of Calco Partners, a specialized hardscaping and concrete business in California. The discussion highlights Sal's transition from general landscaping to high-end commercial and residential concrete projects, including complex structures like retaining walls and custom outdoor kitchens. Sal explains his business philosophy, emphasizing the importance of financial discipline, debt-free growth, and utilizing specialized heavy machinery to increase efficiency. He also credits management software for helping him understand his overhead and achieve professional profitability. Throughout the interview, both pros share insights on crew management, the technical demands of site engineering, and the challenges of operating within the California market. 👋 Connect with Andy 📸 Instagram: @mulderoutdoors 🛒 Shop Mulder Outdoors: mulderoutdoors.com/shop 🧰 Business Resources Save 10% on top resources with code: MULDERLIFEPODCAST 📘 How to Price My Job 🛒 Amazon Store 💥 Partner Discounts 🧱 Pave Tool — Use MULDEROUTDOORS50 to get $50 off a purchase of $500 or more 🔪 Blades Direct — Use MULDER20 to save $20 📏 Perma Paver Edging 🚧 SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software 👷 Brunt Workwear — Use MulderOutdoors10 to save $10 🍬 Albanese Candy — Official Candy of the Podcast 🛠️ Automatic Supply / Heritage Plus — Use MULDERLIFEPODCAST for 15% off (up to $1,500 — one per company) 🧱 Unilock 🎨 Dirty Graphix ⚙️ CMP Attachments 🚧 Engcon 🚜 A&D Equipment 📚 The Hardscape Academy 🪨 Amborn Stone — Call: 913-837-6729 💎 Latux Diamond Blades — Use code MULDER to save 20%
SummaryEp 160. The Instagram Brotherhood: Networking Your Way to a Better Trade
Mar 401:20:13Summary readyThis episode features an in-depth conversation between Andy and veteran landscaper Erik Helm, owner of Grounds Master. Helm recounts his professional journey starting from childhood lawn mowing to managing a large-scale excavation and hardscaping fleet in Montana. The discussion highlights the devastating impact of the 2008 economic crash, which forced Helm to downsize his staff and equipment, leading him to adopt Dave Ramsey's financial principles. Both guys emphasize the importance of mentorship, the value of quality craftsmanship, and the unique community and brotherhood fostered through social media networking. Ultimately, the source provides a perspective on balancing business growth with family life while maintaining high standards in challenging terrain. 👋 Connect with Andy 📸 Instagram: @mulderoutdoors 🛒 Shop Mulder Outdoors: mulderoutdoors.com/shop 🧰 Business Resources Save 10% on top resources with code: MULDERLIFEPODCAST 📘 How to Price My Job 🛒 Amazon Store 💥 Partner Discounts 🧱 Pave Tool — Use MULDEROUTDOORS50 to get $50 off a purchase of $500 or more 🔪 Blades Direct — Use MULDER20 to save $20 📏 Perma Paver Edging 🚧 SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software 👷 Brunt Workwear — Use MulderOutdoors10 to save $10 🍬 Albanese Candy — Official Candy of the Podcast 🛠️ Automatic Supply / Heritage Plus — Use MULDERLIFEPODCAST for 15% off (up to $1,500 — one per company) 🧱 Unilock 🎨 Dirty Graphix ⚙️ CMP Attachments 🚧 Engcon 🚜 A&D Equipment 📚 The Hardscape Academy 🪨 Amborn Stone — Call: 913-837-6729 💎 Latux Diamond Blades — Use code MULDER to save 20%
Summary