The Green Grind Podcast

This week on The Green Podcast, Kory Ballard sits down with YouTube creator, "Mower Mike," for an unfiltered conversation about entrepreneurship, content creation, lawn equipment, and chasing what excites you. Mike shares his journey from working a corporate career in the defense industry to building a successful YouTube channel focused on mower repairs, equipment reviews, and real-world testing. The two discuss the realities of creating content online, dealing with critics, growing an audience, and why authenticity still wins. 🎧 Free Trial and 20% off Jobber for 6 months: go.getjobber.com/ballardinc 🌐 Need a website? Use code "GreenGrind" to get your first month for $1: greenfrogwebdesign.com/koryballard

In this episode of The Green Grind, Kory and LeRoy get back to basics with a raw, unfiltered conversation about what it actually takes to build a business that runs without you. From unpredictable Midwest weather to real-life examples of snowstorms hitting while owners are out of town, the guys break down a hard truth: if your business falls apart when you're gone, you don't have a company—you have a job. They share how building the right systems, empowering your team, and creating clear roles allows your business to operate smoothly—even in chaos. 🎧 Free Trial and 20% off Jobber for 6 months: go.getjobber.com/ballardinc 🌐 Need a website? Use code "GreenGrind" to get your first month for $1: greenfrogwebdesign.com/koryballard

In this episode of The Green Grind Podcast, we're revisiting one of our most impactful conversations with Tommy Mello, founder of A1 Garage Door Service. Tommy shares the journey of building his company from a struggling startup into one of the largest garage door service companies in the country, along with the mindset, leadership, and systems that helped fuel that growth. Throughout the episode, Tommy dives into topics like building strong company culture, investing in your people, developing systems that scale, and surrounding yourself with the right mentors and leaders. Even though Tommy comes from the garage door industry, the lessons he shares apply to anyone looking to grow a service-based business. If you're looking for insight on leadership, culture, and building a company that lasts, this throwback episode is packed with value. 🎧 Free Trial and 20% off Jobber for 6 months: go.getjobber.com/ballardinc 🌐 Need a website? Use code "GreenGrind" to get your first month for $1: greenfrogwebdesign.com/koryballard

In this episode of The Green Grind Podcast, LeRoy and Kory sit down with special guest Jesus Nieto for a powerful conversation about growth, grit, and building something bigger than yourself in the green industry. Jesus shares his journey — from early challenges and learning curves to developing the mindset and structure necessary to scale. The discussion dives deep into leadership evolution, operational discipline, and the personal growth required to move from simply working hard to working strategically. 🎧 Free Trial and 20% off Jobber for 6 months: go.getjobber.com/ballardinc 🌐 Need a website? Use code "GreenGrind" to get your first month for $1: greenfrogwebdesign.com/koryballard

In this episode of The Green Grind, Kory and LeRoy sit down with Jordan Smith of Storm Equipment to talk about one of the biggest shifts happening in snow and ice management: liquid deicing. Jordan shares how he went from running a lawn and snow company in Minnesota to building a liquid equipment brand that eventually partnered with Boss Snowplow and Toro—all rooted in trial, error, and a relentless drive to find a better way. The conversation dives into why liquids aren't just another product, but a culture shift from reactive salting to proactive strategy. They break down the hidden long-term costs of salt, how better scraping and pretreatment reduce liability, and why seasonal contracts reward efficiency over over-application. If you're dealing with salt shortages, rising costs, or looking for a competitive edge in your market, this episode challenges you to rethink how you run your snow operation. 🎧 Free Trial and 20% off Jobber for 6 months: go.getjobber.com/ballardinc 🌐 Need a website? Use code "GreenGrind" to get your first month for $1: greenfrogwebdesign.com/koryballard

In this episode of The Green Grind, LeRoy and Kory sit down with Jim Parker of The Lawn Boss for a real, experience-driven conversation about longevity, leadership, and doing business the right way—especially when the grind gets heavy. Jim works with lawn and landscape business owners to help them get their companies ready to sell, and he shares lessons learned from years in the industry along the way. From mistakes and adjustments to mindset shifts that only come with time, this episode focuses less on hype and more on building a solid, sustainable business that can stand on its own—now and in the future. 🎧 Free Trial and 20% off Jobber for 6 months: go.getjobber.com/ballardinc 🌐 Need a website? Use code "GreenGrind" to get your first month for $1: greenfrogwebdesign.com/koryballard

In this episode of The Green Grind, LeRoy and Kory sit down with Ezra for a grounded, real-world conversation about growth, responsibility, and the personal development required to lead a business forward. Ezra shares his journey through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship—learning how pressure, mistakes, and accountability shape not only better businesses, but better leaders. The discussion focuses on what happens when ambition meets reality, and how intentional thinking, discipline, and ownership determine whether growth becomes freedom or chaos. 🎧 Free Trial and 20% off Jobber for 6 months: go.getjobber.com/ballardinc 🌐 Need a website? Use code "GreenGrind" to get your first month for $1: greenfrogwebdesign.com/koryballard

In this episode of The Green Grind, LeRoy and Kory sit down with Brian Fullerton, entrepreneur, content creator, and one of the most recognized voices in the green industry, for a real conversation about growth, discipline, and building a business that lasts. Brian shares his journey from grinding in the field to building multiple income streams through service work, education, and content—while staying grounded in the fundamentals that actually make contractors successful. This episode goes beyond social media highlights and digs into the daily habits, mindset shifts, and business decisions that separate short-term wins from long-term sustainability. 🎧 Free Trial and 20% off Jobber for 6 months: go.getjobber.com/ballardinc 🌐 Need a website? Use code "GreenGrind" to get your first month for $1: greenfrogwebdesign.com/koryballard