How I Got Out Of The Employee Trap And Started My Own Landscaping Business

[@1234567zia]

I worked from 3:30 am to 7:00 pm today listened to ur videos all day on my headphones without seeing the actual video you motivated me “thanks”

[@GraciethePuppyDog]

Awesome

[@RichRotorhead]

That's what I've been doing too 👍🏾💯

[@cjbsr3]

Keith you just described my 25 years in the automotive industry, I was the chump,and was to afraid to make a move,now at 50 trying to run my own business I'm not afraid anymore and definitely not a chump..💪🙏

[@DBCSwindow]

I used to work for a guy who did three years in prison for punching a cop in the face while high on PCP. He’s a high school dropout who prides himself on the fact that he has never read a book in his life. He built an auto repair business out of a rented garage and now make 6 figures. If he can make it anyone can.

[@anthonytorres4375]

@@DBCSwindow America truly is the land of opportunity!

[@Fredosbabaq]

I go thru the same . I Hate going to this lawn company every morning. I hate it I hate. I saved all my checks until I got my own set up my own mower and All. Now I don't care I can tell the workers they will work for me one day cause they can't think for themselves

[@mylawnbarber]

Amen Brother! I’ve had my Landscape Business part time for 3 years now and still wondering when i am going to leave my full time job for the “Benefits” I have.

[@TopNotchPropertyServiceLLC]

I left my job as a tire tech to start my lawn care business. Went to Toyota school. Cool to see there are others that came from that industry and glad you are succeeding man!

[@keithparady2594]

It’s so unbelievable how much u telling ur story sounds like how my life has been going

[@themattlee101]

So true man literally doing 80 percent of all labor and still making 11 a hour

[@thisismagacountry1318]

Hope you got started. Hope you're marketing like crazy. I'm looking at power washing and eviction cleanups. Business will be booming in a few months.

[@valleygirl670]

This is the way

[@mrpollomg]

Man I been listening to you for 2 or 3 years. I'm either gonna move to Georgia that cuts year round or stay in New York and knock on everyone doors. Because I know landscaping is my gift. Thank you

[@investingwithedwin6578]

I quit working as a financial analyst, from an airline @ lax airport to start my own gardening business. Lets keep pushing.

[@thisismagacountry1318]

What's your investment philosophy? Can you suggest something with a solid 7% return or higher?

[@jaydenschrank3538]

I'm making 12 an hour for a landscape company. I love the work so much, I'm by far the hardest worker among all the crews, but I never get recognition. I've been studying a lot. I'm going to make it. Thank you for the video, the jump will now be sooner than later.

[@stronginthestorm1781]

Your self worth establishes your net worth

[@wyattgreeson5706]

You are worth more to yourself than to someone else, you can do it!

[@DBCSwindow]

The disgruntled employees of today are the stiff competition of tomorrow. And nothing motivates a man like revenge.

[@thisismagacountry1318]

Get business insurance BEFORE the FIRST job. Good luck and always market, always answer the phone. Post your prices on your website so you avoid wasting time on calls from lowballers.

[@jilow]

You can always go back to what you're doing :)--- Good luck.

[@dwaynegresham4857]

Best video yet, Keith. I started my lawn care business at 50, after years of working for an abusive employer. I'm so glad that I did.

[@alfredoajas4816]

So humble

[@kolemosimann619]

Thank you you have motivated me I’m 19 living in a small town and wanting to start my own landscaping company! 💪🏼

[@ClipCityDaily1]

14:12 in I’m fully interested in what you’re saying it feels genuine, what your saying in your videos seems like a story but it’s inspiring & deep. I’m planing on getting my landscape going and I can relate. You’re analogies are very good too been subscribed for a while god bless & keep going up💯💯💯

[@CDot307]

This completely happened to me in every single way. And I have my own business and get it...

[@ritchiediaz7556]

I look up to you man, its cause of you Keith. Thank you

[@earthgreen6268]

Not sure you will read this Keith but that was truly one of the most heartfelt open and real business youtubes I've ever seen, you have paid the piper my friend and only good lies before you, you carry a heavy heart but life is truly a perilous journey, and to share like that you have truly made it and the only way is up. Please keep keeping it real because it can help so many cause we relate. Skies the limit my friend.

[@keith-kalfas]

Thank you. I'm reading this.

[@RichRotorhead]

How this video doesn't have more likes, should be brought up in a congressional hearing 💯

[@scottzvidzo5564]

I do ceilings and his start up story is so much relatable , I'm still an under the radar guy but I'm surviving and I'm also starting to sell other little things on the side and I just feel I will make it one day.

[@tinytruckzrc]

Great content 💪🏼

[@GraciethePuppyDog]

Awesome

[@papichulo1934]

May be it’s time for you to expand to another area- another place - what about taking a vacation and check what you do in a island for example- Time to expand business- What about bermudas 🇧🇲 for example- You have to find a place that mach or more de value of the dollar- To be safety-

[@JohnAllen-lw7xf]

Hey Kieth...I’m a new subscriber and appreciate all the wisdom from the school of hard knocks. Question tho...and maybe you can do a video explaining how you combat the temptation of being like the bosses you previously had. How you make your workers feel respected, valued, and enjoy the grind of landscaping. How you stay in touch with the ground guys and are able to feel the pulse of your team to make sure their needs are met. Thanks again

[@keith-kalfas]

That's a great idea. John. Ill.put that in my notes right now.

[@TopNotchPropertyServiceLLC]

@@keith-kalfas I think this should be an episode on leadership that would make for a great one Kieth you would do an awesome video on this I agree with that request!

[@TopNotchPropertyServiceLLC]

Great idea John!

[@knnknn2843]

Seems like the boss didn’t want you to be a foreman so later, you don’t develop and become what you became… needed to hear this and well done Keith👌👏

[@AlbertoGonzalez-yu3pe]

The good thing is you are doing better now God bless you Keith

[@juancarlosorozco5736]

Thank you for speaking the truth Keith people need to hear the truth of owning a business is freedom thank you for all your videos and inspiration bro I appreciate you and love you

[@purryegbert8609]

A deep dive - realistic and practical ! Good Share!

[@mansajose5226]

Mr Keith, I know this is an old video man so you may not see this comment, but I want to thank you for the wealth of reality and personal experiences that you share in your videos . I can identify with a lot of your experiences and I learn so much from you . Thanks man, Joe from 🇯🇲 jamaica

[@keith-kalfas]

You're welcome

[@nancyruiz6203]

Thank you!! For sharing your experience and been on expiration for others. God 🙏 bless your business and your family

[@tinytruckzrc]

Never ending dreams and we still pinch ourselves sometimes.

[@annagarcia7635]

What you said totally resonated with me. When I was younger I worked as a house cleaner and went to college because I did not want to spend my life cleaning houses. Now, I quit my college job and am opening a house cleaning company. I'm a house cleaner for life :)

[@nicholastracy4915]

So proud of you big bro!!

[@plantmanstudios]

There is only one Keith. Thank you for sharing. You are an inspiration to many.

[@robertblansett]

Needed this!!!!!

[@erickosiewicz1635]

Thank you so much for these videos man…

[@charlesviner1565]

Greetings from Davenport Iowa USA 🇺🇸. New subscriber. Thanks for the video. Like 👍

[@drewscustomcutz247]

Dude I feel ya my stories kinda the same 16yrs in the game and finally had enough last yrs. Thanks for the story God bless and wish u the best..

[@alexguzman2389]

Wat up Douuuuu.! You motivated me all the fucking time With your Videos.When my self esteem is down when Im having a tough day or Just to learn something new."You have to be willing to die For 'It"👍

[@HitchClan7]

Excellent video man! While it was the audiobooks that helped motivate and push you to start your own landscape business, it was me watching your vidoes for me. You're videos back then and still do inspire me. Even when I'm tired and burnt out and I watch one of your motivational videos I continue to keep pushing and crush the small goals I set for myself. You would be deeply humbled if you could meet all of the guys like myself that you inspired to start their own businesses and take a chance! Thanks man, I'm a follower for life.

[@IamTRAILERPARKrich]

Why does this get so emotional. Lol Thank you for all the insight man.

[@keith-kalfas]

Thank you and you're welcome

[@AZMDHI]

We all become our destiny in the end. It's always dark before it's light. Keep on keepin' on brother! 🤙

[@charliejohnson1887]

Dude its like your telling my life's story

[@emilyfortenberry5535]

Dude. Thank you for sharing. I’ve been looking for this sort of affirmation(??). I’m trying to get my landscaping biz off the ground in a small town in N TX and I find myself beating myself up & getting crazier & craaaaazierrrrr..This is helpful.

[@justinwillard4991]

Bro! Love this. Your words of wisdom inspires the heck outta me. Keep this stuff coming. Thank you!!

[@juanmatos7949]

Hey Keith I want it to say Thank you for this Video. It was needed. 👍🏻

[@keith-kalfas]

Thanks Juan you're welcome.

[@jpippinator]

Hey Keith. You remind me of myself. Thanks for all your insight.

[@Sergio-gm4gv]

Thanks for these videos. I started a lawn care/ land scaping company 2 months ago. On the days i have no work, i go work for my buddies landscaping & Tree service company and work like a damn slave for him. I can't wait till things pick up. There's things i can't do yet, and a worker of his complains all the time about me not being able to dig whole through rocky sand when planting plants. I don't know why I am saying all this on here now, and i guess i'm just venting a little bit, oh well. I'm not going to quit and keep chucking away. Thanks again Keith

[@m.jeffreymalcolm8297]

I appreciate your honesty brother 👍🏻

[@byronfarley8057]

I'm happy for you! You bet on yourself and your winning now!! This video is inspirational! Keep up the good work bro!

[@joshuapierce2474]

That’s where i’m at now i’m 20 years old just starting out right now i have around 15 clients

[@anthonyclayton3219]

You did it right man. It makes more sense to start your own business. Mowing grass in the summer is my side hustle. No experience with a company for me. I started with a free lawn mower from craigslist. Built my stuff up to 2 48 inch bunton hydros. Old 87 Toyota truck. Old 5x10 trailer. I'm still not sure how to charge for mowing because no experience. I'm pretty sure I'm undercharging all of them. But after watching your videos I'm learning how to read my clients. This is just a summer gig in Omaha Nebraska. I couldn't imagine working for 12 dollars an hour doing the work for years. I think I'm worth 50 to 100 per hour doing this. I need to learn how to charge for mowing trimming.

[@ChadKirk]

I guess it’s pretty universal for lawn care employees. I’m 27 and I have been working for about 10 years off and on with the same lawn care organization. I’m the hardest worker, I care the most, I even run the crew some days when my boss doesn’t show up. I still don’t get respect and don’t get paid nearly enough for what I do. I get paid the same as the drug addict 18 year olds that don’t do anything and barely show up. After working several different types of jobs, I have figured out that I like grass cutting/landscaping the best. So now I’m saving up for a truck, then my equipment, then I’m going to make a business that blows my boss’ one out of the water.

[@keith-kalfas]

That's is Chad. You got this broski. 👍

[@johnpeccerillo4747]

Doing the same thing man! I appreciate this video so much because it sounds so much like my life & I am starting from nothing & some days it’s a struggle, but it’s all mindset.

[@bradleyberube7363]

This guy preaches man

[@dougackerman4182]

Eye opening video Keith

[@everlastinglawnandgarden54]

Keith your an awesome person i wish we grew up in the same place. I wish we could talk off camera. But anyway im older then you 43. I did landscaping my hole life had an injury. Started doing auto glass not going to lie pays really good. However my passion was always to make God land looking greener. So I've slowly started my business Everlasting Lasting Lawn & Garden LLC. I like to talk with you even though I have more years one you. You have more experience on owning a business

[@javierpadron5747]

Your awesome Keith

[@juanmatos7949]

Hey Keith, I’m watching this video a year later men this video is deep I can relate to this video. I want to said thank you. I just quit my 8year landscaping job to chase mine…

[@LawnCareJuggernautShorts]

What up!!!!

[@GraciethePuppyDog]

Nice

[@BLAKEDILLONRACINGDEVELOPMENT]

Hey Keith, thanks for the inspiration. You got me started hell prob about 2015 at 11yo, grew up in a shop, going to school, and mowed yards every day. Now I'm 16, run my own mechanic business, LAWNCARE, getting into restorations, and my KZbin channel. Thanks for everything.

[@GraciethePuppyDog]

Awesome

[@blountcountybigfootresearc4500]

Sounds like my story but I started over at 30 and was yhe helper not the foreman. Now 7 yrs later im still in this shit but lead man and need to be running the company. So im done with this shit. Im starting my own bizz. This story sounds so much like mine . Best story bro I've heard and I feel your pain and joy🖤 this is so true all you said and lived thru.

[@lazcano10100]

you and Brian are good mentors 2021 is my fisht year on the bussines and yess no need money to star

[@isaachernandez4332]

Bro this was so good! Looking forward to you doing more of these

[@keith-kalfas]

Thanks Issac. You're welcome

[@waveexistence3512]

Listening to this as I’m landscaping 🔥 I plan on starting my own business next year with my brother. Starting off small. You really have inspired me to push myself to the next level. I’ve been doing this for years and I know I can make bank doing it.

[@christopherteer3462]

Love your vids brother! I watched your vid a year ago of you getting pissed and yelling and saying enough is enough and you were free. I quit my foreman job always being promised more and never getting it. Took me 8 months and started my own. Im now fully booked for 2021!!!

[@lijay_bankroll4609]

I appreciate your vids bro they help 💯

[@minidiggerhirecork4002]

Always great content from KK. Thanks again 👍💯

[@m4ckm4n59]

HEY KEITH. I know we'd all love to see your first videos you made!!?? go on put one together with the oldest stuff you got! You're a smashing bloke never stop doing vids mate :)

[@keith-kalfas]

Haha thanks Mack. I'll try soon.

[@pacman9669]

I watched a video that brought me to this video and damn man just listening is choking me up on how many of us have the same story

[@loganchaney5981]

You motivated me alot!.. wish we could talk on the phone

[@ronmcmahon7453]

How true how true how true !!!!🥰🥰🥰🍬🍬🍬

[@blountcountybigfootresearc4500]

New sub and in transition back to my love starting my own business..handyman bizz..I love your content, thanks

[@kschmitt27]

first year starting the business, wish me luck man gonna need it

[@jakegalsterer5555]

Just started my business KK been watching for a year and not going back to landscape boss this summer!

[@alexhenriquez3682]

Got 4 customers so far still working at my other job can’t wait to leave that job it’s kind of slowing me down but It’s paying the bills right now . Did a Easy yard clean up in the hills and they payed me 500$ and only took me a hour . Made way more than my regular job this landscaping open my eyes there’s big money to be made.

[@Mr.Oct___]

Great story. Even though I already know it, having been here w/ u for yrs now. & several products later. It's a bit diff from my own. But still gripping. I still relate to the pain and frustration.

[@robertblansett]

I def know this feeling….

[@LuLu-di1nd]

I love you bro this is for me

[@TopNotchPropertyServiceLLC]

Kieth I love you man this is so inspiring. I have done all sorts of work but was a mechanic and flat rate is the worst. I couldn’t make it work and was ready to do my own thing. I got yelled at for studying and listening to a podcast once and said fuck it I’m done. I’m going to work for myself now and never let anyone tell me I can’t learn and grow. I drove to the first clients/job working as my own boss and felt nervous but bliss and peace. I rolled the window down. Drove at my own pace and enjoyed the breeze on the highway and still managed to earn good money that day. I’ll never look back. Thanks for sharing your story you are amazing. So glad you broke the corporate world. Funny story is the podcast I listened to was actually your audiobook 😂

[@namhuynh8836]

in 2019 i work for a gardener 12 hours a day for 100 $ cash for 4 months , 2020 i start my lawn business and making good money now

[@garybartell7195]

Frito lays one of those companies just the number

[@loganchaney5981]

I make $27 a hour at my company and make more when I do peice work for them doing fire protection sprinkler systems.. I started a side lawn care business but I love being my own boss I work alone for my company I do it all myself.. I want to take the jump and do lawn care full time.. but it's scary I know I can do it i just need more time to get myself established with better equipment and all and more knowledge from men like you..

[@feliciaandmartinmartinez1154]

thanks again man

[@keith-kalfas]

You're welcome. Martinez.

[@davidhintz1806]

There IS a difference between being useful to someone else, and being useful to yourself.

[@alimon7421]

Greatest years spent behind a lawn mower.... Wow that hit close to home. I was in a same situation and i tried so hard to earn more. I would work 10 hour days 12 hour days for hardly any pay. I decided to quit that job because nothing i did, not my years of loyalty and hard work meant anything. I now look back and i wish i could have done it much sooner. I hear ya Thanx for your words!!!

[@namhuynh8836]

life is great when i get out of comfort zone

[@floridalawncareexpertsllc2817]

I know you've said it before keith, but why did you choose to not do mowing in your company? Thank you

[@feroshus1servin522]

I’m scared and alone and crazy as hell bro-bro. But hey at least I’m doing it and I won’t fail. Oh yeah gotta out of the place I’m staying by the end of the month. It’s all good because the mindset I have now can handle it.

[@tprimeau1]

Love the hat!

[@vvitofrank]

Whats up keith from long island

[@GraciethePuppyDog]

Awesome

[@keith-kalfas]

Yo! Sup Frank

[@topflightlawncarelandscape316]

I found a guy like you a while back....thank God lol

[@jeffreyguntle8631]

The day I snap, from working for another company. I dream like you. I was 19 I was working for Wal Mart. It was great at first. I what to be a store manager. I was with wal mart for 7 and half years. Like I have to train somebody else to be debt manager. In what to do. Like I just snap and I throw my name badge and quite. So I started my mowing bussiness. Now 10 years later still doing it, and keep get more work. Like now finally hit my milestone in making $500 a week. I work all year long, still growing, and looking at what else I need for the year

[@TrollHunterxXx]

That guy is totally not your friend … dude was trying to keep you down bro! Little did he know he was instrumental in your growth. Cool vid

[@micclay]

I never knew driving the truck and being responsible for the jobs made me a foreman and entitled to a raise. I was even more underpaid than I thought.

[@bynumtreeandlandscape7506]

It's December 4th, 2021. Are you coming to Arizona or nearby any time soon ??????????????

[@silvestrecruz1126]

Woooow that happens to me

[@freedomrings4134]

From 24:39 to the end is where I'm at now. I feel like it's just like having a second job. I'm a landscaper during the day and a office manager/ estimator in the afternoons and evenings. Eventually I'll start getting paid for the second part lol.

[@patbateman1830]

Hey Keith do you still have that iPod?

[@valleygirl670]

lol guess what, those old properties you used to cut. They are still getting cut with or without you. You do you. A person can be a leader or a follower. The world needs both.

[@felineprime4228]

Ditto brother. Here's the key which you've touched on before. Time passes extremely quickly and if people aren't careful they can find themselves repeating this horrible experience when they're 50 years old. No pension, no 401, just more labor and THATS a bad place to be.

[@JB-dr4cq]

Dang your still doing videos! Just got this recommendation haven’t watched since high school! What’s your next step after this stage?

[@GTFCEO]

Damn 440 bucks a week, I remember trimming for that 16 years ago. I took to long to take the jump and go off on my own, But the benefit is, I know how to keep overhead to a minimum and I love the "Sport" of Man Scaping haha. Slay On Guys, Slay On. Don't take Grass for granted! - Former Hard Scraper Gone Soft Again

[@AntonioPerez-nz3zu]

Im 24 and really hesitant to start my own business.i am a production manager for a landscaping company and i have 3 kids and feel im going knowwhere this was so inspirational i nearly cried because i feel god used you man to send me a message. Please keep up the work and grind thank you so much for your trials and tribulations🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽thank you sooo much. How can i reach out to you and get personal coaching please??

[@loganchaney5981]

❤️❤️❤️ you can do it buddy. I'm 34 with 2 kids and a wife and just bought our first new house.. got big mortgage payment and I'm a foreman for fire protection sprinkler system but cut yards on the side I started a side business 2 months ago and I'm so motivated to learn everything I can from all the amazing people that's started out with nothing.. I want to do it full time in the next 2 years it's hard and scary but I'm tired of working for other people I've been doing it for 10 years I make Decent money$27 a hour and I do peice work for them.. I average 60k a year it's hard to leave but I want to do lawn care for a living and be my own boss.. I have my 10 year old son working with me

[@nodrogskram1857]

Hope your doing it Antonio!

[@michaelbacile8439]

Man how do you get out of the boom-bust rut? Been running a interior demolition business for about 4 years now. It’s me and 1 other guy, we stay pretty busy. Enough that both of us are payed pretty well and we stay busy enough to not have to worry. I guess you could say we’re “comfortable”. We get busy for long stretches so I try to hire 1 more guy then the work dries up or shifts to smaller jobs. So the third guy ends up kind of standing around or opting not to come in because they’d rather have the time than work for 3-4 hours. Eventually quitting. Any strategy on handling those growing pains?

[@lewisreeves9843]

All kief wanted to do was drive the truck lol

[@isaachernandez4332]

Lol!! On the other side though, what would’ve happened if they let him drive? Would we know who K Kelfas was?

[@lewisreeves9843]

@@isaachernandez4332 I was just thinking the same thing

[@jonathanhaney5673]

The underlying message on this thread of comments just changed my point of view a lot. Been stressed. Quit my job of landscaping for 10 years now trying to run a business landscaping. A lot of working finding clients.