Q&A How to Take on Jobs You've NEVER DONE Before

[@yjersey]

Greatest video ever!!!

[@Dirtmonkey]

Great video Keith! By the way YES- never turn down a job, Take it on and then figure out how to do it. I have lived that way my whole life. Sometimes you win-sometimes you lose but YOU ALWAYS LEARN!! So in reality-you always win because your learning.

[@caseyjohnson7002]

Preach, Brother

[@keith-kalfas]

Haha Thanks Casey Johnson, Good Stuff

[@bondjamesbond5949]

Your awesome man

[@daytonbrown6109]

So glad I found this blog....

[@JayFordham]

Hey man you are cool I like the way u word things I subscribed to you already keep doing these videos they really do help !!

[@patinocody]

Keep the Add videos coming!!!!!

[@marioarellano6304]

Thank you for all your videos its been helping me a lot. Every Time I watch your videos it makes work harder to grow my business.

[@javvoltage9632]

One of the realist videos 💯 💯

[@heribertocardenas5769]

u r my mentor man

[@phillipthomas2753]

im learning from you man.

[@rbljackson]

Dude...this is one of my favorites!! I had to go back and watch it again tonight because I needed the peptalk again. We share the same anxiety and stress. A. D. D, its not a disorder, its a superpower and im glad I have it!!! Its 1:15 am, and im up learning, and improving. Keep pumping them out Keith!!

[@keith-kalfas]

+rbljackson haha a superpower.

[@ualawncare4513]

most people I know that have A.D.D. are some of the wealthiest most creative people that you want to be, around to drive your business to a new level. these people have real world experience over written knowledge or knowledge that you get from a university.

[@garymontague7293]

bro... I could watch your videos all day!

[@alvindueck8227]

Maybe you need to write a book about your business experience. I think there's a lotta guys who need to hear from a fella like you.

[@keith-kalfas]

+Alvin Dueck keithkalfasbooks.com

[@alvindueck8227]

Landscaping Employee Trap & Window Cleaning haha, had no idea you did. the power of words, I speak and BOOM, it's already done lol. stay awesome Keith

[@mtnrnnr50]

Best REAL video I've ever seen! Small Business problems.

[@vonmoh5854]

Epic video. Just what I needed to see tonight. Thank you brother.

[@acasher80]

This is my favorite video so far! So much truth and nuggets. Thank you!

[@brianbrill5175]

So true

[@jamesphillips2952]

Dude, you're literally the best guy ever. I love the level of truth and reality in your videos.

[@omargavarrete1629]

Awesome video bro thanks

[@basicwrench4510]

Sunday Night 2:35am, wait it's Monday am.. and I'm in my cave and have been for hours... 4 years of project management for a med sized ( 4 - crews 2 mill/ year company) landscape, concrete , business. One thing lead to another and I broke away after being approached from a national manufacturer to be a local (150 miles) Installer of Artifical Grass. 2 weeks in I get referred to a full backyard remodel opportunity.. after the walk through a few days ago I can see exactly what the homeowner and know I can make good money within his 35-40k budget... I'm kicking myself in the ass for not paying more attention to what cost what on the retail side.. As project manager I was successful to meet time and budget goals but feel "anxious about getting the retail number for stone retaining walls / Lin ft, Stamped Patio / ft. , 4ft stamped steps, Stone vaniered columns with low voltage lighting.. ect. I'm thinking subbing my ex boss to run my old crew to do this project while watching and recording how he gets competitive numbers. QUESTION FOR ADVISE. Kieth , what do you feel is a fair agreement when putting this project together? I'm torn.. I can figure it out but thinking if I can make a few thousand bucks and let him make the rest (8k -10k) might be worth the learning experience. ( guessing if I went for it without my old crew the profit might only be 6-8k ) but fk it may be 13k , I just don't know..!?!?!? Blaaaa lol

[@wfdrum]

Very good stuff thank you for sharing your experience

[@WarriorWillTv]

Man bro! What caught my eye about you was the total honesty and bravery of your words! This is the ONLY thing that helps people. So thanks Keith!

[@christiansanchez5228]

Thanks for this--i'm a business owner too and you described me to the T Funny but good to know I ain't alone

[@glennthomas9878]

Excellent love it

[@MrTommylew1]

love how real you are man. Landscaper from the UK. love your vids. peace

[@keith-kalfas]

Thank You!

[@FunkmastaJoe]

you earned my sub!! good advice!! keep it up!

[@briantran3791]

The mindset is so growth oriented.

[@heithpike3125]

I'm new to landscaping and I'm rolling laughing right now! At the 5:00 min mark you're talking about worst case scenarios! ME! I'm currently quoting a trim job for a million dollar home and I'm sweating bullets just because all this is so new to me. I don't want to underbid or overcharge. I've enjoyed watching your story and seeing your journey. Thanks for the videos

[@randymikhaiel933]

Elliot hulse comes to mind when he talks about complacency. If there's no imminent danger your just going to cruise along, but if you've got two angry dogs with blood in their eyes chasing after u, you will run your ass off. That's what happened with that big job that u did your first year. If you didn't go through that experience then you wouldn't know what u know now. Off to bigger and better jobs. I bet you can't wait for that next big anxiety attack so you can grow to the next level. I'm fortunate I don't suffer from that kind of anxiety, I just jump in and cross that bridge when I get there.

[@keith-kalfas]

Yeah man that's awesome most of the entrepreneurs I talk to you say they don't have the anxiety issues that I have.. So for a guy like me growing the business is probably like 10 times as hard.. that's great though because it helps the guy who are newbie..bla bla bla.

[@randymikhaiel933]

Honestly though sometimes I wish I wasn't so laid back. That anxiety keeps you sharp and always looking for the next pitfall. I would say more proactive then reactive. Embrace it. Look how far you've come in such a short amount of time. That's all thanx to your anxiety! ☺️

[@Mo-OhioTreeRemoval]

Where I come from that room is called The Office.. So no offense is ever taken by your choice of office space. Love that accent of that customer you always make!

[@srbmowingllc594]

Been there done that

[@Wolfinizer]

Man your a Hero. Sharing this kind of information to help us New guys move past the fear. My friend... god bless you and your family. Your obviously not making a ton of money from the youtube views... so from the bottom of my heart thank you for sharing and teaching.

[@keith-kalfas]

+Victor Kwasnikow thanks bro

[@tombolinorest.6827]

Great video bro !

[@keith-kalfas]

Thanks man

[@louiszurlo6307]

I was a contractor for years not landscape but in over my head many times on jobs. Lots of lost sleep and anxious days. Before youtube and the internet, when you had to actually consult with somone or you were fucked. Later, I became the consultant, I was referred to as the expert. Well earned praise. Relationships and sharing widom were vital. Which is why your channel rocks.

[@dafluent1]

Man they need to put your videos up for high school students and let these kids see what the world is really like. Your so on point that its rediculous. True MOTIVATION!!!!

[@luisluna8858]

Haha my boy!! that's why I watch your videos

[@aaronthurman8363]

Great Video! Honestly, I have never had an interest in the landscape/construction side of things but stuff like this puts me in the mindset of really revving things up with my own business plan.

[@GHD1972]

Great video. Been there before myself being unsure if my bid was too high or low.

[@phoenixstormcrow]

This is some real talk here. Great video, keep 'em coming.

[@bondjamesbond5949]

I'm going through similar things while being in the process of running my business.What your saying is pure reality.Thanks for the video man good to know I'm not the only one that feels like this.

[@joshchilds6093]

ohh man i get so nervous sometimes. its stress of the work and not the actual work its self thats hard for me. i always feel like time is just pushing so hard on every job. i dont know how people handle the really large projects. good vid man.

[@keith-kalfas]

I completely understand. it's that pressure that molds you though.

[@jordanhousewashingandlands4241]

I agree. when your standing 'too close' to a project, especially one your not familiar with, it's easy to miss the forest because your standing to close to a tree! stand back and look at the big picture... and then tag on an extra 200 to 500+$ for BS. That helps cover the bull#### that is sure to happen during the project. I also like to add a PITA charge to clients who have an attitude problem and are a Pain In The Ass (this helps keep my sanity!) so I feel like the added stress was worth taking on the project.

[@GaetanDellaPietra]

Excellent !

[@alvindueck8227]

Ok. I just started a window washing company a few years ago. I've never done a 6 tiered apartment building before and the other day I gave a quote for two of them. it's still winter here, will be for a while yet. but I decided I'll start booking work now already for this work season. even though I'm still a really small company and the few accounts I get wouldn't pull me through for three months worth of living, I've always doubled the amount of clients every year. sure, maybe I'm not pushing myself hard enough, but like I tell others; you can't rush perfection.

[@mattswanson8947]

This talk hit me in so many ways. You have made me better at what I do. Get shit done even when I have to question myself on what I no. I have gone to you tube a ton to clue me in on how to get the job done. And Pros that show me how easy it would be for them.

[@jayt4084]

brother thank you so much for this I needed to hear things like this me kind of just going through these same things and with my life being at this point I needed to hear everything you said in this video you helped me realize so much and helped me think that it's okay to just be human and fucked up and that life is full of trails and tribulations. I can't thank you enough for posting all you're videos and sharing all of your experience's.

[@sundaze3525]

I was wondering if you were going to mention you tube. I have learned a lot on KZbin.

[@permabear]

I didn't like u at first.. ( i thought you were cocky). But now i know ur real and like your advises...

[@apexwindowcleaningservices4457]

Don't feel bad Keith, paranoia keeps you safe. I am the same way. I always think up worse case scenarios but because of that I also think up how to avoid these things from happening. Embrace the paranoia my friend.

[@superiorlandscapes8708]

Way to go buddy, a true wordsmith!

[@springguntunes]

"Learn this shit." Thanks man. That's why I subscribed to your channel. Balls? I'm getting into this business and just celebrated my 59th birthday! Because I'm sick of 35 years in industry where "they" control me, piss me off, lay me off when they close the factory. I got "demoted" five months after my "promotion" and I still don't know why. So, I'm going to my local community college to learn turfgrass and horticulture. Selling my beloved bass boat to buy a mower and trailer. You encourage me. I'm subscribed to four channels including yours who give good advise. I'm old enough to know shit from shineola pretty good. Thanks again man. I greatly appreciate this.

[@jamesl4379]

Hey Keith, I appreciate you taking the time to address my question. You did a great job. I can relate to a lot of what you talk about. You've got bigger balls than me taking on that $20,000 job your first year. I can only imagine how stressful that must have been. I love how you're out there watching youtube videos right on the customers property learning as you go that's awesome. Where there's a will there's a way, right. Best of luck to you and your business. Keep up the great work man.

[@keith-kalfas]

for sure man. cool

[@lukeeidson2283]

great video bro got a question for you. how do you stay focused with so much going on to be able to be productive have ADD ? i was dianosed with ADD/adhd at a young age this is my first year in the mowing business runing my own company worked for landscaper for 3 years here in 2 years planing on adding landscaping to my mowing company Eidson Services Hutchinson ks

[@keith-kalfas]

one word.. Meditation. I meditate every day for 30min. without meditation I'm a nervous wreck brotha.

[@lukeeidson2283]

The Landscaping Employee Trap honestly thats something ive never tried ill have to give it a shot, got nothing to lose thanks man

[@greenbymeirrigationinc.1191]

Meditation is great and all but, you never replace lost sleep. Get some!!

[@abelfekadu687]

Dude I love u man! Especially for this video, I share those same anxiety thoughts and we think the same. The way you talk is exactly me. It's almost like looking in the mirror. The fact you stay up late at night trying to figure shit out, etc...felt like you were speaking my thoughts.Everything you say sounded like me(not coming from a rich family,etc) Anyways I feel maybe anxiety is a gift in a way because it keeps us on our toes and never satisfied so we can always go and achieve higher and better things. Our anxiety wont let us settle for average because we're in constant fear of failing/worst case scenarios. Good job Keith, keep on going...I'm happy for you man.

[@11TwentyThreePM]

Yo bro, i'm trying to start up a landscaping company out of Long Island. Trying to get my truck on the road. I cant tell u how many times i did a job that i didnt know how to do while watching a youtube tutorial lol. RESPECT to you for saying that u do the same!!

[@jljunkremoval5524]

your videos are helping me a lot in my junk removal business and now thinking about doing garden maintenance and tree trimming, any advice which direction to go first???? thanks

[@John-viheavyequipment]

dude I can tell you get just as crazy about learning as I am right now reading books about business and watching videos and learning sometimes intill way to late and sometimes I get cought talking about this stuff and just going on like you getting so excited about lol I just got some business cards out some realters and really advertising going from 1000 a month doing side jobs after work too 4000 a month I hope bro and then full time bro

[@keith-kalfas]

haha. nice.

[@CaliforniaCarpenter7]

Old saying in construction goes: "Fake it 'til you make it" I majorly underbid a job when I was about 24. Simple 1500 feet of barbless wire fence, t-posts every 10 feet and the guy provided all materials. I bid the job at $1500 figuring I'd be finished in 3-5 days MAX. Didn't realize that the soil I was pounding posts into was sun baked rock/clay, and it literally took about 90 whacks per post. Then came the wooden posts every 100 feet... Had to rent an industrial jackhammer to dig the holes. Still drive by that fucking fence once in a while, nightmares.

[@Sammy-gm9bh]

How about black strap molasses for magnesium supplement

[@ualawncare4513]

Can you do a review in did kinds of arborist ladders verses climbing material for cutting trees down or pruning trees?

[@jacoblafrance9953]

Man, I have just started taking on Lawns and things are going great. Until about a week ago and this guy called me wanting a paver patio put in. I am on day 4 and still not done. The first day was straight digging. The second day I was feelin' good and thought I would knock it out until BOOM, rain. It's been raining for two fucking days and there is mud and sand everywhere. Dude to make things even more stressful the guy will stand over me and watch me work. So, when i get to a point where I'm like "What the fuck am I going to do" the guy will chime in and say so what are you going to do. I just want to say "Well I don't fucking know" LOL. Luckly it's stopped raining last night and today, so as soon as the shit dries out I'm back in the game. Man mother nature has definitely shown me that she owns my ass. That's all I have for today. Thanks for the video. This shit helps.

[@nissawysf9442]

Your video awesome , i completely empathize with you , it takes serious courage to do it . Sunday morning i m Maning up to a job i have never done before since yesterday I'm so anxious and my stomach started turning { hi 5 from NOLA }

[@chriscollins8496]

Haha this is the way I run my life I can sell anything then go nuts figuring out the correct process!!!

[@Theguys_guide]

Keith, is the company your only source of income? Or do you have side or part time gigs to make up income in down times?

[@keith-kalfas]

I have other streams of income but they're top secret

[@urATEup4serious]

That feeling is 100% accurate.

[@keith-kalfas]

100%

[@emme197990]

We can't never get a real answer if it is not asked to the real best "KEITH"! LOL. BRO keep keeping it real! Been there done that and thanks for all your videos! I relate alot to you brother god bless! 👍

[@ScorpioandSebek]

This is the realest shit I've heard about running business

[@scottw4083]

are u a.d.d ?? hha me too brutha , it's a blessing !

[@AnimalMother85]

Pressure makes diamonds.

[@tyroune2222]

I just got a clean up work about $1400 and the most ive ever quoted is $675. I run a basic maintenance business. I know i can do the job, im quite nervous and i have right tools. Im going to give it a try.

[@johnguerard1355]

I don't know if you answered his question but you answered mine. Your videos are so very influential for me and I know when I speak that there is others that feel that way to. Thank you for all you do bro, You rock !!!.

[@keith-kalfas]

Thanks my friends. trying to keep it real.

[@thecalichris1149]

Haha funny as hell, man. BADASS. This video will get me through.

[@Maczust63]

Man i love you videos dude you always talk about shit I'm thinking about... You helped me in saying fuck jobs grow a set and start a business so i did and i realized i had to get over the ego and say " I don't know shit" and ask people for advice and figure out as much as a can and take small calculated risks or chances. I started a corporation got my business number yesterday and I'm getting all my accounts going tomorrow so hell yea. thanks!

[@aaronm.3398]

I was just listening to wayne dyer cd "excuses be gone" a awesome line that brought me back to this video was "Fear knocked on the door, Love answered and nobody was there."

[@keith-kalfas]

+Aaron Morgan amazing

[@MarkMcPeak5895]

Awesome brother, and thank you! Thanks for your honesty! You expressed what I feel but am afraid to express--ha. Had/have these issues as a fledgling business started from nothing!

[@jonathanmcgregor6785]

I just saw you on Ryan going up the hill by Hamlin lol nice truck n trailer

[@keith-kalfas]

small world. was heading to the dump... then back to a job were doing at 24 & Mound.

[@jonathanmcgregor6785]

I just got a lawn job at 24 & mound lol, my 8th customer I think :D Very small world lol

[@laurencemathewriggs8023]

what books do you lison to on business.

[@BigLui2909]

I came out the womb with a brick in hand lmao. Nice one!

[@fid420]

"I'm afraid dude", now thats real life.

[@keith-kalfas]

haha, I don't care about ego. I just want to tell the truth

[@PrimoLandscaping]

I agree with you Keith that personal growth can come from overcoming challenges. It is wise to surround yourself with competent resource people who are willing to help you learn various new skills you can apply to your business.

[@loganmayes8583]

Hey I love your videos man! I'm 14 and have a mowing business, I just got into landscaping because of you, thanks! I just has one of these situations happen to me. A customer wanted me to take out their old grass and put down grass seed. I wasn't sure how long it would take me but I made a good bid and landed the job. You just have to go out and do things. I want to thank you for all the courage that you have given me! I also wanted to ask, I think it was you that posted a video about a website that had things for really cheap prices. If that was you what was the name of the website? Thanks, Logan Mayes

[@richardmercado6285]

I went through the same thing when I had just started a few years ago I took on a lot of work on top of my gardening route I was having like mental breakdowns and when I asked my dad for advice he was like I don’t know you’ll be fine I never went through that, yea right ok thanks buddy... btw by dad is also a landscaper

[@robertswelch]

so me dude nice but every time I try to go to Craigslist it kicks me out

[@alternativeedgelandscaping5763]

I thought I was watching myself in this video! Your doing great man you are a normal stressed out business man trying to figure things out. Just understand not everything is an emergency some things can wait, we can just get overwhelmed fro time to time and thats where the anxiety comes in to play. Just keep pushing forward things that are hard now will be easier later and then you can tell more stories.

[@keith-kalfas]

yes man, I used to wonder why my old landscape bosses would throw s*** around and scream hahaha

[@JoseDiaz-hk2om]

lmfao u put water on dem and dey grow xD bro u one funny dude man

[@johndoyle6657]

Seem like a load of stress for a nominal return. Baby steps, Baby!

[@coreycurtis2627]

Fuck n awesome video man. well done video. thank you for videos like this !

[@Essays4College]

FACT: Most people who have these big titles in the corporate world would not last a month if they had to start and run their own business.

[@dasfitness1901]

What about how to price jobs you've never priced before?

[@keith-kalfas]

haha, that's a good one. actually that's a great one. and can be a frustrating one if the clocks ticking.. I'll make a video on it asap.

[@iceee187]

Danny Smith I kinda have a idea on this. Just started my own tree service. Whatever you initially quote is DOUBLE IT! At least for the newbie tree service, thats what i've been finding out.

[@josephfoster4164]

Yes.... Screw football!!! And TV!!!!! I just the hustle. I recently started a cleaning company but I do store front windows just to get some cash. I don't mind the labor at all. As long as I can vacation when I wish, go to my sons sports games and have a choice in my day to day life is what's important to me.

[@thersten]

+Joseph Foster Watching the greatest football game will never feel as good as when you yourself score the touchdown.

[@josephfoster4164]

I've played football and more than half my life. Winning many championships and countless points. I'm very familiar with the feeling. "How far do you wanna to go by "Ramon Tru Dixon". Read about me.

[@thersten]

+Joseph Foster I think you missed my point. I don't want to read about you. it's about scoring one's own touchdown, not watching someone else score on TV.

[@tylerpittmon7936]

This shit is golden!!! I'm soo glad you want to be different and are willing to divulge this info. I don't know about you, but that is exactly how I feel when I don't know something. I want to learn. Great videos man. I keep going back and watching them every time I need motivation to enter this business world.

[@keith-kalfas]

very nice my friend

[@randymikhaiel933]

It would be cool to see your ritual on meditation. I could use some insight.

[@canpeon777]

You're a crazy man but everything you said is true

[@keith-kalfas]

+fernando saavedra haha thanks

[@adammckenzie1873]

i thought i knew till u said i don't know what i think i know u know what he knows but she knows and he knows so what now. u know?

[@drewchristenson7967]

I understand what your saying Keith but here is my biggest concern with doing that...I'm not going to talk like im actually in business I've only done my OWN work a handful of times but looking to change that....anyways I have had interactions in the past working for others as the Forman and one thing I noticed alot of people like to have an idea of how the job is going to be done sometimes before you even know the job is yours.....what if it's something you have never done before and you tell them year and right then and there they ask how you usually do it or how it will be done in general what do you do then???

[@nickphire]

great videos my dude! thanks for sharing info... motivation $$$

[@jaudi1017]

Great video man...you inspire me so much to grow my balls and get out there and do it lol. I stumbled across this video b/c I wanna start a business with my twin brother landscaping and I haven't done it in a while. Just wanna say thanks for what you do, my balls are growing fo sho lol

[@ndleinahaystack]

Dude I really screwed up this past week. I got a call from 2 potential customers, one with a 2,000,000 dollar home and the other with a 1,000,000 dollar home. I over priced them both on my quotes and now I may not be able to get work in their towns again if the word gets out. Shit!!! I didn't over charge on purpose but out of ignorance of what other guys were charging. I was ready to put all of my equipment on craigslist and sell it after that fiasco. I think I'm going to have to carry bottle of vodka in my truck just to calm my nerves before I give a quote.. lol jk

[@keith-kalfas]

ok, chill out Bro. it's 1 little isolated event. I'll make a video for you right now. look for it in 20 min.