Unfiltered Turf Ep 4: From Struggles to Thriving Financial Coach | We go on John Pajak's Turf

John Pajak joins David Bratton to share the failures, career changes, and hard lessons that shaped his approach to business and financial coaching. From starting Johnny Boy Lawn Care without understanding his costs to rebuilding with Turf Tamer, John explains how his experience became the foundation for helping other business owners. David also opens up about Mallard Island’s transition toward compost top dressing and lawn leveling. CHAPTERS 00:00 Meet John Pajak 01:03 Why Equip Expo is about the people 04:19 How John got into lawn care 08:23 Starting Johnny Boy Lawn Care 11:56 Working hard and still losing money 13:40 An old Ford, AM radio, and Dave Ramsey 15:06 Closing the business and rebuilding 16:04 From lawn care to teaching and construction 20:15 Becoming a certified financial coach 21:22 The dangerous work that changed his direction 24:16 Starting over with Turf Tamer 26:30 Helping owners understand their numbers 27:29 How Budgets, Breakevens, and Bottom Lines got its name 29:42 Coaching businesses and building a framework for growth 34:08 Moving from mowing to fertilization and weed control 35:01 Mallard Island’s shift to top dressing and lawn leveling 36:26 Comparing project revenue with mowing revenue 40:01 Letting go of longtime customers 42:45 Building a schedule around project work 44:07 Why estimates need boots on the ground 45:42 Equipment, hills, and the Earth & Turf 410 49:25 Investing in equipment to reduce physical labor 51:15 Loading compost and choosing a work truck 56:51 LCR Summit and Equip Expo plans 01:02:57 Cornell Mack’s Win in Life event 01:05:45 The Equip Expo Morning Show 01:09:34 Pod House and booth takeovers 01:11:17 Building friendships in the industry 01:12:33 How to connect with John TAKEAWAYS • Doing excellent work doesn’t automatically mean you’re pricing profitably. • Understand your overhead and expenses before deciding what to charge. • Revenue and profit are different—compare the costs and time behind each service. • Longtime customer relationships can make a business transition emotionally difficult. • Inspect properties in person to catch slopes, access issues, and equipment limitations. • Build a business around your goals, capacity, and the work you want to keep doing. GUEST John Pajak Website: johnpajak.com Podcast: Profits with Pajak Coaching: Budgets, Breakevens, and Bottom Lines Lawn care company: Turf Tamer Lawn Care HOST David Bratton Unfiltered Turf Mallard Island Lawn Service info@mipromedia.com