In this inspiring and tactical interview, we sit down with Joshua Gamez, Founder and CEO of East Coast Facilities, Inc., to unpack the blue-collar blueprint for building an empire rooted in purpose, hard work, and faith.
Joshua, a first-generation Mexican-American, shares his journey from cleaning windows in New Jersey river towns to leading a dynamic multi-company organization. This conversation is essential for any entrepreneur facing financial hurdles, looking to scale their service business, or seeking to lead with a true mission.
Remember to tune in on Climbing. every month!
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
03:49 - Humble Beginnings: The First-Generation Mexican-American Journey
07:09 - Why I Became an Entrepreneur (and wanted to win)
10:58 - The Hardest Business Lessons: Revenue & Cash Flow Management
14:50 - The CEO's Crisis Mentality: "I Have Nothing to Lose"
17:14 - Navigating Financial Catastrophe (The "No-Snow" Winter)
18:46 - Why I Run To The Fight (The Power of Discipline)33:14 - Scaling Systems: Building a Digital Operations Manual
37:01 - Advice for New Entrepreneurs: You Can't Give Up / Embrace the Suck
46:33 - Lightning Round
49:10 - What Joshua Gámez Wants His Legacy To Be
Intro Music:
Title: Longer Wait
Artist: Ketsa
Source: Free Music Archive
License: CC BY 4.0
Outro Music:
Title: Tide Turns
Artist: Ketsa
Source: Free Music Archive
License: CC BY 4.0
From mowing lawns as a middle schooler to founding The Loving Companies and building NextDaySod.com, Mike Haynes has turned hard work, vision, and purpose into real impact.
In this episode of Climbing., we dive deep into his journey his “why,” the lessons that shaped him, and how he’s transforming communities while growing powerhouse businesses.
From custom landscaping to innovative software, Mike’s story is full of insights on leadership, resilience, and purpose.
This isn’t just a story, it’s a reminder that every step, no matter how small, can lead to something extraordinary.
Chapters:
01:38: Mike's Background and Work Ethic
03:03: College vs. Entrepreneurship
15:05: A CEO's Morning Routine
16:23: Navigating the Valleys through Mentors
27:02: A Guide to Mentors
31:54: Finding a mentor
36:14: Recruiting the Right Fit
45:44: Mike's Legacy
51:32: Rapid Fire Questions
Intro and Outro music:
Title: Tide Turns
Artist: Ketsa
Source: Free Music Archive
License: CC BY 4.0
Join us for an insightful conversation with Brandon Sheppard, a key force behind Weed Man's explosive growth and a sub-franchisor for the Southern Region. As a leader in the lawn care and landscaping industry, Brandon has built a legacy not just through business, but by developing people and elevating an entire industry.
In this episode, we dive into Brandon's unique journey, from growing up in a middle-class family in Ontario, Canada , to earning a law degree from West Virginia University with no intention of practicing law. Discover how the intellectual exercise of problem-solving from his legal education became a powerful tool in his entrepreneurial career.
We explore the challenges and rewards of working with family, as Brandon shares how he and his father, along with his younger brother, navigated building a business while maintaining strong personal relationships.
Brandon offers invaluable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of planning and adaptability. He stresses that while plans may be useless, the process of planning is everything, preparing you to be nimble when things go wrong. We also discuss the mindset needed to overcome doubts and setbacks, highlighting the power of surrounding yourself with good mentors and the humility to ask for help.
Finally, we hear Brandon's vision for the landscaping industry, focusing on how it can be seen as a solution for building healthier communities and addressing environmental challenges.
Remember to tune in on Climbing. every month.
-
Intro and Outro music:
Title: Tide Turns
Artist: Ketsa
Source: Free Music Archive
License: CC BY 4.0