Technology is no longer optional in the landscape industry. It is the difference between guesswork and real operational control.

In this episode of The Deal Factory, Jeff Harkness sits down with Bryan Mours, former Aspire leader and founder of Mours Enterprises, to break down how technology is transforming landscape businesses from the inside out. They discuss production management systems, reporting tools, asset tracking, robotics, AI, and what a modern tech stack actually looks like for companies that want to scale.

Bryan shares firsthand lessons from building Aspire through startup chaos to institutional investment, and what today’s contractors must understand about systems, integration, and data visibility. This conversation goes deep into how technology impacts margin, EBITDA, labor efficiency, acquisitions, and long-term enterprise value.

If you are building a landscape company that you want to scale, acquire with, or eventually sell, this episode lays out the infrastructure required to compete at the next level.

Key Discussion Points

• Bryan’s journey from 17-year-old landscape entrepreneur to Aspire leadership

• Lessons from building and selling multiple businesses

• Turning 4–5% net profit into 15%+ through software visibility

• Why many owners still resist production management systems

• The early startup days of Aspire

• What private equity looks for in tech adoption and reporting

• The modern contractor tech stack

• Robotics, battery-powered equipment & ROI reality

• AI in the green industry: hype vs. measurable EBITDA impact

• Why integration post-acquisition is undervalued

• Building scalable systems before bringing in institutional capital

Today under the Trump Administration, scrutiny regarding labor compliance, immigration practices and employment policies is at an all time high.

In this episode Jeff sits down with Todd Stanton, founder of Stanton Law and author of The 95% Rule, to break down why most employment issues are not surprises, they’re patterns. Todd shares decades of frontline experience helping business owners navigate HR, compliance, culture, and people problems before they turn into expensive legal battles.

From holiday parties and company culture to employee handbooks, misclassified contractors, and private equity readiness, this conversation delivers practical, no-jargon insights every growing business owner needs to hear.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Why hiring HR often reveals problems, not creates them

• The “95% Rule” and why most employment disputes are predictable

• Holiday parties, alcohol, and the hidden legal risks business owners ignore

• Contractors vs. employees: the costly mistake owners keep making

• Why culture decisions always come with legal consequences

• What investors and buyers look for in HR and compliance

What happens after you make the money? In this episode, Jeff Harkness sits down with longtime mentor and serial entrepreneur Brian Will to unpack why wealth without purpose leads to burnout and how real success is built.

Brian has built, scaled, and exited businesses across multiple industries, from landscaping and insurance to internet marketing and private equity-backed companies. In this wide-ranging conversation, Brian and Jeff dig deep into the psychology of success, the concept of a “success filter,” and why most entrepreneurs unknowingly sabotage their own growth. They explore the fundamentals that actually drive enterprise value: mindset, data-driven sales and marketing, margin discipline, and cash flow clarity. The episode closes with a powerful discussion on purpose, advisory boards, and why scaling leaders must surround themselves with people who have already been where they’re going.

Key Discussion Points:

• Why money alone never creates happiness or fulfillment

• The “success filter” and how mindset determines outcomes

• From blue-collar beginnings to multiple exits across industries

• Why business principles are universal, regardless of industry

• Passive vs. active growth strategies in the skilled trades

• Sales teams, data, and why margin matters more than revenue

• Cash flow, gross profit, and knowing your numbers

• The difference between peer groups and true advisory boards

• Finding purpose after an exit, and resetting your compass