Dave Franklin made his name as The Block’s head landscaper... now he runs one of the biggest landscaping businesses in Australia.
From The Block to Open Homes Australia, Dave shares the wild stories you didn’t see on TV... tight turnarounds, blowups behind the scenes, and how he used it all to build a multi-million dollar empire.
This one’s full of lessons, laughs, and loose truths from a bloke who’s been there.
👇 Chapters
0:00:55 Dan's night teeth grinding and dentist
0:05:26 Introducing today's guest, Dave Franklin
0:08:30 Why landscaping, and how did you get into it?
0:11:26 How did Dave know to go to Toorak and talk to the good architects?
0:12:59 Advice for young people in business today and the journey
0:13:35 Problem clients and learning from mistakes
0:16:00 Being on top of your staff and paying for a service/staff on phones
0:17:24 Lows, highs and challenges and transparent pricing
0:21:55 Sweet spot for staffing levels in landscaping
0:23:30 Expenses, margins, and paying yourself/rewarding work
0:25:28 The business process from design to landscaping
0:27:05 Change in the landscaping business, more creativity
0:29:48 Shift in landscaping and getting on The Block
0:32:40 Marketing the business on TV
0:34:57 Competitors and animosity
0:36:00 Planning jobs for the Block and watching the show
0:37:48 Did the Block help the business and your career?
0:39:20 Size of jobs before and after The Block
0:40:00 Cost of pool jobs and excitement from jobs
0:42:12 Having a crack and taking opportunities, difficulty on The Block
0:45:36 Other TV gigs and pool shows, and cost of pools and pool cleaning
0:52:36 Building teams, and team culture and efficiency
0:57:20 How are you retaining the best staff?
0:58:30 Working through COVID
1:01:27 Picking your clients and building relationships and trusts
1:02:56 What advice would you give to up-and-comers?
1:04:38 Starting a business with a partner or by yourself with staff?
1:06:10 Thanks to Dave, and goodby
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