Shows
Blizzard & Bloom: Insights from the Ice and the Green SceneGetting Groovy in Grand Rapids: The Annual Snow & Ice SymposiumSend us a textWhat happens when winter professionals gather in the summer heat? Magic, connections, and serious business growth.The Snow & Ice Management Association's annual symposium is just days away, and in this engaging conversation, Martin Tirado shares why "Getting Groovy in Grand Rapids" is the can't-miss industry event of the year. Beyond the impressive equipment displays and educational sessions, the symposium creates a unique ecosystem where professionals of all experience levels exchange knowledge that transforms their operations.As Martin reveals, the business impact can be extraordinary. One attendee arrived with modest...
2025-05-3118 minBlizzard & Bloom: Insights from the Ice and the Green SceneSnow Fighting is No Longer Just About Having a Truck and a PlowSend us a text
2025-05-2832 minBlizzard & Bloom: Insights from the Ice and the Green SceneWhy Your Equipment Dealer Should Know Your Dog's NameSend us a text
2025-05-2735 minBlizzard & Bloom: Insights from the Ice and the Green SceneBuilding Better Landscape Businesses Through Strategic Supplier RelationshipsSend us a textGreg Thistle, Regional Vice President at SiteOne, brings 25 years of green industry wisdom to this episode, sharing how a curious 21-year-old evolved into a landscape industry leader. His journey reveals the surprising career trajectories available in landscaping—from entry-level positions to executive leadership—challenging the perception that trades offer limited growth compared to college-track careers.The conversation delves into what truly drives success in the modern landscape business: meaningful relationships. Greg unpacks SiteOne's "customer first" philosophy, explaining how being friendly, respectful, and solution-oriented transforms business interactions from transactional to relational. "When our...
2025-05-1637 minBlizzard & Bloom: Insights from the Ice and the Green SceneTechnology, Training, and Trust: The Future of Landscape SupplySend us a text
2025-05-1340 minBlizzard & Bloom: Insights from the Ice and the Green SceneBeyond the Green: Uniting an Industry of SpecialistsSend us a textEver wonder why the people who design our outdoor spaces, build our patios, and maintain our landscapes rarely talk to each other? Angelique Robb did, and she decided to do something about it.The founder of Synkd magazine joins Jay Rotonnelli to share her fascinating journey from petroleum engineering on oil rigs to revolutionizing how outdoor living professionals connect across specialized disciplines. Her unique background gave her perspective on an industry problem hiding in plain sight: fragmentation."We have all these silos," Angelique explains. "Landscape architecture is one, but...
2025-05-0644 minBlizzard & Bloom: Insights from the Ice and the Green SceneBeyond the Garden: Navigating Trust, Trends, and Timing in Landscape SupplySend us a textThe relationship between landscapers and plant suppliers forms the backbone of successful outdoor projects—yet few understand the complex forecasting, growing processes, and industry knowledge required to bring the right plants to the right place at the right time.Donnie Piccarello from Pearson Nurseries brings decades of horticultural wisdom to this enlightening conversation about what's happening in the nursery business today. With candid insights about post-pandemic plant availability challenges and thoughtful perspective on sustainability trends, Donnie articulates how the five-to-eight year growing cycle for many landscape specimens means today's planting decisions im...
2025-04-2928 minBlizzard & Bloom: Insights from the Ice and the Green SceneFrom Vision to Reality: A Designer's Journey Through Landscape CreationSend us a textMara Robinson's journey from entomology student to accomplished landscape designer reveals how finding your true calling can transform not just your career, but your entire approach to life. In this fascinating conversation, Mara shares how a chance encounter with architectural models in college led her to discover landscape architecture – a perfect blend of art, science, horticulture, and human psychology that immediately captivated her imagination.What truly sets Mara apart is her commitment to the full project lifecycle. Rather than simply creating designs and walking away, she remains deeply involved through implementation, en...
2025-04-2336 minBlizzard & Bloom: Insights from the Ice and the Green SceneThe Future of Landscaping is Tech-Driven, Professional, and Full of OpportunitySend us a textBrian Horn, editor-in-chief of Lawn and Landscape magazine, explores how the landscaping industry is evolving through private equity investment, technological advancements, and professional development opportunities.• Labor remains the top challenge, with companies focused on creating clear career ladders for advancement• Private equity investment continues to transform the industry with consistent mergers and acquisitions• Technology adoption accelerating with battery-powered equipment potentially replacing gas within five years• Autonomous mowers gaining traction, especially in residential applications through "robots as a service" models• Industry consolidation creating larger companies, with the Top 100 threshold...
2025-04-1529 minBlizzard & Bloom: Insights from the Ice and the Green SceneLeadership Through Liquid Innovation: Jeremy Kirkham's Journey at ClintarSend us a textJeremy Kirkham shares his 20+ year journey in the snow and ice management industry, from starting with a small landscape company to his current role at Clinntar Commercial Services where he's pioneering liquid applications and leadership development.• Started in the industry over 20 years ago, buying his first plow truck without telling his pregnant wife• Joined Clintar Commercial Services after being recruited to run a 34-acre campus contract• Prioritizes hands-on leadership and knowledge sharing between team members regardless of experience level• Implemented liquid applications at Clintar, using approximately 9,000 gallons throughout the wint...
2025-04-0337 minBlizzard & Bloom: Insights from the Ice and the Green SceneGrass Roots RevolutionSend us a textDiscover the evolving world of lawn care through the eyes of an industry expert who's navigating environmental regulations while delivering results that keep properties lush and healthy. Chris Galluzzo, Director of Account Management at Mainly Grass, pulls back the curtain on what truly makes lawns thrive – and it's not what most people think.The conversation challenges common misconceptions about lawn care, revealing why the health of your soil matters more than what you're putting on top of it. Chris shares how his company conducts detailed soil analyses to address the root ca...
2025-04-0136 minBlizzard & Bloom: Insights from the Ice and the Green SceneRisk, Responsibility, and Research in Snow ManagementSend us a textDavid Gallagher takes us on a compelling journey through his 30-year career in snow and ice management, from his humble beginnings with a shovel at age 13 to becoming a pivotal figure in shaping national industry standards. With candid storytelling and deep expertise, he reveals the three archetypes of snow professionals and how this categorization affects business approaches and personal satisfaction within the field.The heart of our conversation explores the critical work happening through the SIMA Foundation—the charitable arm of the Snow & Ice Management Association that's transforming the industry through re...
2025-03-2737 minBlizzard & Bloom: Insights from the Ice and the Green SceneWhy the trades need parents' buy-in to thrive againSend us a textWhat happens when someone with 42 years in the landscape industry decides to tackle America's skilled trade shortage head-on? Russ Marsan joins us to share his remarkable journey from grinding stumps on the North Shore of Massachusetts to becoming a leading advocate for trade education in Vermont.Russ takes us through his winding career path – from struggling student to successful business owner – revealing how each seemingly unrelated job actually built the foundation for his future. "While I thought I was taking five years off trying to find myself, I was just building know...
2025-03-2532 minBlizzard & Bloom: Insights from the Ice and the Green SceneCommunication with Snow Management is CriticalSend us a textIn this episode of Blizzard and Bloom, Jay Rotonnelli and Dean Outhouse discuss the complexities of snow management, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of weather, the importance of industry involvement, and effective client communication. Dean shares insights on the New Hampshire Green Snow Pro certification, the necessity of thorough documentation, and the ongoing preparation for the next season. The conversation also highlights the value of humor in the workplace to alleviate stress during challenging times.
2025-03-2023 minBlizzard & Bloom: Insights from the Ice and the Green SceneThe H-2B Visa Program: Breaking Through Labor ChallengesSend us a textImmigration attorney Megan Kirchner pulls back the curtain on one of the most valuable yet misunderstood tools available to landscaping, snow removal, and seasonal service businesses facing labor shortages. The H-2B visa program offers a legal pathway to temporary foreign workers, but navigating this complex system requires specialized knowledge and careful planning.Kirchner dismantles the persistent myth that H-2B workers represent "cheap labor," explaining that employers must pay government-determined prevailing wages that often exceed what they pay American workers. Add in travel costs, legal fees, and bureaucratic hurdles, and...
2025-03-1829 minBlizzard & Bloom: Insights from the Ice and the Green SceneWhy Your Brand Needs a Strong Strategic PartnerSend us a textOur conversation with Darci Knowles and Julie Machado highlights the evolving landscape of marketing and the importance of building strong strategic partnerships. We discuss how partnerships can help businesses not only navigate challenges but thrive through intentional marketing strategies.• The journey of Darcy Creative from inception to present • The significance of consistency in branding and messaging • Importance of strategic marketing in revenue generation • How creative strategies can enhance community engagement • The role of recruitment in establishing brand culture • Insights on the balance between creativity and strategy in marketing camp...
2025-03-1332 minBlizzard & Bloom: Insights from the Ice and the Green SceneGrowth, Relationships, and Sales Strategies in LandscapingSend us a textJoin us for an enriching conversation with Mike Skeats, a Senior Landscape Sales Professional at Piscataqua Landscaping, as we explore the ins and outs of building relationships in the landscaping industry. This episode dives deep into the significance of transforming transactional sales tactics into meaningful, long-term relationships with clients. Mike shares his personal journey in the landscape sector, shedding light on how genuine understanding and listening have become essential tools in his sales approach.Listeners will gain insightful strategies on managing client relationships, prioritizing emotional connections over mere transactions. Whether you're...
2025-03-1128 minBlizzard & Bloom: Insights from the Ice and the Green SceneBlizzard and Bloom W/ Kevin BattistoniSend us a textIn this conversation, Kevin Battistoni from Hunter Industries shares his journey in the irrigation industry, emphasizing the importance of technology, customer experience, and education. He discusses how the industry has evolved, the need for contractors to embrace new technologies, and the significance of providing exceptional customer service. Kevin also highlights the value of peer learning and collaboration among industry professionals to enhance overall performance and profitability. In this conversation, Kevin Battistoni discusses various aspects of running a successful irrigation business, focusing on the importance of flat rate pricing, company culture, self-awareness in leadership...
2025-03-0649 minBlizzard & Bloom: Insights from the Ice and the Green SceneHow Creative Thinking Can Revolutionize Snow ManagementSend us a textJoin us for an engaging conversation with Martin Tirado, CEO of SIMA, as we explore the fascinating world of snow and ice management. This episode goes beyond the usual logistical challenges to reveal the creativity and community spirit that fuel the industry. Martin highlights how innovative thinking and teamwork are crucial for overcoming challenges, especially given the recent unprecedented weather patterns.Discover the similarities between snow management and broader business practices, and learn how organizations can adopt a proactive rather than reactive approach to their services. From discussing the pivotal role...
2025-03-0427 minBlizzard & Bloom: Insights from the Ice and the Green SceneWeathering the Storms of BusinessSend us a textDive into the debut episode of "Blizzard and Bloom," hosted by Jay Rotonnelli, where we explore resilience and growth in the ever-challenging landscape of entrepreneurship. From blizzards to blooms, this podcast navigates the realities of the business world, emphasizing the importance of sharing authentic stories that reveal both the highs and lows of professional journeys. Jay draws on his 36 years of experience in the snow removal and landscaping industries to ground discussions in real-world examples. Listeners can look forward to engaging narratives filled with humor, lessons learned, and valuable insights on h...
2025-03-0412 min
Three Wise Guys™Think Like Chess, Not Checkers!Tune in as we talk with Jay Rotonnelli of Piscataqua Landscaping in Maine! We discuss growing your team and always staying a step ahead in the green industry.
2022-06-081h 00