In this episode of Titan Talks, Jonathan Stern interviews Jack McLiver, owner of Lake Huron Lawns. Jack discusses his transition from employee to entrepreneur, highlighting that the desire to have more family time and provide for them drove his decision. He began his landscaping and snow removal business part-time during the COVID-19 pandemic, inspired by a lawn maintenance YouTube channel and growing it amidst job scarcity from the recession. Jack shares the importance of using technology and software tools, focusing on customer service, and faster response times to inquiries. Lastly, he mentions the challenges of balancing time and the cost of equipment but takes pride in his company’s growth and the personal development of his employees.

Lauren Fink, the founder and CEO of Apex Painting, shares her unique journey into the painting business, driven by her entrepreneurial spirit and supported by her mentor and local painter Steve. Lauren emphasizes the importance of finding good resources, such as the Painting Contractors Association, and learning from others’ experiences.

Joshua shares his experience of going through hard times in life and how he developed a “no quit” mentality to keep pushing forward. He emphasizes the importance of being the best version of oneself for family, employees, and the community. Joshua also offers valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and emphasizes the importance of having a great team and constantly learning from others.