Inner Circle
← Back to Library
Content

Ep 050 – Playing the long game: 40 Years of with Gene Freeman

πŸ“… March 13, 2025 ⏱️ 31:51 🎀 Tommy Cole, Gene Freeman

Chapters

Click to jump to section

  • 0:00
    Introduction to Gene Freeman
    Tommy introduces Gene Freeman, co-founder of K&C Landscaping, highlighting their 40-year journey and growth in Dallas, Texas, and Oklahoma.
  • 1:40
    Prioritizing Maintenance Contracts
    Gene explains how K&C Landscaping shifted its focus from design-build to prioritizing maintenance for recurring revenue and stability, especially after the 2008 recession.
  • 3:37
    Tactical Maintenance Growth
    Gene outlines strategies for increasing maintenance contracts, including educating clients upfront about ongoing costs and leveraging existing relationships.
  • 9:20
    Leadership Team Development
    Gene details the evolution and structure of their 10-member leadership team, emphasizing human capital and empowering divisional roles.
  • 13:40
    Running Effective Leadership Meetings
    Gene describes their structured monthly leadership meetings, including agenda setting, financial reviews, issue resolution, and project planning.
  • 16:50
    Profit Sharing and Employee Growth
    Gene discusses their 20% profit-sharing program, its impact on employee motivation, and the importance of career development opportunities.
  • 25:00
    Hosting GROW 2026
    Gene shares the exciting announcement that K&C Landscaping will host the GROW conference in Dallas in 2026, highlighting their readiness and the benefits of such an event.

Speakers

T
Tommy Cole
Host
G
Gene Freeman
Co-Founder, K&C Landscaping

Key Takeaways

✦

Prioritize recurring revenue streams like maintenance contracts to stabilize your business, especially during economic downturns, by making them a forward thought, not an afterthought.

✦

Educate clients upfront about the long-term maintenance costs associated with their projects to secure ongoing contracts and build trust from the beginning.

✦

Implement a structured leadership team and regular, agenda-driven meetings to streamline decision-making, address issues proactively, and foster cross-departmental understanding.

✦

Develop a transparent profit-sharing program to incentivize employees, increase engagement, and provide tangible rewards for company success.

✦

Invest in continuous learning and professional development for your team by attending industry events, which not only brings back valuable insights but also empowers employees by giving them a platform to share their learnings.

✦

Cultivate a culture where relationships matter at all levels, fostering trust with clients by consistently delivering on promises and proactively budgeting their needs.

✦

Create clear career paths and opportunities for advancement within your company to retain talented individuals and prevent them from seeking opportunities elsewhere.

Want the full experience?

Join the Inner Circle for full access to every episode, AI-powered insights, personalized coaching, and a network of industry leaders.

Join Inner Circle β†’

Inner Circle Membership Portal © 2026 Power100. All rights reserved.

power100.io