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E716. From Bartender to $30M: Jason Cromley’s Hidden Creek Success Story

⏱️ 1:02:11 🎀 Caleb Auman, Jason Cromley, Brittany Auman
AUDIO EPISODE
E716. From Bartender to $30M: Jason Cromley’s Hidden Creek Success Story
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Chapters

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  • 0:00
    Introduction & Sponsor Shoutouts
    Caleb introduces Jason Cromley of Hidden Creek Landscaping and thanks episode sponsors.
  • 0:36
    The Origin of Hidden Creek
    Jason explains the simple and humorous origin story behind his company's name, Hidden Creek.
  • 8:21
    From Bartender to Landscape Entrepreneur
    Jason recounts his humble beginnings, starting Hidden Creek with a pickup truck and bartending tips while in college.
  • 15:07
    The Green Industry's Collaborative Spirit
    Jason offers his theory on why the landscaping industry is so open and willing to share knowledge among competitors.
  • 23:34
    Lessons from Bartending
    Jason highlights how his bartending experience taught him essential sales skills and how to quickly understand people's needs.
  • 47:26
    Transition to Full-Time Entrepreneurship
    Jason discusses when Hidden Creek became his sole focus and the financial realities of growing a young business.
  • 57:05
    Learning Business Acumen with LMN
    Jason shares how adopting LMN software in 2015 helped him understand budgeting and business financials, marking a significant growth period for his company.
  • 1:04:19
    Building an Office & Taking Leaps
    Jason describes his bold decision to build their own office space, inspired by industry leaders, and the risks involved.
  • 1:18:53
    Embracing EOS & Leadership Growth
    Jason explains the impact of implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) on his company's structure and his personal leadership evolution.
  • 1:37:39
    Key Hires and Leadership Style
    Jason shares stories about pivotal early hires, including his first foreman and office administrator, and reflects on his evolving leadership approach.

Speakers

C
Caleb Auman
Host
J
Jason Cromley
Hidden Creek Landscaping
B
Brittany Auman
Host

Key Takeaways

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Leverage early experiences like bartending or customer service to hone sales and people-reading skills; understanding client expectations is key to project success.

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Embrace continuous learning in business acumen; tools like LMN software can be transformative for understanding budgeting and pricing.

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Don't be afraid to take calculated risks for growth, like investing in infrastructure or pursuing ambitious projects, even if initial feedback is discouraging.

✦

Implement structured operating systems like EOS to systematize operations, define core values, and foster a strong leadership team.

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Integrate personal life with business for unexpected benefits; coaching youth sports, for example, can enhance community ties and market presence.

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Prioritize clear and transparent communication with your team, including financial performance and company goals, to foster a shared sense of ownership.

✦

Focus on creating repeatable processes and systems (SOPs) if you envision multi-location expansion, ensuring consistency across different branches.

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