Inner Circle
← Back to Library
Content

34-Years Together: Grow Your Numbers & Treat Your Team Like Owners | Gene Freeman & Chris Strempek

📅 November 26, 2025 ⏱️ 59:37 🎤 Marty Grunder, Jean Freeman, Chris Strempek

Chapters

Click to jump to section

  • 0:33
    Guest Introduction
    Marty Grunder introduces Gene Freeman and Chris Strempek from Complete Land Sculpture, the 2026 Grow Show hosts.
  • 1:17
    Complete Land Sculpture Overview
    Chris and Gene describe their roles, the company's business mix, ideal client, and unique value proposition.
  • 11:26
    The 5/10 Rule
    Gene explains their customer communication policy, the '5/10 rule,' which ensures timely responses to client inquiries.
  • 17:35
    Company Evolution & Grow 2026
    Gene and Chris discuss how Complete Land Sculpture has changed since last hosting Grow in 2016 and what attendees can expect in 2026.
  • 26:22
    Team & Culture
    Chris and Gene detail their approach to team management, including H2B workers, career paths, and fostering a family-like culture.
  • 34:03
    Community Involvement
    The hosts share various ways Complete Land Sculpture gives back to the community, emphasizing intentionality.
  • 37:22
    Relationships Matter
    Gene elaborates on their core belief that 'relationships matter at all levels' and how it drives their business.
  • 40:20
    Leadership Style & Private Equity
    Chris discusses how his leadership style has evolved and both share their perspective on private equity in the industry.
  • 49:41
    Advice to Younger Selves
    Chris and Gene offer advice to their 25-year-old selves, focusing on seeking advice, understanding financials, and developing people.

Speakers

M
Marty Grunder
Host — Owner, Grunder Landscaping Company & Grow Group
J
Jean Freeman
C
Chris Strempek
Founder and President, Complete Land Sculpture

Key Takeaways

Implement a '5/10 rule' for client communication: respond to inquiries received before 5 PM on the same day, and inquiries after 5 PM by 10 AM the next business day, to enhance customer satisfaction.

Develop clear career paths within your company to demonstrate growth opportunities for team members, encouraging retention and professional development.

Actively foster a culture of care and appreciation for your team, celebrating milestones and providing support, as this directly impacts morale and productivity.

Be intentional about community involvement by integrating giving back into your business plan, which can also generate goodwill and attract new clients.

Prioritize continuous learning and self-development, seeking advice from consultants and peer groups to stay adaptive and address business challenges effectively.

Understand your financial numbers beyond just revenue, focusing on KPIs and profit margins to ensure sustainable growth and prevent outgrowing your systems.

Build bridges, not dams, in all relationships—with clients, vendors, and team members—as strong relationships are the 'secret sauce' for long-term success.

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 →

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

power100.io