Starting a Landscaping Business? Do This First

Jul 19, 2026

In this episode, Keith Kalfas explains how to turn a side hustle into a legitimate landscaping business by setting up the right legal, financial, and marketing foundations. He breaks down when to form an LLC, apply for an EIN, open separate business bank accounts, prepare for taxes, and secure general liability and workers’ compensation insurance. Keith also shares practical guerrilla marketing strategies for landing more local customers, following up on estimates, collecting customer information, and turning one job into several more within the same neighborhood.

Drawing from his own experience of earning more than $5,000 in profit in a single week after learning a new service, he explains why continuous learning, confidence, positive expectancy, and relentless follow-up are essential for growing a profitable landscaping business. Whether you are still working a day job or already taking on customers, this episode offers a straightforward roadmap for building a business that is organized, protected, and ready to grow.

 

"Confidence is your belief in your own ability to figure things out.” – Keith Kalfas

 

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• When to register an LLC and apply for an EIN

• How to separate your personal and business finances

• Why Keith recommends setting aside up to 30% for taxes

• How owner’s draws work before putting yourself on payroll

• When to purchase general liability and workers’ compensation insurance

• How to find an accountant who understands service businesses

• Simple guerrilla marketing strategies for landing local customers

• How “five-arounds” can generate jobs from neighboring properties

• Why you should collect every customer’s contact information

• How following up multiple times can help you close more estimates

• Why confidence comes from trusting your ability to figure things out

• How positive expectancy and continuous learning create new opportunities

• Why communication with your family becomes essential as your business grows

 

Key Takeaways:

• Separate your business and personal finances early.
  

  Form the appropriate business structure, apply for an EIN, open dedicated business accounts, and keep every business expense separate to make bookkeeping and taxes easier.

• Protect your income by planning for taxes and insurance.
  
  Set aside a portion of your profits for taxes, work with an accountant, and get general liability and workers’ compensation insurance as soon as your business requires it.

• Consistent marketing and follow-up drive growth.
  

  Use door hangers, business cards, neighborhood outreach, email marketing, and repeated follow-ups to turn estimates into customers and one completed job into several nearby opportunities.

 

Connect with Keith

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keithkalfas/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelandscapingemployeetrap
Website: https://www.keithkalfas.com/resources
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@keith-kalfas

 

Resources and Websites: 

Build Your Site: https://www.keithkalfas.com/ReBolt

Call Tracking Software: https://www.keithkalfas.com/CallRail

Start Getting Leads Now https://www.footbridgemedia.com/keith

The Untrapped Alliance: https://www.keithkalfas.com/alliance

Resources You Need To Build A Successful Business https://www.keithkalfas.com/resources

🙋♂️Get My Free Landscaping Business Startup Video Series Here👇 
Here https://www.keithkalfas.com/Landscaping-Series

Landscaping Course https://keith-kalfas.mykajabi.com/store/8bFERMcs

LANDSCAPING BUSINESS 
How to Guide: https://www.keithkalfas.com/16

Get Jobber: https://getjobber.com/im/ambassador-referral/?gspk=a2VpdGhrYWxmYXM4NTIx&gsxid=Rs6pwtznLDcs

Get Ballard: https://www.ballard-inc.com/

Easy Budgeting Blueprint: keithkalfas.com/budget

Smartphone Video Creation Guide: Keithkalfas.com/smartphone

Identifying Your Superpower: Keithkalfas.com/superpower

Become An influencer And Monetize Your Expertise: https://www.keithkalfas.com/influence

Multiple Ways to Monetize: https://www.keithkalfas.com/multipleways

LevelUp Your  Landscaping Business to $100K and beyond: https://www.keithkalfas.com/LEVELUP