Advertise on podcast: Unfiltered Turf

John Pajak joins David Bratton to share the failures, career changes, and hard lessons that shaped his approach to business and financial coaching. From starting Johnny Boy Lawn Care without understanding his costs to rebuilding with Turf Tamer, John explains how his experience became the foundation for helping other business owners. David also opens up about Mallard Island’s transition toward compost top dressing and lawn leveling. CHAPTERS 00:00 Meet John Pajak 01:03 Why Equip Expo is about the people 04:19 How John got into lawn care 08:23 Starting Johnny Boy Lawn Care 11:56 Working hard and still losing money 13:40 An old Ford, AM radio, and Dave Ramsey 15:06 Closing the business and rebuilding 16:04 From lawn care to teaching and construction 20:15 Becoming a certified financial coach 21:22 The dangerous work that changed his direction 24:16 Starting over with Turf Tamer 26:30 Helping owners understand their numbers 27:29 How Budgets, Breakevens, and Bottom Lines got its name 29:42 Coaching businesses and building a framework for growth 34:08 Moving from mowing to fertilization and weed control 35:01 Mallard Island’s shift to top dressing and lawn leveling 36:26 Comparing project revenue with mowing revenue 40:01 Letting go of longtime customers 42:45 Building a schedule around project work 44:07 Why estimates need boots on the ground 45:42 Equipment, hills, and the Earth & Turf 410 49:25 Investing in equipment to reduce physical labor 51:15 Loading compost and choosing a work truck 56:51 LCR Summit and Equip Expo plans 01:02:57 Cornell Mack’s Win in Life event 01:05:45 The Equip Expo Morning Show 01:09:34 Pod House and booth takeovers 01:11:17 Building friendships in the industry 01:12:33 How to connect with John TAKEAWAYS • Doing excellent work doesn’t automatically mean you’re pricing profitably. • Understand your overhead and expenses before deciding what to charge. • Revenue and profit are different—compare the costs and time behind each service. • Longtime customer relationships can make a business transition emotionally difficult. • Inspect properties in person to catch slopes, access issues, and equipment limitations. • Build a business around your goals, capacity, and the work you want to keep doing. GUEST John Pajak Website: https://johnpajak.com Podcast: Profits with Pajak Coaching: Budgets, Breakevens, and Bottom Lines Lawn care company: Turf Tamer Lawn Care HOST David Bratton Unfiltered Turf [email protected] Producer Mr. Producer https://www.instagram.com/mrproducerusa

What does it really mean to win in life? In this episode of Unfiltered Turf, David Bratton sits down with Cornell Mack for a conversation that goes far beyond lawn care and business. Cornell shares his journey from working multiple jobs and putting in 80–90 hour weeks to discovering lawn care, building his own business, growing a following, and creating a community around his “Win in Life” message. But the real story is deeper than business. Cornell talks openly about fatherhood, family, failure, relationships, legacy, personal growth, and the decisions that shaped the man he is today. He explains why he believes winning in life isn't necessarily about becoming a millionaire—and why breaking negative cycles and leaving your children a better legacy can be a win in itself. This is a conversation about work, family, purpose, and figuring out what success actually means. This is Cornell Mack: How to Win in Life. This is Unfiltered Turf. Connect with David: [email protected] Connect with Cornell: https://www.instagram.com/mack_landscaping412 Sponsor Mallard Island Lawn Service: https://www.miprolawn.com Connect with Mr. Producer: https://www.instagram.com/mrproducerusa

From mowing lawns to building a movement. In this episode of Unfiltered Turf, David Bratton sits down with Naylor Taliaferro, The Lawn Care Rookie, for a conversation that goes beyond the business. Naylor shares his journey from retail manager to lawn care business owner, the evolution of LCR Media, and how his passion for helping others has grown into something much bigger. We talk about the LCR Summit, taking place two days before Equip Exposition, and his mission to help lawn care professionals grow their businesses, become better business owners, and build something that lasts. Real stories. Real people. Real conversations. Join us as we step onto Naylor’s turf and dig a little deeper. Connect with David: [email protected] Connect with Naylor: www.facebook.com/lawncarerookie https://www.instagram.com/naylor_lcr_taliaferro LCR Summit tickets: https://www.lcrmedianetwork.com Connect with Mr. Producer: https://instagram.com/mrproducerusa

Guest host Chris Ringgold kicks off the debut episode by pulling back the curtain on the man behind the show. David opens up about growing up in Cabot Arkansas, serving in the Army National Guard, working the streets of Little Rock, and experiences that shaped his career. This conversation also dives into memorable stories from owning a Limousine business, with celebrity encounters. You will also hear the guys tell an entertaining story from their Undercover Vice Detective days. If you enjoy stories about blue collar business, law enforcement, entrepreneurship, and people who built their own path, this debut episode is the perfect place to start.