ATCP In The Canopy

Welcome back to "ATCP in the Canopy," the official podcast of the Association of Tree Care Professionals. In this episode, host and ATCP Committee Member Austin Lee sits down with Mark Goodpasture, owner of GE Tree Service in Petersburg, Indiana and a Founding Board Member of the ATCP.Mark's journey is one of grit, faith, and relentless growth. From running a skidder at 14 and starting GE Tree Service at 19, to a pivotal moment with a green disconnect notice that launched a flyer strategy he still uses today, Mark has built one of Southern Indiana's most respected tree care operations. Join us as he shares 33 years of hard-won wisdom on mentorship, hiring, pricing, and building a business that lasts beyond the owner.In this episode, you'll learn:0:00 - Introduction & Welcome to the Canopy0:33 - Midwest Weather & Storm Work Realities1:22 - From Logging Skidders to Starting GE Tree Service at 193:03 - The Disconnect Notice That Changed Everything6:28 - The Flyer Strategy That Never Stops Working9:09 - The Early Days: No Internet, No Mentors, No Community11:22 - Finding His First Mentor Through a Stump Grinder14:35 - Breaking the Mold: Professionalism in a Low-Bar Industry15:36 - Building a Tree Healthcare Reputation in Topping Country20:07 - Hiring for Core Values, Not Experience22:19 - Justifying the Cost of Training & Development24:17 - Know Your Numbers: Cash Flow vs. Net Profit27:00 - The Tree Matrix: A Scientific Approach to Estimating31:16 - Why Consistent Pricing Matters for Scaling36:25 - The Hardest Lesson: You Are the Bottleneck38:26 - The Birth of the ATCP & Why It Matters42:47 - Building Something From Nothing: The Startup Struggle43:10 - ATCP Certified Arborist & Certified Sales Arborist44:40 - Who Thrives in the ATCP Community45:45 - Succession Planning & Leaving a Legacy50:24 - Pet Peeves: Competitor Mindset & Disrespecting Groundsmen54:22 - Final Advice: Stay Humble, Seek Wisdom55:49 - Outro & How to Connect with MarkWhether you are an industry veteran or just starting your tree care business, Mark's insights offer invaluable lessons on perseverance, leadership, and building a company that outlasts its founder.About ATCP: The Association of Tree Care Professionals (ATCP) is dedicated to elevating the standards of the tree care industry through education, safety protocols, and professional networking.Subscribe to our channel to stay updated with future episodes of ATCP in the Canopy: https://www.youtube.com/@A.T.C.ProfessionalsLearn more about ATCP membership: https://atcpros.org/Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AssociationOfTreeCareProfessionalsConnect with our guest: GE Tree Service: https://getreeservice.com/If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the Like button and share it with your fellow tree care professionals!#ATCP #TreeCareIndustry #ATCPInTheCanopy #Arboriculture #TreeBusiness #GETreeService #Entrepreneurship #TreeCareProfessionals #Leadership #Mentorship

Welcome back to "ATCP in the Canopy," the official podcast of the Association of Tree Care Professionals.In this episode, host and ATCP Committee Member Austin Lee sits down with Brazzi Smith, owner of Precision Tree Care and Removal in Live Oak, Florida and head of the ATCP Membership Committee.Brazzi built his business from the ground up — starting with a newspaper ad, a borrowed Bobcat, and his wife holding a rope — into a thriving multi-million dollar operation. Join us as he shares his journey from first-time tree guy to full-fledged business owner, and the mindset shifts, equipment decisions, and hard lessons that got him there.In this video, you'll learn:0:00 - Introduction & Welcome to the Canopy0:26 - Meet Brazzi Smith: Owner of Precision Tree Care and Removal0:56 - Seasonality in North Florida & the Hurricane Factor2:23 - Making Hay When the Sun Shines: Weathering Slow Seasons3:20 - From Carpentry to Tree Care: How It All Started5:16 - The $1,100 Job That Sparked a Business8:30 - Selling His First $5,000 Job & Reinvesting Smart10:25 - Tree Guy to Business Owner: The Mindset Shift13:37 - Hiring Employees & Moving Into Sales15:06 - Why Equipment Can Make or Break Your Company20:35 - When to Buy, When to Rent: The Smart Growth Framework21:34 - Know Your Numbers: The Role of Accounting & Cashflow26:22 - Smart Growth vs. Growth for Growth's Sake29:36 - Why Brazzi Joined ATCP & Leads the Membership Committee30:04 - Collaboration Over Competition: The ATCP Vision37:08 - Industry Standards & the Case for More Regulation43:19 - Borrowing Knowledge: How to Learn Without Taking Deadly Risks45:46 - Lightning Round: Coffee, Pet Peeves & Chainsaw Brand of Choice48:34 - Best Advice for Anyone Starting Out in Tree Care49:01 - Outro & How to Connect with BrazziWhether you are an industry veteran or just starting your tree care business, Brazzi's insights offer invaluable lessons on smart growth, safety culture, and the power of collaboration.About ATCP:The Association of Tree Care Professionals (ATCP) is dedicated to elevating the standards of the tree care industry through education, safety protocols, and professional networking.Subscribe to our channel to stay updated with future episodes of ATCP in the Canopy:https://www.youtube.com/@A.T.C.ProfessionalsLearn more about ATCP membership: https://atcpros.org/Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AssociationOfTreeCareProfessionalsConnect with our guest:Precision Tree Care and Removal: https://www.precisiontreecareremoval.com/If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the Like button and share it with your fellow tree care professionals!#ATCP #TreeCareIndustry #ATCPInTheCanopy #Arboriculture #TreeBusiness #TreeRemoval #Entrepreneurship #TreeCareProfessionals #SafetyFirst #PrecisionTreeCare

Welcome to the debut episode of "ATCP in the Canopy," the official podcast of the Association of Tree Care Professionals.In this inaugural episode, host and ATCP Committee Member Austin Lee sits down with a titan of the tree care industry: Stefano Devigili.Stefano is an ATCP Founding Board Member and the Co-Founder of Grant Brothers Tree Service. Join us as he shares his inspiring journey from his early entrepreneurial beginnings to building one of the most respected names in tree care.0:00 - Introduction & Welcome to the Canopy1:42 - How Grant Brothers Treecare Started4:28 - Transitioning from Handyman to Tree Care6:22 - Advice to His 18-Year-Old Self: The Power of Focus8:04 - The Hidden Challenge: Admin Work & CRM Systems10:20 - Mindset Shift: Business Owner vs. Tree Guy12:25 - Building Loyalty Through Servant Leadership & Culture14:07 - Industry Pitfalls: Shiny Object Syndrome & Winter Planning17:36 - Staying Motivated Through Faith & Positivity20:04 - Why They Founded the ATCP (Association of Tree Professionals)26:06 - What Makes a Successful ATCP Member?27:53 - Lightning Round: Chainsaws, Pet Peeves & Energy Drinks30:25 - Stephano's Ultimate Calling: Full-Time Ministry31:39 - Final Advice for Beginners in the Tree Industry32:03 - Outro & How to ConnectWhether you are an industry veteran or just starting your tree care business, Stefano’s insights offer invaluable lessons on growth, professionalism, and community.About ATCP:The Association of Tree Care Professionals (ATCP) is dedicated to elevating the standards of the tree care industry through education, safety protocols, and professional networking.Subscribe to our channel to stay updated with future episodes of ATCP in the Canopy: https://www.youtube.com/@A.T.C.ProfessionalsLearn more about ATCP membership: https://atcpros.org/Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AssociationOfTreeCareProfessionalsConnect with our guest:Grant Brothers Tree Service: https://virginiatreecare.com/If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the Like button and share it with your fellow tree care professionals!#ATCP #TreeCareIndustry #GrantBrothersTreeCare #Entrepreneurship #Arboriculture #ATCPInTheCanopy