The Landscaper's Guide to Modern Sales & Marketing

The Landscaper’s Guide To Sales and Marketing is a weekly video and podcast series dedicated to helping lawn and landscape contractors attract more of the RIGHT customers to Increase Profits + Enjoy A Better Lifestyle. Hosted by Amazon best-selling author, keynote speaker, and Ramblin Jackson CEO Jack Jostes, this show is packed full of the latest green industry sales, marketing, and business trends to keep your business growing in the right direction.

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The Landscaper's Guide to Modern Sales & Marketing

Why Grit Beats Experience in Hiring

July 04, 2025 • Jack Jostes • Episode 278

What does it take to lead a multi-state snow and landscape company, when you didn’t grow up in the industry?

In this episode of The Landscaper’s Guide, Jack Jostes sits down with Eddy Zakes, CEO of Earth Development, to explore how grit, values, and systems fuel business growth.

Eddy shares:

What it’s like to acquire and lead a company as an outsider to the industry
How Earth Development builds long-term partnerships with clients and service providers
His personal discipline—training for an Ironman while running a growing company
Why hiring for grit, not just experience, makes all the difference

If you're thinking about leadership, recruiting, or scaling with purpose, this one’s for you.

🎧 Listen in and get inspired to build a business (and life) that aligns with your values.

Show Notes:

📺 Watch the full episode + read the transcript: https://landscapersguide.com/podcast

🌐 Learn more about Earth Development:
https://earthdevelopmentinc.com

👤 Connect with Eddy Zakes on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/eddyzakes

🎥 Want a video like this for your business?
https://ramblinjackson.com/video

📅 Catch Jack at upcoming events:
https://landscapersguide.com/events