Ep 70. Building a Business That Runs Without You w/ Greg Wittstock

03/17/25 • 32 min

On this special episode of The Cost of Doing Business, I sit down with longtime friend and mentor Greg Wittstock, CEO and Founder of Aquascape. We dive deep into the real, messy journey of transforming a hobby into a thriving business, creating a company culture that lasts, and empowering a team strong enough to run the show without you.

"If you're working IN the business, you have a job. If you're working ON the business, you have a company."

Greg’s straightforward advice years ago was the catalyst that inspired me to start my own company, SynkedUP. Today, we revisit those life changing moments, discussing how setbacks can become stepping stones toward bigger successes, and why letting go is key to growth and entrepreneurial freedom.

This conversation is real, raw, and packed with lessons every entrepreneur needs to hear.

If you're interested in learning more about SynkedUP, check us out:

SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software https://synkedup.com/

"If you're working IN the business, you have a job. If you're working ON the business, you have a company."

This conversation is real, raw, and packed with lessons every entrepreneur needs to hear.

If you're interested in learning more about SynkedUP, check us out:

SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software https://synkedup.com/

Previous Episode

Ep 69. Growing a Family-Owned Landscaping Business w/ Joel De La Paz

I’m at the HNA Expo in Louisville, recording live with Joel De La Paz from Nuñes Outdoor Living, a family-run landscaping business in northern Michigan.

Recording podcasts at tradeshows like this—where we get to sit down with our customers, hear their stories, and learn from their experiences—is one of the most fulfilling parts of what we do. Joel gets real about the biggest challenges they’ve faced—figuring out their financials, keeping cash flow steady in the off-season, and navigating the dynamics of running a business with family. We dig into how he transitioned from being hands-on in the field to building processes that actually scale, and why networking, mentors, and the right systems (like SynkedUP) made all the difference.

Give them a follow them on Instagram: @‌nunezoutdoorliving

If you're interested in learning more about SynkedUP, check us out:

SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software https://synkedup.com/

Next Episode

Ep 71. Lessons from an Aquascape Artist of the Year - Joe Genovese.

In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend and fellow pond builder Joey Genovese from Genoscape Inc. They’re a full-service landscape construction company specializing in water features.

Joey’s been in the game over two decades, evolving from general landscaping to becoming one of the most respected water feature specialists in the industry. We dig into everything, from slogging through mud at early Aquascape builds to installing 100-ton boulders in Southern Africa. We talk about surviving the 2008 crash, downsizing smart, building a niche brand, and most importantly... knowing your numbers.

It’s an unfiltered, real convo about what it takes to go from scrappy craftsmen to sustainable business owner, and the mindset shift that makes all the difference. This ones for you if you're a builder, creator, or business owner trying to make your work profitable and purposeful.

Follow Joe on Instagram: @‌genoscape_inc.landscaping

If you're interested in learning more about SynkedUP, check us out:

SynkedUP - Landscape Business Management Software https://synkedup.com/