The Roots of Success: Transforming Landscapes and Lives with Steve Griggs

0:01Boom! Shake the room, Fire Nation. JLD here and welcome to Entrepreneurs on Fire. are brought to you by the HubSpot Podcast Network, the audio destination for business professionals with great shows like Business Made Simple. Today, we'll be breaking down the roots of success, transforming landscapes and lives. To drop these value bombs, I brought Steve Griggs into EO Fire Studios. Steve is a bestselling author. He's been featured on Grant Cardone's show Power Players, featured in Forbes.com, Huffington Post, and The Wall Street Journal. Straight from New York, he always tells it like it is, the good, the bad, the ugly.

0:36And today, if our nation will talk about the misconceptions of landscape architecture. We'll talk about surviving for 40 years as a New York business mogul and so much more. And a big thank you for sponsoring today's episode goes to Steve and our sponsors. The Gold Digger Podcast, hosted by my good friend, Jenna Kuchar, is brought to you by the HubSpot Podcast Network, the audio destination for business professionals. The Gold Digger Podcast helps you discover your dream career with productivity tips, social strategies, business hacks, inspirational stories, and so much more. A must-listen episode is one of Jenna's recents on everything you need to know about affiliate marketing.

1:14Listen to Gold Digger wherever you get your podcasts. Ever thought of giving a TEDx talk? It's one of the most powerful ways to share your message with the world, and four-time TEDx speaker Taylor Conroy from Thought Leader can help you get there. Visit thought-leader.com to join Taylor's free training where he teaches you how to land a TEDx talk and spread your message to millions. Steve, say what's up to Fire Nation and share something that you believe about becoming successful that most people disagree with. Super excited to be here, John. I know we had this planned for a while. What I think about success is that a lot of people think that it's really easy.

1:55Like, oh, you just get to drive around and get vacations you want. But what they really don't No, it's like, it's super hard. It's high risk, high reward. And I work all the time, right? So nothing is easy in life. That's what I can say about that. Everybody thinks it's easy, but it is not. Fire Nation, the roots of success, transforming landscapes and lives. And Steve, I live in Puerto Rico and every day I get to enjoy amazing views, amazing landscaping. Thanks to our mutual friend, George Mulligan. and you believe that landscapes can be sources of inspiration, of rejuvenation. Tell us more. John, I know that you love the outdoors and you love walking around your property and the beautiful scenery.

2:47So I think inspiration, even if it's a simple rock outcrop, you design a rock outcrop. You can put some boulders somewhere. It's just a sense of life and rejuvenation, especially with COVID. Everybody can be outside and it just breathes all life into you. It's a whole environment inside and outside should be as one. That's what I believe. One thing that I think is a problem out there is that there's a lot of misconceptions, some serious misconceptions about landscape architecture. Let's talk about those misconceptions now. I think a lot of people, they didn't realize that, oh, there's a landscape architect that designs the outside.

3:34They're familiar with architects that design the house, but they've been trained to do roof rafters and pitches of roofs and interior space. We do everything to do with the outside. So we had to learn about plants, soil conditions, drainage. It's a whole nother genre of architecture. It took me seven years to get the architecture degree in landscape. Fire Nation, seven years. I mean, we're talking almost the same amount of time that it takes to become a doctor, including residency. I mean, think about this. What's another misconception about landscape architecture? A lot of people think, oh, I don't need a design.

4:13We can just put it together without that. So one of the misconceptions about that is you really do need a design because the design dictates the whole experience, right? Without a proper design, you have over budgets, headaches, projects and plants in the wrong position, the wrong plants. The design is the most important part of the entire project by far. Now, you believe that we can actually transform our lifestyle and our property value through landscape design. Tell us how, Steve, and give us a couple examples. Well, very simple. Your lifestyle, when you're inside, you want to entertain outside.

4:55You actually expand the outside. Everybody goes outside. You have the fire pit. You have the outdoor kitchen. You have the pervola, the outdoor TV. So you can create this whole vibe that's outside, even with the swimming pools, right? So you put these different elements in the outside, and people get to enjoy the outside more, right? You have your family, your friends over. as far as the property value, by far, it's been proven. I think it increases property value by at least 20%. People like privacy, right? People like to have their own space outside. So that increases the property value. If you do like a slick job on the curb appeal, curb appeal is when you're driving by the property and you're selling the house and the property looks clean and neat and has flowers, it definitely raises the property value and more people will be attracted to purchasing that home possibly.

5:41I can vouch for the privacy thing. In fact, that's what our buddy, George Mulligan, helped me out with recently. I was like, George, I don't want people from the road to be able to see into my backyard. Because let's be honest, it's Puerto Rico. It's pretty warm usually. Kate and I don't always have to have an abundance of clothes on when we're back there and we're swimming and doing our thing. So George came over, this, that happened. And guess what? You can't see a thing from the road anymore. That privacy, to me, has just brought up my enjoyment level to the nth fold of being in the backyard.

6:16Because now, every car that drives by, I know that they're completely blocked. I don't have to even worry or think about a thing. And to me, that's awesome. And then, of course, that property value. I mean, Fire Nation, who doesn't want a 20 % increase in property value? So real quick, Steve, beyond just the privacy that we talked about, what's another example of how you can transform your lifestyle through this correct landscape design? I mean, by creating different areas in your backyard, like you have, like I'm sure, like I remember seeing some of the pictures, you have like some sitting area, you have a walking area.

6:51So you create these different areas and you're walking around with your cup of coffee in the morning and your flip flops and the nice Puerto Rican sun, right? So you're outside walking around. I mean, it's just a whole different vibe. You don't have to worry about people looking at you. You can walk around in your skivvies if you really wanted to, John, right? It's the birthday suit time. Come on. I didn't want to say, but I'll let you go there. I mean, it's just a whole lifestyle thing. Who doesn't want to be able to walk outside and enjoy the outdoors? I mean, seriously. Now, I used to live in New York City, specifically Tribeca.

7:26I loved it. I loved walking everywhere. I love the public transportation. I love the energy, the vibe. But man, I can tell you, it can be a hard city as well. I mean, it can be tough. I mean, there's a reason why they say, if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere. New York, New York. Now, you survived 40 years as a New York business and you came out on top, brother. How did you accomplish this mightiest of mighty feats? The podcast is Entrepreneurs on Fire. Love the name. I mean, it's really just grit. I mean, 40 years. I'm 63. I've been doing this 40 years, right? I mean, 2008, everything tanked.

8:05I think the biggest thing, how do you survive, is always, always do what you're going to say you're going to do, right? Just be upfront with people. Be honest. That's why the book's called Straight Dirt. Tell it like it is. When you're from New York, as you know, people don't hold back. They're going to tell you whether you like it or not. And I think that people appreciate the truth. Too much fluff going around. Tell the truth. We don't like fluff in the Northeast, Fire Nation. I'm from Maine. Steve's got that New York energy. We're going to get rid of the fluff. Let's just say adios. Now, we have a lot more to talk about around this topic and more when we get back from thanking our sponsors.

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11:49That's thought-leader.com slash fire. See, we're back and you believe a designer can take their client's dreams and turn them into reality. How is this accomplished? Asking a lot of questions. You know, listen, my job is to become the hero of your backyard. I can only, you know, guide and coach you along the way by doing this as long as I have and having all the education and installing hundreds of thousands of plants and bushes and projects. My job is to take you from your vision and turn it into a reality, right? That's, you just walk them up the mountain down the path. That's the best way I can explain through 3d renderings and good design.

12:37People can actually paint, you can actually paint the picture before they actually spend$1. The hero of your backyard. I mean, think about that, Fire Nation. What a lovely, eloquent phrase. And I can actually just now picture our friend George. He just sat at the base of my yard for hours on a little stump and with a little sketch pad, and he just let his imagination run wild. And what he created was a masterpiece, and it's something that I'm just not capable of doing. Like I'm running entrepreneurs on fire. This is my area of expertise. I love going to people and have them shine in their areas of expertise.

13:19That's what Steve does with landscaping. That's what George does with landscaping. These guys know how to be creative, how to create magic, how to become the hero of your backyard. Now, you believe that we should not choose our landscaped architect based on price. Why is that? Well, you see a lot of these online design people and you can get a design for$300 or whatever. I think like what George was saying is that you need to boots on the ground, meaning I need to walk on the property, smell the flowers, look at the scenery, talk to the kids, find out exactly how you're going to use that space.

13:58Don't go with the cheapest guy. My theory is do it once and do it right, especially with the design. The design will dictate how the entire project is going to go. By far, do not pick a landscape architecture solely on price. I can tell you what, Fire Nation, George was not the cheapest option by a long shot. But this is a place I was going to spend 90 % of my waking hours. You think I was going to go for the cheapest price? I was going to go for the person who could bring the most beauty and enjoyment to a space. And so I love this concept. Now, landscape architecture and landscape design are not the same.

14:42Tell us more. Landscape architecture to me seems a little, you know, rigid, let's say, a little rigid. When you talk about landscape design, it becomes more of an art form, right? So like George, myself, the backyards are my art form, right? It's like my blank canvas. That's where I really get the inspiration from is going out in the backyard and designing it through the artistry of what it's supposed to look like or what it could look like. They're used interchangeably a lot, the two words, but the design is more of the artistry, I believe, and should not be part of the construction project, right?

15:18Design it properly first, and you can always fill in the blanks with the cost. And then the budgeting and the cost is a whole other thing. We're talking about painting the picture to get what exactly what you want for you and your family's enjoyment. That's the starting point. Fire Nation, I think this is a powerful conversation. And I want to take the rest of the time we have here today to talk about Steve's book, Straight Dirt. Steve, why did you write this book? Who is it for? Thank you, John. The book is a labor of love. The book is 30 years of projects that I've done over the years and basically looks inside the world of my design and my projects that I've done throughout the tri-state area.

15:59It's really for the homeowners to get them a little educated on what is possible in your backyard. And the straight dirt part of it is there's different sections. It's mainly a picture book and shows all the projects. The straight dirt is like to take the fluff out of the design part of it. because if you do a lot of contracting, especially in New York, you need to be told what this project is going to cost. You want to know what you're getting into before you start digging a hole in somebody's backyard. That's really why the book was written. Labor of love for sure. As you know, writing a book is not an easy task.

16:33It's not an easy task, Fire Nation. It truly is that labor of love. So Steve, if Fire Nation wants to consume your labor of love, where do they go? What do they do? Listen, I'm new to this Instagram and all the social media, but by far it has helped me tremendously. The book you can get on Amazon, but go to social media. Go to the Instagram, Steve Griggs Design. Fire Nation, Steve Griggs Design. And you're the average of the five people you spend the most time with. You've been hanging out with SG and JLD today, so keep up that heat. And for links to everything we talked about, just visit eofire.com.

17:09Type Steve in the search bar and the show notes page will pop right up. Steve, I want to say thank you, brother, for sharing your truth, your knowledge, your value with Fire Nation. For that, we salute you and we'll catch you on the flip side. Thanks, John. Have a great day. Hey, Fire Nation, a huge thank you to our sponsors and Steve for sponsoring today's episode. And Fire Nation, successful entrepreneurs accomplish big goals. That's why I created the Freedom Journal to guide you in accomplishing your number one goal in 100 days. And we're talking step by step. visit thefreedomjournal.com and I'll catch you there or on the flip side.

17:45The Gold Digger Podcast hosted by my good friend, Jenna Kuchar is brought to you by the HubSpot Podcast Network, the audio destination for business professionals. The Gold Digger Podcast helps you discover your dream career with productivity tips, social strategies, business hacks, inspirational stories and so much more. A must listen episode is one of Jenna's recents on everything you need to know about affiliate marketing. Listen to Gold Digger wherever you get your podcasts. Ever thought of giving a TEDx talk? It's one of the most powerful ways to share your message with the world and four-time TEDx speaker, Taylor Conroy from Thought Leader can help you get there.

18:22Visit thought-leader.com slash fire to join Taylor's free training where he teaches you how to land a TEDx talk and spread your message to millions.