How to Build a $50M Business That Runs Without You | Greg Wittstock
How do you build a business that doesn’t depend on you showing up every day?
Greg Wittstock, better known as The Pond Guy, has spent 35 years turning his passion for water features into Aquascape, a multimillion-dollar business with approximately 130 employees that operates without his daily involvement.
In this episode of the Hardscaper Growth Podcast, Greg joins host Alex Cadieux to share the lessons that helped him go from installing ponds himself to building a company where his team runs the operations and he focuses on the future.
From a failed franchise model and a difficult family business partnership to economic downturns and learning to let go of control, Greg explains why some of his biggest setbacks became his greatest opportunities.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How to build systems that allow your business to operate without you
Why great leaders hire people who can become better than them
How to empower managers to make decisions and own the results
Why selling the experience matters more than selling the product
How to turn business failures into opportunities for growth
Whether you’re running a small hardscape crew or scaling a larger contracting company, this conversation is packed with practical lessons on leadership, delegation, resilience, and building a business that’s bigger than yourself.
🎙️ Hosted by Alex Cadieux | Hardscaper Growth Podcast
About the Guest
Greg Wittstock, widely known as The Pond Guy, is the founder of Aquascape, a leading manufacturer and installer of water feature products. Since starting his business in 1991, Greg has become a recognized entrepreneur, educator, author, and advocate for helping contractors succeed. Through Aquascape’s training programs, social media, and educational resources, he continues to share his passion for water features and the business lessons learned along the way.
Instagram: @aquascape_inc
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