ATCP In The Canopy
ATCP in the Canopy is the official podcast of the Association of Tree Care Professionals, hosted by Austin Lee. This show is all about elevating the tree care industry—one conversation at a time. Each episode brings you candid, inspiring discussions with the people who live and breathe tree care: from seasoned arborists to business owners shaping the future of the field.
We dive into the realities of running a tree care business, from the hands-on craft of arboriculture to the strategy, culture, and systems that make a company thrive. Expect insights on safety, professional standards, mentorship, and lessons learned from the people who have climbed every branch of the industry.
Whether you’re an aspiring arborist, an experienced tree care professional, or someone passionate about elevating standards in your work, ATCP in the Canopy gives you the tools, stories, and perspective to grow both your business and your craft.
ATCP In The Canopy
ATCP in the Canopy | Ep 9: The #1 Tree Guy - Jake Seidenstricker of Jake's Top Notch Tree Service
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Welcome back to ATCP in the Canopy, the official podcast of the Association of Tree Care Professionals. This episode dives into the story of a guy who built a thriving tree care business from a garage sale hustle and a borrowed chainsaw. Get ready for a conversation packed with hard-earned lessons on pricing, leadership, and giving back.
Host and ATCP Committee Member Austin Lee sits down with fellow ATCP Committee Member Jake Seidenstricker, owner of Jake's Top Notch Tree Service. Jake built his company from nothing into a respected, multi-truck operation known throughout Minnesota for its professionalism and community involvement. Join us as he shares his unfiltered journey from a rocky start to becoming a business owner, mentor, and pillar of his community.
In this episode, you'll learn:
0:00 - Introduction & Welcome to the Canopy
0:59 - How Jake Got His Start in Tree Care
3:27 - Building the Business From the Ground Up
4:53 - The Rough First Year in Business
6:20 - Learning to Price Jobs Profitably
8:16 - Trial, Error, and Finding Mentors
9:15 - Why Jake Believes in Collaboration Over Competition
11:10 - Surviving the Make-or-Break Early Years
12:38 - Diversifying With the Mobile Tree Spa
13:35 - The Hardest Part of Tree Work: Capital & Credit
14:35 - Reliable Equipment as a Business Strategy
15:03 - Today's Biggest Challenge: People & Culture
16:00 - Diversifying Into Government Contracts
16:29 - The Shift From Tree Guy to Business Owner
17:25 - Building a Team That Elevates the Culture
18:22 - Professionalism on the Job Site
20:13 - Letting Go of the Reins
23:08 - Job Site Planning & CRM Systems
26:27 - Becoming a Better Leader
27:55 - Personalizing Growth for Employees
29:19 - Tracking Profitability With Data
30:47 - Switching CRMs and What Changed
31:43 - New CRM Features: Photos, Lead Maps & Routing
34:31 - Building Trust With Honest Sales Conversations
40:17 - Creating Recurring Revenue With Plant Healthcare
42:13 - The Power of Community Service
44:11 - How Giving Back Built Customer Loyalty
46:07 - Why Jake Joined the ATCP
48:59 - The Biggest Lesson Since Joining
50:54 - Who Shouldn't Be in This Industry
52:14 - The Legacy Jake Is Building for His Kids
54:38 - Protecting Your Body & Your Team's Future
57:36 - Lightning Round: Chainsaws, Pet Peeves & Coffee
1:00:30 - Final Advice: Give More Than You Take
1:03:21 - Outro & How to Connect
Whether you're an industry veteran or just starting your tree care business, Jake's story offers real, hard-won lessons on growth, professionalism, and community. This episode is proof that showing up, staying honest, and giving back pays off in ways that go far beyond the bottom line.
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.Professionals
Learn more about ATCP membership: https://atcpros.org/
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AssociationOfTreeCareProfessionals
Connect with our guest:
Jake's Top Notch Tree Service: https://jakestopnotch.com/
If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the Like button and share it with your fellow tree care professionals!
#ATCP #TreeCareIndustry #ATCPInTheCanopy #Arboriculture #JakesTopNotchTreeService #TreeCareBusiness #Entrepreneurship #GiveBack #TreeServiceLife #SmallBusinessGrowth