Brandon Comstock went from selling mattresses on commission to building Landscapers by Nature into a 60-person operation serving multifamily and HOA properties in Calgary, then sold the entire business. Now he's building SiteDNA, software designed to solve the exact problems he lived through as an operator.

In this episode, hosts Dionisio Roman and Ethan Hartzel unpack how Brandon went from helping his dad run a small garage-based crew to scaling a specialized landscaping company worth acquiring. They explore the non-negotiable operational systems that made the business sellable, the mistakes landscape account managers make daily that cost them money, and how rethinking property management creates competitive advantage.

Whether you're running a landscape operation or thinking about your own exit, Brandon reveals the principles that made his company valuable and how SiteDNA is building the shortcuts he wishes he'd had.

Timecodes:

00:00 – 00:27 | Intro and Show Overview

00:27 – 01:22 | Brandon's Background and Journey into Landscaping

01:49 – 02:31 | Starting from High School and Mattress Sales

02:31 – 04:16 | The Move to Calgary and First Landscape Crew

04:39 – 05:50 | Trial by Fire: Learning the Landscape Business

05:50 – 06:41 | Growing the Business with His Father

06:41 – 08:15 | Leaving to Prove Himself and Building His Own Company

08:15 – 09:40 | Landing First Contracts and the Multi-Family Niche

09:40 – 11:50 | Why Specialization Beats Being a Generalist

11:50 – 13:40 | Building Systems and Removing Yourself from Critical Path

13:40 – 15:30 | Account Manager Leverage and Property Management Innovation

15:30 – 17:20 | The Real Problem with Landscape Operations

17:20 – 19:15 | How Long-Term Planning Increases Customer Retention

19:15 – 21:00 | Preparing the Company for Sale

21:00 – 23:30 | The Exit and What Made the Business Valuable

23:30 – 25:10 | Life After the Exit and Building SiteDNA

25:10 – 28:15 | The Problem SiteDNA Solves

28:15 – 30:40 | How SiteDNA Makes Account Managers More Effective

30:40 – 35:20 | Product Features and Account Manager Workflow

35:20 – 39:45 | Spreading Team Capacity and Supporting New Managers

39:45 – 41:20 | Long-Term Planning and Customer Communication

41:20 – 43:45 | Making Account Management More Turnkey

43:45 – 44:52 | SiteDNA Product Launch and Waitlist

44:52 – 46:42 | Integrations and AI-Ready Architecture

46:42 – 47:37 | Brandon's Vision and the Shortcut He's Building

47:37 – 48:21 | Outro

Resources:

Have an upcoming landscaping project? Contact Tree Staple for a quote treestaple.com

Connect with Jim Mancini on LinkedIn

Connect with Dionisio Roman III on LinkedIn
Connect with Brandon Comstock on LinkedIn

SiteDNA: https://sitedna.ai

Subscribe to Rooted in Innovation

On this episode of Rooted in Innovation, we sit down with Joseph Marker, owner of Marker Elevated Landscapes, to explore what it really means to lead a residential landscape firm with vision.

From his signature 3-2-1 design process to his hybrid use of drone imagery and hand-drawing, Joe walks us through the artistic, technical, and deeply personal aspects of designing meaningful outdoor spaces. We also hear the story behind a 144-acre Tuscan-inspired estate, why Vastu Shastra shaped its layout, and how Joe honors the legacy of his family business while pushing the boundaries of what modern landscape design can be.

Whether you’re a designer, contractor, or homeowner, this episode will challenge the way you think about space, communication, and the role of technology in the design-build process.

Timecodes

00:00 – 01:21 - Intro: Meet Joseph Marker and Marker Elevated Landscapes
01:22 – 03:16 - The 3-2-1 Design Process: From Concept to Master Plan
03:17 – 05:12 - Inspiration Sources: Travel, Books, Social Media & Gardens
05:13 – 07:06 - Drone-Backed Hand Drawings: Communicating Clearly with Clients
07:07 – 10:14 - The Role of Process in Avoiding Miscommunication
10:15 – 13:32 - Flexibility, Late Nights & Sunrise Site Visits
13:33 – 16:04 - Designing a 144-Acre Tuscan Estate in Pennsylvania
16:05 – 17:35 - Applying Vastu Shastra Principles to Landscape Design
17:36 – 20:00 - Flat Lots, Rolling Hills, and the Role of the Client
20:01 – 22:06 - Maintenance: Growing Slowly and Preserving Quality
22:07 – 24:49 - Family Legacy: Honoring His Father’s Company & Vision
24:50 – 27:11 - Leadership, Hard Work, and What Joe Learned from His Dad
27:12 – 29:21 - Low-Maintenance Design, Deer Pressure & Plant Strategy
29:22 – 32:06 - Golf Course Inspiration & Finding Creativity Outdoors
32:07 – 34:49 - Designing Par-3 Greens for Clients (and for Fun)
34:50 – 37:19 - Tree Favorites, Annual Preferences, and Unique Palettes
37:20 – 39:58 - Final Reflections: Communication, Creativity, and Vision

Join us for a thought-provoking discussion that uncovers the ebbs and flows of industry shifts, marketing strategies, and the essence of genuine connections in business. From the subtle nuances of spec writing to the evolving role of digital tools, explore a tapestry of insights woven with personal anecdotes and practical wisdom. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or a curious listener, this episode offers an engaging glimpse into the dynamic world of modern business.

Timecodes:

Engaging Insights and Industry Trends (00:00 - 19:59)
Sales Strategies and Marketing Insights (20:00 - 23:59)
Navigating Challenges and Seizing Opportunities (24:00 - 29:59)
Spec Writing Dynamics and Industry Challenges (30:00 - 33:59)
Privacy Concerns and Technological Impact (34:00 - 35:59)
Brian’s Personal Passions: Cycling and Painting (36:00 - 39:59)
Anecdotes and Entertaining Experiences (40:00 - 43:06)

Resources:

Have an upcoming landscaping project? Contact Tree Staple for a quote treestaple.com
Connect with Jim Mancini on Linkedin
Connect with Brian Miller on LinkedIn