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Chris McLaughlin didn’t plan on building a business he just said yes to cutting a few lawns.
Ten years later, CM Garden Services has grown into a thriving family-run company with a strong brand, loyal clients, and a seriously cute mascot called Bruce.
In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Chris to talk about what it really takes to grow a business from a handful of flyers to a full team and premises all while learning everything on the job.
It hasn’t been easy. There’ve been late payments, team dramas, and moments where Chris seriously considered packing it in. But through the chaos, he’s stuck to the same values: show up well, build strong relationships, and treat people right (even when they don’t always treat you the same).
This conversation is full of laughs, honest lessons, and the kind of grounded wisdom that only comes from living it.
Key moments include:
✔️ How a pushy mate and a flyer sparked the start of CM Garden Services
✔️ What it’s really like running a family business (with your dad, mum and uncle onboard)
✔️ Dealing with team challenges and letting go of “being on the tools”
✔️ Why professionalism matters in a crowded trades market
✔️ How branding, humour and TikTok have helped him stand out
✔️ Learning to lead and when to hand things over
✔️ The value of knowing your numbers (and why your accountant isn’t your business partner)
✔️ What keeps Chris motivated through the hard days: people, purpose, and building something better
Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more straight-talking, no-fluff stories from people who’ve built, rebuilt, and kept going.
Follow James Fleming:
LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast
Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/
Follow Chris McLaughlin:
LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-mclaughlin
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/cmgardens
Facebook → CM Garden Services
Website → https://www.cmgardens.co.uk/
29 episodes
