Kaustubh Deo and Sam Rosati open this episode of The Intentional Owner with an unplanned but timely conversation about recent wins, a standout commercial project, and the value of having the right people around you. They walk through how strong project management can outperform low bids in commercial work, why certain clients prioritize quality, and how this job challenged their assumptions about pricing and margins. From there, they move into discussions around travel, golf, and time away from the day-to-day, using those experiences to reflect on leadership, focus, and the pressures of ownership. Throughout the episode, they return to a central theme: the need for peer support, shared pattern recognition, and intentional structures that help owners navigate both the grind and the growth phases of building a business. They discuss: • Why certain commercial jobs reward operational excellence rather than low bids • How Kaustubh and Sam think about margin, project management, and client quality • The emotional and strategic value of peer groups for owners • Balancing ambition with rest, time management, and personal priorities • Ideas for building team culture, industry communities, and better training systems MORE: Sam is hosting a 6-part Wednesday Winter Webinar Series for searchers focused on moving deals forward: • Financial modeling • Investor equity • Deal flow • LOIs • Debt raise • M&A strategy Topics: 00:00 - Intro 01:12 - Navigating commercial jobs and project management 05:38 - A week on the road: Golf trips and networking 11:47 - Insights from small business owners 22:49 - The value of peer groups and business coaching 25:51 - Setting quarterly goals with peer groups 26:36 - Peer groups vs. business coaches 28:27 - Starting a niche peer group for tree care owners 30:03 - The benefits of group purchasing organizations (GPOs) 32:21 - Innovative team building activities 38:24 - Challenges in standardizing tree care pricing 42:58 - Using technology to improve operations 46:24 - Planning and organizing peer groups 49:58 - Seasonal trends in blue collar trades 52:39 - Upcoming events and travel plans