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# Started Over at $3M, Built to $200M
- URL: https://www.theturnpodcast.com/started-over-at-3m-built-to-200m/
- Published: 2026-04-28T09:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-07-23T00:21:03.000Z
- Description: Jerry Schill shares how he rebuilt his landscaping business after splitting with his brother, shifting to 93% recurring revenue, cutting residential work entirely, and scaling with private equity to nearly $200 million in revenue.
- Author: Kory Mitchell

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Jerry Schill spent 20 years building a landscaping business with his brother. Design-build, residential, creative work—chasing every shiny object along th way. But then they split. 

Jerry took the maintenance side and rolled back to $3 million. He'd admit that he was scared. But he got laser-focused. And from 2012 to 2019, he took the business from 0% recurring revenue to 93%. 

He ditched residential entirely, built a "business in a box," and grew to $16.5 million before partnering with Argon Capital. Four years later: 37 locations, 1600 employees, eight states, nearly $200 million in revenue, and best-in-class EBITDA margins. The lesson? Focus and discipline beat chasing shiny objects every time.

Here's what we discuss:   
• Starting with his brother and why they eventually split   
• Rolling back to $3M and being scared to start over   
• Going from 0% to 93% recurring revenue   
• Why he eliminated the entire residential division in one year   
• Building the "business in a box" model   
• Joining Vistage and surrounding himself with smarter people   
• Why his bank said no—and how he found PE instead   
• Partnering with Argon Capital and what they taught him   
• The difference between an expense and an investment   
• Imposter syndrome at 1600 employees   
• Growing from 4 locations to 37 in four years   
• Recapitalizing with TruArc Partners   
• Why every business should be built to sell

Running a blue-collar business? Thinking about selling? Iconic Founders Group helps founders like you explore what's next. If you're doing over $2M in profit, check us out at iconicfounders.com or send us a message at theturn@iconicfounders.com.

Iconic Links:   
• Learn More: https://www.iconicfounders.com   
• Connect: theturn@iconicfounders.com