In this episode of The Angus Table, Scott Wright sits down with Zeke Bennett, founder of Maintain Me landscaping and operator of Zele Angus stud in Gippsland Victoria, for a conversation about building scalable businesses, implementing systems, and authentic marketing.
Zeke shares his unconventional journey from high school dropout with hydroponic tomato and poultry farming background (3,000 free-range hens by age 14), national competitive swimming and circus acrobatics, banking receptionist role, and launching Maintain Me landscaping in Sydney by mowing lawns and taking heavy laboring work.
He discusses scaling Maintain Me from sole operator to 18-20 full-time staff through four years of trial-and-error system development at $200,000+ cost while maintaining quality standards, and transitioning to his Angus operation on a run down farm in Shady Creek near Warragul.
Scott and Zeke discuss how systems-thinking from Maintain Me applies to farm operations, authentic unscripted social media marketing generating interstate sales, expensive first-herd lessons, breeding focus on temperament and feet, the Gen Angus program impact, and why farmers are their own best brand ambassadors.
So pull up a chair at the Angus Table for this conversation about building systems across industries, authentic storytelling, and creating businesses that scale without losing quality.
Key topics covered:
How Zeke progressed from high school dropout through poultry farming and circus acrobatics to founding Maintain Me landscaping and now operating Zele Angus stud
On creating competitive advantage in the Sydney market by implementing an innovative online booking system and systems/processes in landscaping industry
Scaling Maintain Me from sole operator to 18-20 full-time staff through four years of trial-and-error system development at $200,000+ cost while maintaining quality standards
How Zeke transitioned Maintain Me operations from hands-on daily work to managing 20 staff interstate from Gippsland by gradually reducing days spent in Sydney over multiple years
Why Zeke applies business systems and investment thinking from landscaping to farm operations focusing on time-saving, safety improvements, and animal productivity
How an expensive first APR herd purchase taught valuable lessons leading to focus on HBR genetics and improved selection criteria
Why Zeke's breeding objectives prioritise quiet temperament, sound feet, and easy calving from commercial F1 background experience and market needs
How authentic unscripted social media marketing (never direct selling, just showing daily work) generates sales and interest from interstate clients without traditional advertising
Why Zeke keeps the landscaping business separate from Angus marketing and avoids mentioning Sydney company publicly to maintain authentic farm-focused brand
The importance of speaking to people, asking questions, and building networks without revealing all ideas prematurely
