Trades Talk Podcast

This week on Trades Talk, Justin White shares key takeaways from an action-packed week on the road, including the Equip Expo in Louisville and the Disruptors Social hosted alongside Aspire, Crest, and Leanscaper.
Justin recaps lessons from Jesse Cole’s “Five E’s”: Eliminate Friction, Entertain Always, Experiment Constantly, Engage Deeply, and Empower Action.....and how they apply to building remarkable client experiences in the trades.
You’ll also hear about the debut of the Kress Voyager, the first fully autonomous mower capable of cutting labor costs by up to 80 percent, and how K&D Landscaping has reduced costs, improved retention, and boosted revenue through electric equipment adoption and better labor hour management.
Justin closes with a challenge to every contractor: the next ten years are the Super Bowl of the trades. Those who act fast, innovate boldly, and execute relentlessly will lead the field.

This week on Trades Talk, host Justin White sits down with Jon Gohl, a longtime team member at Aspire Software, to explore the power of reflection, mindfulness, and personal transformation in both life and leadership. Jon shares his journey from walking with a cane to preparing for a walk across the Grand Canyon, and how that physical recovery mirrors his approach to leading people, setting goals, and growing intentionally.
In this episode, Jon opens up about:
Overcoming physical challenges and creating accountability by sharing bold goals
Using breathwork and mindfulness to stay present and grounded
How vulnerability builds connection and unlocks team potential
The value of listening deeply to your people, especially in field-based roles
His leadership philosophy: "Live on the skinny branches; where growth happens"
Whether you're scaling a business, leading a team, or looking inward, Jon brings a human-first approach to growth that blends personal development with professional purpose.
If you’ve ever wondered how to balance technology with human connection, or how to lead with humility in a fast-moving world,  this episode will hit home.

This week on Trades Talk, Justin White shares insights from a Lunch and Learn in Denver hosted by Aspire Software and Designscapes Colorado, which focused on speed as a competitive edge in the green industry.
Phil from Designscapes detailed how his team scaled to $50 million in revenue with 350 employees by doubling down on the basics, making decisions faster, and always doing what’s right.
Justin also introduces the Speed Flywheel:Decide. Execute. Debrief. Learn.... a simple cycle helping contractors build momentum and scale faster.
You’ll also hear:
Why speed to lead is a contractor’s most powerful (and affordable) differentiator
How companies are aiming for $1 million in revenue per employee
The mindset shift from contractor to tech-enabled business
Plus, get a preview of EQUIP Expo in Louisville and why the Disruptors Social at Zeppa’s Greenhouse is the place to be.
This episode is for anyone looking to grow faster, work smarter, and get ahead in a changing market.

This week on Trades Talk, host Justin White sits down with Derek Clelan, founder of Your Haven Landscape Designs, to break down how one idea , a simple design service,  turned into a full-scale design machine supporting contractors across the country.
After going bankrupt at 24, Derek rebuilt from the ground up. Now, just over a year into launching Your Haven, he’s built a 44-person team, delivered over 1,000 designs, and created a recurring revenue model that’s changing how contractors sell work, reduce change orders, and deliver better projects.
In this episode, Derek shares:• The mindset shift that helped him bounce back and rebuild• How the Backyard Blueprint and Pro Memberships are fueling rapid growth• Why contractors need better design support to scale their business• The culture and execution strategies driving his team’s success
If you’re looking to sell more work, improve efficiency, and build something lasting, this episode delivers real, tactical insight from someone who’s doing it in real time.

This week on Trades Talk, host Justin White unpacks why the next three years will bring more change to the trades than the last three decades. As technology, capital, and automation reshape the industry, early adopters will create separation — and those who lag behind may struggle to catch up.
In this episode, Justin explores:
• Artificial Intelligence — How AI is transforming estimating, scheduling, communication, and leadership across the trades• Institutional Capital — Why private equity and corporate investors are flooding into the industry, and what that means for growth and exits• Automation — From autonomous mowers to AI-powered job sites, how robotics are changing how work gets done
He also shares what his team is doing to stay ahead and offers a framework to help you build your own future-ready game plan.
If you’re looking to future-proof your business, stay ahead of the next wave, and learn how top trade leaders are adapting, this episode is a must-listen.

In this episode of Trade Talks, Justin White sits down with Mark Sedgley and Taylor Gould to discuss one of the biggest moves in the green industry: the merger of LMN, SingleOps, and Greenius into Granum.
 
They unpack the story behind the new name, the marketing strategies that brought three powerhouse brands together, and why customer experience is the heartbeat of Granum’s future. From lessons learned in rebranding to the role of AI and technology in landscaping software, this conversation gives you an inside look at the trade secrets shaping the next era of the green industry.
 
Whether you’re a landscape business owner, a tech enthusiast, or simply curious about where the industry is headed, this episode is packed with insights on growth, branding, and bold decision-making.

Register for Denver, CO Lunch and Learn:
https://web.cvent.com/event/7bc1304f-be1e-4ecd-99f1-5cb9e3184495/summary?RefId=Designscapes
 
In this weekly update, Justin White shares personal reflections on recent events, including his excitement for upcoming travel and networking opportunities. He discusses the importance of speed in business growth, particularly in the landscaping industry, and highlights the value of peer learning and community support. The conversation also features insights from the Disruptor Group, recognizing members for their contributions, and emphasizes the significance of client experience in business strategy.
 
Key Take Aways:
business growth, networking, disruptive strategies, landscaping industry, client experience, technology, peer learning, community, speed in business, events
 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-white-%E2%98%85-35b7a210b/
 
https://www.instagram.com/justinwhiteceo/

This week on Trades Talk, host Justin White sits down with Shantel Perez, Employee Success Specialist at K and D Landscaping, to explore how one person can completely reshape the culture of a growing company by showing up, listening deeply, and leading with humility. Shantel didn’t come from a traditional HR background; instead, she built her role from the ground up by staying close to the field and becoming a voice the team could trust.
Now in her fourth year with the company, Shantel shares how her journey from maintenance admin to company-wide culture leader has helped bridge the gap between production crews and management. Along the way, she has:
Helped implement Aspire and streamline team operations
Developed bilingual communication systems across departments
Reduced turnover from over 40 percent to just 12 percent
Spent hours in the field listening to crews and validating their experiences
Replaced rigid HR policies with an employee-first, trust-based approach
This episode dives into what it really means to lead with heart in a high-growth company. From walking job sites at 6 AM to attending every department’s L10 meeting, Shantel has become a pillar of consistency and care. If you’re building a team, growing a business, or rethinking what HR can be, this is one you won’t want to miss.