Trades Talk Podcast

Weekly Update #20- Speed Over Size: Why Fast Contractors Win

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.

How Derek Clelan Built a Design Team Delivering 1,000 Projects a Year

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.

Weekly Update #19 - The Next Three Years Will Change Everything

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.

Growing Together With Granum: Uniting LMN, SingleOps & Greenius

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.

Trades Talk Weekly Update #18 - Upcoming Events, Unlocking Business Growth Through Speed

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/

How Shantel Perez Cut Turnover and Built Real Connections at K&D Landscaping

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.

Weekly Update #17: What 100 Episodes Taught Me

This week on Trades Talk, host Justin White celebrates a major milestone; the 100th episode of the show. What started as a simple idea between Justin and co-founder Maggie Wymore has grown into a platform that champions leadership, learning, and real conversations across the trades.
After nearly 80 interviews with landscape industry professionals, Justin reflects on the most impactful lessons shared by business owners, operators, and disruptors. From mastering the numbers and empowering teams to staying humble and serving others, this episode brings together the most powerful takeaways from two years of deep conversations.
In this episode, Justin shares:
The core traits that separate top leaders in the industry
Lessons on scaling without losing your soul
Why financial literacy is non-negotiable
How to build a resilient company culture that lasts
What he’s learned about consistency, service, and growth
Whether you're new to the industry or building your legacy, this one is packed with hard-earned wisdom. Tune in and help us celebrate the journey so far, and get ready for what’s next.

What 270 Pounds Lost Taught Ron McCabe About Business Growth

This week on Trades Talk, host Justin White sits down with Ron McCabe, a former tech executive turned digital marketing specialist for the landscaping industry. After working 120-hour weeks in the tech world and surviving a life-threatening health crisis, Ron made a dramatic shift; losing over 270 pounds and dedicating his career to helping landscapers grow smarter through strategic marketing with Everbearing Services 
In this episode, Ron shares:• How he transitioned from a patent-holding technologist to a marketing expert in the green industry• Why local SEO, Google Business Profiles, and visual content drive the highest quality leads• How to create consistent branding that generates 6 to 9 impressions before converting a client• Why focusing on long tail keywords and niche services beats broad targeting• His approach to work life balance, using tools like Whoop and CGM to track stress and performance
Ron also breaks down the importance of daily non negotiables, five day work weeks, and continuously improving both personally and professionally. If you’re a landscaper looking to level up your marketing without burning out, this episode is packed with real world strategies and inspiration.

Weekly Update #16 - Transforming the Landscape Industry: Insights from Recent Conferences

In this weekly update, Justin White shares insights from recent conferences, including the Leanscaper and Ignite events, discussing key takeaways on goal setting, team management, and the future of the landscape industry with AI integration. He emphasizes the importance of strategic one-on-one meetings and the potential for technology to transform business operations. Additionally, he shares personal updates on his backyard project and encourages listeners to stay connected for future podcasts.
Takeaways
Weekly one-on-one meetings are life-changing for teams.Focus on how to achieve goals, not if they can be achieved.AI will significantly impact the landscape industry.The future workforce will be more automated and efficient.Networking is crucial for support and growth in the industry.Leanscaper is an operating system for business management.Technology will change how we communicate and operate in landscaping.Personal projects can be fulfilling and exciting.The landscape industry is filled with great people working towards common goals.Stay tuned for future podcasts with valuable insights.
 
Chapters
00:00 Weekly Update and Exciting Events05:17 Leanscaper Insights and Future of Technology09:20 Aspire Ignite Conference Highlights12:43 Networking and Community in Landscaping13:18 Personal Projects and Closing Thoughts14:25 NEWCHAPTER

The Ownership Blueprint: How Ryan Markewich Put His Team in Charge

This week on Trades Talk, host Justin White sits down with Ryan Markewich, a Canadian landscape entrepreneur, coach, and early adopter of open book management, to unpack his journey from mowing lawns to building a business that now operates with employee ownership and long term vision at the core.
Ryan started his company in Kelowna, British Columbia in 1994, going door to door to pay rent while dreaming bigger. Over time, he scaled to a multi million dollar operation, but not without burnout and hard lessons along the way. Influenced by personal development legends like Jim Rohn and John Maxwell, Ryan leaned into learning, coaching, and building a company around transparency and shared success.
In this episode, Ryan shares:• How he used open book management and the Great Game of Business to build real accountability• Why he sold 85 percent of his company to his employees and how the structure works• What it means to run a company focused on long term thinking and consensus based leadership• Why teaching employees how business works is the key to building great teams• What he is planning next with R-Mark Coaching and the first landscape retreat in Mexico
Ryan also talks about spending months each year in Mexico to reflect, challenge his thinking, and reconnect with what matters most. If you are interested in employee ownership, values based leadership, and scaling a business that puts people first, this episode is packed with wisdom and real world experience.