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 Clenan, 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, Justin breaks down why the next three years will bring more radical change than the last 30. The trades industry is on the edge of a transformation — and understanding these shifts early will separate the winners from the ones left behind.

In this episode:

1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) — How AI will reshape estimating, scheduling, communication, and leadership in the trades — and what early adopters are already doing to get ahead.

2. Consolidation and Institutional Money — Why private equity and corporate investors are moving aggressively into the trades, and what that means for business owners looking to grow, partner, or exit.

3. Automation and Robotics — From autonomous mowers to fully automated job sites — how technology is redefining field work, labor challenges, and margins.

Justin also shares what his team is doing right now to prepare for these shifts and how you can build your own playbook for the future.

Takeaways:

• The trades are entering a new era — technology is no longer optional.

• Institutional capital is accelerating consolidation faster than ever before.

• Automation will reward those who adapt quickly and think strategically.

Listen if you want to: 👉 Stay ahead of the next industry wave. 👉 Future-proof your business. 👉 Hear how top trade leaders are adapting right now.

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 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.

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.

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.