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 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.