Episode Number: 100

Date: August 11, 2025

Duration: 37:04

Host: Justin Deese

Website: JustinDeese.com

Contact: Justin@JustinDeese.com

Guest: Kristen Deese

Company: Virtual CFO for the Trades

Guest Website: KristenDeese.com

In this special 100th episode celebration, Justin flips the mic on Kristen, the powerhouse behind the Freedom Blueprint Podcast. They reflect on the journey from concept to consistent weekly content, sharing honest insights about the wins, the setbacks (hello, tech fails), and the lessons learned along the way.

Kristen pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to start and grow a podcast in the home service space — including the mindset hurdles, scheduling chaos, evolving tech, and the importance of just starting. Whether you’ve listened to all 100 episodes or this is your first, you’ll walk away inspired to implement and stay consistent in your own business journey.

• Consistency beats perfection. Most podcasts never make it past 10 episodes. Kristen pushed through the doubt and kept going.
• Mindset is everything. The biggest barrier to launching wasn’t gear — it was belief.
• Implementation separates successful business owners from the rest. Ideas are easy. Execution is rare.
• Technology will fail you — prepare anyway. From failed recordings to redundant internet providers, the podcast journey is full of pivots.
• Freedom + Blueprint = Purpose. Kristen explains how the show’s name was chosen to reflect what so many home service business owners lose — and how to reclaim it.

00:00 – It’s a Big Dill… I Mean, Deal

01:56 – Why Episode 100 Matters

03:49 – The Break, the Sale, and the Pivot

05:26 – Flipping the Script: Kristen Gets Interviewed

06:08 – Tech Fails and Starting Over

08:51 – Humble Beginnings: A USB Mic and a Window

09:28 – Best Advice from a Podcasting Coach

11:05 – How Guests Were Chosen (Then vs. Now)

12:10 – Guests or Solo Shows? Kristen’s Take

14:03 – Most Impactful Guest: Ara from ServiceTitan

16:10 – The Biggest Challenge: Mindset

18:20 – Why One Episode a Week Was the Right Call

19:03 – Behind-the-Scenes Work and Early Morning Recordings

20:28 – The #1 Thread Among Successful Guests

23:03 – The Value of Runway and Planning Ahead

24:11 – The Story Behind the Name: Freedom Blueprint

26:16 – 10 Years in the Truck? Why Time Flies and Change Matters

28:00 – No More Excuses: Learning the Business

29:12 – What’s Next for the Podcast

30:11 – Kristen’s Thank You to the Listeners

31:41 – Getting Recognized at the Piggly Wiggly?!

32:40 – Got a Topic Request? Let Us Know!

34:46 – Final Thoughts and What’s Coming

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