Episode Number: 113

Date: November 3, 2025

Duration: 40:58

Host: Justin Deese

Website: JustinDeese.com

Contact: Justin@JustinDeese.com

Guest: Brigham Dickinson

Company: Power Selling Pros

Guest Website: powersellingpros.com

Brigham Dickinson returns for his third appearance to tackle the big question on every owner’s mind: how does AI reshape customer service in the trades? He argues AI is a tool—not the boss—and the companies that win will double down on human connection while using technology to create more presence, speed, and consistency. We compare “McDonald’s vs. Chick-fil-A” service models, talk PE expectations and margins, and walk through concrete ways CSRs and techs can use AI to be more human (not less). You’ll hear Brigham’s Australia story about prepping contractors for tech adoption, why fear of AI is mostly noise, and a 5-part framework (Faith, Forgive, Founder, Feel, Finish) to strengthen body, mind, and spirit so you can lead with clarity in an AI world.

• AI is a lever, not a leader. Use it to coach, prep, and speed up work—but keep people front-and-center on the phones and in homes.
• Pick your model on purpose. “Endless sameness” call centers race to the bottom; a Chick-fil-A-style, human-first approach protects margins and loyalty.
• Presence sells. Great CSRs ask, listen, and surface unspoken needs—turning $200 service calls into comprehensive solutions.
• Technicians: let customers shop. Don’t wallet-judge. Offer modern options (e.g., comfort, IAQ, zoning alternatives) and let the homeowner decide.
• Adopt, don’t abdicate. Test tools, learn from peers, and integrate AI where it makes sense—without surrendering your standards or culture.
• Lead the whole person. Brigham’s “5 F’s”—Faith, Forgive, Founder, Feel, Finish—keep leaders grounded amid rapid change.

• Why AI Anxiety Is Overblown (and What to Do Instead)
• McDonald’s vs. Chick-fil-A: Two Service Models, Two Outcomes
• The CSR Advantage: Turning Needs Into Solutions
• Techs: Stop Wallet-Judging, Start Option-Building
• Adopting AI Without Losing Your Soul (or Margins)
• The 5 F’s: Faith, Forgive, Founder, Feel, Finish
• Action Plan for Owners: Train Humans, Let AI Assist

#FreedomBlueprintPodcast #BrighamDickinson #PowerSellingPros #HomeService #HVAC #Plumbing #Electrical #CSR #CallCenter #CustomerExperience #AIInTrades #ServiceTitan #ChickFilAModel #McDonaldsModel #SalesProcess #TechnicianTraining #UpsellEthically #PrivateEquity #BusinessLeadership #Mindset #FaithAndWork #SmallBusinessGrowth

Episode Number: 112

Date: October 27, 2025

Duration: — 52:00

Host: Justin Deese

Website: JustinDeese.com

Contact: podcast@JustinDeese.com

Guest: Kristen Deese (Virtual CFO for the Trades)

Company: Virtual CFO for the Trades

Guest Website: — kristendeese.com

Justin and Kristen break down a practical, no-pressure sales process for home services—from the first CSR touch to in-home presentation, financing, objections, and follow-up. The throughline: educate first, be intentional, and always set the next step. They also hit conference ROI (Pantheon!), why options beat one-price quotes, and how CSRs can “happy call” their way into more booked installs.

• Your sales call starts before the doorbell. Make it easy to do business (online booking/chat) and lead with empathy on the phone.
• CSRs are part of sales. Welcome new customers, ask how they heard about you, and gather “why now?” context.
• Educate first, then present. Use the customer’s own words (hot/cold rooms, pets, air quality) to tailor options.
• Offer options, not ultimatums. Good/Better/Best with clear benefits prevents a 50/50 yes/no trap. Start at “Best,” work down.
• Lead with financing. Present monthly payments on every job; it removes embarrassment and increases close rates.
• Handle “getting other bids” gracefully. Schedule a compare-and-decide visit with all decision makers. Make it a we decision.
• Never leave without a next step. Book a return visit, schedule the install, or set a precise follow-up time.
• Implementation is the silver bullet. Conferences pay when you apply one thing—immediately.

• Setting the Stage: Event Season & ROI (Pantheon takeaways)
• Make It Easy to Buy: CSR’s role before the phone even rings
• New Caller Playbook: Welcoming, source tracking, and “why now?”
• In-Home Flow: Intentional first minutes, reading the room, and educating
• Options that Win: Good/Better/Best without overwhelm
• Financing First: Present monthly payments and approvals smartly
• Objections 101: “I’m getting other quotes” → schedule the compare meeting
• Follow-Up that Converts: “Happy call” into a sales call, without the pressure
• Culture Fit: Customer-first vs. revenue-first selling
• Close the Loop: Always leave with a scheduled next action

#FreedomBlueprintPodcast #HomeService #HVAC #Plumbing #Electrical #SalesTraining #CSR #ComfortAdvisor #Financing #GoodBetterBest #EducateFirst #FieldSales #ObjectionHandling #FollowUp #Pantheon #ServiceTitan #Implementation #CustomerExperience #KristenDeese #BusinessSpouse #WhenYourBusinessPartnerIsYourSpouse

Show Information

Episode Number: 111

Date: October 13, 2025

Duration: 43:37

Host Contact Information

Host: Justin Deese

Website: JustinDeese.com

Contact: podcast@JustinDeese.com

Guest Contact Information

Guest: Josh Crouch

Company: Relentless Digital & Trade Automation Pros

Guest Website:

• Relentless Digital: https://relentless-digital.com
• Trade Automation Pros: https://tradeautomationpros.com

Summary

In this episode of the Freedom Blueprint Podcast, Justin sits down with Josh Crouch—founder of Relentless Digital, co-host of the Service Business Mastery Podcast, and co-creator of Trade Automation Pros. Josh shares his journey from working full-time in HVAC to building an Inc. 5000 company, creating award-winning workplace culture, and helping trades businesses unlock new levels of efficiency with automation and leadership systems.

From the power of one-on-ones and EOS implementation to automating repetitive tasks with tools like Zapier, Josh dives deep into actionable strategies that business owners can use today to grow their companies, retain top talent, and save hours of wasted time. He also offers a practical challenge for listeners to perform a time audit and start thinking strategically about marketing, speed-to-lead, and delegation.

Takeaways

• Why building leadership skills is the ultimate long-term growth strategy.
• How EOS and regular one-on-ones can radically improve team performance and retention.
• The difference between automation, delegation, and optimization—and why the order matters.
• How trades businesses can use AI and Zapier to cut wasted admin hours.
• The importance of "speed to lead" in converting more customers.
• Why culture-focused companies attract and keep A-player employees.

Chapters

00:00 – Meet Josh Crouch: Founder, Podcaster, & Automation Expert

04:00 – From HVAC to Relentless Digital: The Accidental Entrepreneur Story

06:30 – Building an Inc. 5000 Company & Winning Best Places to Work

09:20 – Leadership, Culture, and the Power of One-on-Ones

20:30 – Training, Roleplay, and Building Consistent Processes

25:00 – Tech, Tools & Avoiding the “Silver Bullet” Trap

27:30 – Automation, Delegation & The Zapier Advantage

33:00 – Josh’s Challenge: Time Audit & Marketing Response Speed

38:30 – TAP Into the Future: Upcoming Event in Savannah, GA

41:00 – Why Leadership Skills Can’t Be Automated

Keywords

#FreedomBlueprintPodcast #JustinDeese #JoshCrouch #RelentlessDigital #TradeAutomationPros #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #HomeServiceBusiness #HVACMarketing #Automation #Delegation #EOS #BusinessCulture #EmployeeRetention #SpeedToLead #Zapier #AIInTrades #CustomerExperience #ServiceBusinessMast