111 | From HVAC Tech to Multi-Business Leader: Josh Crouch’s Growth Secrets

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