Practical Founders Podcast

#150: Grew an Unsexy Small Software Biz Into a SaaS Powerhouse - Josh Turley

Jun 27, 2025
Josh Turley, CEO of RTA Fleet Management, took the reins of his family's small software business and transformed it into a SaaS powerhouse. He discusses the challenges of modernizing an old system, including shifting from COBOL to a cloud-based model and navigating the complexities of growth equity investment. Turley shares insights on strategic leadership, the importance of company values in hiring, and the fun culture he fosters, like Hawaiian shirt Fridays. His journey emphasizes balancing innovation with legacy while achieving remarkable growth in the fleet management software industry.
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ANECDOTE

Family Business Legacy

  • Josh Turley took over RTA, a family business started by his grandfather in the 1980s.
  • He grew up around the company and started working there at 19 doing customer support.
ANECDOTE

Leadership Transition After Loss

  • Josh's father passed away suddenly in 2014, prompting a difficult leadership transition.
  • Josh became CEO in a challenging environment of family dynamics and company change.
ADVICE

Pay to Leave Dysfunctional Team

  • Explicitly give employees the option to leave if they don't align with new standards.
  • Paying people to leave helped clear dysfunction and reinforce cultural expectations.
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