Show Information
Episode Number: 131
Date: February 09, 2026
Duration: 36:27
Host Contact Information
Host: Justin Deese
Website: JustinDeese.com
Contact: podcast@JustinDeese.com
Guest Contact Information
Guest: Kristen Deese
Company: Virtual CFO for the Trades
Guest Website: JustinDeese.com
Gift to listeners: N/A
Summary
Six weeks into 2026, Justin and Kristen Deese sit down to unpack a whirlwind start to the year—conference travel, frozen pipes, live podcasting at PHCC San Diego, and a major family decision they never saw coming.
On December 31st, just hours before the new year, they officially purchased East Hill Pizza in Pensacola—alongside their kids. In this episode, they pull back the curtain on why they said yes, how leadership transitions really affect teams, and what happens when you apply home service business principles to an entirely different industry.
From DISC profiles and team psychology to scorecards, food cost controls, and why vocabulary matters more than you think—this conversation is packed with lessons for any business owner thinking about growth, legacy, or acquisitions.
Key Takeaways
- Why involving your team early builds trust during ownership transitions
- The power of giving people the numbers they control
- How small operational tweaks can drive massive financial impact
- Why most employees fear change—and how language can reduce resistance
- What restaurant ownership revealed about leadership across industries
- How to build a business your kids can grow into—not inherit as a mess
Chapters
- 00:00 – Welcome & why 2026 already feels wild
- 02:30 – PHCC San Diego: live podcasts, chaos, and air horns
- 08:20 – Handling distractions and pressure as a leader
- 11:50 – Frozen pipes, Florida problems, and real life
- 12:40 – The “family business” conversation with the kids
- 14:30 – Why East Hill Pizza caught their attention
- 18:20 – Buying a business fast (and what that really means)
- 21:30 – Leading a team through an ownership transition
- 24:45 – Scorecards, transparency, and immediate results
- 27:30 – Applying home service principles to restaurants
- 31:45 – What’s next for the business and the family
Keywords
#FreedomBlueprintPodcast #FamilyBusiness #BusinessAcquisition #LeadershipDevelopment #RestaurantOwnership #TradesLeadership #EntrepreneurLife #BusinessWithFamily #Scorecards #TeamCulture #DISCProfile #LegacyBuilding #SmallBusinessGrowth #JustinDeese #KristenDeese #WhenYourBusinessPartnerIsYourSpouse