RelationshipOps of the Week #6.
Digital Product Studio
|
Nov 28, 2025
“Most of the big wins and opportunities we've landed started as a relationship…”
Joshua Gross.
I first came across Joshua Gross when Peter Kang shared with me his monthly newsletter for inspiration. His writing stood out. Short, clean, and thoughtful… the kind of clarity that’s rare in the product space.
It led me to look deeper.
Joshua Gross has been building digital products for over 15 years. Before launching Planetary back in 2013, he was already writing code, leading product strategy, and helping shape tech teams across industries.
Today, he runs the 21-person-strong studio as Founder and CEO, partnering with mid- to large-scale businesses across hospitality, wellness, and media to launch meaningful digital experiences.
And I wanted to pull the thread a little more… and ask how he thinks about the relationship side of business.
That’s why he’s here today.
Unexpected Opportunities.
Leonard Chin: What’s an instance when a relationship led to a big win or a really great opportunity for your business?
Joshua Gross:
“Where do I start? Most of the big wins and opportunities we've landed started as a relationship, either with myself or one of my team. They really are the bedrock of any good studio or agency. Relationships with past co-workers, clients, industry friends, and software partners all play a huge role in building a great network of opportunities.
If I had to pick one particularly funny instance, it would be an opportunity we won through (deep breath in…) the co-worker of the wife of a consultant we met through one of the other partners of a consultancy we worked with over a decade prior. That consultant and I became good friends over the intervening decade and we regularly catch-up over lunch or coffee. About a year ago, we were given a warm introduction to our now-client through that long chain of relationships, and it's an opportunity we would have never seen had I not built that relationship over the years. You truly never know where you'll meet the next opportunity.”
Genuinely Interested.
Leonard Chin: What's your daily/weekly routine for maintaining relationships that help your business?
Joshua Gross:
“I'm probably far from the best person to ask about routines, since I tend to be inconsistent at the best of times. However, I do try to make a point of planning a few weekly follow-ups with contacts I haven't spoken to recently, from account executives at our software partners, to past clients, past leads, agency friends, industry communities, and even folks I've met at conferences.
I try to comb through my contacts and find at least a couple people each week I haven't heard from recently, look up what they're up to, and shoot off an email to say hello, hear how they're doing, and congratulate them on anything new (like launches or job changes). Generally, I'm just genuinely interested in what they have going on. I'm not out here making hard sells, or pushing our agency unless they ask; those opportunities will come in time as long as people know who we are, and we stay in mind.”
Watering Houseplants.
Leonard Chin: What tips would you give to your younger self around relationships and how they impact business?
Joshua Gross:
“Be intentional about checking in with people even (and especially) when you're absolutely slammed. It's incredibly easy to let this habit fall by the wayside when you get busy or have "enough business."
By the time you realize you haven't been giving your network any attention, business will slow down and you'll be playing catch-up. I try to think about it more like watering a houseplant:
You don't just give them "enough water" once and expect them to live until you next remember to water them. Relationships, like houseplants, need to be regularly nurtured: if you take good care of them, they'll flourish. Forget them and they'll wither.”
Key Takeaways.
Interesting insights. And writing voice, of course.
Appreciate Joshua Gross for his contribution to this week’s article… and the really cool story and analogy.
A few key takeaways to sum up this piece…
Most opportunities come from long-standing relationships. Joshua shared a recent client win that was years in the making, which reminds us that even casual connections can lead to major outcomes over time.
His simple weekly habit: check in, say hello, and stay curious. Whether it's a past client or someone from a conference, he reaches out without any agenda just to see how they’re doing.
Don’t let “I’m swamped” be an excuse. He uses the analogy of watering houseplants; you can’t just water them once and expect them to live till the next time you think of them again.
Hope this article sprinkles some ideas on how you can better manage your existing relationships.
If you're open to sharing your experiences in one of our future articles… or know of someone who is, feel free to drop me an email here.
Author.
Leonard Chin
Follow me on LinkedIn.
Joshua Gross.
I first came across Joshua Gross when Peter Kang shared with me his monthly newsletter for inspiration. His writing stood out. Short, clean, and thoughtful… the kind of clarity that’s rare in the product space.
It led me to look deeper.
Joshua Gross has been building digital products for over 15 years. Before launching Planetary back in 2013, he was already writing code, leading product strategy, and helping shape tech teams across industries.
Today, he runs the 21-person-strong studio as Founder and CEO, partnering with mid- to large-scale businesses across hospitality, wellness, and media to launch meaningful digital experiences.
And I wanted to pull the thread a little more… and ask how he thinks about the relationship side of business.
That’s why he’s here today.
Unexpected Opportunities.
Leonard Chin: What’s an instance when a relationship led to a big win or a really great opportunity for your business?
Joshua Gross:
“Where do I start? Most of the big wins and opportunities we've landed started as a relationship, either with myself or one of my team. They really are the bedrock of any good studio or agency. Relationships with past co-workers, clients, industry friends, and software partners all play a huge role in building a great network of opportunities.
If I had to pick one particularly funny instance, it would be an opportunity we won through (deep breath in…) the co-worker of the wife of a consultant we met through one of the other partners of a consultancy we worked with over a decade prior. That consultant and I became good friends over the intervening decade and we regularly catch-up over lunch or coffee. About a year ago, we were given a warm introduction to our now-client through that long chain of relationships, and it's an opportunity we would have never seen had I not built that relationship over the years. You truly never know where you'll meet the next opportunity.”
Genuinely Interested.
Leonard Chin: What's your daily/weekly routine for maintaining relationships that help your business?
Joshua Gross:
“I'm probably far from the best person to ask about routines, since I tend to be inconsistent at the best of times. However, I do try to make a point of planning a few weekly follow-ups with contacts I haven't spoken to recently, from account executives at our software partners, to past clients, past leads, agency friends, industry communities, and even folks I've met at conferences.
I try to comb through my contacts and find at least a couple people each week I haven't heard from recently, look up what they're up to, and shoot off an email to say hello, hear how they're doing, and congratulate them on anything new (like launches or job changes). Generally, I'm just genuinely interested in what they have going on. I'm not out here making hard sells, or pushing our agency unless they ask; those opportunities will come in time as long as people know who we are, and we stay in mind.”
Watering Houseplants.
Leonard Chin: What tips would you give to your younger self around relationships and how they impact business?
Joshua Gross:
“Be intentional about checking in with people even (and especially) when you're absolutely slammed. It's incredibly easy to let this habit fall by the wayside when you get busy or have "enough business."
By the time you realize you haven't been giving your network any attention, business will slow down and you'll be playing catch-up. I try to think about it more like watering a houseplant:
You don't just give them "enough water" once and expect them to live until you next remember to water them. Relationships, like houseplants, need to be regularly nurtured: if you take good care of them, they'll flourish. Forget them and they'll wither.”
Key Takeaways.
Interesting insights. And writing voice, of course.
Appreciate Joshua Gross for his contribution to this week’s article… and the really cool story and analogy.
A few key takeaways to sum up this piece…
Most opportunities come from long-standing relationships. Joshua shared a recent client win that was years in the making, which reminds us that even casual connections can lead to major outcomes over time.
His simple weekly habit: check in, say hello, and stay curious. Whether it's a past client or someone from a conference, he reaches out without any agenda just to see how they’re doing.
Don’t let “I’m swamped” be an excuse. He uses the analogy of watering houseplants; you can’t just water them once and expect them to live till the next time you think of them again.
Hope this article sprinkles some ideas on how you can better manage your existing relationships.
If you're open to sharing your experiences in one of our future articles… or know of someone who is, feel free to drop me an email here.
Author.
Leonard Chin
Follow me on LinkedIn.