Josh Block, president of Block Imaging and founder of Cube Mobile Imaging, has spent decades proving that putting people first is not just a philosophy, it’s a business strategy. Taking over his family’s business at 29, Block grew revenue from $30 million to more than $200 million, all while building a people-first culture across hundreds of employees nationwide.
On today’s episode of The Small Business Show, Block explains why a deliberate leadership strategy centered on people is essential to attracting, retaining, and empowering employees for long-term success.
Block Imaging began in 1997 when Block’s father acquired the database of a small imaging company and launched operations from a home office. What started as an imaging equipment brokerage expanded into parts and service offerings and now employs 425 people nationwide. When Block stepped into the president role at 29, he faced the challenge of scaling the company without losing the culture that fueled its early success.
For Block, culture is not a soft-touch initiative. It is a strategic foundation. While many small businesses prioritize profits first, he warns that approach can undermine sustainable growth. Instead, he describes culture as an organizational identity rooted in mission, core values, and “thriving mindsets” that naturally attract aligned employees and filter out those who are not a fit.
“Performance is just a gateway to care people.”
That philosophy became even more critical as the company expanded and entered a joint venture with Siemens Healthineers and CommonSpirit Health. Throughout the transition, Block remained focused on preserving the company’s identity and long-term legacy.
At the leadership level, Block encourages entrepreneurs to think beyond short-term metrics and consider the human impact of their decisions. “Moving at the pace of people,” he said, means slowing down to make thoughtful choices that reduce miscommunication and foster collaboration. In the long run, that discipline saves time and prevents resentment.
He also stresses the importance of generational inclusivity. Although workplace expectations differ across Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z, Block believes that a strong organizational culture enables employees of any generation to thrive. Leaders, he argues, should focus on shared values rather than attempting to fix generational differences.
When asked for advice to business owners, Block highlighted the importance of aligning people and performance. “The people who say performance is my main focus, the challenge is when you focus entirely on that, then people just start to focus on themselves,” he said. His approach blends care with accountability, creating a shared sense of purpose and ownership among employees.
Block’s forthcoming book, People Matter at Work, codifies his philosophy and offers practical guidance for leaders of businesses of all sizes. The book, which releases on March 26, reinforces the idea that happy employees drive profitability, loyalty, and long-term success.
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