Owned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis
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Owned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast
John Wilson
Frequency: 1 episode/5d. Total Eps: 358
The Owned and Operated Podcast is the go-to show for HVAC, plumbing, and electrical business owners who want to grow faster, increase profits, and scale smarter.
Hosted by John Wilson and Jack Carr, real home service operators in the trenches. This podcast delivers 2x weekly, no-BS conversations on what’s actually working in the trades today. From lead generation and marketing to hiring top-tier talent and building scalable systems, every episode is packed with actionable strategies you can implement immediately.
If you're an HVAC contractor, plumber, or electrician looking to grow your business, improve operations, and stay ahead in a competitive market, this podcast is for you.
New episodes drop every Tuesday and Thursday.
Learn more at www.ownedandoperated.com
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See all- https://www.supplyhouse.com/
5563 shares
- https://www.ownedandoperated.com
678 shares
- https://www.wilsonplumbingandheating.com
628 shares
- https://twitter.com/home
2760 shares
- https://twitter.com/WilsonCompanies
227 shares
- https://twitter.com/thehvacjack
172 shares
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See allScore global : 72%
Publication history
Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.
The 3 Stages of Building a Home Service Business From $1M to $20M and Beyond
Season 1 · Episode 295
vendredi 20 mars 2026 • Duration 19:37
I was obsessed with hitting $10M.
And when we finally got there… everything broke.
In this solo episode, John breaks down what it actually looks like to scale a trades business from $1M to $40M over the last decade — including the messy middle no one talks about.
If you’re trying to grow past $1M, push to $10M, or build a $100M platform, this episode maps out the three stages every operator goes through:
- $1M–$5M: Survival & Scrappiness
- $5M–$20M: Structure & Systems
- $20M+: Scale, EBITDA & Expansion
This is the unfiltered version of building a trades business — no playbook, no perfect plan, just figuring it out one step at a time.
If you’ve got big ambitions but no clear roadmap yet… you’re in the right place.
📈 What You’ll Learn:
- The exact playbook we used to grow from 8 employees to 200+
- Early-stage marketing and sales moves that drove 70% growth
- How to structure acquisitions without relying on banks
- The 4 core pillars of a scalable business (HR, Marketing, Accounting, Leadership)
- How to think about growth when you’re past $20M
Host: John Wilson https://x.com/WilsonCompanies
More Solo Content https://www.youtube.com/@JohnWilsonStudio
More Ways To Connect with O&O
John Wilson, CEO of Wilson Companies
Jack Carr, CEO of Rapid HVAC
📌 Disclaimer: Some links may include UTM parameters or affiliate relationships, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase. Episodes may feature sponsors, but all opinions expressed are our own.
Building a Billion-Dollar Septic Business
Season 1 · Episode 295
jeudi 19 mars 2026 • Duration 01:30:01
What does it actually take to build a billion-dollar septic company?
In this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson sits down with the founders of Epic Septic to break down one of the most overlooked—and profitable—home service industries.
They share how they went from zero to rapid growth, why septic is dramatically less competitive than HVAC or plumbing, and how simple fundamentals like answering the phone and selling on the first call can outperform expensive marketing strategies.
In this episode, we cover:
- Why septic is one of the most overlooked home service opportunities
- How 90% of competitors fail to answer the phone (and lose business because of it)
- Why speed-to-lead and phone sales drive extremely high close rates
- The real economics behind building a $100M–$1B service business
Host: John Wilson https://x.com/WilsonCompanies
Guests:
Kyle Voss
Chad Riddersen
https://epicseptic.com/
Break through the $5M ceiling.
Join John Wilson and Jack Carr May 5–7, 2026 in Akron, Ohio for the Breaking $5 Million Workshop—a 3-day, in-person event for HVAC, plumbing, and electrical owners ready to scale. You’ll see the Wilson operation live, sit in on a real sales huddle, tour the shop, and build your roadmap to $5M+.
🎟 Get $500 off with code BREAKINGEARLYBIRD HERE
💼 Extra Special Thanks to Service Scalers!
We’ve been partnering with Service Scalers to maximize our Local Service Ads (LSAs) and optimize our Google My Business profiles, and the results have been incredible. With hundreds of thousands in sales and 900+ calls in a single week, GMBs are now our top-performing organic lead channel.
Want to learn how Service Scalers can do the same for you?
🔗Check Them Out Here
More Ways To Connect with O&O
John Wilson, CEO of Wilson Companies
Jack Carr, CEO of Rapid HVAC
📌 Disclaimer: Some links may include UTM parameters or affiliate relationships, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase. Episodes may feature sponsors, but all opinions expressed are our own.
Is Direct Mail Back? The 2026 Growth Strategy for Service Businesses
Season 1 · Episode 286
mardi 17 février 2026 • Duration 45:08
Is direct mail actually back in 2026 — or is it a dinosaur channel that should stay extinct?
In this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson sits down with Sam Preston (CEO of Service Scalers) to break down how the best home service companies are using direct mail as direct response, why some operators get 14x ROI while others lose money mailing the same market, and the exact levers you can pull to make mailers perform (audience, offer, format, frequency, and iteration).
They also get into why “legacy media” still works when executed well, how to think about underserved markets, and why your offer + ticket size determines whether direct mail prints money… or burns it.
Key Topics Covered:
- Why “someone in your market is winning” with direct mail (even if you think it’s dead)
- The 4 audiences to mail (members → active customers → inactive customers → net-new)
- What formats work: postcards, letters, Valpak, door hangers, even “weird” creative mail
💼 Shoutout to the ACCA Financial Platform!
Want your cash to work harder between jobs? ACCA helps contractors earn 2.1% cash back on supplier spend and up to 3% APY on idle cash — so every dollar pulls its weight.
One contractor made a simple switch and earned over $53,000 back.
🔗 Learn more or schedule a demo:
💼 Big Reputation — Stop chasing reviews and watching competitors outrank you. Big Reputation is the AI-powered review + SEO platform built for home service pros. Automate review generation, respond with AI, track local SEO, and integrate with your CRM. Setup is free, and your first month’s on the house.
👉 Book your demo
📞 Sponsored by Quo — The Modern Business Phone for Service Pros
Missed calls mean missed business. Quo (formerly OpenPhone) is the AI-powered phone system that logs calls, creates summaries, and automates follow-ups — keeping your team connected and customers happy.?
🎁 Start your 7-day free trial and get 20% off your first six months HERE
🎙️ Hosts
Host: John Wilson — https://x.com/WilsonCompanies
Guest: Sam Preston (Service Scalers) https://www.linkedin.com/in/sampreston/
More Ways To Connect with O&O
John Wilson, CEO of Wilson Companies
Jack Carr, CEO of Rapid HVAC
📌 Disclaimer: Some links may include UTM parameters or affiliate relationships, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase. Episodes may feature sponsors, but all opinions expressed are our own.
#228 How this NEW Service Owner is doing $80k/month
Season 1 · Episode 228
mardi 29 juillet 2025 • Duration 01:00:50
In this episode of Owned and Operated, John sits down with Ethan from New York to explore his rapid journey into the world of home services and franchising. From cold calls to private equity to launching a local newsletter — Ethan shares the real story behind building momentum as a new business owner.
🔑 What You’ll Learn:
- How Ethan used cold calling and emailing to win early leads
- Why franchising became the right fit for his growth goals
- How local newsletters create real business opportunities
- What it takes to raise private equity in home services
- Juggling multiple ventures — without losing your mind
- Advice for new entrepreneurs on risk-taking and mindset
💼 Shoutout to Quick Staffers LLC
Need trained HVAC & plumbing CSRs at a fraction of the cost? Quick Staffers LLC specializes in placing top-tier global talent with the best SOPs and scripts.
🔥 Get $1,000 off your first placement here
Shout Out to FieldPulse 🚀
FieldPulse is an incredible Field Service Management platform that helps you save hours each week while keeping your operations running smoothly. If you're looking to streamline your processes, stay competitive, and focus on what truly matters, FieldPulse is a game-changer!
💼 Shoutout to Avoca AI!
Looking to train your call center and improve technician performance? Avoca AI helps teams identify issues, improve call quality, and drive results from start to finish.
Host:
John Wilson
Guest:
Ethan Realander
More Ways To Connect with O&O
John Wilson, CEO of Wilson Companies
Jack Carr, CEO of Rapid HVAC
📌 Disclaimer: Some links may include UTM parameters or affiliate relationships, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase. Episodes may feature sponsors, but all opinions expressed are our own.
#227 How Small HVAC Businesses Are Disrupting the Industry
Season 1 · Episode 227
jeudi 24 juillet 2025 • Duration 53:58
How HVAC Leaders Stay Ahead: Overcoming Growth Challenges and Innovation Fatigue
In this episode, we unpack key growth and leadership lessons from the HVAC industry. From innovation fatigue and stalled marketing efforts to navigating leadership challenges and sustainable scaling — this one's for owners serious about building a high-performance business.
🔑 What You’ll Learn:
Why summer slowdowns kill momentum (and how to avoid it)
How innovation fatigue creeps in — even with the best tools
What strong senior leadership really looks like in HVAC
Why smaller HVAC companies are often better at innovating
Upcoming workshops and peer groups you won’t want to miss
💼 Sponsored by Volca
Supercharge your referral game with Volca—an automated referral program built just for home service companies. With ServiceTitan integration, SMS referrals, automated payments, and real-time tracking, Volca makes manual referral programs a thing of the past.
👉 Get 10% off all contracts—exclusive for Owned and Operated listeners.
📅 Book a time with the team:
🎯Tired of hunting for parts?
WeSupplyTrades has your back — thousands of Plumbing, HVAC, Hydronics, and PEX products in stock and shipped fast.
Create a Free PRO Account and get: Lower prices,Free shipping over $99, Same-day shipping (order by 3:30pm EST), Expert support when you need it.
Exclusive Deal: 20% off your first order with code OWNED20
🔗Check it Out HERE
📅 Offer ends 1/31/26
👤 Hosted by:
John Wilson
Jack Carr
🎧 Listen to more episodes & resources:
👉 https://www.ownedandoperated.com
More Ways To Connect with O&O
John Wilson, CEO of Wilson Companies
Jack Carr, CEO of Rapid HVAC
📌 Disclaimer: Some links may include UTM parameters or affiliate relationships, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase. Episodes may feature sponsors, but all opinions expressed are our own.
#226 HVAC Owner Makes $4M/Month (Here’s How)
Season 1 · Episode 226
mardi 22 juillet 2025 • Duration 33:30
In this episode of Owned and Operated, John sits down with Brian from TR Miller to unpack how they’ve built an HVAC powerhouse generating over $4 million in monthly revenue—and the operational systems that keep it humming.
From tackling seasonality and streamlining dispatch, to building out plumbing, sewer, and electrical services—this isn’t just a story of growth. It’s a playbook. Brian shares the lessons learned from scaling, the hiring and retention strategies that keep their field team strong, and how they’ve shaped technician career paths that drive loyalty and performance.
Whether you're running a $1M shop or breaking into the eight-figure range, this episode is loaded with practical insights to level up your operations, sales strategy, and team management.
🔹 In This Episode, We Cover:
- How TR Miller scaled to $4M/month across HVAC, plumbing, and electrical
- Managing seasonality and staying profitable year-round
- The real power of membership plans and recurring revenue
- Optimizing technician dispatching and scheduling during high demand
- Sales models that boost conversion rates and customer satisfaction
- Retention strategies and career ladders for field professionals
- Strategic hiring to build a growth-ready service team
👤 Hosted by:
John Wilson – https://x.com/wilsoncompanies
🎙️ Guest :
Brian Sloan, TR Miller - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bsloan25/
Shout Out to FieldPulse 🚀
FieldPulse is an incredible Field Service Management platform that helps you save hours each week while keeping your operations running smoothly. If you're looking to streamline your processes, stay competitive, and focus on what truly matters, FieldPulse is a game-changer!
📅 Book your demo HERE
🎯Tired of hunting for parts?
WeSupplyTrades has your back — thousands of Plumbing, HVAC, Hydronics, and PEX products in stock and shipped fast.
Create a Free PRO Account and get: Lower prices,Free shipping over $99, Same-day shipping (order by 3:30pm EST), Expert support when you need it.
Exclusive Deal: 20% off your first order with code OWNED20
📅 Offer ends 1/31/26
More Ways To Connect with O&O
John Wilson, CEO of Wilson Companies
Jack Carr, CEO of Rapid HVAC
📌 Disclaimer: Some links may include UTM parameters or affiliate relationships, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase. Episodes may feature sponsors, but all opinions expressed are our own.
BONUS EPISODE - Where is JackQuisitions??
Season 1 · Episode 225
vendredi 18 juillet 2025 • Duration 00:25
🎉 Bonus drop!
Jack’s got something new cooking—JackQuisitions is live.
If you’re into business buying, deep dives, and Jack’s take on the acquisition world, head over to the new channel now to listen and watch.
More Ways To Connect with O&O
John Wilson, CEO of Wilson Companies
Jack Carr, CEO of Rapid HVAC
📌 Disclaimer: Some links may include UTM parameters or affiliate relationships, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase. Episodes may feature sponsors, but all opinions expressed are our own.
#224 Top Cash Flow Mistakes in Home Services and How to Fix Them
Season 1 · Episode 224
jeudi 17 juillet 2025 • Duration 43:37
In this episode of Owned and Operated, John and Jack break down the most underrated—and often misunderstood—pillar of business success: cash flow.
They dive deep into what cash flow actually means (hint: it’s not EBITDA or net profit) and why failing to understand it almost tanked their companies. From sharing near-miss horror stories to the practical systems they've built—like automatic savings transfers and cash forecasting—this episode is a must-watch for any operator who wants to build a sustainable, growth-ready business.
Whether you're just starting out or scaling past $10M, John and Jack unpack how better cash flow habits can protect your company from financial landmines and unlock new levels of financial control.
🔹 In This Episode, We Cover:
The real difference between cash flow and profit
Why strong EBITDA doesn’t mean you’re in the clear
How bad cash habits nearly killed the business
Tactical tips for cash flow forecasting and savings
Best practices for managing debt and capital expenditures
The role of a controller in small business finance
Timing large financial decisions to avoid cash crunches
Creating team alignment around cash discipline
🎧 Listen to more episodes & resources:
👉 https://www.ownedandoperated.com
👤 Hosted by:
John Wilson – https://x.com/wilsoncompanies
Jack Carr – https://x.com/thehvacjack
💼 Special Thanks to Service Scalers!
We’ve been partnering with Service Scalers to maximize our Local Service Ads (LSAs) and optimize our Google My Business profiles, and the results have been incredible. With hundreds of thousands in sales and 900+ calls in a single week, GMBs are now our top-performing organic lead channel.
Want to learn how Service Scalers can do the same for you?
🚀 Huge Shoutout to SupplyHouse!
When it comes to fast turnaround times, SupplyHouse has our back! With 250,000+ SKUs covering plumbing, HVAC, and electrical, they make sure we get the right materials—fast and hassle-free.
💡Their Trademaster program offers free shipping, returns, and discounts, all with no membership fee. Use promo code SH5 for five percent off your first order— Code is valid through 9/30/2025.
🔗 Check them out & level up your supply game here
🚀 Check Out Our Newsletter
We break down how 7- and 8-figure home service businesses scale, hire, and grow. No fluff—just real insights from real operators.
More Ways To Connect with O&O
John Wilson, CEO of Wilson Companies
Jack Carr, CEO of Rapid HVAC
📌 Disclaimer: Some links may include UTM parameters or affiliate relationships, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase. Episodes may feature sponsors, but all opinions expressed are our own.
#223 Can These WEIRD Ideas Turn Into Million-Dollar Businesses?
Season 1 · Episode 223
mardi 15 juillet 2025 • Duration 36:26
In this episode of Owned and Operated, John and Jack explore the wild and unconventional world of lifestyle businesses—where personal passion meets profit.
From running an online Magic: The Gathering store to launching a ski wax brand, buying a marina, or even farming ants and mushrooms, the duo dives into how niche interests can evolve into sustainable, revenue-generating ventures. They discuss the lifestyle advantages of owning passion-driven businesses, the economics of niche markets, and how to balance multiple income streams while having fun doing it.
Whether you're curious about collectibles, concierge services, or the idea of turning hobbies into scalable side hustles, this episode is packed with insight, laughter, and unexpected ideas.
🔹 In This Episode, We Cover:
- Building a business around Magic: The Gathering
- Running a niche eCommerce store
- Monetizing hobbies like ant farming and mushroom cultivation
- Exploring the economics of ski wax and seasonal products
- What it takes to own and operate a marina
- Concierge services for high-end travel
- Revisiting Bitcoin mining and its business model
- How to align business with your lifestyle goals
🎧 Listen to more episodes & resources:
👉 Owned and Operated
👤 Hosted by:
John Wilson – https://x.com/wilsoncompanies
Jack Carr – https://x.com/thehvacjack
💼 Sponsored by Volca
Supercharge your referral game with Volca—an automated referral program built just for home service companies. With ServiceTitan integration, SMS referrals, automated payments, and real-time tracking, Volca makes manual referral programs a thing of the past.
👉 Get 10% off all contracts—exclusive for Owned and Operated listeners.
📅 Book a time with the team
💼 Shoutout to Avoca AI!
Looking to train your call center and improve technician performance? Avoca AI helps teams identify issues, improve call quality, and drive results from start to finish.
💸 Sponsored by CFO Made Easy
Built a strong trades business? Let’s take it to $10M and beyond. CFO Made Easy offers part-time CFO services for home and trade service businesses—helping you boost cash flow, maximize profit per tech, and make clear growth decisions.
📈 Free Offer: Book a 45-min Financial Insight Session to uncover growth blockers.
More Ways To Connect with O&O
John Wilson, CEO of Wilson Companies
Jack Carr, CEO of Rapid HVAC
📌 Disclaimer: Some links may include UTM parameters or affiliate relationships, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase. Episodes may feature sponsors, but all opinions expressed are our own.
#222 Leaving Finance to Build a Legacy in HVAC
Season 1 · Episode 222
vendredi 11 juillet 2025 • Duration 41:41
Buying a service business with the idea of passive income? In this episode of Jack Acquisitions, host Jack interviews Thomas Beebe, a financial advisor who stepped into ownership of his family’s HVAC company. What started as a hands-off investment quickly turned into a hands-on leadership journey.
From remote team management to turning around a messy acquisition, Thomas shares the tactical decisions, operational missteps, and growth strategies that shaped his perspective on what it really takes to own and run a trades business. This episode is packed with real-world insight—whether you're planning to buy, scale, or just survive in the world of home services.
⚡ What you’ll learn
Why Thomas initially underestimated the involvement required—and how he course-corrected
The operational systems needed for remote management (and where they fail)
How to set up accountability when you’re not on-site every day
Insights from a turnaround: A case study of a friend’s messy HVAC acquisition
The critical questions Thomas asks in due diligence after seeing both sides
When to diversify into adjacent verticals like plumbing—and when not to
How to build a business that’s both profitable and people-first
If you’re buying a local service business or building one to scale, this episode will challenge your assumptions and give you frameworks for sustainable growth—even when you’re managing from a distance.
💼 Special Thanks to First Internet Bank!
Looking to buy or expand a business? First Internet Bank is a National Preferred SBA lender specializing in acquisitions for the skilled trades. Their SBA loan program offers up to 90% financing for business acquisitions, partner buyouts, and commercial real estate—plus optional lines of credit to fuel future growth. Unlike traditional lenders, they take a “how can we” approach, making deals happen for both first-time buyers and experienced operators.
👉 Special Offer: Mention Owned and Operated for a reduced good faith deposit and a complimentary deal review + buyside prequalification.
Connect with Alan Peterson from First Internet Bank here to get started [https://alanfib.com/]
💼Buying businesses?
Jackquisitions is the must-read newsletter for operators, acquirers, and deal junkies. It’s packed with real acquisition breakdowns, seller red flags, and proven strategies from the trenches.
📬 Join and get smarter on small biz M&A every week.
👉 Subscribe at [jackquisitions.com]
[https://www.jackquisitions.com/]
👤 Hosted by:
Jack Carr
👤 Episode Guest
Thomas Beebe
More Ways To Connect with O&O
John Wilson, CEO of Wilson Companies
Jack Carr, CEO of Rapid HVAC
📌 Disclaimer: Some links may include UTM parameters or affiliate relationships, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase. Episodes may feature sponsors, but all opinions expressed are our own.
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