Owned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Technical and general information from the podcast's RSS feed.

Owned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast

John Wilson

Business

Frequency: 1 episode/5d. Total Eps: 382

Owned and Operated is the podcast for home service entrepreneurs who want to build larger, more profitable businesses.

Hosted by John Wilson and Jack Carr, each episode features candid conversations with the founders, operators, investors, and industry leaders shaping the future of HVAC, plumbing, electrical, septic, roofing, restoration, and the wider home service industry.

From acquisitions and marketing to sales, leadership, hiring, finance, AI, and operational excellence, you'll hear real-world lessons, proven strategies, and actionable playbooks from people who have actually built successful companies.

If you're buying your first business, scaling past your next revenue milestone, or building toward an eventual exit, Owned and Operated delivers practical insights you can apply immediately.

New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

Learn more at www.ownedandoperated.com

Recent rankings

Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.

Apple Podcasts

No recent rankings available

Spotify

No recent rankings available

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Links found in episode descriptions and other podcasts that share them.

See all

RSS feed quality and score

Technical evaluation of the podcast's RSS feed quality and structure.

See all

RSS feed quality

Good

Score global : 72%

Publication history

Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.

Year

Latest published episodes

Recent episodes with titles, durations, and descriptions.

See all

The 3 Stages of Building a Home Service Business From $1M to $20M and Beyond

Season 1 · Episode 295

Friday, March 20, 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

Send Us Mail!

More Ways To Connect with O&O

Leave a Review

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.

Read moreCollapse

Building a Billion-Dollar Septic Business

Season 1 · Episode 295

Thursday, March 19, 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?

Is Direct Mail Back? The 2026 Growth Strategy for Service Businesses

Season 1 · Episode 286

Tuesday, February 17, 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 ProsMissed 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.?

#228 How this NEW Service Owner is doing $80k/month

Season 1 · Episode 228

Tuesday, July 29, 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!

📅 Book your demo HERE

💼 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.

#227 How Small HVAC Businesses Are Disrupting the Industry

Season 1 · Episode 227

Thursday, July 24, 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: 👉

#226 HVAC Owner Makes $4M/Month (Here’s How)

Season 1 · Episode 226

Tuesday, July 22, 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

🎧 More Episodes + Resources

👤 Hosted by:
John Wilson – https://x.com/wilsoncompanies

🎙️ Guest :
Brian Sloan, TR Miller - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bsloan25/

Shout Out to FieldPulse 🚀

BONUS EPISODE - Where is JackQuisitions??

Season 1 · Episode 225

Friday, July 18, 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.

👉 JackQuisitions Youtube

👉 JackQuisitions Spotify

👉 JackQuisitions Apple Music

Send Us Mail!

More Ways To Connect with O&O

Leave a Review

#224 Top Cash Flow Mistakes in Home Services and How to Fix Them

Season 1 · Episode 224

Thursday, July 17, 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.

#223 Can These WEIRD Ideas Turn Into Million-Dollar Businesses?

Season 1 · Episode 223

Tuesday, July 15, 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.

#222 Leaving Finance to Build a Legacy in HVAC

Season 1 · Episode 222

Friday, July 11, 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] [] 👤 Hosted by: 👤 Episode Guest Thomas Beebe

Owned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Owned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other99+

Buzzsprout4

Youtube25

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Other99+

Buzzsprout4

Youtube25