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

John Wilson
  • 4.7 (88)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

The Owned and Operated electrical, HVAC, and plumbing business growth podcast is hosted by John Wilson and Jack Carr. These two Home Service Business owners bring you weekly podcasts and daily content with multiple perspectives, actionable advice, and info on an ever-changing industry revolving around advertising, lead generation, and more. Join us every Tuesday for topical conversations that unlock the potential for your business growth. Covering topics from top-tier talent recruitment to mastering marketing strategies and scaling your home service business, the podcast aims to be your guide on the path to entrepreneurial success.For more information, visit www.ownedandoperated.com. 

  1. 1D AGO

    The REAL Future of Home Services: Chick-fil-A, Handyman Businesses, and Industry Consolidation

    Is Chick-fil-A entering home services… and what does that mean for contractors? At first glance, it sounds like a joke — but it’s real. A Chick-fil-A–backed venture has launched a home service brand focused on handyman work, and it raises a much bigger question: Who’s coming for the home service industry next? In this episode, John Wilson is joined by Jack Carr (CEO of Rapid HVAC) to break down what this move actually signals — from venture capital entering the trades to the long-term impact of consolidation. They also unpack a core issue most operators misunderstand: why handyman businesses are incredibly hard to scale, despite looking simple on the surface. From scope creep and pricing pressure to labor challenges and customer expectations, this conversation gets into the realities behind “easy” service models — and where the real opportunities are. In this episode, we discuss:  Why Chick-fil-A’s move into home services isn’t as crazy as it sounds  The hidden challenges of running and scaling a handyman business  How “small jobs” turn into complex operations  Why the word “handyman” can hurt your pricing power  The rise of venture capital and institutional buyers in home services  What consolidation means for contractors over the next decade  How distribution (Home Depot, Costco, etc.) could reshape the industry If you’re building, buying, or scaling a home service business — this episode will give you a clearer view of where the industry is heading next. 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   💼 iWallet — Cut Payment Fees & Simplify Your Cash Flow Running 5+ trucks? You know payments are a mess—slow checks, high fees, and disconnected systems. iWallet is built for home service businesses, combining cards, ACH, and digital checks into one platform that plugs into your CRM. 👉 Book a demo HERE Host: John Wilson https://x.com/WilsonCompanies Guest: Jack Carr (Rapid HVAC) https://x.com/thehvacjack Send Us Mail! More Ways To Connect with O&O John's YouTube ChannelWeekly Newsletter Owned and Operated 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.

    37 min

  2. 5D AGO ·  BONUS

    The HVAC Marketing System That Will Dominate 2026

    If you’re trying to win in HVAC in 2026… most of what you’ve been told about marketing is wrong. Contractors are wasting thousands on agencies, chasing “leads,” and relying on channels they don’t actually control. In this solo episode, John breaks down the exact HVAC marketing system he’s using to scale one of the largest non-private equity-backed home service companies in Ohio—and what’s actually working right now. This isn’t theory. It’s what’s driving real calls, real jobs, and real growth. If you’re stuck in feast-or-famine, trying to grow past $1M, or scaling toward $10M+, this is the playbook. What You’ll Learn:  The difference between controllable vs. uncontrollable demand (and why it matters)  The exact channels driving consistent HVAC leads today (SEO, Google Ads, LSA, direct mail)  Why most contractors underinvest in marketing—and how it holds them back  The “speed to lead” system that turns missed calls into booked jobs Follow John Wilson: https://x.com/WilsonCompanies More Solo Content: https://www.youtube.com/@JohnWilsonStudio Send Us Mail! More Ways To Connect with O&O John's YouTube ChannelWeekly Newsletter Owned and Operated 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.

    12 min

  3. 6D AGO

    You're Tracking Your Ad Spend Wrong (Here’s What to Do Instead)

    Is your home service marketing actually working — or is Google getting all the credit? In this episode John Wilson and returning guest Tony Castelucci (Wanamaker Advertising) explain why cost‑per‑lead (CPL) often misleads, how attribution and demand generation are changing in 2026, and practical steps to measure true marketing ROI for plumbing, electrical, and HVAC businesses. They unpack why cost per lead is often the wrong metric, how demand capture and demand creation work together, and what operators need to track if they want to scale profitably instead of just chasing cheap leads. What we cover: Why last-click attribution gives too much credit to GoogleWhy cost per lead is one of the most misleading metrics in marketingThe difference between demand capture vs demand creationWhy branded traffic and direct traffic are often your best leadsHow to use timestamps, call data, and CRM reporting to measure true marketing ROIIf you're spending more on marketing but still struggling to understand what’s truly driving booked jobs and profitable growth, this episode is for you. Host: John Wilson https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbwilson1/ Guest: Tony Castelucci (Wanamaker) [https://wantmore-leads.com] 💼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.  🔗 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 💼 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  Send Us Mail! More Ways To Connect with O&O John's YouTube ChannelWeekly Newsletter Owned and Operated 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.

    53 min

  4. MAR 24

    AI Isn’t Killing SEO—It’s Killing Bad Traffic (What Actually Works in 2026)

    Is AI killing SEO—or just changing how it works? In this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson sits down with Lisa from Service Scalers to talk about what SEO actually looks like in 2026. They break down why AI isn’t replacing search, why Google still dominates high-intent local buying behavior, and what home service companies need to do to stay visible. They cover the shift away from low-intent traffic, why Google Business Profiles matter more than ever, and how authority, trust, and user experience are replacing old-school SEO tactics. In this episode, we cover: -Why AI is changing SEO, not killing it -Why low-intent traffic is dropping -How Google Business Profiles drive local leads -Why brand search matters more than most owners realize Host: John Wilson https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbwilson1/ Guest: Lisa Appleby https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-appleby/?originalSubdomain=uk 📞 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 💼 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 $500 off your first placement here 💼 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 Send Us Mail! More Ways To Connect with O&O John's YouTube ChannelWeekly Newsletter Owned and Operated 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.

    42 min

  5. MAR 20 ·  BONUS

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

    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 & ExpansionThis 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% growthHow to structure acquisitions without relying on banksThe 4 core pillars of a scalable business (HR, Marketing, Accounting, Leadership)How to think about growth when you’re past $20MHost: John Wilson https://x.com/WilsonCompanies More Solo Content https://www.youtube.com/@JohnWilsonStudio Send Us Mail! More Ways To Connect with O&O John's YouTube ChannelWeekly Newsletter Owned and Operated 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.

    20 min

  6. MAR 19

    Building a Billion-Dollar Septic Business

    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 opportunitiesHow 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 ratesThe real economics behind building a $100M–$1B service businessHost: 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 Send Us Mail! More Ways To Connect with O&O John's YouTube ChannelWeekly Newsletter Owned and Operated 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.

    1h 30m

  7. MAR 17

    The $50K Truck Wrap Mistake Home Service Companies Make

    Do truck wraps actually drive leads, or are most home service companies wasting money to look like everyone else? In this episode, John Wilson and Sam Preston break down branding, truck wraps, and why many HVAC, plumbing, and electrical companies overspend on “professional” branding that does not actually set them apart. They talk about what branding really does, why it helps close more deals than generate more leads, and how to think about standing out in a crowded market. In this episode, we cover: Why truck wraps no longer differentiate most home service brandsThe difference between branding that signals trust and branding that drives leadsWhy simple truck wraps often work better than busy designsHow branding has shifted from competitive advantage to table stakesWhy many contractors overspend to look like everyone elseHost: John Wilson https://x.com/WilsonCompanies Guest: Sam Preston https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-preston-a682103b6 💸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.  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  📞 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 Send Us Mail! More Ways To Connect with O&O John's YouTube Channel Weekly Newsletter Owned and Operated 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.

    36 min

  8. MAR 12

    The Marketing Stack for Home Service Businesses: $1M to $10M

    The Marketing Stack for Home Service Businesses: From $1M to $10M What should home service companies actually spend on marketing at $1 million, $5 million, and $10 million? In this episode, John Wilson sits down with Ethan Wright of Service Scalers to break down the real marketing stack for HVAC, plumbing, and electrical companies at every stage of growth. They cover what changes as you scale, what stays the same, and where most owners waste money too early. If you run an HVAC, plumbing, or electrical business and want a clearer roadmap for how to think about marketing as you grow, this episode lays it out. In this episode, we cover: The best marketing priorities for home service companies from $1M to $10MWhy lead generation matters more than branding in the early stagesHow reviews, LSA, aggregators, and speed-to-lead drive growthWhen PPC, SEO, and lifecycle marketing become more importantWhy most owners hire for marketing too earlyHow pricing impacts your ability to buy leads profitablyHost: John Wilson https://x.com/WilsonCompanies Guest: Ethan Wright linkedin.com/in/ethanwrighttx 💼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. 🔗 Schedule a demo  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  💼 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 $500 off your first placement here  Send Us Mail! More Ways To Connect with O&O John's YouTube ChannelWeekly Newsletter Owned and Operated 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.

    49 min
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4.7
out of 5
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About

The Owned and Operated electrical, HVAC, and plumbing business growth podcast is hosted by John Wilson and Jack Carr. These two Home Service Business owners bring you weekly podcasts and daily content with multiple perspectives, actionable advice, and info on an ever-changing industry revolving around advertising, lead generation, and more. Join us every Tuesday for topical conversations that unlock the potential for your business growth. Covering topics from top-tier talent recruitment to mastering marketing strategies and scaling your home service business, the podcast aims to be your guide on the path to entrepreneurial success.For more information, visit www.ownedandoperated.com. 

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