OWNR OPS Podcast

Austin Gray @theownerop
  • 5.0 (33)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Starting a business by offering a service to your local community is one of the greatest entrepreneurial opportunities of our time. While most people search for a remote job and try to build the next tech unicorn, you can start a business in your own back yard. Join your host, Austin Gray, as he shares tips from behind the scenes of starting and growing his own local service businesses in bite sized 10 min episodes. PLUS, tune in for special guest interviews, where Austin hosts other entrepreneurs who have started local service businesses in markets across the US.

  1. 2D AGO

    How to Delegate and Use AI

    In this episode of the OWNR OPS Podcast, Bodhi Gallo from Stryker Digital shares about his biggest lesson from 2025:Go from player to coach — and delegate at the right time.We cover:✅ When to delegate (and when NOT to)✅ How to stop being the bottleneck✅ Simple SOPs that actually get used (short videos + quick memos)✅ How Bodhi trains sales reps faster using AI✅ AI tools they’re using: ChatGPT, Claude, Replit (+ Whisper Flow)✅ Why building a brand matters more than ever for home service businessesIf you own a local service business — this will help you build systems, train your team, and get more done without burning out.🔥 Services We Use 🔥We use Jobber to handle our estimates, scheduling, & invoicing➡️ Get 20% off Jobber here: https://go.getjobber.com/ownerops-spotify💰 Bookkeeping: Get 50% off bookkeeping for 3 months with the Home Service Bookkeeping Pros: https://dialedinbookkeeping.com/ownrops🚀 Get ranked #1 On Google With Stryker SEO: https://stryker-digital.com/?el=ooWant to learn more about starting and scaling your own service-based business?📩 Sign up for the OWNR OPS Newsletter: → https://ownrops.com/newsletterDon’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes with blue collar entrepreneurs sharing their best insights and growth tips!

    57 min

  2. JAN 9

    How To Use AI for Land Clearing Business Growth

    💰Learn Google Business, Facebook Ads, and Automation tips for your Blue Collar Business ➡️⁠⁠ https://skool.com/ownrops⁠⁠ Can AI actually help blue collar businesses grow faster, price smarter, and create content at scale? Jacob Neffendorf says yes—and he’s built the systems to prove it. In this episode, Austin Gray sits down with Jacob, founder of Rise Online Ads, to unpack how land clearing and service businesses can use ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini to train AI on their pricing, content, and operations. From custom GPTs that generate estimates to AI-trained content machines pumping out 300+ posts a year—this is a blueprint for smarter, leaner growth in 2025. You’ll learn: How to train AI to write estimates and proposals like a proThe 12-month content prompt that generates 300+ ideasClaude vs. Gemini vs. ChatGPT—when to use which toolWhy offering one service dominates SEO and builds trustThe upsell framework every owner-operator should masterIf you run a land clearing, excavation, pressure washing, or any local service business—this one’s packed with tactical gold. 🔥 Services We Use 🔥 We use Jobber to handle our estimates, scheduling, & invoicing ➡️ Get 20% off Jobber here: https://go.getjobber.com/ownerops-spotify 🚀 Get ranked #1 On Google With Stryker SEO: https://stryker-digital.com/?el=oo 💰 Bookkeeping: Get 50% off bookkeeping for 3 months with the Home Service Bookkeeping Pros: https://dialedinbookkeeping.com/ownrops Want to learn more about starting and scaling your own service-based business? 📩 Sign up for the OWNR OPS Newsletter: → https://ownrops.com/newsletter Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes with blue collar entrepreneurs sharing their best insights and growth tips!

    42 min

  3. JAN 2

    How This 19 YR Old Made $37k Month 1 of Land Clearing Start

    WELCOME TO SEASON 3 of the OWNR OPS Podcast. 🎙️🔥 We’re starting this season with a banger — Owen is 19 years old, built a land clearing business from scratch, and did $37,000 in his first month. The wild part? He pre-sold $20,000+ in land clearing jobs before he even bought his first machine. No excuses. Just action. We break down: ✔️ Why he pivoted from stump grinding → land clearing ✔️ How he used Facebook ads to generate leads fast ✔️ The difference between low-ticket vs high-ticket services (CAC → LTV) ✔️ How he handled sales calls + booked site visits ✔️ How he closes jobs in person (with a simple checklist) ✔️ Pricing, minimums, and keeping the business operationally simple ✔️ His plan to scale to $1M revenue in 2026 If you’re trying to grow a local service business, this one is loaded with real tactics you can steal. 👉 Join the free OWNR OPS community: https://www.skool.com/ownrops 🔥 Services We Use 🔥 We use Jobber to handle our estimates, scheduling, & invoicing ➡️ Get 20% off Jobber here: https://go.getjobber.com/ownerops-spotify 💰 Bookkeeping: Get 50% off bookkeeping for 3 months with the Home Service Bookkeeping Pros: https://dialedinbookkeeping.com/ownrops 🚀 Get ranked #1 On Google With Stryker SEO: https://stryker-digital.com/?el=oo Want to learn more about starting and scaling your own service-based business?📩 Sign up for the OWNR OPS Newsletter: → https://ownrops.com/newsletter

    1h 11m

  4. JAN 2

    OWNR OPS Season 3: Get More Leads, Win More Jobs, Scale Your Service Biz

    Welcome to Season 3 of the OWNR OPS Podcast 👊 This season is focused on helping service business owners: ✅ get more leads ✅ win more jobs ✅ and build systems that scale We’ll be talking marketing, sales, and operations with real operators and specialists—sharing what’s working right now and what you can actually take action on.If you’re building a blue-collar or home service business and want to grow faster (without chaos), you’re in the right place. 👉 Join the free group and get around other owners doing the work: https://www.skool.com/ownrops Work hard Do your best Never settle for less

    3 min
  5. How To Do SEO For Blue Collar Business

    12/19/2025

    How To Do SEO For Blue Collar Business

    💰Learn Google Business, Facebook Ads, and Automation tips for your Blue Collar Business ➡️ https://skool.com/ownrops Can AI actually run parts of your blue collar business better than you? Andy Walker thinks so—and he built the tools to prove it. In this episode, Austin Gray sits down with Andy, co-founder of Stryker Digital, who shares how he used ChatGPT, Claude, and Replit to build a custom retention system in just 10 days—something that would’ve taken 30 devs a full year. From SOP automation and speed-to-lead hacks to real-time customer health scores and AI lead qualification—this is a blueprint for the future of service-based businesses. You’ll learn: Why “mega prompts” are the secret to getting elite AI outputs How to automate SOP creation using ChatGPT’s Canvas tool Andy’s AI sales system that flags churn risks before they happen What tools and data you need to train an AI assistant Why home service businesses are primed for an AI-powered takeover If you’re in HVAC, roofing, land clearing, or any service business—this episode gives you a look into how the pros are building the future with AI. 🔥 Services We Use 🔥We use Jobber to handle our estimates, scheduling, & invoicing➡️ Get 20% off Jobber here: https://go.getjobber.com/ownrops-youtube 🚀 Get ranked #1 On Google With Stryker SEO: https://stryker-digital.com/?el=oo 💰 Bookkeeping: Get 50% off bookkeeping for 3 months with the Home Service Bookkeeping Pros: https://dialedinbookkeeping.com/ownropsWant to learn more about starting and scaling your own service-based business? 📩 Sign up for the OWNR OPS Newsletter: → https://ownrops.com/newsletterDon’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes with blue collar entrepreneurs sharing their best insights and growth tips!

    1h 14m
  6. How To Win More Jobs w/ Speed To Lead

    12/13/2025

    How To Win More Jobs w/ Speed To Lead

    💰Learn Google Business, Facebook Ads, and Automation tips for your Blue Collar Business ➡️⁠ https://skool.com/ownrops⁠ Can you really make 6 figures in 60 days—and still run a tight, high-ticket business? Steve Hunsaker proves it's possible. In this episode, Austin Gray sits down with Steve, founder of Valley Christmas Lights and Home Service Accelerator, who shares the exact systems, sales playbook, and paid ad strategies behind his explosive seasonal success. From postcard ROI and CRM attribution to speed-to-lead systems and why he won’t train competitors in his own market—this is a masterclass in building lean, profitable service ops. You’ll learn: How Steve turned $5K in postcard ads into $28.5K in October sales Why accurate lead tracking is non-negotiable for growth The speed-to-lead system that outpaces every competitor Why sticking to high pricing builds a better business long-term How to avoid being “busy but broke” in seasonal services If you’re in lights, landscaping, junk removal, or any local service business—this episode is packed with tactical clarity. 🔥 Services We Use 🔥 We use Jobber to handle our estimates, scheduling, & invoicing ➡️ Get 20% off Jobber here:⁠ https://go.getjobber.com/ownrops-youtube⁠ 🚀 Get ranked #1 On Google With Stryker SEO:⁠ https://stryker-digital.com/?el=oo⁠ 💰 Bookkeeping: Get 50% off bookkeeping for 3 months with the Home Service Bookkeeping Pros:⁠ https://dialedinbookkeeping.com/ownrops⁠ Want to learn more about starting and scaling your own service-based business? 📩 Sign up for the OWNR OPS Newsletter: →⁠ https://ownrops.com/newsletter⁠ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes with blue collar entrepreneurs sharing their best insights and growth tips!

    2h 27m
  7. How to Price Land Clearing Jobs: 3 Rules for Better Clients and Profit (with Jacob Neffendorf)

    12/05/2025

    How to Price Land Clearing Jobs: 3 Rules for Better Clients and Profit (with Jacob Neffendorf)

    💰Learn Google Business, Facebook Ads, and Automation tips for your Blue Collar Business ➡️https://skool.com/ownrops How should land clearing operators price their jobs in 2025? In this episode, Austin Gray sits down with Jacob Neffendorf, founder of Land Clearing Growth, to unpack everything from day rates vs. project pricing to instant estimate tools, client education, and why pricing transparency actually drives better leads. Jacob shares what’s working right now across 120+ land clearing companies—from pricing psychology and “good, better, best” packages to avoiding tire kickers, improving qualification, and marketing smarter on Facebook. You’ll learn: Why job-based pricing usually beats hourly or day rates How to use estimate tools to qualify leads before you ever pick up the phone The top mistakes new operators make when pricing their first few jobs How to get local Facebook content ranking on Google What mindset shift Jacob says will unlock better clients (and more profit) If you're in land clearing, fire mitigation, or any blue-collar service business—this episode is packed with tactical, field-tested insights you can apply today. 🔥 Services We Use 🔥 We use Jobber to handle our estimates, scheduling, & invoicing ➡️ Get 20% off Jobber here: https://go.getjobber.com/ownrops-youtube 📞 QUO- Business Phone System That Scales With You: Get 20% off your first 3 months. https://www.quo.com/ 🚀 Get ranked #1 On Google With Stryker SEO: https://stryker-digital.com/?el=oo Want to learn more about starting and scaling your own service-based business? 📩 Sign up for the OWNR OPS Newsletter: → https://ownrops.com/newsletter

    46 min
  8. How To Create Estimates With AI Automatically

    11/28/2025

    How To Create Estimates With AI Automatically

    💰Learn Google Business, Facebook Ads, and Automation tips for your Blue Collar Business ➡️ https://skool.com/ownrops Can AI really generate construction estimates better than a human? Alex Boyd says yes—and built the proof. In this episode, Austin Gray sits down with Alex, founder of Brushwork Land Clearing, who reveals the full tech stack he uses to automate his sales process from start to finish. Using a pendant to record conversations, ChatGPT to summarize and price jobs, and Housecall Pro to send instant estimates—this is the future of blue-collar automation. You’ll learn: How Alex trained AI to understand brush density, terrain, and job pricing The exact tools he uses to automate everything from estimates to social posts Why switching from per-day to per-project pricing was a game changer How AI helps land more jobs with better accuracy The framework any contractor can use to build their own AI estimating system If you’re in land clearing, landscaping, tree service, or any local service business—this episode is packed with real-world, tactical automation strategies. 🔥 Services We Use 🔥 We use Jobber to handle our estimates, scheduling, & invoicing ➡️ Get 20% off Jobber here: https://go.getjobber.com/ownrops-youtube 🚀 Get ranked #1 On Google With Stryker SEO: https://stryker-digital.com/?el=oo 💰 Bookkeeping: Get 50% off bookkeeping for 3 months with the Home Service Bookkeeping Pros: https://dialedinbookkeeping.com/ownrops Want to learn more about starting and scaling your own service-based business? 📩 Sign up for the OWNR OPS Newsletter: → https://ownrops.com/newsletter Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes with blue collar entrepreneurs sharing their best insights and growth tips!

    1 hr
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5
out of 5
33 Ratings

About

Starting a business by offering a service to your local community is one of the greatest entrepreneurial opportunities of our time. While most people search for a remote job and try to build the next tech unicorn, you can start a business in your own back yard. Join your host, Austin Gray, as he shares tips from behind the scenes of starting and growing his own local service businesses in bite sized 10 min episodes. PLUS, tune in for special guest interviews, where Austin hosts other entrepreneurs who have started local service businesses in markets across the US.

Information

  • Creator
    Austin Gray @theownerop
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    116
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Austin Gray @theownerop
  • Show Website
    OWNR OPS Podcast

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