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

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

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

  1. 1D AGO ·  BONUS

    If I Had to Start a Home Service Business From $0, Here’s Exactly What I'd Do

    If you’re starting a home service business in 2026… you’re probably focusing on the wrong things. Most people waste months on logos, websites, and branding—before they ever get a single customer. In this solo episode, John breaks down exactly how he would start a home service business from $0 today—and the framework that actually drives revenue from day one. This isn’t theory. It’s the same mindset and systems used to build a $40M home service company from the ground up. If you’re thinking about starting a business—or trying to get your first real traction—this is the playbook. What You’ll Learn:  Why picking the right market and service matters more than anything else  How to find low-competition, high-demand opportunities (and avoid crowded markets)  The biggest mistake new operators make (and why most fail early)  Why you’re not in the trade business—you’re in marketing and sales  The fastest way to get customers with $0 (and start generating revenue immediately)  Why branding, websites, and “looking legit” don’t matter early on 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.

    13 min

  2. 2D AGO

    AI Is Creating a MASSIVE Gap Between Contractors

    Is AI actually changing home services… or just hype? In this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson sits down with Tyson Chen (Founder of Avoca) to break down how AI is actually being deployed inside home service businesses right now—and why the gap between operators is widening fast. From contractors building their own tools to PE-backed companies unlocking millions in efficiency, this episode cuts through the noise and gets practical. What we cover:  Why contractors are rapidly deploying AI across their businesses  The rise of “AI-native” operators (and why they scale faster)  Real use cases: dispatch, call center, marketing, and capacity planning  Where AI drives the biggest ROI (and where it breaks) If you’re trying to scale, improve margins, or stay competitive as AI adoption accelerates—this episode will reshape how you think about your business. Host: John Wilson https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbwilson1/ Guest: Tyson Chen https://www.avoca.ai/partners/oao 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 🛒 Extra Special Thanks to Contractor Commerce! Contractor Commerce turns your website into a 24/7 sales engine for service contractors. With guided pricing, online service and membership sales, and deep system integrations, your site pre-qualifies customers before the phone ever rings. One contractor generated a $15,000 service sale after hours — straight from their website. Visit contractorcommerce.com  Book a demo to see how Contractor Commerce turns your website into a 24/7 sales and qualification engine. 💸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.  #HomeServices #HVAC #Plumbing #Electrical #AI #Automation #ServiceBusiness 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.

    48 min

  3. 4D 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

  4. MAR 27 ·  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

  5. MAR 26

    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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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4.7
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88 Ratings

About

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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