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

John Wilson
  • 4.7 (92)
  • 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 ·  Video

    If We Started Over Today, These Are the Businesses We'd Buy

    If We Started Over Today, These Are the Businesses We'd Buy What’s the best home service business to start in 2026? In this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson and Jack Carr break down the industries they'd bet on if they had to start over from scratch today. From HVAC, plumbing, and electrical to restoration, landscaping, roofing, septic, and even trash collection, they debate which businesses offer the best combination of recurring revenue, profitability, scalability, and long-term enterprise value. The conversation dives into what actually makes a great business: recurring revenue vs. high-ticket projects, cash flow vs. enterprise value, ease of hiring vs. ease of selling, and which industries are positioned to win over the next decade. Along the way, John and Jack share lessons from building, acquiring, and investing in service businesses, and reveal which opportunities they're most excited about right now. If you're looking to buy a business, launch a company, or expand into a new trade, this episode offers a practical framework for evaluating where the best opportunities exist today. What You'll Learn: → What makes a great home service business in 2026 → Why recurring revenue businesses are so attractive → The tradeoffs between cash flow and enterprise value → Why restoration may be one of the most underrated opportunities today → The pros and cons of roofing, landscaping, septic, pest control, and more → Which business John and Jack would personally choose if they had to start over tomorrow ———————————————— 🔗 CONNECT ———————————————— John Wilson → https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbwilson1/ Jack Carr → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-carr-home-service/ Owned and Operated → https://www.ownedandoperated.com ———————————————— 💰 SPONSORS ———————————————— 💼 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: https://www.bigreputation.ai/oao 📞 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 at https://quo.com/owned  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.

    43 min

  2. 5d ago ·  Bonus Video

    The 5 KPI's that show problems before they happen

    Many small business owners struggle with identifying core issues, often guessing at problems instead of relying on concrete data. This video emphasizes the importance of focusing on measurable key metrics within a home services business. By tracking performance metrics like leads, booking rates, and closing rates, owners can significantly improve their business management and gain clear insights into their operational health. Watch this episode early on the John Wilson YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JohnWilsonOAO 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.

    8 min

  3. 6d ago ·  Video

    He Left Tesla to Buy a Plumbing Company. Here's What Happened Next.

    How do you go from Tesla to owning a plumbing company? In this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson sits down with Jared Worthen to discuss buying a plumbing business, transitioning from tech into the trades, and what it's really like to acquire and operate a home service company. After building his career at Tesla and ServiceTitan, Jared spent years searching for the right acquisition before purchasing Drain Doctors, a plumbing and drain cleaning company on California's Central Coast. He shares the realities of business acquisition, SBA-style entrepreneurship, scaling a small service business, and the lessons he's learned during his first 120 days as an owner. From due diligence and deal structure to hiring technicians, implementing ServiceTitan, improving Google reviews, and building a growth-focused culture, this episode is packed with practical insights for anyone interested in buying a business, running a plumbing company, or growing a home service business. What You'll Learn: → How Jared went from Tesla and ServiceTitan to plumbing business ownership → The process of buying a plumbing company and negotiating an acquisition → Common mistakes first-time business buyers make → What surprised him most during the first 120 days of ownership → How ServiceTitan, Google reviews, and marketing are helping drive growth ———————————————— 🔗 CONNECT ———————————————— John Wilson → https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbwilson1/ Jared Worthen →https://x.com/slo_operator ———————————————— 💰 SPONSORS ———————————————— 💼 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  💡 Yelp — A Smarter Way to Win Leads Google costs are up. Lead quality is down. You’re paying more for less. Meanwhile, Yelp generated 125M+ home service leads last year—and powers results across ChatGPT, Google AI, Apple Maps, and Alexa. Less competition. Higher intent. 👉 Book a call 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.

    50 min

  4. Jun 16 ·  Video

    Why We're Building Our Own Software for Home Service Businesses with AI

    Most contractors are using AI to save time. John Wilson and Service Scalers CEO Sam Preston argue the real opportunity is much bigger: using AI to replace software, automate workflows, and build custom tools that drive growth. In this episode, John and Sam break down how home service companies are using "vibe coding" to build websites, internal software, dashboards, and automation systems without hiring developers. They share practical ways contractors can reduce costs, improve operations, and create competitive advantages using AI. What You'll Learn: → What vibe coding is and why contractors are embracing it → How to replace expensive software with custom AI-built tools → The framework for identifying automation opportunities in your business → Why AI should automate workflows, not just assist employees → How AI can improve margins, reduce overhead, and accelerate growth ———————————————— 🔗 CONNECT ———————————————— John Wilson → https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbwilson1/ Sam Preston → https://www.linkedin.com/in/sampreston/ ———————————————— 💰 SPONSORS ———————————————— ⏱️Brought to you by The Military Veteran If you’re running a home service business and hiring feels slow, risky, or you’re just not seeing the leadership talent you need, TMV can help. They connect companies like yours with exceptional military veteran leaders, people who’ve already proven they can execute, adapt, and lead under pressure. And they do it fast, with a white-glove process that saves you weeks and avoids costly mis-hires. Want to see who’s out there? Book a Free Coaching session 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 🏠 Comfort Connect helps home service contractors close more deals with flexible payment solutions and their all-inclusive Premier Program® — giving homeowners one predictable monthly payment for equipment, maintenance, repairs, and support. Learn how top contractors are increasing close rates, boosting ticket sizes, and building long-term recurring revenue. Book a call with Comfort Connect 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.

    38 min
  5. How Top Contractors Convert More Leads Without Spending More on Marketing

    Jun 11 ·  Video

    How Top Contractors Convert More Leads Without Spending More on Marketing

    How Speed to Lead Unlocks More Revenue From Every Lead Source Most contractors think they need more leads. According to Tyson Chen, co-founder of Avoca, most home service companies actually need a better system for capturing, contacting, and converting the leads they already have. In this episode, John Wilson sits down with Tyson Chen to break down the speed-to-lead systems that are helping home service companies double revenue, improve booking rates, and make channels like Angi, Yelp, Meta, Thumbtack, and Google LSA profitable. They discuss the exact follow-up cadence used by top-performing contractors, why most businesses leave revenue on the table, and how AI, outbound calling, and automation are changing lead conversion in the trades. They also explore how private equity-backed platforms are using speed-to-lead to create entirely new revenue streams, why response time directly impacts lead quality and platform rankings, and what contractors need to do to maximize ROI from every marketing channel. What You'll Learn: → Why most home service companies don't actually have a lead problem  → The speed-to-lead process that helps contractors convert more opportunities  → Why calling leads beats relying on text messages alone  → The ideal follow-up cadence for lead aggregators and paid leads  → How AI and automation improve response times and booking rates  → Why channels like Angi, Yelp, Meta, and Google LSA work when lead handling is done correctly ———————————————— 🔗 CONNECT ———————————————— John Wilson → https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbwilson1/ Tyson Chen → https://www.linkedin.com/company/avoca-ai/ ———————————————— 💰 SPONSORS ———————————————— 💼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: [https://www.getavoca.ai/partners/oao] 💼 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: https://www.bigreputation.ai/oao  💡 Yelp — A Smarter Way to Win Leads Google costs are up. Lead quality is down. You’re paying more for less. Meanwhile, Yelp generated 125M+ home service leads last year—and powers results across ChatGPT, Google AI, Apple Maps, and Alexa. Less competition. Higher intent. 👉 Book a call: https://business.yelp.com/ownedandoperated  ———————————————— Peer Group: https://www.ownedandoperated.com/pro-membership 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.

    58 min

  6. Jun 9 ·  Video

    Dirty Jobs, Big Profits: Inside the Poop Scooping Business

    Most people think pet waste removal is a side hustle. Erica Krupin built a real business around it. In this episode, John Wilson sits down with Erica Krupin, founder of Kroopin's Poopin' Scoopin', to break down the surprisingly scalable world of pet waste removal. From starting with a bucket, rake, and a 2007 Chevy Cobalt to building a recurring-revenue service business with hundreds of customers, Erica shares the hard lessons behind growth, leadership, hiring, marketing, and surviving a year that nearly put her out of business. They dive into customer acquisition, churn, pricing, recurring revenue, sales systems, and why answering the phone may be the highest ROI activity in your company. Along the way, they uncover lessons that apply far beyond poop scooping—from financial discipline and resilience to building systems that can scale. What you'll learn: → How Erica built a pet waste removal company from a side hustle into a six-figure business → Why 2024 nearly broke the business—and what fueled the comeback → The economics of recurring revenue in the poop scooping industry → How spring rush can double a company's size in just a few weeks → The hiring, training, and retention challenges of running a service business → Why missed phone calls were costing thousands in lost revenue ———————————————— 🔗 CONNECT ———————————————— John Wilson → https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbwilson1/ Erica Krupin → @KroopinsPoopinScoopin  ———————————————— 💰 SPONSORS ———————————————— 📞 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 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 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  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 19m

  7. Jun 5 ·  Bonus Video

    10 Books That Scaled My Business to $44M

    This week, I’m sharing the books that shaped the way I think about business and helped me scale my family’s company from $1 million to $44 million in revenue. These are more than popular business books sitting on a shelf. Each one solved a specific problem at a critical stage of growth, from leadership and operations to hiring, sales, and scaling. In this episode, I break down the lessons that had the biggest impact on my entrepreneurial journey and explain how you can apply them to your own business. Whether you're running a home service company, building your first team, or trying to break through your next growth ceiling, these are the books I recommend most often. In This Episode:  The books that changed how I lead and manage  Frameworks that helped scale from $1M to $44M  Lessons on hiring, delegation, and accountability  How great operators use books to solve real business problems  The mindset shifts every entrepreneur needs to grow Watch this episode early on the John Wilson YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JohnWilsonOAO 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.

    9 min
  8. The Biggest Lead Source Most Home Service Companies Are Ignoring

    Jun 4 ·  Video

    The Biggest Lead Source Most Home Service Companies Are Ignoring

    Most contractors wrote off Yelp years ago. But the platform has quietly become one of the most powerful lead-generation engines in the home service space,  powered by AI partnerships with OpenAI and Perplexity that are funneling search traffic directly to Yelp listings.  John Wilson sits down with Katy Lightsey, Head of Services at Yelp, to break down exactly how  61 home service leads  are flowing through the platform and what  68 contractor lead generation  actually looks like in 2025. They cover lead costs, close rates, how Yelp Ads and Request a Quote really work, and why  68 how to get more leads  for your home service business may start with the platform you've been ignoring. What you'll learn: → How Yelp generates 10 million home service leads every month  → Why AI tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity are driving more traffic through Yelp  → How Yelp Assistant uses AI to match homeowners with contractors  → The truth behind Yelp's reputation with contractors  → What every business should do to improve visibility and lead flow on Yelp  → How Yelp Ads, Request a Quote, and lead pricing actually work ————————————————  🔗 CONNECT ———————————————— John Wilson → https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbwilson1/ Katy Lightsey→ Yelp https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-lightsey-4a137468/  Learn more → https://business.yelp.com/ownedandoperated  ————————————————  💰 SPONSORS ———————————————— 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. Book a demo to see how Contractor Commerce turns your website into a 24/7 sales and qualification engine. 💼 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. 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.

    43 min
See All (366)

Trailers

4.7
out of 5
92 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

Information

You Might Also Like