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

John Wilson
  • 4.7 (90)
  • 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. 3H AGO

    The Real Reason Everyone in the Trades Is Starting a Podcast

    In this episode, John sits down with Jackie Aubel, host of ServiceTitan’s Toolbox for the Trades, to unpack what content actually does for a home service business—and why most people get it wrong from the start. They break down the real role of podcasting: not a short-term revenue driver, but a long-term play for brand, relationships, and access. Jackie shares how ServiceTitan approaches content as a distribution machine—turning one episode into dozens of touchpoints across social, email, and paid media to stay embedded in the contractor ecosystem. But the bigger story is what’s happening across the trades. Just a few years ago, there was almost no content. Now, there’s an explosion—podcasts, newsletters, creators—and a new generation of operators entering with a sharper, business-first lens. They also get into why most people start content with the wrong expectations, how to define the right goal before you ever hit record, and what it actually takes to sustain something long enough to matter. If you’re thinking about building an audience—or questioning whether it’s even worth it—this is a clear-eyed look at the tradeoffs, upside, and reality of content in 2026. In this episode, you’ll learn:  Why podcasts rarely generate leads (especially early on)  What content actually does for your business  Why every podcast should be treated like a content engine  How to set the right goal before starting  What’s changed in the trades—and why it matters now  Why consistency beats early performance, every time Host: John Wilson Guest: Jackie Aubel Host: John Wilson Guest: Jackie Aubel 🛒 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 https://www.contractorcommerce.com/ Book a demo to see how Contractor Commerce turns your website into a 24/7 sales and qualification engine. 📞 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 inc 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.

    45 min

  2. 2D AGO

    How Door-to-Door Marketing Is Driving Millions in Home Service Revenue

    Most home service companies rely too heavily on digital channels—and that’s a risky game. In this episode, John Wilson and Sam Preston break down door-to-door marketing (canvassing) and why it’s becoming one of the most powerful, scalable lead generation channels in home services. What started as a way to de-risk dependence on Google and Meta has turned into a multi-million dollar revenue driver—and a repeatable system for launching and scaling new branches. They walk through how top operators are building field marketing teams, structuring canvassing programs, and using this “analog” channel to create predictable growth without relying on algorithms. If you want to diversify your lead flow, lower risk, and unlock a new path to scale, this episode is your playbook. You’ll learn:  Why relying on a single marketing channel puts your business at risk  How door-to-door marketing can generate 10–20%+ of total revenue  The structure of a high-performing canvassing team  Why high-ticket services make this model work  How to use canvassing to launch and scale new markets fast Host: John Wilson https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbwilson1/ Guest: Sam Preston https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-preston-a682103b6/ 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 💸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.  📞 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 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

  3. 6D AGO ·  BONUS

    Cash Flow 101: Why Profitable Businesses Still Go Broke (and How to Fix It)

    John Wilson, CEO of Wilson ($40M revenue, ~200 employees), breaks down a hard truth: profit doesn’t keep businesses alive—cash does. In this episode, he explains how companies can look profitable on paper while quietly running out of money. From accounts receivable and payable to debt that never shows up in net income, John reveals why EBITDA and profit are often misleading—and what actually matters. Drawing on his experience bootstrapping Wilson and real-world examples (including a business with $12M in EBITDA but negative cash flow), he shows how everyday “micro decisions”—inventory purchases, payment timing, marketing spend, pricing, and vendor terms—compound into make-or-break cash outcomes. He also covers:  Why businesses really go bankrupt  How CEOs should think about capital allocation  Updated benchmarks for true profitability  Practical ways to take control of your cash If you’re growing fast but feel tight on money, this episode will change how you think about your numbers—and your decisions. More Solo Content - @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.

    11 min

  4. APR 30

    The MOST Overlooked Growth Lever in Home Services

    Most home service companies don’t have a lead problem—they have a follow-up problem. In this episode, John and Sam break down lifecycle marketing and how to turn every lead into more revenue without increasing ad spend. From speed to lead to SMS, email, and outbound calling, they explain how top operators build systems that consistently generate repeat business. If you want to stabilize lead flow, lower marketing costs, and scale faster, this is the playbook. You’ll learn:  Why speed to lead should be under 15 seconds  How to get more value from every customer  The core lifecycle channels that actually drive revenue  How this system unlocks growth across every marketing channel Host: John Wilson Guest: Sam Preston 💼 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 ⏱️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 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.

    31 min

  5. APR 28

    Fleet Strategy: How to Buy, Finance, and Scale Your Vehicles

    Most home service companies treat their fleet like a necessity. The best operators treat it like a strategy. In this episode, John and Jack break down how to actually think about fleet management—from financing vehicles to choosing the right trucks—and why most businesses are overspending without realizing it. They walk through the five main ways to buy vehicles (cash, loans, lines of credit, and leases), the real differences between operating and capital leases, and how programs like Ford’s line of credit can accelerate growth. But the biggest shift isn’t financing—it’s vehicle selection. Instead of overloading expensive service vans, they explain why smaller, lower-cost vehicles can improve efficiency, reduce unused inventory, and significantly lower operating costs across your business. If you’re trying to scale your service company, your fleet decisions will either unlock growth—or quietly drain your margins. In this episode, you’ll learn:  The 5 ways to finance service vehicles (and which to avoid)  The difference between operating leases vs. capital leases  How fleet decisions impact profitability, cash flow, and valuation  Why smaller vehicles can outperform fully stocked vans  How to structure your fleet for growth, efficiency, and flexibility Whether you’re running 5 trucks or scaling past 50, this episode will help you build a smarter, more efficient fleet. Host: John Wilson https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbwilson1/ Guest: Jack Carr https://x.com/thehvacjack 💼 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 ⏱️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 Below 🔗 https://themilvet.typeform.com/to/BDwkmCU0?typeform-source=www.themilvet.org    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.

    59 min

  6. APR 23

    What Buyers Actually Look for When Buying a Business

    If you think a big EBITDA number alone will get you a big exit… you’re in for a rude awakening. In this episode, John sits down with longtime business advisor David Barnett—who’s helped sell hundreds of companies—to break down what actually drives value when it’s time to sell your business. From misunderstood multiples to messy financials, from distressed sales to “built-to-sell” winners, this conversation pulls back the curtain on how deals really get done—and why most owners leave money on the table. Because the reality is simple:  Buyers aren’t just buying your profit… they’re buying how confident they are that profit will continue without you.  What you’ll learn in this episode:  Why EBITDA alone doesn’t determine your valuation  The 2 questions every buyer asks before making an offer  How poor systems, bad margins, and owner-dependence kill deals Most businesses don’t sell because they weren’t built to sell.  If you want a real shot at a high-value exit, this episode is your roadmap. Connect with David Barnett: 👉 https://www.davidcbarnett.com/ Connect with John: 👉 https://x.com/thehvacjack 💡 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  📞 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  If you enjoyed this episode, leave a 5-star review—it helps us reach more operators building real businesses. 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 11m

  7. APR 21

    Why Most Business Owners Lose Millions When They Sell

    If you’re not building your business to sell, you’re building yourself a job. In this episode, Jack sits down with Steve and Austin from McCall Wealth Advisors to break down what actually drives business value—and why most owners leave millions on the table when they exit. From EBITDA games to private equity traps, this is a masterclass on how to turn your home service business into a sellable, high-multiple asset. Because the reality is simple:  No buyer wants to step in and buy a job—they want a business that prints profit. 💡 What you’ll learn in this episode:  Why 80% of your net worth is probably tied to your business The biggest mistake owners make when preparing for an exit  Why you should start planning your exit 5–7 years in advance📩 Connect with McCall Wealth Advisors: 👉 https://mccallwealth.com/ 🐦 Connect with Jack: 👉 https://x.com/thehvacjack 💼 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. We’re currently cutting our processing fees from 3% → 1.5% using iWallet. 👉 Book a demo: https://iwallet.com/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 If you enjoyed this episode, leave a 5-star review—it helps us reach more operators building real businesses. 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.

    39 min

  8. APR 16

    We Merged Our Home Service Companies—Now We’re Building to $100M

    In this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson is joined by Jack Carr, CEO of Rapid Response, to break down their recent partnership and the strategy behind building a multi-market home service platform. They share what it actually looks like to scale through acquisitions—covering the real advantages of size, from better pricing to shared capacity—and why smaller operators struggle to compete.  The conversation also dives into one of the hardest decisions in scaling: what to centralize vs. what to keep local. John and Jack unpack lessons from past mistakes, including how over-centralization can break a business. In this episode, we cover:  Scaling through acquisitions and partnerships  The real benefits of scale in home services  Sharing capacity across markets  Centralization vs. decentralization  Building toward a $100M+ platform If you’re looking to grow beyond a single market, this is a candid look at what it actually takes. Host: John Wilson https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbwilson1/ Guest: Jack Carr https://x.com/thehvacjack 💼 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 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  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.

    40 min
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4.7
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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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