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

John Wilson
  • 4.7 (93)
  • 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. 2d ago ·  Bonus Video

    The Biggest Acquisition I Walked Away From

    Not every acquisition is worth making. In this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson shares the story of one of the biggest acquisitions he chose to walk away from, even though it had the potential to double the size of his business. What looked like an incredible opportunity on paper quickly unraveled as the due diligence process exposed problems with customer concentration, company culture, cash flow, and the financials. John explains the acquisition framework he uses to evaluate plumbing, HVAC, and electrical businesses, why revenue and EBITDA rarely tell the whole story, and the common mistakes first-time buyers make when they become emotionally attached to a deal. Sometimes the best acquisition is the one you don't make. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ In this episode, John covers: → The acquisition that looked perfect—but wasn't → The biggest red flags uncovered during due diligence → Why customer mix and company culture matter as much as financials → How to avoid becoming emotionally invested in a deal → What every first-time acquisition entrepreneur should know → Lessons learned from the deals John decided not to buy ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 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 Podcast YouTube ChannelOwned and Operated Newsletter Bonus Videos From JohnLeave 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.

  2. 3d ago ·  Video

    Stop Tracking Cost Per Lead (Track This Instead)

    Most home service companies think they're tracking marketing. They're actually tracking the wrong metrics. In this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson and Jack Carr break down how to measure marketing ROI the right way. They explain why cost per lead is often a misleading metric, how to build a marketing scorecard that actually helps you make better decisions, and the attribution systems they use to understand what's driving revenue across a growing home service business. They also discuss why blended marketing ROI matters more than individual lead costs, how to separate new customer revenue from recurring customers, the importance of clean CRM data, and why every owner—not their agency—is ultimately responsible for marketing performance. In This Episode: • Why cost per lead can lead you to the wrong decisions • The marketing KPIs every home service business should track • How to measure true ROI across every marketing channel • Building an attribution system that actually works • Why clean CRM data is the foundation of good marketing • How to separate new customer revenue from repeat business • The pitfalls of using lifetime value (LTV) to justify marketing spend • Why every owner should own their company's marketing scorecard ———————————————— 🔗 CONNECT ———————————————— John Wilson → https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbwilson1/ Jack Carr → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-carr-770b84117/ Breaking $5M Workshop → https://www.ownedandoperated.com/upcoming-events/oao-workshop-breaking-5-million ———————————————— 💰 SPONSORS ———————————————— Big Reputation Get more from your Google Business Profile with Big Reputation. Automate reviews, improve local visibility, and turn more Google searches into inbound calls. Learn more: https://www.bigreputation.ai/oao?utm_source=oao&utm_medium=paid Service Scalers Get more high quality leads with marketing built for home service companies. Book a free strategy call with Service Scalers and see what's driving real jobs: https://os.servicescalers.com/go/oao_podcast/referral/podcast Send Us Mail! More Ways To Connect with O&O John's Podcast YouTube ChannelOwned and Operated Newsletter Bonus Videos From JohnLeave 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.

  3. 5d ago ·  Video

    How We're Using AI to Scale towards a $70M Home Service Business

    Most home service businesses are using AI the wrong way. In this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson and Jack Carr break down how AI is actually changing the trades and why the biggest opportunity isn't replacing technicians, but removing the operational friction that slows growing companies down. They share how they're using AI across acquisitions, accounting, purchasing, reporting, dispatch, and marketing while keeping the human experience at the center of the business. They also discuss why venture capital is pouring money into home services, how AI is creating a new wave of EBITDA expansion, the software they're replacing with custom-built AI tools, and why the companies that embrace AI as a force multiplier, not a replacement for people, will have the biggest advantage over the next decade. In This Episode: • Why home services has become an AI "safe haven" for investors • What AI should never replace inside your business • Using AI to reduce friction instead of cutting headcount • Replacing expensive SaaS tools with custom AI solutions • How AI is transforming acquisitions and multi-location growth • Why accounting is the biggest bottleneck in scaling through M&A • The balance between automation and human customer experience ———————————————— 🔗 CONNECT ———————————————— John Wilson → https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbwilson1/ Jack Carr → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-carr-770b84117/ Breaking $5M Workshop → https://www.ownedandoperated.com/upcoming-events/oao-workshop-breaking-5-million ———————————————— 💰 SPONSORS ———————————————— Avoca See how Avoca helps home service companies book more jobs with AI that handles calls, texts, follow ups, and dispatching without adding more chaos. Book a demo: https://www.avoca.ai/partners/oao  Quo Keep every customer conversation in one place with Quo. Calls, texts, and voicemails are shared across your team so nothing slips through the cracks and no opportunities are missed. Learn more: https://quo.com/owned Send Us Mail! More Ways To Connect with O&O John's Podcast YouTube ChannelOwned and Operated Newsletter Bonus Videos From JohnLeave 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.

  4. Jul 9 ·  Video

    He Bought a $1.5M HVAC Business. Here's 18 Months Later...

    Most home service businesses aren't sold for what they're capable of being worth. In this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson and Will Schryver  reveal what separates a business that sells for a premium from one that gets discounted. From leadership and systems to pricing, technology, and operational maturity, they explain what buyers actually look for and why preparing for an exit should start years before you plan to sell. They also dive into the current acquisition market, the influx of private equity and family office capital, why AI is accelerating investment into the trades, and the lessons Will has learned since leaving investment banking to buy and grow his own HVAC business. In This Episode: Why EBITDA alone doesn't determine your business valueThe biggest mistakes owners make before sellingInvestment banker vs. business broker: what's the difference?Growing an HVAC company from $1.5M to $3M in 18 monthsWhy private equity is investing heavily in home servicesHow AI is making the trades even more valuable————————————————  🔗 CONNECT ———————————————— John Wilson → https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbwilson1/ Will Schryver → https://x.com/Will_Schryver Breaking $5 Workshop → https://www.ownedandoperated.com/upcoming-events/oao-workshop-breaking-5-million ————————————————  💰 SPONSORS ———————————————— Avoca See how Avoca helps home service companies book more jobs with AI that handles calls, texts, follow ups, and dispatching without adding more chaos. Book a demo: https://www.avoca.ai/partners/oao Quo Keep every customer conversation in one place with Quo. Calls, texts, and voicemails are shared across your team so nothing slips through the cracks and no opportunities are missed. Learn more: https://quo.com/owned  Send Us Mail! More Ways To Connect with O&O John's Podcast YouTube ChannelOwned and Operated Newsletter Bonus Videos From JohnLeave 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.

  5. Jul 7 ·  Video

    How They're Building a $9M HVAC Business

    What does it really take to build a home service business from the ground up? In this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson sits down with Ryan and Aaron Osterkamp of Quality Comfort Home Services to unpack the journey from one technician working out of a house to a company targeting more than $9 million in annual revenue. They discuss the early years of wearing every hat, the decision to bring on an in-house marketing leader years before most companies their size would, why investing in leadership accelerated growth, and the challenges that come with letting go as the business scales. They also share how they've built a strong company culture, approached hiring, and continue reinvesting in the business for the next stage of growth. In This Episode: Building an HVAC business from one truck to a $9M goalWhy they hired an in-house marketing director earlyThe leadership hires that unlocked growthCreating a culture that retains great employeesWhen to reinvest versus take money out of the businessThe hardest parts of delegating as an ownerDeciding between growing HVAC or expanding plumbing———————————————— 🔗 CONNECT ———————————————— John Wilson → https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbwilson1/ Ryan + Erin Osterkamp → https://myqualitycomfort.com/about-us/ Breaking $5 Workshop → https://www.ownedandoperated.com/upcoming-events/oao-workshop-breaking-5-million ———————————————— 💰 SPONSORS ———————————————— Contractor Commerce Your website should do more than generate leads. Contractor Commerce lets homeowners shop, compare options, and book online so they choose your business before they contact the competition. Learn more: https://www.contractorcommerce.com/?utm_source=oao&utm_medium=podcast Yelp Looking for more qualified leads beyond Google? See how contractors are using Yelp to reach homeowners who are ready to book and diversify their lead generation. Learn more: https://business.yelp.com/campaign/ownedandoperated/ Send Us Mail! More Ways To Connect with O&O John's Podcast YouTube ChannelOwned and Operated Newsletter Bonus Videos From JohnLeave 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.

  6. Jul 3 ·  Bonus Video

    10 years as CEO has taught me every owner struggles with this.

    Managing the leadership challenges that come with being a CEO can be surprisingly lonely. In this solo episode, John Wilson reflects on the last decade of leading Wilson Companies from a team of seven employees to more than 220. He shares the lessons that only come with experience, including imposter syndrome, difficult decisions, the weight of responsibility, and why leadership often feels different than people expect. If you're leading a growing company or stepping into a leadership role, this episode offers an honest look at what it really takes to grow as a CEO. In this episode:  Why you never really feel ready to be a CEO  How leadership challenges change as your business grows  The hidden cost of difficult decisions  Why success often feels different than expected  How to avoid becoming the bottleneck  Why your business can only grow as fast as you do 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 Podcast YouTube ChannelOwned and Operated Newsletter Bonus Videos From JohnLeave 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.

  7. Jul 2 ·  Video

    The Ultimate HVAC Marketing Guide for 2026

    Google search is changing. AI is changing how homeowners find contractors. And the marketing strategies that worked just two years ago aren't enough anymore. In this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson sits down with Service Scalers CEO Sam Preston to break down what's actually working in HVAC marketing in 2026. From AI search and Google Business Profile optimization to Meta, Reddit, Yelp, and content marketing, they discuss where home service companies should be investing and where they're wasting money. They also dive into rising lead costs, why many HVAC companies are struggling this year, and the marketing playbook operators should follow to stay ahead as search continues to evolve. Whether you're trying to generate more calls today or prepare your business for the next wave of AI-driven search, this episode is packed with practical strategies you can implement immediately. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ In This Episode: • Why Google and AI search are changing home service marketing • The biggest marketing opportunities heading into 2026 • Why Google Business Profile is still the highest ROI channel • How AI is reshaping SEO and content strategy • Why Meta and social content are becoming more valuable than ever • The growing importance of Yelp, Reddit, and other high-authority platforms • The marketing metrics every contractor should track weekly • The biggest mistakes HVAC companies are making today • How to prepare your business for the future of AI-powered search ———————————————— 🔗 CONNECT ———————————————— John Wilson → https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbwilson1/ Sam Preston → https://www.linkedin.com/in/sampreston/ (update if needed) Owned and Operated → https://www.ownedandoperated.com ———————————————— 💰 SPONSORS ———————————————— Comfort Connect Turn one installation into years of repeat business with Comfort Connect. Give homeowners flexible payment options, stay connected after the job, and create new recurring revenue opportunities. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4wGXqSX Yelp Looking for more qualified leads beyond Google? See how contractors are using Yelp to reach homeowners who are ready to book and diversify their lead generation. Learn more: https://business.yelp.com/campaign/ownedandoperated/ Send Us Mail! More Ways To Connect with O&O John's Podcast YouTube ChannelOwned and Operated Newsletter Bonus Videos From JohnLeave 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.

    The Ultimate HVAC Marketing Guide for 2026

  8. Jun 30 ·  Video

    How We'd Build a $10M Home Service Business Today

    If We Had to Start Over, We'd Do This Instead If John Wilson and Jack Carr lost everything tomorrow, how would they rebuild? In this episode of Owned and Operated, they tackle one of the biggest questions every entrepreneur eventually asks: would you buy a business, build one from scratch, or take a completely different path? John argues that acquiring a small home service business is still the fastest way to create wealth, while Jack makes the case for starting lean with a service business that requires little capital and can scale quickly. Along the way, they break down the lessons that took years to learn, the mistakes they'd avoid, and the exact playbook they'd use to grow much faster the second time around. In This Episode: Buy vs. build: which strategy wins today?The home service businesses they'd start from scratchWhy marketing and sales matter more than fulfillment early onHow seller financing changes the economics of growthThe fastest path to generating cash flowBranding mistakes they'd never make again———————————————— 🔗 CONNECT ———————————————— John Wilson → https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbwilson1/ Jack Carr → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-carr-home-service/ Breaking $5 Workshop → https://www.ownedandoperated.com/upcoming-events/oao-workshop-breaking-5-million ———————————————— 💰 SPONSORS ———————————————— Service Scalers Get more high quality leads with marketing built for home service companies. Book a free strategy call with Service Scalers and see what's driving real jobs: https://os.servicescalers.com/go/oao_podcast/referral/podcast Quick Staffers Hire trained HVAC and plumbing CSRs without the overhead of traditional hiring. Save $500 on your first placement with Quick Staffers: https://www.quickstaffers.com/  Send Us Mail! More Ways To Connect with O&O John's Podcast YouTube ChannelOwned and Operated Newsletter Bonus Videos From JohnLeave 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.

See All (376)

Trailer

4.7
out of 5
93 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