Owned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast
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.
Episodes
The Low-Cost Marketing Playbook for Home Service Businesses
You don't need a massive marketing budget to grow a home service business. You just need to find opportunities your competitors are missing.Jack Carr sits down with Sam Preston of Service Scalers to break down low-cost marketing strategies for growing a home service company. From Nextdoor and Facebook groups to yard signs, local partnerships, and community events, they share practical ways to
Why Profitable Home Service Companies Keep Running Out of Cash
Your home service business can be profitable on paper and still run out of cash.John Wilson sits down with Tyler Martin of Profit & Grit to break down where cash actually goes as a home service company grows and why strong EBITDA doesn’t always translate to money in the bank.They cover the biggest cash drains, including trucks, inventory, accounts receivable, debt payments, and hiring ahead of
How We’d Structure Home Service Marketing From $5M to $10M
What does the perfect marketing team actually look like for a $5M home service company trying to reach $10M?John Wilson and Jack Carr go head-to-head to build a marketing department from scratch, with Sam Preston judging every decision.They start with the exact same $5M appliance repair business, zero internal marketing employees, and a $400K payroll budget. Across five rounds, they have to decide
Why Home Service Marketing Breaks at $5M
Most home service companies think they need more leads. But as you approach $5M, the real problems are often attribution, capacity, booking rates, sales, and fulfillment.Jack Carr and Sam Preston break down where home service marketing starts to break as a company grows, why cost per lead can be misleading, and how to track marketing all the way to actual revenue.They also cover Google Ads and Per
The End of Google Search? How Home Service Companies Win in the AI Era
AI search is changing how homeowners find HVAC, plumbing, and home service companies.John Wilson sits down with Julie Phan of Big Reputation to break down how ChatGPT and other AI platforms decide which contractors to recommend and what home service owners can do to show up more often.They cover why your Google Business Profile, reviews, website, service pages, local listings, and overall digital
The State of Home Service Marketing in 2026: Google Ads, Meta & LSA
What’s working in home service marketing in 2026?John Wilson and Sam Preston break down Meta Ads, Google Ads, LSAs, speed to lead, call centers, and how contractors can find their next growth channel.They cover why marketing channels eventually level off, the rise of Meta Ads, Google’s shift toward AI and Performance Max, and why your call center is a critical part of your marketing engine.━━━━━━━
How to Grow Your Home Service Business With Google Business Profiles
John Wilson sits down with Julie Phan, founder of Big Reputation, to break down how home service companies can use Google Business Profiles to expand into new markets.They cover how to choose the right location, how many reviews you need before expanding, Google's verification process, and how to build authority on a new GBP without weakening your existing locations.John also shares how The W
Owned and Operated with John Wilson | Podcast Trailer
John Wilson has spent the last decade growing a home service company from $1M to $53M in revenue.On Owned and Operated, John breaks down what it actually takes to build and scale a home service business, including hiring, sales, marketing, operations, acquisitions, pricing, and everything in between.Real operators. Real numbers. Real problems being solved in real time.If you own a plumbing, HVAC,
The 2026 SBA Playbook: How to Buy a Business With 10% Down
The SBA rules for buying a business are changing in 2026. Here’s what buyers and home service operators need to know.Jack Carr sits down with Alan Peterson from First Internet Bank to break down the latest SBA 7(a) changes, including how buyers can finance up to 90% of an acquisition, new equity requirements, seller financing, and changes affecting minority investors.They also cover how sellers ca
What Is EBITDA? How to Value, Grow & Sell Your Home Service Business
What is EBITDA, and why does it matter so much when building, financing, or selling a home service business?John Wilson and Jack Carr break down EBITDA in simple terms, including how it differs from net income and SDE, what a healthy EBITDA margin looks like, and why buyers, banks, and lenders pay so much attention to it.They also explain how EBITDA impacts business valuation, why maximizing profi
Why Roofing Is a Beautiful Business: Marketing, Sales & $20K Jobs
What does it actually take to buy and grow a roofing company?Nicholas Riley left Deloitte to buy Driftwood Builders Roofing, a 20-year-old roofing company in Austin, Texas. After reviewing roughly 2,000 businesses, he finally made his first home service acquisition.In this episode, John Wilson and Nicholas break down the economics of the roofing business, including $20,000 average roof replacement
Ismael Valdez: How I Built a $108M Home Service Company & What I’m Building Next
Ismael Valdez built NexGen Air Conditioning & Plumbing from $0 to $108 million in just 6.5 years. Now he’s back on Owned and Operated to share the blueprint for his next $100M home service company.John Wilson and Ismael break down what worked at NexGen, the mistakes he would never repeat, why most HVAC and plumbing contractors stall below $2M, and why sales and marketing are the real engines b
How We’d Turn $5M Into $10M in 12 Months
How would we turn a $5 million home service business into a $10 million company?In this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson and Jack Carr break down how they’d invest $1 million to double a profitable home service business.They cover where they’d invest first, finding the next high-ROI marketing channel, hiring salespeople ahead of demand, expanding the balance sheet, and building the capac
How We’d Start a Plumbing Company From $0 in 2026
If John Wilson and Jack Carr lost everything and had to start a plumbing company from scratch, what would they actually do?In this episode of Owned and Operated, John and Jack break down exactly how they’d build a plumbing business from $10,000 to $1 million in revenue using everything they’ve learned as home service operators.They compare two different paths: staying extremely lean by subcontract
There Are Millions Hiding in Your Customer Database
Your customer database might be worth more than you think.In this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson sits down with Faraday founder Alex Coleman to break down how home service companies can turn the data they already collect into better marketing, smarter dispatching, and more replacement opportunities.They cover how Wilson uncovered millions of dollars in opportunities hidden inside old c
How to Survive Slow Season in Your Home Service Business
Slow season doesn’t have to wreck your home service business.In this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson and Jack Carr break down how they prepare for shoulder season when inbound demand slows, the call board gets lighter, and every lead becomes more valuable.They cover how to fill the board with outbound calling, when to use specials and discounts, why sales KPIs can actually improve durin
Why Everyone Is Buying Home Service Businesses (And You Should Too)
Home service businesses are getting more attention than ever. But are they really as good as they look?In this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson and Jack Carr talk about why HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and other home service businesses have become so popular; and why they’re still incredibly hard to operate.They break down what makes home services attractive, the mistakes people make when
How to Build a $40M+ Home Service Business: Cash Flow, Sales & KPIs
You can be profitable and still run out of cash.In this supercut episode of Owned and Operated, featuring insights from several episodes, John Wilson breaks down the cash flow, sales, and KPI systems that helped him scale a home service business from $1M to roughly $40M in revenue.Learn why profit doesn’t equal cash, how to improve average ticket by solving higher-value problems, and the five numb
The $1M Decisions Contractors Don’t Realize They’re Making
The biggest decisions in your home service business usually don’t feel big when you make them.In this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson and Jack Carr break down the $1 million decisions contractors make without realizing how much they can impact the business over time.They discuss hiring the right people, choosing technology that can scale, building a membership program, reinvesting profi
Why Home Service Businesses Get Stuck at $3M and How to Scale to $30M
The strategies that get your home service business to $3 million will not get you to $30 million.In this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson and Jack Carr break down why contractors stall at different stages of growth and how the owner’s role has to evolve as the business gets bigger.They discuss escaping “hero mode,” building the right teams and systems, reinvesting in growth, and why the
From a $2M Family Plumbing Shop to a Multi-Trade Powerhouse
Every growing home service company eventually hits the same wall. The systems that got you to $2 million will not get you to $20 million.In this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson sits down with Brady Jolly and Scott Sharrock of Jolly Heating, Air, Plumbing & Electric to break down what it actually takes to scale a second-generation home service business. They discuss moving from comme
The Complete Home Service Marketing Playbook
Home service marketing strategy isn't one-size-fits-all. In this Owned and Operated compilation, John Wilson sits down with Lisa Appleby and Ethan Wright of Service Scalers to break down the marketing systems, lead generation strategies, SEO, Google Ads, Local Services Ads, reviews, AI, and growth playbooks that help contractors scale from $1M to $10M+.Whether you own an HVAC, plumbing, elect
Google Just Changed Local Services Ads (Here's What Contractors Need to Know)
Google is changing Local Services Ads again, and this one actually matters.In this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson sits down with Sam Preston of Service Scalers to break down Google's biggest LSA update yet. With Local Services Ads moving into Google Ads and Performance Max, contractors could see major changes to how budgets are spent, campaigns are managed, and leads are generated
Why We Stopped Buying $60,000 Service Vans
The fastest-growing home service companies don't scale by spending more. They scale by making smarter operational decisions.In this special compilation episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson and Jack Carr break down one of the biggest hidden expenses in home services: your fleet. They explain why they're moving away from expensive service vans, why the Ford Maverick has become their
Why Growing Home Service Companies Can't Find Great Leaders
The fastest-growing home service companies don't fail because they run out of demand. They fail because they run out of leaders.In this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson sits down with Jim Lose of The Military Veteran to discuss what separates great operators from average managers. They cover how to hire executive talent, build a structured interview process, identify red flags befor
Why Septic Might Be the BEST Home Service Business to Own
Septic may be one of the most overlooked businesses in home services, but it might also be one of the best.In this special compilation episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson brings together two of the biggest conversations we've had on the septic industry, featuring Chad and Kyle from Epic Septic alongside Micah of Homefield. Together, they break down why septic has become one of the most
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,
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 s
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, reportin
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
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
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 differe
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, Reddi
How We'd Build a $10M Home Service Business Today
If We Had to Start Over, We'd Do This InsteadIf 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
Good Service Isn't Enough to Grow Your Company
Stop relying on quality work alone to grow your home service business. Learn why prioritizing marketing and sales is the real key to small business growth.Many tradespeople and contractors believe that doing good work will naturally bring in more clients. That strategy often fails. Why? Because your business needs a steady flow of leads to survive. We break down why the phone needs to ring before
After the Acquisition: Rebrand or Leave It Alone?
When should you rebrand an acquisition, and when should you leave it alone?In this episode, John Wilson and Jack Carr break down how they think about branding after acquisitions. They discuss the operational tradeoffs, marketing benefits, cultural impact, and why many of the largest home service companies take completely different approaches.The conversation covers lessons learned from dozens of a
If We Started Over Today, These Are the Businesses We'd Buy
If We Started Over Today, These Are the Businesses We'd BuyWhat’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 whic
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 i
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 be
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
How Top Contractors Convert More Leads Without Spending More on Marketing
How Speed to Lead Unlocks More Revenue From Every Lead SourceMost 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 ser
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
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 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
How We Built a 30+ Person Offshore Team (And Why It Changed Everything)
Most contractors think offshoring is about saving money. It's actually about creating leverage.John Wilson and Jack Carr break down how offshore teams helped them scale faster, build better systems, and free up key leaders to focus on growth. They share exactly which roles to offshore, what to keep in-house, and the leadership lessons they've learned after managing dozens of remote team
We Replaced 40 Service Vans with Ford Mavericks and Saved Thousands
We swapped 40 Ford Mavericks into our home service fleet — and the results changed the way we think about fleet management.Most home service companies are overspending on vehicles without realizing it. A new service van can cost $50,000–$60,000 today. A Ford Maverick? Around $27,000. We now run 40 Mavericks inside a 120+ vehicle fleet — and we’ve lowered overhead, reduced accidents, improved fuel
The REAL Systems That Take You From $1M to $10M
Most contractors who can't scale their home service business aren't failing — they're solving the wrong problems at the wrong time.John Wilson sits down with FieldPulse Chief Growth Officer Daniel Eigner to break down the operational chaos that kills growth between $1M and $10M. From contractor CRM setup and price books to job costing, KPIs, and AI tools — they cover what actually m
Why Most Home Service Companies Scale Too Early
Most home service companies don’t fail because they scale too slowly — they fail because they scale too early.In this episode, John Wilson and Jack Carr break down the biggest scaling mistakes contractors make between $2M–$5M, including second locations, new trades, over-hiring, and broken systems. They share hard-earned lessons on leadership, KPIs, operational bottlenecks, and what actually makes
I Bought 15 HVAC, Plumbing & Electrical Companies — Here’s What Actually Happens After Closing
Having acquired 15 businesses in plumbing, HVAC, and electrical services, John Wilson breaks down what really happens after the acquisition closes. Learn practical strategies for how to buy a business, including sourcing off-market deals, business valuation, negotiating with sellers, due diligence, and building a strong post-acquisition integration plan.If you're interested in business acquis
The 2026 Google Strategy for Home Service Companies
What separates the fastest-growing home service companies from everyone else?In this episode, John Wilson sits down with Julie from Big Reputation to break down what’s actually working in local SEO, Google Business Profiles (GBP), and online reviews in 2026. From review velocity and AI-driven search to multi-location GBP strategies and ranking in competitive markets, this conversation dives deep i
How We Doubled a Plumbing Business in 90 Days | Cash Flow, Sales & Buying Businesses Explained
What actually drives growth in home services?In this compilation episode, John Wilson shares the systems and strategies behind scaling a $40M home service company — including how his team doubled a plumbing business in 90 days, improved cash flow, increased average tickets, and expanded through acquisitions.From pricing strategy and speed-to-lead automation to technician training and buying busine
Buy vs Build: The Fastest Way to Grow a Home Service Business
Most entrepreneurs think starting a business from scratch is the best way to grow. John Wilson disagrees.In this episode, John breaks down why buying an existing business can dramatically accelerate growth, reduce startup friction, and create opportunities that organic expansion often can’t match.Drawing from experience acquiring 14 companies and scaling a $40M plumbing, HVAC, and electrical busin
Most Home Service Companies Are Wasting Their Best Leads (Referral Marketing Blueprint)
Home service companies are leaving serious money on the table when it comes to referrals. In this episode, John Wilson sits down with Murphy Nadauld from ReferPro to break down how top HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and roofing companies are building scalable referral engines through lifecycle marketing, automation, and AI.In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why referrals are underutilized in home servi
High-Ticket Sales in Home Services: What Actually Works
High ticket sales in home services aren’t about being pushy — they’re about giving customers the right options.In this episode, John Wilson and Jack Carr break down the systems behind bigger tickets, better close rates, and stronger sales cultures in HVAC, plumbing, and electrical businesses. They unpack why many technicians struggle with sales, how to shift the mindset around presenting options,
Why Your Techs Aren’t Selling High Ticket (And What to Fix)
Most home service companies think they have a sales problem. In reality, they have an organizational problem.In this bonus episode, John Wilson breaks down why low average tickets usually come down to poor positioning, weak training, and solving the wrong customer pain points—not bad technicians.Drawing from experience scaling a $40M plumbing, HVAC, and electrical business and acquiring 14 compani
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
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—an
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 matter
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, l
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 lea
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 conve
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
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.
Do Yard Signs ACTUALLY Work for Home Service Businesses?
Do Yard Signs Actually Work for Home Service Businesses?In this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson is joined by Sam Preston, CEO of Service Scalers, to break down one of the simplest—and most debated—marketing channels in home services: yard signs.Are they actually effective, or just cheap noise?John and Sam dig into the real economics behind yard signs, including why they can be 10–100x c
The Strategy That Doubled My Plumbing Sales in 90 Days
How do you double a plumbing business in just 90 days after buying it?In this episode, John Wilson breaks down the exact moves that led to nearly 100% growth immediately post-acquisition. From simple operational fixes to high-impact decisions, this is a practical look at what actually drives results in a small service business.If you're buying—or thinking about buying—a home service company,
I Bought 3 Home Service Businesses in 90 Days — Here’s What Happened
I Bought 3 Home Service Businesses in 90 Days… Here’s What HappenedIn this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson sits down with co-host Jack Carr (CEO of Rapid HVAC) to break down what actually happens when you aggressively scale through acquisitions.After buying three businesses in 90 days, John walks through the strategy, the chaos, and the results—from rapid revenue growth to hitting 24% E
Weird Marketing That Actually Works ($1M from Home Shows, Newspaper Leads, & Toilet Ads)
Is “weird” marketing actually working in home services… or are contractors missing massive opportunities?In this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson is joined by Sam Preston (CEO of Service Scalers) to break down unconventional marketing channels that are quietly driving real revenue for home service businesses.From advertising above 100+ stadium toilets to generating leads through church b
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 a
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
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
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 w
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
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-inten
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 thro
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 answer
The $50K Truck Wrap Mistake Home Service Companies Make
Do truck wraps actually drive leads, or are most home service companies wasting money to look like everyone else?In this episode, John Wilson and Sam Preston break down branding, truck wraps, and why many HVAC, plumbing, and electrical companies overspend on “professional” branding that does not actually set them apart. They talk about what branding really does, why it helps close more deals than
The Marketing Stack for Home Service Businesses: $1M to $10M
The Marketing Stack for Home Service Businesses: From $1M to $10MWhat should home service companies actually spend on marketing at $1 million, $5 million, and $10 million?In this episode, John Wilson sits down with Ethan Wright of Service Scalers to break down the real marketing stack for HVAC, plumbing, and electrical companies at every stage of growth. They cover what changes as you scale, what
Billboards for Home Service Businesses: When They Work (and When They’re a Waste)
Are Billboards Worth It for Home Service Businesses? (Or Just an Expensive Ego Boost?)Billboards can feel like a milestone for a growing home service company—your name on the highway, customers saying they saw your brand, friends texting photos of your sign. But for most HVAC, plumbing, and electrical companies, billboard advertising starts too early and becomes an expensive distraction from what
How to Hire a GM or Operator for Your Home Service Business
How to Hire a GM or Operator for Your Home Service Business (and Avoid a $100K Hiring Mistake)Scaling past $10M can expose a brutal truth: the leadership team that got you here might not be the team that gets you to $25M+. In this episode, John Wilson talks with Brendan Aronson (Founder of The Military Veteran, TMV), a recruiting firm that places military veterans into executive and operator roles
The One Hire That Unlocks Growth
If you’ve ever felt stuck because your business outgrew your leadership team — or rushed a key hire just to relieve the pressure — this episode is for you.In this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson sits down with Brendan Aronson, Founder of The Military Veteran (TMV), a recruiting firm that places military veterans into executive and operator roles.They break down what it really takes to h
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