In this episode, John and Jack discuss well drilling and do a business breakdown. Jack reveals that his friend earned $8.4 million last year from drilling wells. They underscore the significant financial investment, specific licensing requirements, and mechanical expertise needed to establish a well drilling company. Despite these obstacles, they remain optimistic about the potential for future business opportunities in the industry. Episode Hosts: John Wilson: @WilsonCompanies Jack Carr: @thehv...
Feb 15, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 96
John and Jack tackle a listener-submitted question addressing the five crucial aspects every business must master to scale successfully: the importance of daily reporting, tech transparency, job costing, lead attribution, and the monitoring of phone call interactions. Whether you're a Service Titan user or not, these principles are essential for any company looking to achieve sustainable growth. Episode Hosts: John Wilson: @WilsonCompanies Jack Carr: @thehvacjack Special thanks to our sponsor: S...
Feb 13, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 95
Our discussion with Johnny Robinson aka SqueegeeGod continues in this episode as he talks about his experiences launching a new business, selling his previous venture, and switching to an information-based enterprise. We learn the difficulties of running a program-style company, addressing problems such as growing advertising expenses and putting in place an accelerator program to increase customer lifetime value. Johnny also shares a remarkable success story on how he played a key role in kick ...
Feb 08, 2024•27 min•Season 1Ep. 94
In this episode of Owned and Operated, we bring back Johnny Robinson aka SqueegeeGod as a guest, who shares updates detailing his start-up journey from window cleaning to launching several businesses and generating impressive revenue. Johnny also shares insights into hiring, marketing, and sales within the cleaning business, painting a vivid picture of the industry's challenges and opportunities. They also do a run-through on how they measure business performance and deal with competition and ma...
Feb 06, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 93
In the home service industry, extreme weather can significantly impact business. In this episode, John and Jack dive into the challenges posed by freezing temperatures and discuss effective strategies to manage the increased demand that accompanies such weather events. They cover the high demand for HVAC services during cold weather, the benefits of offering whole-home memberships, and the growth of their electrical department. Additionally, they touch on revenue opportunities from maintenance c...
Feb 01, 2024•20 min•Season 1Ep. 92
In this episode, we welcome Danny Peavey, who has a long family history in the trades. He is the owner of Home Service Engine, a B2B consultancy that helps home service companies maximize their investment in Service Titan software. Danny shares his background in the trades and tech, explaining how he helps clients with data analysis, onboarding, and performance management. Episode Hosts: John Wilson: @WilsonCompanies Jack Carr: @thehvacjack Episode Hosts: Danny Peavey: @heydannypeavey Special th...
Jan 30, 2024•35 min•Season 1Ep. 91
In this episode, John and Jack address two listener questions. The first question comes from an HVAC business owner facing weeks of fully booked schedules. Jack recommends expanding the team, while John proposes a strategic increase in prices. The second question revolves around valuing a plumbing company and the potential risks associated with acquiring a new construction business. Have a question you’d like to have answered on Owned and Operated? Send a DM to John or Jack or email us here info...
Jan 25, 2024•27 min•Season 1Ep. 90
When you work in a weather-enhanced business, there are tons of opportunities when you’re prepared. John and Jack share their game places to make sure operations run smoothly. The extreme temperatures and cold, wet, and windy weather encompass all facets of John's 5 trades: Cold impacts HVAC, wet affects plumbing, drains, and remediation, and wind plays a crucial role in power-related electrical services. This significantly influences how you should be thinking about scheduling, capacity, and yo...
Jan 23, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 89
Tim Ryan is back to talk more about running a pool care service business. He shares useful tips for newbies, the tricky parts of taking care of pools, and why having a mentor is so important. If you liked the first episode with Tim, you won't want to miss this insightful part two! Episode Hosts: John Wilson: @WilsonCompanies Jack Carr: @thehvacjack Episode Guest: Tim Ryan: @KenziesPoolBoy Special thanks to our sponsor: Service Scalers : Looking to scale your home service business? Service Scaler...
Jan 18, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 88
A few weeks back John and Jack did a business breakdown on pool service. Tim Ryan caught us on X, did a review and said “ It wasn't too bad for two outsiders looking in. Pool care is strangely complicated .” So we asked him to come on and tell us what exactly we got right and what we got wrong. Tim breaks down all the essentials in this episode including navigating competition, building genuine connections with customers, and picking up smart hiring tips. Episode Hosts: John Wilson: @WilsonCompa...
Jan 16, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 87
In this special flashback episode of the Owned and Operated HVAC, electrical, and plumbing growth podcast, we're revisiting a chat with Johnny SqueegeeGod from 2021. Why the throwback? Well, following a recent discussion with Aaron Harper about power washing, it seemed like the perfect time to go back to Johnny's episode. He talks about running Orange Window Cleaning and reflects on how his business has grown in the four years since he started at 19, kicking off with just $150, a bucket, a squee...
Jan 11, 2024•56 min•Season 1Ep. 86
Tune in again to Mike Botkin's incredible journey! Back when this episode first aired, he was just starting out, acquiring various businesses. Fast forward to 2023, and guess what? Mike sold his business! It's a fun episode to listen to, seeing how he went from figuring things out in the early days to turning his business into a Goliath landscaping company in just a couple of years and eventually selling it. Enjoy the replay! Episode Host: John Wilson: @wilsoncompanies Episode Guest: Mike Botkin...
Jan 09, 2024•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 85
In this episode, John shares his strategy for scaling your home service business to reach the $5 million mark. Picture this: an exceptional team, a steady lead flow, and a business rhythm that just clicks. John gets straight to the point, offering practical advice like keeping a close eye on personal spending to reinvest in your business. But hitting the $5 million mark is more than just a number or making money. It's a reflection of your company's growth and the real impact it's making. Stick a...
Jan 06, 2024•8 min•Season 1Ep. 84
Ready to explore more about franchises? If you didn't catch the last episode, Aaron Harper of Rolling Suds gave a peek into his world of franchises, and now he gets into the details. He generously shares all his knowledge about the challenges and victories of starting a power washing business, the importance of selecting the right franchisees, and the potential for growth within the industry. This episode is basically like your manual for acing the franchising game! Find out how, within just six...
Jan 04, 2024•20 min•Season 1Ep. 83
Ever wondered how power washing can turn into a booming business? Join Aaron Harper from Rolling Suds as he reveals the secrets behind turning power washing into a thriving business in this episode. Believe it or not, most of their customers are actually other businesses! Aaron walks us through his journey, from his beginnings to jumping into various franchises. Learn about the power washing industry and how Rolling Suds is making an impact by serving other businesses. If you thought power washi...
Jan 02, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 82
In this episode, John shares his advice when it comes to acquiring a service company. From plumbing to HVAC, John's got the playbook on what to scout, where to scout it, and how to make it yours. His advice? Start small, focus on residential, and prioritize service-oriented businesses for the win. And before you think about uprooting your life for that business dream, John suggests staying rooted in your current community. Leverage your existing connections and make waves right where you are. Ep...
Dec 30, 2023•5 min•Season 1Ep. 81
In this episode, John and Jack are exchanging ideas about building and keeping a thriving company culture. They stress how the leader's actions and choices shape the vibe for the whole organization. It's not just about rules; it's more about the day-to-day attitudes and behaviors of everyone. They share their own experiences in creating a culture that's all about accountability, growth, and success. Don't miss out on strategies for understanding the impact of your daily actions on your company's...
Dec 28, 2023•21 min•Season 1Ep. 80
Join John and Jack in this episode as they discuss the essential core of any business: support staff. They talk about the evolution of your accounting team as your revenue grows from 3 to 20 million. Prepare to learn about smart hiring in accounting and why it's not just about filling seats but finding the perfect fit for your growing venture. From proactive recruitment strategies to the real deal about theft prevention, they share practical tips for handling business growth like pros. This epis...
Dec 26, 2023•36 min•Season 1Ep. 79
In this episode, John discusses the four pillars of dominating search for your home service business—from the competitive LSAs and the comeback of PPC to the lasting benefits of SEO and the vital impact of your GMB location and reviews. If you're a home service entrepreneur looking to boost your online presence, this episode is your guide. Tune in, follow, and level up your home service business! Episode Host: John Wilson: @wilsoncompanies Special thanks to our sponsor: Service Scalers : Looking...
Dec 23, 2023•15 min•Season 1Ep. 78
Uncover the principles of a successful compensation model on this episode with John and Jack. They dive into the structures they’re using for all roles on the team including: managers, technicians, and philosophy. Learn how to set goals, use bonuses wisely, and consider flat-rate incentives to boost productivity. Whether you run a business or are leading a team, get practical tips on tailoring compensation for different roles. Listen now for advice that could reshape your approach to motivating ...
Dec 21, 2023•31 min•Season 1Ep. 77
In this episode, John and Jack discuss how home service businesses handle their capacity. As a service, you are selling the time and expertise of your techs. The job is to fill capacity, and you should think about filling capacity like this: if you have a tech for eight hours, you want them to be working hands on the tools as much of those eight hours as possible. Strategic zoning, targeting marketing, and led gen are all a part of it! Tune in to learn how you can fill your capacity with the mos...
Dec 19, 2023•29 min•Season 1Ep. 76
Talking about recruitment for home services, John Wilson breaks it down in this Owned and Operated episode. He says focus on what you need, set clear expectations, and make the pay enticing. Skip the long task lists; have real conversations in interviews about how your business runs. He also highlights the significance of a strong onboarding process, emphasizing its role in preventing new hires from feeling left to figure things out. For additional tips, subscribe and stay tuned for upcoming vid...
Dec 16, 2023•10 min•Season 1Ep. 75
In this episode, John and Jack immerse themselves into the world of pool service businesses. They discuss the appeal of hyper-focused route-based services, the potential for upselling in the industry, and the challenges of scaling in different regions. Tune in for a detailed exploration of customer acquisition strategies, seasonal considerations, and the overall dynamics of acquiring, or starting, and growing a pool service company. Episode Hosts: John Wilson: @wilsoncompanies Jack Carr: @thehva...
Dec 14, 2023•26 min•Season 1Ep. 74
In this episode, John and Jack interview Damon Chlarson, an entrepreneur who shares his experiences in the construction industry. Damon openly discusses the financial challenges, industry fluctuations, and even instances of fraud he encountered. His story provides valuable real-world lessons for aspiring business owners, especially those considering the construction sector. Episode Hosts: John Wilson: @wilsoncompanies Jack Carr: @thehvacjack Episode Guest: Damon Chlarson: @damon_chl Special than...
Dec 12, 2023•34 min•Season 1Ep. 73
In this episode of Owned and Operated, Jack brings a business to the table that provides passive income with minimal maintenance: Hydroelectric Plants. This unique and niche business breakdown explores the challenges and benefits of owning these facilities. From regulatory hurdles to potential synergies with solar and wind energy, this type of business is definitely one that John is now keeping on his radar. Episode Hosts: John Wilson: @wilsoncompanies Jack Carr: @thehvacjack Special thanks to o...
Dec 07, 2023•30 min•Season 1Ep. 72
In this episode, experience John and Jack's journey as they explore two unique business opportunities in the home services sector: chimney sweeping and generator service and installation. They also share some key factors like cost per click, labor acquisition, and overall business viability. Additionally, they discuss the challenges they've faced dealing with unexpected issues in their daily operations within the home services industry. Episode Hosts: John Wilson: @wilsoncompanies Jack Carr: @th...
Dec 05, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 71
Welcome to 'Owned and Operated' – the podcast that dives deep into the world of home service entrepreneurship. Hosted by John Wilson, a third-generation home service entrepreneur and CEO of The Wilson Companies, this podcast was launched in 2021 to bridge the gap between industry experts and listeners. Join us every Tuesday and Thursday for topical conversations that unlock the potential for your business growth. Covering topics from top-tier talent recruitment to mastering marketing strategies ...
Dec 04, 2023•2 min
Navigating the challenges of scaling a business beyond $3 million, John and Jack emphasize the importance of additional resources and share personal experiences. They advocate for strategic company acquisitions to streamline growth, covering topics such as debt management and the value of learning from challenges. Curious to learn from these seasoned entrepreneurs and unlock the secrets to scaling your home services business beyond $3 million? Don't miss out – listen now and discover the keys to...
Nov 30, 2023•32 min•Season 1Ep. 70
Join John and Jack in this episode as they share practical strategies for thriving in the home services industry's shoulder seasons. From tech tips to customer connections, learn how to boost your business year-round with proactive and strategic marketing methods. Ready to up your home service game? Tune in now for actionable tips to enhance your business during shoulder seasons and master strategic marketing methods! Host: John Wilson: @wilsoncompanies Host: Jack Carr: @thehvacjack Special than...
Nov 28, 2023•37 min•Season 1Ep. 69
In this episode of Owned and Operated, Jack and John kick off with a positive update on Jack’s flourishing plumbing department—it's doing really well, and they talk about what's been working. They also share insights on using US Census data for precise list curation in targeted marketing. Emphasizing the significance of strategic list formation, they detail how it positively impacts conversion rates. They then introduce an upcoming event at John's new headquarters designed for home service busin...
Nov 23, 2023•27 min•Season 1Ep. 68
