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

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

The Owned and Operated electrical, HVAC, and plumbing business growth podcast is hosted by John Wilson and Jack Carr. These two Home Service Business owners bring you weekly podcasts and daily content with multiple perspectives, actionable advice, and info on an ever-changing industry revolving around advertising, lead generation, and more. 

Join us every Tuesday for topical conversations that unlock the potential for your business growth. Covering topics from top-tier talent recruitment to mastering marketing strategies and scaling your home service business, the podcast aims to be your guide on the path to entrepreneurial success.

For more information, visit www.ownedandoperated.com

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Episodes

#186 Turning Tow Trucks Into Business Success

Looking to grow your towing business or break into the towing industry? In this episode, Jack Carr hosts Matt Saskin from East Coast Towing to explore proven towing business strategies, effective growth tactics, and the latest towing industry trends. Matt shares his unique journey from a tech background to becoming a successful towing company owner, covering topics like AI-powered call center solutions with Avoca, consensual vs. non-consensual towing, and much more. In this in-depth conversation...

Apr 15, 202550 minSeason 1Ep. 186

#185 From Roofing to Riches: The Blueprint for Business Growth

Thinking about buying a roofing company or scaling your home service business? John and Jack almost bought a roofing business—but after a deep dive into the financials and seller materials, they walked away. In this episode, they reveal why the deal didn’t work, the red flags in roofing business listings, and what you should know before buying or building a home service company. From key takeaways at HoldCo Comp to real estate agent business models, and from leveraging tools like Hatch for outbo...

Apr 10, 202543 minSeason 1Ep. 185

#184 From Survive to Thrive: Scaling Your Home Service Business for Maximum Growth

As the busy summer season approaches, scaling your home service business requires the right strategy. In this episode, we break down how to set and achieve ambitious revenue goals, optimize operations, and staff up for success. From improving workflows to leveraging AI and overseas labor, we’re sharing the growth strategies you need to scale efficiently without skyrocketing overhead costs. 🚀 In This Episode, We Cover: 🔹 How to prepare your home service business for peak season growth 🔹 The la...

Apr 08, 202541 minSeason 1Ep. 184

#183 The $250M HVAC Collapse: Inside Air Pros' Bankruptcy

In this episode we discuss Air Pro Solutions, a once-thriving HVAC company, crumbled under $250 million in debt, exposing the dangers of aggressive acquisitions, reckless spending, and poor financial planning. From sponsoring the Miami Dolphins to underestimating inflation, rising interest rates, and integration challenges, this deep dive breaks down how their strategy led to one of the biggest HVAC business failures in history. 🚀 In This Episode, We Cover: 🔹 The power of Google My Business (G...

Apr 04, 202537 minSeason 1Ep. 183

#182 Roofing Business Success: From Contractor to CEO in a Growing Industry

How to Scale a Roofing Business to $20M+ | Marketing, Leadership & Growth Strategies. Eddie Griffin, owner and president of Brown Roofing in Connecticut, shares his journey from starting in the roofing industry at just 13 years old to building a multi-million-dollar business. From hands-on experience to mastering business strategy, Eddie reveals how he scaled Brown Roofing to $20M+ in annual revenue with effective marketing, subcontracted crews, and a strong leadership structure 🚀 In This E...

Apr 01, 202545 minSeason 1Ep. 182

#181 From Plumbing to Profits: One Entrepreneur’s Journey to Business Success & Growth Strategies

💧 Plumbing pro Kenny Bush joins us to talk about building a plumbing business, branding, and mastering SEO to dominate local search! From scaling Da Vinci’s Best Plumbing to leveraging Google reviews for massive growth, Kenny shares key insights for anyone in the trades. Would you start a business without a game plan? 🔧 💡 If you're in the trades or thinking about launching your own business, don’t miss this one! 💼 Special Thanks to Service Scalers! We’ve been partnering with Service Scalers ...

Mar 27, 202552 minSeason 1Ep. 181

LEGENDS #180 | Roger Wakefield: Shaping the Next Generation of Plumbers

Plumbing influencer Roger Wakefield joins us to talk about building a plumbing business, mastering Google My Business (GMB) and Local Service Ads (LSAs), and how social media has transformed the skilled trades industry. With hundreds of thousands in sales coming from GMBs and a mission to train the next wave of tradespeople, Roger shares insights on how he turned Texas Green Plumbing into a powerhouse. From starting in the industry to scaling a business and inspiring the next generation of plumb...

Mar 25, 20251 hr 1 minSeason 1Ep. 180

#179 HVAC, Plumbing & Electrical SOPs: Multi-Touchpoint Strategies for Business

Looking to streamline operations for your HVAC, plumbing, or electrical business? In this video, we break down multi-touchpoint SOPs to help you improve efficiency, enhance customer service, and boost profitability. Whether you're managing service calls, optimizing workflows, or improving team coordination, having solid standard operating procedures (SOPs) is key to scaling your business. 🌟 In This Episode We Cover How to 🔹 Improve technician efficiency 🔹 Enhance customer communication 🔹 Aut...

Mar 20, 202546 minSeason 1Ep. 179

#178 - Leveraging Discounts and Inside Sales for HVAC Growth

In this episode, John and Jack discuss strategies for maintaining profitability during slower business periods, including effective discounting, optimizing inside sales, and the importance of proactive planning. Shout Out to FieldPulse FieldPulse is a really awesome Field Service Management platform that helps you save hours every week and keep operations running smoothly. If you're looking to streamline your ops, stay ahead of the competition, and focus on what really matters, FieldPulse is a g...

Mar 18, 202542 minSeason 1Ep. 178

#177 - HVAC and Plumbing Lead Generation: Outbound Campaigns That Fill The Board

Take control of lead generation and keep your service board full with proven outbound strategies, smart software like Hatch, and multi-channel marketing. Learn how to drive demand, boost team productivity, and navigate slow seasons with confidence. Special Thanks to Modernize We’ve been using Modernize them for our water quality leads, and it’s been smooth sailing from day one. If you’re serious about boosting your leads, definitely check them out. Special Thanks to Hatch Book more leads with th...

Mar 13, 202541 minSeason 1Ep. 177

#176 - LEGENDS: The Roofing Kingpin: How Paul Reed Went From Local Player to Multi-Million Dollar Roofer

Paul Reed from Northwest Roofing shares his journey from chasing business opportunities to running a multi-state roofing business including the route to building permanent locations and what it really takes to scale a roofing company. Whether you're a roofing pro or just looking to grow your home service business, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. Special Thanks to Service Scalers We’ve been partnering with Service Scalers to maximize our Local Service Ads (LSAs) and o...

Mar 11, 202540 minSeason 1Ep. 176

#175 - Find The BEST Leads: Modernize VP of Marketing Jamie Smith Breaks Down the Secret to Success

Jamie Smith, VP of Marketing at Modernize, joins us to break down the secret to finding the best leads for your home service business. We tackle the big question: Are lead aggregators worth it? Jamie explains why Modernize isn’t just another lead aggregator but a smarter way to generate high-quality leads using data-driven strategies. If you want to stop wasting money on bad leads and start closing more jobs, this episode is for you. Special Thanks to Modernize We’ve been using Modernize them fo...

Mar 06, 202556 minSeason 1Ep. 175

#174: Ex-Microsoft Head of Product: Anand Subbaraj on Building AI for the Trades

Anand Subbaraj, former Head of Product at Microsoft, joins us to share his journey from big tech to building Zuper, a game-changing field service management platform. We dig into why he left Microsoft to tackle a massive industry problem, the challenges of launching a tech startup and how Zuper is reshaping field service management with flexibility, automation, and a seamless customer experience. Special Thanks to Avoca Looking to train your call center and improve technician performance? Avoca ...

Mar 04, 202550 minSeason 1Ep. 174

#173 - "We Booked 400 Calls a Week": How Avoca AI is Shaping Home Services

Tyson Chen from Avoca is back to break down how AI is changing the game for home service call centers. We dive into Avoca’s AI tools—like Coach for CSR training and Responder for automated call handling—that have helped us book more jobs while cutting costs. We also get into the real challenges of bringing AI into traditional call centers and what’s coming next in the AI space. If you want to know how AI can boost efficiency and improve customer service, this episode is packed with insights. Spe...

Feb 27, 202543 minSeason 1Ep. 173

#172 - From Dropout to CEO—Kelly Roberts on Building a $15M HVAC Business

In this episode CEO of Moss Heating and Cooling Kelly Roberts, shares her journey from college dropout to C-Suite member in a fast-growing HVAC company. Kelly talks about the challenges of shifting to high-end residential new construction, navigating financial setbacks, and scaling from $7 million to $15 million in just one year. This episode is packed with real-world insights on leadership and growth you won’t want to miss. Special Thanks to Modernize We’ve been using Modernize them for our wat...

Feb 25, 202555 minSeason 1Ep. 172

#171 - Why Your Sales Pipeline Is Failing—Hatch's Chief Revenue Officer 'Tim Geisenheimer' Explains the Mistakes Costing You Millions

In this episode, John sits down with Tim Geisenheimer from Hatch to break down what it takes to build a winning sales process. With his background in leading software sales teams, Tim shares how to create successful B2B sales functions and draws on the power of data for targeting the right customers and how technology is changing the game for business operations. SPECIAL THANKS TO HATCH Book more leads with the power of Hatch. Hatch has been an incredible partner in our outbound journey. Since s...

Feb 20, 202540 minSeason 1Ep. 171

#170 - "Most Sales People Suck at Their Job": How Siro’s AI Is Turning Sales Reps Into Top Performers with Jake Cronin

In this episode, Jake Cronin, CEO of Siro, delves into the intricacies of modern sales coaching utilizing advanced AI technologies. From his transformative experiences on the sales floor to building Siro, Cronin shares invaluable insights on leveraging data to enhance sales performance and process adherence. Jake highlights the pivotal role of AI in capturing and analyzing in-person sales interactions, offering a comprehensive look at Siro’s evolution, upcoming innovations, and the profound impa...

Feb 18, 202552 minSeason 1Ep. 170

#169 - Scaling an HVAC Startup to $6M: How Andrew Morrell Went from ZERO to Millions

In this episode, Jack and John sit down with Andrew Morrell , who took his HVAC business from zero to $6 million —without a massive budget or a big head start. They dive into his journey, what worked (and what didn’t), and how smart marketing helped him scale fast. SPECIAL THANKS TO SERVICE SCALERS In a year where many in the industry faced challenges, we’re thrilled to have hit the low 20s, outperforming expectations and driving serious growth. A huge part of that success is thanks to Service S...

Feb 13, 202557 minSeason 1Ep. 169

#168 - We Cut Payroll Costs by 50%—Here’s How Remote Hiring Cuts Major Costs

In this episode, Jack and John break down how businesses are cutting costs and boosting efficiency by leveraging overseas teams for call centers, accounting, and recruitment. We also dive into the biggest challenges of managing remote teams, setting up effective communication, and streamlining operations to scale smarter. Special Thanks to Avoca Looking to train your call center and improve technician performance? Avoca AI is here to help your team identify existing issues, improve call quality,...

Feb 11, 202538 minSeason 1Ep. 168

#167- Stop Pitching, Start Closing—The Secret to More Plumbing Conversions

Most techs aren’t salespeople—but they should be closing more jobs. In this episode, Jack and John break down the sales tactics that get homeowners saying yes more often. We're talking about the difference between soft and hard selling, how full system evaluations can boost your close rate, and why most techs miss the real root cause of a homeowner’s problem. Plus, we cover the must-know steps for handling calls like a pro. If you want to turn more estimates into booked jobs, this one’s for you....

Feb 06, 202535 minSeason 1Ep. 167

#166 - “AI won’t replace people” Gabe Pinchev from FieldPulse Shares How Software Will Transform The Trades

AI is coming for everything—except FieldPulse, according to CEO Gabe Pinchev. In this episode, we chat about how FieldPulse is changing the game for home service businesses with an all-in-one CRM that actually understands what tradesmen need. We talk invoicing, scheduling, QuickBooks sync, dispatch tools, and why custom workflows make all the difference. Plus, Gabe shares insights on his company’s Series B funding, why AI won’t be replacing SaaS (but will make it better), and what’s next for Fie...

Feb 04, 202548 minSeason 1Ep. 166

#165 - How Branding in 2025 Will Either Make or Break Your Business

In this episode, we’re diving straight into what really matters in 2025—your brand. If your branding isn’t sharp and your marketing isn’t hitting hard, you’re already behind. John and Jack talk about why it’s non-negotiable to nail your brand this year and how it ties directly to dominating your market. We walk you through how to set smart revenue goals and hit your targets. We also break down the benchmarks every HVAC, electric, and plumbing business needs to aim for, and why quarterly reviews ...

Jan 30, 202540 minSeason 1Ep. 165

#164 - "We Lose $1,000s Every Day": The Simple Fix to Streamline Your Accounts

In this episode, we get real about how to master your service truck inventory and purchasing. We’ll cover how to cut costs for your business, avoid common mistakes, and streamline your operations with a solid PO system, VMI (Vendor Managed Inventory), and stronger vendor relationships. Oh, and don’t miss our tips on using mobile truck setups to streamline operations. Plus, get practical advice on negotiating with vendors and keeping your inventory in check to save you big bucks. Shoutout to Quic...

Jan 28, 202537 minSeason 1Ep. 164

#163 - From $7 Million to $140 Million: The Ultimate Blueprint for Growth

In this episode, we’re breaking down what it takes to plan for serious growth—both short and long term. Jack and John swap stories and hard-won lessons on budget planning, sharpening your SWOT analysis, setting revenue targets, and getting your team firing on all cylinders. They dig into why strong accounting practices are a growth superpower and share practical steps to scale your business effectively. Key highlights: Tactical planning and goal setting Why every department matters in hitting go...

Jan 23, 202535 minSeason 1Ep. 163

#162 - Get Your Techs to Close More Tickets: How We Built Confidence, Boosted Sales, and Cut Stress

In a world where customer expectations are higher than ever, the success of your HVAC or plumbing business hinges on one thing: a well-trained team. Jack and John are here to show you how to make it happen. Drawing on their experience and dynamic insights, they reveal the secrets to creating training programs that don’t just do the job — but transform how you do business. From onboarding new hires to advanced technical and sales tips, they break down the steps to building high-performance teams....

Jan 21, 202531 minSeason 1Ep. 162

#161 - Private Equity vs. Co-Investment: Strategies for Scaling Small Businesses

In this episode, Jack & John sit down together to discuss the strategies and significance of finding the right partners for growth in the home service sector. The conversation touches on the pros and cons of minority vs. majority ownership, the challenges of trust, and the potential benefits of co-investment partnerships vs private equity. We also explore real-world examples and share insights on how these strategies can lead to substantial growth and operational improvements within the trad...

Jan 16, 202541 minSeason 1Ep. 161

#160 - How This One Sales Tactic Unlocked $10 Million in Potential

In this episode, John and Jack discuss how they redefined their business over the past year, sharing the big wins and game-changing shifts that took them to the next level. From revamping call centers and rethinking compensation to building a powerhouse inside sales team and unlocking the hidden potential of weekend shifts, they’ll show you how you can turn everyday decisions into massive growth opportunities. This comprehensive discussion is filled with actionable insights for businesses aiming...

Jan 14, 202544 minSeason 1Ep. 160

#159 - Turning Data into Dollars: How to Use AI in The Trades with Sebastian Jimenez

How do you boost your business with AI? In this episode, we chat with Sebastian from Rilla about how AI is shaking up the home improvement industry. Rilla's virtual ride-along software helps sales and service teams get better by recording and analyzing conversations using AI. Sebastian shares tips on how to best use Rilla in your business, including success stories and practical advice for getting quick returns. Find out why now is an exciting time to be in the trades with AI changing everything...

Jan 07, 202548 minSeason 1Ep. 159

#158 Pricing Effectively Based On Your Efficiency

Join John and Jack as they break down the do’s and don’ts of strategic pricing and why gross profit matters more than gross margin. They’ll also chat about handling discounts, boosting inside sales, and training your team to hit those numbers. Plus, hear about their crazy year-over-year growth and their open book management style. Tune in for some real talk on making your service business thrive! Wilson Companies just wrapped up the year in the low $20M range, and they couldn’t be more pumped. M...

Dec 31, 202442 minSeason 1Ep. 158

#157 Your Questions, Answered: Commission, Supplier Leverage, and Training Strategies

In this live Q&A session, we dive into some of the most pressing topics for home service business owners. From crafting competitive compensation packages and building impactful training programs to exploring how AI can transform call center operations. We also discuss strategies for managing seasoned teams, creating scalable HVAC business models, and attracting top talent with strong benefits. Plus, we touch on simplifying processes to pave the way for smoother growth. For more in-depth disc...

Dec 24, 202431 minSeason 1Ep. 157
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