OWNR OPS Podcast - podcast cover

OWNR OPS Podcast

Austin Gray @theowneropownrops.com
The OWNR OPS Podcast is for land‑clearing and forestry‑mulching owner‑operators who want a real business, not just a busy machine. If you’ve got at least one real machine and you’re stuck under ~$100k/month, we break down the Price–Pipeline–Playbook OS: - PRICE – crew‑day math, bids, and minimums - PIPELINE – Google, Facebook, and follow‑up - PLAYBOOK – weekly scoreboards, scheduling, hiring Real numbers, teardown episodes, and simple frameworks you can steal and install.
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Episodes

TURNING A STRUGGLING BUSINESS INTO A $7 MILLION SUCCESS

In this episode, Nolan Gore, the owner of Top Choice Lawn Care, joins the podcast to discuss his journey into entrepreneurship, his experiences balancing work and family life, and the challenges of managing a growing business. From early morning recording sessions to navigating the complexities of business ownership, Nolan offers a candid look into his personal and professional life. 💰 Join our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free OW⁠NR OPS Skool Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to grow your local service biz 📙 Free Service Startup Pla...

Mar 21, 202539 minSeason 1Ep. 66

THIS EX COFFEE ENTREPRENEUR STARTED A 7 FIGURE DEMOLITION BUSINESS

On this week’s podcast episode, I sit down with Kent Sheridan, owner of Swift Demo, who pivoted from running a high-end instant coffee startup to building a $1.5M demolition business in just a few years. Kent shares his unconventional journey from struggling with negative cash flow in a complex manufacturing business to finding success in a simple, service-based trade. We dive into how he scaled Swift Demo, built a highly profitable team, and overcame the challenges of starting from scratch—twic...

Mar 14, 20251 hr 9 minSeason 1Ep. 66

HOW TO BUILD A $6MM EXCAVATION BUSINESS

On this week’s podcast episode, I sit down with Andy Garrett, owner of Garrett Excavating, who grew his excavation business from a truck, trailer, and skid steer to a $6M operation in just a few years. 💰 Join our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free OW⁠NR OPS Skool Community ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to grow your local service biz 🚜 Learn How To Grow Your Excavation Business In The Dirt Crew Skool Group Andy shares how he and his dad started the company, the pivotal moments that accelerated their growth, and the key hires that allowed ...

Mar 07, 20251 hr 2 minSeason 1Ep. 65

CLEANING BUSINESS PLAN TO HIT $1 MILLION

On this week’s podcast episode, I sit down with Logan, who built a six-figure Airbnb cleaning business but realized he needed to pivot to scale further. After going all-in on short-term rental cleaning and hiring a full-time operations manager, he found himself stuck—until a game-changing dinner with industry expert Johnny Robinson pushed him to rethink everything. Logan shares how he’s restructuring his business, replacing high overhead with a leaner, more profitable model, and leveraging marke...

Mar 06, 202556 minSeason 1Ep. 64

HOW TO ESTIMATE SEPTIC SYSTEM JOBS PROFITABLY!

On this week’s podcast episode, I sit down with Brock Peel, owner of Canadian Sanitation. Brock and his crew of three have built a highly profitable septic business, hitting $2.3M in revenue last year.Brock shares his step-by-step process for estimating septic jobs, pricing for profitability, and streamlining operations to maximize efficiency. If you’re in the excavation or septic industry—or just looking to sharpen your estimating skills—this episode is packed with actionable insights. 📙 Free ...

Feb 21, 202545 min

STUMP GRINDING STARTUP STORY 0-$75K

🔥 Stump Guy Ty uses Jobber to send fast quotes, schedule jobs, & send easy-to-pay invoices to his clients ➡️ Get 20% off your first 6 months here : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://go.getjobber.com/ownerops-spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠ On this week’s podcast episode, I sit down with Tyler Mumford, founder of Grind Time Stump Grinding. Tyler left a $175K/year tech sales job to start a stump grinding business, and in just a few months, he’s already hit $75K in revenue. Tyler shares how he validated demand, secured jobs before pu...

Feb 14, 202556 min

HOW JOBBER BECAME MY SECRET WEAPON FOR BEAR CLAW

On this week’s podcast episode, I share an exciting update about a new partnership with Jobber, the all-in-one software management solution for home service and trade businesses. I break down how Jobber transformed Bear Claw's operations, from simplifying customer management to streamlining job scheduling and payment collection, all while saving time and reducing stress. If you’ve ever wondered how to optimize your service business, adopt game-changing technology, or manage multiple crews more e...

Feb 07, 202519 min

3 MAN SEPTIC CREW HITS $2.3 MILLION

In this week’s podcast episode, I talk with Brock Peel, the owner of Canadian Sanitation, about how he grew his septic business to $2.3 million in yearly revenue with just a small team of three people. Brock shares how he specialized in septic installations, improved his business operations, and tackled the challenges of working in a seasonal industry. 📙 Free Service Startup Playbook To Generate Your First $100k: https://www.ownrops.com/playbook Here’s what we covered: ✅ Why specializing in one...

Jan 31, 20251 hr 11 min

GROWTH PAINS IN $1.65 MILLION CABINETRY BUSINESS

On this week’s podcast episode, I chat with Alex, owner of Lane 17 Custom Cabinetry, who scaled his woodworking business from a one-car garage to over $1.6 million in annual revenue. Alex shares how he navigated rapid growth, built a stronger team, and restructured his operations to prepare for doubling production volume in 2025. If you’ve ever wondered how to tackle the challenges of breaking through revenue ceilings, delegate effectively, or lead your team with clarity, this episode is packed ...

Jan 24, 20251 hr 14 min

HOW TO GROW EXCAVATION YOUTUBE CHANNEL

On this week’s episode, I sit down with Brian Furness, creator of the Diesel & Iron YouTube channel and owner of a successful excavation business. Brian grew his YouTube channel to over 50,000 subscribers while running his service-based excavation business. What started as simple videos shot on a smartphone has evolved into a platform for education, partnerships, and inspiring the next generation of trades people. If you’ve ever considered using content creation to grow your business or wond...

Jan 17, 20251 hr 7 min

OWNR OPS SEASON 2 INTRO!

On this week’s podcast episode, I recap Season One of the OWNR OPS Podcast and share the vision for 2025.I started this podcast to learn from successful service business entrepreneurs and to share their insights with others on a similar journey. In just one season, we’ve featured stories from people building businesses ranging from $100K to $25M in revenue, offering invaluable lessons along the way. 📙 Free Service Startup Playbook To Generate Your First $100k: https://www.ownrops.com/playbook H...

Jan 10, 202535 min

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU IN 2025?

In this episode, I’m sharing how I grew Bear Claw into a $1.7M business in just two years, starting with a $3,500 forestry cleanup job. If you want to grow your service-based business in 2025, this episode is full of simple, helpful tips on getting started, marketing well, and making more profit. I go over the steps I took, like landing government contracts and building a steady income. 📙 Free Service Startup Playbook To Generate Your First $100k: https://www.ownrops.com/playbook 🔑 Here’s what...

Jan 03, 202531 min

HOW TO GROW SKID STEER BUSINESS IN 2025

On this week’s podcast episode, I break down how I built a $1.7 million skid steer business starting with just $50K in 2022. If you’re looking to grow your heavy equipment business in 2025, this episode is packed with strategies and insights to help you succeed. I walk you through four profitable skid steer services that can jumpstart your revenue and share actionable tips on marketing, networking, and operations. 📙 Free Service Startup Playbook To Generate Your First $100k: https://www.ownrops...

Dec 27, 20249 min

5 F'S TO REFLECT ON BEFORE SETTING 2025 GOALS

In this week’s podcast episode, I shared a simple yet powerful framework to reflect on 2024 and prepare for an even better 2025. Using the 5 F's—Faith, Family, Finances, Fitness, and Fun—I broke down how to assess your progress in key areas of life and identify opportunities for growth. Whether you’re an entrepreneur juggling business and personal goals or someone looking to level up in the new year, this episode will help you gain clarity and direction. 📙 Free Service Startup Playbook To Gener...

Dec 20, 202444 min

57: SIMPLIFY YOUR HOME SERVICE OPERATIONS WITH JOBBER

In this week’s episode, I break down why Jobber is the ultimate software for managing a home service business, from tree services to snow removal. Based on my experience scaling Bear Claw Land Services to $1.7 million in two years, I share tips to help you streamline operations and maximize growth. If you're a local service business owner looking to save time, get faster payments, and boost efficiency, this episode is for you. I explain how Jobber can help with client management, scheduling, quo...

Dec 17, 202410 min

56: THE RECIPE FOR SUCCESS IN EXCAVATION AND TRUCKING WITH STEVEN DAY

On this week’s podcast episode, I sat down with Steven Day, founder of Armor Excavating, to explore how he built a thriving excavation and trucking business in Texas from the ground up. If you’re a local service business owner looking to scale your operations while keeping costs under control, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. Steven shares how he leveraged his financial background, focused on customer needs, and built a team and processes that drive success. 📙 Free S...

Dec 06, 202458 min

55: HOW TO START (AND GROW) ANY HOME SERVICE BUSINESS

In this week’s podcast episode, I shared my proven system for building a content strategy that generates leads on autopilot. If you’re a local service business owner looking to grow your customer base without spending all your time on marketing, this episode is for you. I break down the step-by-step process I’ve used to scale Bear Claw and help others do the same. 📙 Free Service Startup Playbook To Generate Your First $100k: https://www.ownrops.com/playbook 🔑 Here’s what we cover in this episo...

Dec 02, 202420 min

54: WEBSITE MUST HAVES! W/ ANDY WALKER

On this week’s podcast episode, I hosted Andy Walker, a seasoned expert in SEO and website development. Andy breaks down everything you need to know to create a website that not only looks great but also drives real results. Whether you’re designing a site for your home service business or hiring a pro, Andy’s tips can help you turn visitors into leads. 📙 Free Service Startup Playbook To Generate Your First $100k: https://www.ownrops.com/playbook 🔑 Here’s what we cover in this episode: ✅Struct...

Nov 22, 20241 hr 16 min

53: STARTING A SNOW PLOW BUSINESS - 2024 BEAR CLAW WINTER UPDATE

In this week’s episode of the OWNR OPS Podcast, I share the journey of launching the snow removal division under Bear Claw Land Services. After reaching seven figures with their summer services, I will break down my strategy to scale the winter side and hit the million-dollar mark. 📙 Free Service Startup Playbook To Generate Your First $100k: https://www.ownrops.com/playbook 🔑 Here’s what we cover in this episode: ✅The process of building a team for winter work and ensuring year-round stabilit...

Nov 15, 202426 min

52: BOOKKEEPING BASICS FOR OWNER OPERATORS

On this week’s podcast episode, I hosted Ben Gavin from Dialed In Bookkeeping. Ben grew Dialed In from scratch, building it up to over 50 clients in just a few years. He shares valuable insights for business owners looking to get a handle on their finances, whether they’re just starting or managing a fast-growing company. 📙 Free Service Startup Playbook To Generate Your First $100k: https://www.ownrops.com/playbook 🔑 Here’s what we cover in this episode: ✅Get Set Up with QuickBooks ✅Understand...

Nov 08, 202459 min

HOW TO BUILD A SNOW REMOVAL BUSINESS W/ SAM TYLER

In this episode of The OWNR OPS Podcast, I sit down with Sam Tyler, the driven entrepreneur behind Tyler Snow Solutions and Fire Guard, based in Telluride, Colorado. Sam’s journey started with just a shovel, clearing neighborhood driveways, and has grown into a thriving dual business—providing snow removal services in the winter and fire mitigation services in the summer. 📙 Free Service Startup Playbook To Generate Your First $100k: https://www.ownrops.com/playbook 💪Here’s what we cover in thi...

Nov 01, 202453 min

50: COLD OUTREACH STRATEGIES W/ BRANDON DIXON & JAKE PAVELLE

On this week’s episode of the OWNR OPS Podcast, Austin Gray sits down with Brandon Dixon, owner of Cleaner Streets, and Jake Pavelle of Colorado Powerwash to discuss how cold outreach transformed their businesses. From MLB to street sweeping and beyond, Brandon shares his journey, practical strategies, and insights into cold calling and email marketing. Jake brings his sales expertise to the table, offering actionable advice on building lasting business relationships through smart prospecting. �...

Oct 31, 202454 min

49: SAM BUILT A $22M ROOFING EMPIRE W/ SAM ALLSOPP

In this week’s podcast, I talked to Sam Allsopp, the owner of Neil Roofing. Sam started his business with a $50k investment and grew it to $22 million in just 5 years. He shares some valuable tips to help you grow your business. 📙 Free Service Startup Playbook To Generate Your First $100k: https://www.ownrops.com/playbook 💪Here’s what we cover in this episode: ✅Sam’s strategies to master marketing ✅How he improved the business operations ✅How to get finances right ✅Why you should focus on cust...

Oct 21, 20241 hr 10 min

48: SHOULD YOU BUY OR LEASE?! W/ JUSTIN RIETMAN

In this episode of the OWNR OPS Podcast, I host Justin Reitman from In Tech Leasing. Justin gives us a crash course on leasing vs. buying equipment, trucks, and fleets. Justin is also sharing insights from his family’s 38 years in business. 📙 Free Service Startup Playbook To Generate Your First $100k: https://www.ownrops.com/playbook 💪Here’s what we cover in this episode: ✅Benefits of leasing for business owners ✅Why leasing is a more affordable alternative ✅How they support for smaller busine...

Oct 11, 20241 hr 10 min

47: NEW OWNER OPERATOR OF COLORADO POWER WASH - Meet Jake Pavelle

Meet Jake Pavelle, the new owner-operator of Colorado Power Wash. After getting tired of corporate life, Jake knew entrepreneurship was the right path for him. He quit his job, took over the Colorado Power Wash website, and quickly grew the business using his sales and marketing skills. 📙 Free Service Startup Playbook To Generate Your First $100k: https://www.ownrops.com/playbook 💪Here’s what we cover in this episode: ✅How Jake got his first jobs ✅How he found his first subcontractors and crew...

Oct 06, 20241 hr 4 min

46: TURNING $10K INVESTMENT STUMP GRINDING INTO SUCCESS WITH CARL ROSENBERG

Carl Rosenberg joins us this week from ARE Land Management in Georgia. Carl started his business by purchasing a $10k stump grinding machine. He focused on doing $200-$500 stump grinding jobs for other tree contractors to get his equipment paid off. He quickly saw an opportunity to get into forestry mulching, so he purchased a skid steer & forestry mulching attachment. After that, he bought an excavator & a track loader to complete his land management suite. 📙 Free Service Startup Playb...

Sep 28, 20241 hr 17 min

45: MANAGE SCHEDULE, QUOTES, JOBS, & INVOICES BETTER with Marlena Spiegeler

📈Get 20% Off Jobber - Home Service Management Software: Jobber is the all-in-one business management software for service businesses. Get 20% off your first 6 months: ⁠https://go.getjobber.com/ownrops In this episode of the OWNR OPS Podcast, I host Marlena Spiegeler. Marlena is the co-owner of G&M Outdoor Services in Big Lake, Minnesota. She is the Office Operations Director for G&M and oversees all HR, Payroll, Bookkeeping, Scheduling, Finance, and everything else office operations. Ma...

Sep 21, 202453 min

44: MAKING YOUR 1ST HIRE AS A SOLO OWNER OPERATOR

Feeling like you’re running in circles trying to manage your contractor or local service business? This video is for YOU! I’m answering questions from a podcast listener who's struggling with cash flow and trying to balance everything as a solo owner/operator. If you’re overwhelmed with bidding, job management, maintenance, and more, this episode is for you! 📙 Free Service Startup Playbook To Generate Your First $100k: https://www.ownrops.com/playbook 🔑 Here’s what we cover in this episode: ✅T...

Sep 17, 202426 min

43: GROWING AIRBNB CLEANING BUSINESS FROM 5k - 30k /mo

In this episode, I host Logan Robison, a Short Term Rental Cleaning Business Owner. He shares how he's grown his business from $5k - $30k / month after quitting his full-time job. 📙 Free Service Startup Playbook To Generate Your First $100k: https://www.ownrops.com/playbook Since our last episode he has: ✅Quit his full-time job ✅Specialized in Airbnb Cleans ONLY ✅Hired a GM to run operations ✅Set a cold outreach goal of 10 new prospects per day ✅Implemented quality control system ✅Set the visio...

Sep 14, 202439 min

42: $2.6mm SELF STORAGE BUSINESS USING OFFSHORE TEAM w/Baird Kleinsmith

In this episode of the OWNR OPS Podcast, I interview Baird Kleinsmith, the Sultan of Storage. Baird bought his first self-storage property in 2021 and has since grown the portfolio to 9 properties & $2.6mm of annual revenues. What's more impressive is this business kicks off close to $900k per year in annual cash flow while being managed by an offshore team in Latin America. 📙 Free Service Startup Playbook To Generate Your First $100k: https://www.ownrops.com/playbook 💪Here’s what we cover...

Sep 06, 20241 hr 12 min
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