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

Hosted by John Wilson

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Episodes

362

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-US

About the show

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

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60 recent

June 16, 2026Episode 32038 min

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 without hiring developers. They share practical ways contractors can reduce costs, improve operations, and create competitive advantages using AI.What You'll Learn:→ What vibe coding is and why contractors are embracing it→ How to replace expensive software with custom AI-built tools→ The framework for identifying automation opportunities in your business→ Why AI should automate workflows, not just assist employees→ How AI can improve margins, reduce overhead, and accelerate growth————————————————🔗 CONNECT————————————————John Wilson → https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbwilson1/Sam Preston → https://www.linkedin.com/in/sampreston/————————————————💰 SPONSORS————————————————⏱️Brought to you by The Military VeteranIf you’re running a home service business and hiring feels slow, risky, or you’re just not seeing the leadership talent you need, TMV can help. They connect companies like yours with exceptional military veteran leaders, people who’ve already proven they can execute, adapt, and lead under pressure. And they do it fast, with a white-glove process that saves you weeks and avoids costly mis-hires.Want to see who’s out there? Book a Free Coaching session HERE💼 Extra Special Thanks to Service Scalers!We’ve been partnering with Service Scalers to maximize our Local Service Ads (LSAs) and optimize our Google My Business profiles, and the results have been incredible. With hundreds of thousands in sales and 900+ calls in a single week, GMBs are now our top-performing organic lead channel.Want to learn how Service Scalers can do the same for you? 🔗Check Them Out Here 🏠 Comfort Connect helps home service contractors close more deals with flexible payment solutions and their all-inclusive Premier Program® — giving homeowners one predictable monthly payment for equipment, maintenance, repairs, and support. Learn how top contractors are increasing close rates, boosting ticket sizes, and building long-term recurring revenue.Book a call with Comfort ConnectSend Us Mail!More Ways To Connect with O&OJohn's YouTube ChannelWeekly Newsletter Owned and Operated Leave a ReviewJohn Wilson, CEO of Wilson CompaniesJack 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.

June 11, 2026Episode 31957 min

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 service companies double revenue, improve booking rates, and make channels like Angi, Yelp, Meta, Thumbtack, and Google LSA profitable. They discuss the exact follow-up cadence used by top-performing contractors, why most businesses leave revenue on the table, and how AI, outbound calling, and automation are changing lead conversion in the trades.They also explore how private equity-backed platforms are using speed-to-lead to create entirely new revenue streams, why response time directly impacts lead quality and platform rankings, and what contractors need to do to maximize ROI from every marketing channel.What You'll Learn:→ Why most home service companies don't actually have a lead problem → The speed-to-lead process that helps contractors convert more opportunities → Why calling leads beats relying on text messages alone → The ideal follow-up cadence for lead aggregators and paid leads → How AI and automation improve response times and booking rates → Why channels like Angi, Yelp, Meta, and Google LSA work when lead handling is done correctly————————————————🔗 CONNECT————————————————John Wilson → https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbwilson1/Tyson Chen → https://www.linkedin.com/company/avoca-ai/————————————————💰 SPONSORS————————————————💼Shoutout to Avoca AI!Looking to train your call center and improve technician performance? Avoca AI helps teams identify issues, improve call quality, and drive results from start to finish.🔗 Schedule a demo: [https://www.getavoca.ai/partners/oao] 💼 Big Reputation — Stop chasing reviews and watching competitors outrank you. Big Reputation is the AI-powered review + SEO platform built for home service pros. Automate review generation, respond with AI, track local SEO, and integrate with your CRM. Setup is free, and your first month’s on the house.👉 Book your demo: https://www.bigreputation.ai/oao 💡 Yelp — A Smarter Way to Win LeadsGoogle costs are up. Lead quality is down. You’re paying more for less.Meanwhile, Yelp generated 125M+ home service leads last year—and powers results across ChatGPT, Google AI, Apple Maps, and Alexa.Less competition. Higher intent.👉 Book a call: https://business.yelp.com/ownedandoperated ————————————————Peer Group: https://www.ownedandoperated.com/pro-membershipSend Us Mail!More Ways To Connect with O&OJohn's YouTube ChannelWeekly Newsletter Owned and Operated Leave a ReviewJohn Wilson, CEO of Wilson CompaniesJack 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.

June 9, 2026Episode 3181 hr 19 min

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 of customers, Erica shares the hard lessons behind growth, leadership, hiring, marketing, and surviving a year that nearly put her out of business.They dive into customer acquisition, churn, pricing, recurring revenue, sales systems, and why answering the phone may be the highest ROI activity in your company. Along the way, they uncover lessons that apply far beyond poop scooping—from financial discipline and resilience to building systems that can scale.What you'll learn:→ How Erica built a pet waste removal company from a side hustle into a six-figure business→ Why 2024 nearly broke the business—and what fueled the comeback→ The economics of recurring revenue in the poop scooping industry→ How spring rush can double a company's size in just a few weeks→ The hiring, training, and retention challenges of running a service business→ Why missed phone calls were costing thousands in lost revenue————————————————🔗 CONNECT————————————————John Wilson → https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbwilson1/Erica Krupin → @KroopinsPoopinScoopin ————————————————💰 SPONSORS————————————————📞 Sponsored by Quo — The Modern Business Phone for Service ProsMissed calls mean missed business. Quo (formerly OpenPhone) is the AI-powered phone system that logs calls, creates summaries, and automates follow-ups — keeping your team connected and customers happy.?🎁 Start your 7-day free trial and get 20% off your first six months HEREShout Out to FieldPulse 🚀FieldPulse is an incredible Field Service Management platform that helps you save hours each week while keeping your operations running smoothly. If you're looking to streamline your processes, stay competitive, and focus on what truly matters, FieldPulse is a game-changer!📅 Book your demo💼Shoutout to Avoca AI!Looking to train your call center and improve technician performance? Avoca AI helps teams identify issues, improve call quality, and drive results from start to finish.🔗 Schedule a demo Send Us Mail!More Ways To Connect with O&OJohn's YouTube ChannelWeekly Newsletter Owned and Operated Leave a ReviewJohn Wilson, CEO of Wilson CompaniesJack 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.

June 5, 2026Episode 3178 min

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 impact on my entrepreneurial journey and explain how you can apply them to your own business.Whether you're running a home service company, building your first team, or trying to break through your next growth ceiling, these are the books I recommend most often.In This Episode: The books that changed how I lead and manage Frameworks that helped scale from $1M to $44M Lessons on hiring, delegation, and accountability How great operators use books to solve real business problems The mindset shifts every entrepreneur needs to grow Watch this episode early on the John Wilson YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@JohnWilsonOAOSend Us Mail!More Ways To Connect with O&OJohn's YouTube ChannelWeekly Newsletter Owned and Operated Leave a ReviewJohn Wilson, CEO of Wilson CompaniesJack 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.

June 4, 2026Episode 31742 min

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 through the platform and what 68 contractor lead generation actually looks like in 2025. They cover lead costs, close rates, how Yelp Ads and Request a Quote really work, and why 68 how to get more leads for your home service business may start with the platform you've been ignoring.What you'll learn:→ How Yelp generates 10 million home service leads every month → Why AI tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity are driving more traffic through Yelp → How Yelp Assistant uses AI to match homeowners with contractors → The truth behind Yelp's reputation with contractors → What every business should do to improve visibility and lead flow on Yelp → How Yelp Ads, Request a Quote, and lead pricing actually work———————————————— 🔗 CONNECT————————————————John Wilson → https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbwilson1/Katy Lightsey→ Yelp https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-lightsey-4a137468/ Learn more → https://business.yelp.com/ownedandoperated ———————————————— 💰 SPONSORS————————————————Shout Out to FieldPulse 🚀FieldPulse is an incredible Field Service Management platform that helps you save hours each week while keeping your operations running smoothly. If you're looking to streamline your processes, stay competitive, and focus on what truly matters, FieldPulse is a game-changer!📅 Book your demo🛒 Extra Special Thanks to Contractor Commerce!Contractor Commerce turns your website into a 24/7 sales engine for service contractors. With guided pricing, online service and membership sales, and deep system integrations, your site pre-qualifies customers before the phone ever rings.One contractor generated a $15,000 service sale after hours — straight from their website.Book a demo to see how Contractor Commerce turns your website into a 24/7 sales and qualification engine.💼 Shoutout to Quick Staffers LLC Need trained HVAC & plumbing CSRs at a fraction of the cost? Quick Staffers LLC specializes in placing top-tier global talent with the best SOPs and scripts. 🔥 Get $500 off your first placement here Send Us Mail!More Ways To Connect with O&OJohn's YouTube ChannelWeekly Newsletter Owned and Operated Leave a ReviewJohn Wilson, CEO of Wilson CompaniesJack 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.Send Us Mail!More Ways To Connect with O&OJohn's YouTube ChannelWeekly Newsletter Owned and Operated Leave a ReviewJohn Wilson, CEO of Wilson CompaniesJack 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.

June 2, 2026Episode 31651 min

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 members across recruiting, dispatch, accounting, marketing, and customer service.What you'll learn:→ Which roles should be offshored first (and which shouldn't)→ The judgment vs. process framework for hiring decisions→ How offshore teams force better systems and accountability→ Why SOPs matter more than geography→ How to structure dispatch, CSR, recruiting, and accounting teams————————————————🔗 CONNECT————————————————John Wilson → https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbwilson1/Jack Carr → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-carr-81675995/————————————————💰 SPONSORS————————————————💸Sponsored by CFO Made EasyBuilt a strong trades business? Let’s take it to $10M and beyond. CFO Made Easy offers part-time CFO services for home and trade service businesses—helping you boost cash flow, maximize profit per tech, and make clear growth decisions.📈 Free Offer: Book a 45-min Financial Insight Session to uncover growth blockers. Shout Out to FieldPulse 🚀FieldPulse is an incredible Field Service Management platform that helps you save hours each week while keeping your operations running smoothly. If you're looking to streamline your processes, stay competitive, and focus on what truly matters, FieldPulse is a game-changer!📅 Book your demo 💼Shoutout to Avoca AI!Looking to train your call center and improve technician performance? Avoca AI helps teams identify issues, improve call quality, and drive results from start to finish. 🔗 Schedule a demo Send Us Mail!More Ways To Connect with O&OJohn's YouTube ChannelWeekly Newsletter Owned and Operated Leave a ReviewJohn Wilson, CEO of Wilson CompaniesJack 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.

May 29, 2026Episode 3153 min

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 economy, and still get the job done without sacrificing operational efficiency.In this episode, we break down:→ Why the “you can’t run service out of a small truck” argument is outdated→ How we use Packout systems and standardized inventory kits to maximize space→ The sales-to-install model that makes smaller vehicles work at scale→ The real numbers behind fleet costs, efficiency, and utilization→ Why two Mavericks can outperform one traditional service van🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on systems, acquisitions, operations, and growth strategies from real home service operators. Send Us Mail!More Ways To Connect with O&OJohn's YouTube ChannelWeekly Newsletter Owned and Operated Leave a ReviewJohn Wilson, CEO of Wilson CompaniesJack 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.

May 28, 20261 hr 2 min

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 moves the needle and why fundamentals beat complexity every time.After working with hundreds of growing contractors, the pattern is clear: most businesses are "loosely functioning disasters" running on hustle instead of systems. This episode is the blueprint for fixing that.What you'll learn:→ Why most contractors focus on the wrong metrics→ The foundational systems every growing business needs→ How CRM, booking rate, and price books drive scalability→ Why overbuilt systems slow growth — not speed it up→ How job costing and financial visibility change your margins→ How AI will reshape operations, reporting, and accounting→ What breaks when your business suddenly gets "100 more" of something————————————————🔗 CONNECT————————————————John Wilson → https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbwilson1/ Daniel Eigner → https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-eigner-40216632/ Fieldpulse → https://landing.fieldpulse.com/owned_and_operated————————————————💰SPONSORS————————————————💼 Big Reputation — Stop chasing reviews and watching competitors outrank you. Big Reputation is the AI-powered review + SEO platform built for home service pros. Automate review generation, respond with AI, track local SEO, and integrate with your CRM. Setup is free, and your first month’s on the house.👉 Book your demo🏠 Comfort Connect helps home service contractors close more deals with flexible payment solutions and their all-inclusive Premier Program® — giving homeowners one predictable monthly payment for equipment, maintenance, repairs, and support. Learn how top contractors are increasing close rates, boosting ticket sizes, and building long-term recurring revenue. Book a call with Comfort Connect: https://bit.ly/4wGXqSX Send Us Mail!More Ways To Connect with O&OJohn's YouTube ChannelWeekly Newsletter Owned and Operated Leave a ReviewJohn Wilson, CEO of Wilson CompaniesJack 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.

May 26, 2026Episode 31442 min

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 a business ready to scale.If you want to grow without destroying profitability, this episode is for you. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why most contractors expand too early The hidden costs of adding a second trade or second location How poor systems destroy scalability Why revenue alone is a misleading metric The KPIs every home service owner should knowHost: John Wilson https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbwilson1/Guest: Jack Carr https://x.com/thehvacjack💡 Yelp — A Smarter Way to Win LeadsGoogle costs are up. Lead quality is down. You’re paying more for less.Meanwhile, Yelp generated 125M+ home service leads last year—and powers results across ChatGPT, Google AI, Apple Maps, and Alexa.Less competition. Higher intent.👉 Book a call: https://business.yelp.com/ownedandoperated⏱️Brought to you by The Military VeteranIf you’re running a home service business and hiring feels slow, risky, or you’re just not seeing the leadership talent you need, TMV can help. They connect companies like yours with exceptional military veteran leaders, people who’ve already proven they can execute, adapt, and lead under pressure. And they do it fast, with a white-glove process that saves you weeks and avoids costly mis-hires.Want to see who’s out there? Book a Free Coaching session Send Us Mail!More Ways To Connect with O&OJohn's YouTube ChannelWeekly Newsletter Owned and Operated Leave a ReviewJohn Wilson, CEO of Wilson CompaniesJack 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.

May 22, 2026Episode 3138 min

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 acquisition, entrepreneurship, private equity, HVAC business growth, plumbing companies, electrical contractors, or scaling home service businesses, this episode gives a real-world look at buying and operating companies successfully.More solo episodes: @JohnWilsonStudioSend Us Mail!More Ways To Connect with O&OJohn's YouTube ChannelWeekly Newsletter Owned and Operated Leave a ReviewJohn Wilson, CEO of Wilson CompaniesJack 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.