Shows
Owned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast#193 The Truth Behind Scaling a Successful Plumbing BusinessWant to grow and scale your plumbing business with proven strategies for sales, operations, and fulfillment? In this episode of Owned and Operated, we break down exactly how to build a successful plumbing company—from optimizing pricing structures and boosting conversion rates to training teams and improving customer experience. Hosts John Wilson and Jack Carr share their real-world experiences growing a profitable plumbing business, revealing hard-won lessons and key tactics that drive sustainable growth in the home service industry.Whether you’re a plumbing business owner, contractor, or service entrepreneur, this...2025-05-0637 minOwned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast#191 How AI Is Transforming Lead Generation and Market ExpansionWant to grow your HVAC, plumbing, or roofing business using AI, lead generation, and marketing automation? In this episode of Owned and Operated, we dive into how artificial intelligence is transforming the home service industry. Host John Wilson sits down with James Zaner from Modernize to explore cutting-edge strategies for using AI-powered tools to generate high-quality leads, automate operations, and expand into new markets. Whether you're a contractor, service business owner, or operator looking to scale, this episode is your playbook for growth through AI integration, customer segmentation, and smart marketing systems.Discover how...2025-05-0158 minOwned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast#183 The $250M HVAC Collapse: Inside Air Pros' BankruptcyIn 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 (GMB) & Local Service Ads (LSAs) for lead generation🔹 How strategic hiring & project management drive success🔹 Overcoming seasonality challenges in the roofing...2025-04-0437 minOwned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast#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 to maximize our Lo...2025-03-2751 min
Owned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth PodcastLEGENDS #180 | Roger Wakefield: Shaping the Next Generation of PlumbersPlumbing 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 plumbers, this episode is packed with value!🌟 In This Episode, We Cover:🔹 The po...2025-03-251h 01
Owned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast#179 HVAC, Plumbing & Electrical SOPs: Multi-Touchpoint Strategies for BusinessLooking 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🔹 Automate and standardize processes💼 Shoutout to Avoca AI! Looking to train your call center and improve technician performance? Avoca AI helps teams identify issues...2025-03-2045 min
An Irish FamilyEpisode 3 - John Christopher BirdIn this episode John Wilson talks to John Christopher Bird, his first cousin, once removed about growing up in Ireland, his memories of holidays in Ballydulea, his career and his marriage to Mary, a Roman Catholic, which not quite scandalised, but was met with a certain disapproval, let's say, by some of his Bird relatives.2025-02-211h 01Owned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast#170 - "Most Sales People Suck at Their Job": How Siro’s AI Is Turning Sales Reps Into Top Performers with Jake CroninIn 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 impact on sales training. This episode is packed with insights you won’t get anywhere else.Special Thanks to Service Scalers2025-02-1851 minOwned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast#158 Pricing Effectively Based On Your EfficiencyJoin 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. Most of the industry didn’t see the same level of s...2024-12-3141 minOwned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast#155 - Merging Cultures: Challenges In Home Service AcquisitionsIn this episode of "Owned and Operated," hosts John Wilson and Jack Carr are joined by guest Nathan Lenahan, co-owner of Bart's Heating and Air. Nathan shares his journey of rapidly scaling his HVAC business through strategic home service acquisitions, growing from a $1 million revenue company to over $10 million. He discusses the challenges and considerations involved in merging companies, including integrating cultures, compensation structures, and deciding whether to rebrand under a larger, more recognized name. They’ll also get into the importance of people management, maintaining company values, and the shift from acquisition-led growth to focusing more on...2024-12-1052 minOwned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast#154 - Business Cost Management and Sustainable Home Service GrowthIn this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson welcomes Luke Weiden from Deljo Heating and Cooling. They discuss the importance of profitability in business sustainability and strategies for operating more efficiently. Luke shares his experience in partnering with Heartland Home Services, his approach to cost management, and the significance of leadership development. They’ll talk about field efficiency, head count reduction, and optimizing service calls. They also explore how improving financials can support growth while driving high revenue per employee.LEARN MORE ABOUT SERVICE SCALERS Get your ow...2024-12-0349 minOwned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast#153 - AI In Customer Service with Hatch and Chris BacheJoin John Wilson in this special episode of Owned and Operated, with guest Chris Bache, CEO of Hatch, sharing insights on how Hatch software has transformed AI in customer service and the power of the SMS campaign. He explains how AI can streamline customer follow-ups and improve response rates by automating initial contacts. Chris also discusses the evolution of Hatch, starting as a small company to becoming a major player in the industry, helping over 2000 businesses optimize their sales processes. A SPECIAL THANKS TO HATCHTurn communication into conversion with...2024-11-2628 minOwned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast#152 - Advice for Selling a Home Service Business with Leap PartnersIn this episode of 'Owned and Operated,' host Jack welcomes John and Justin from LEAP Partners to talk about what goes into the world of private equity home service business roll-ups. The two share a useful look into the importance of understanding your business's financials, the role of culture in acquisitions, and the unique approach of LEAP Partners in supporting business growth. Whether you're a current business owner or looking to buy or sell, this episode offers practical advice and inspiring stories of success in the home services industry.Thanks to Our Sponsor Supply House2024-11-1944 minOwned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast#151 - From Leads to Revenue: Maximizing Your Marketing ROI with Sam PrestonHe’s back! John is joined by Sam Preston, the dynamic CEO of Service Scalers, a marketing powerhouse specializing in helping home service businesses scale fast, for a recent livestream Q&A for the Owned and Operated Facebook Group. If you’re looking to grow your business and dominate your local market, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.Learn more about Service Scalers, get your own home services business website, and dominate the SEO and Google Ads game, then check them out today.Sam and John look into the strate...2024-11-1241 minOwned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast#146 -Peter Lohmann and Home Service Branding as Lead GenerationIn this episode of Owned and Operated, John explains the world of home service business growth with CEO Peter Lohmann, focusing on how branding can serve as a powerful lead-generation tool. John and Peter explore the journey of scaling a home service company, including the challenges, insights, and opportunities that come with driving marketing efforts and building operational efficiency.Key takeaways from this episode include the critical role that marketing and branding play in generating leads, the importance of optimizing call centers, and how to scale operations efficiently. John also emphasizes the value of finding the right...2024-10-0859 minOwned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast#144 - Call Center Commission and Navigating HVAC Equipment PricingIt’s Breaking $5M Workshop week, and Jack and John are together in the studio for the first time! What happens when you get these two together? They talk about call centers, that’s what. They break down organizational changes driven by AI, adjustments to call center compensation and the broader implications for business efficiency. They’ll also stress the importance of continuously negotiating with vendors to reduce costs and increase profitability. Networking and learning from industry peers is also highlighted as a vital resource for business growth and uncovering new strategies.Turn communication into conver...2024-09-2448 minOwned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast#142 - TR Miller's Brian Sloan and Scaling a Multi-Generational BusinessIn this episode of 'Owned and Operated,' John Wilson talks with owner Brian Sloan from TR Miller to discuss the nuances of business management and growth in HVAC and plumbing. What was the process for Brian of transitioning from a hands-on operator to a business owner mindset, learning the intricacies of multi-location management, and finding the importance of strategic partnerships? Brian shares his experiences with TR Miller’s growth trajectory, the lessons learned from slowdowns and operational challenges, and the significance of maintaining a balance between customer service, employee engagement, and financial performance. Learn more...2024-09-1049 minOwned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast#140 - Navigating the ServiceTitan KPI Minefield with Danny PeaveyIn this episode of Owned and Operated, hosts John Wilson and Jack welcome back Home Service Engine Founder Danny Peevey to discuss the complexities and challenges of making KPI, data-driven decisions in the home services industry. What starts with a talk on the importance of site visits and peer comparisons then turns to the complexities of ServiceTitan and the importance of knowing what to do with all that data. Do your employees know how to effectively use KPIs and the data you’re gaining from your business? Learn more about Sagan Passport and what it...2024-08-2728 min
Owned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast#139 - LEGENDS: Chad Peterman’s $120M Home Service Scaling StrategyOwned and Operated continues its new Legends series, focusing on the stories of the home service industry’s most successful entrepreneurs. John Wilson and Jack Carr are joined by special guest Chad Peterman, President and CEO of Peterman Brothers–a $120M home service empire with over 700 employees and eight locations. Follow along as Chad discusses how a centralized operation opened the door for expansion, the realities of recruiting and marketing for a large organization, and the power of podcasting and branding to help find the right hiring fits for your business culture.Service Scalers can help...2024-08-2353 min
Owned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast#138 - LEGENDS: Matt Ballard’s Balance of New Construction and ResidentialOwned and Operated continues its new LEGENDS series, focusing on the stories of the home service industry’s most successful entrepreneurs. John Wilson is joined by special guest Matt Ballard of Sunrise Mechanical, a $55M HVAC and plumbing company that works in small residential, commercial, and new construction. Matt discusses the balance between working in the two worlds of new construction and residential home services and how it led to being in over 6,000 homes in one year while also spending big dollars on equipment on the construction side. The two also discuss Matt’s plans for future vertical expansions and...2024-08-2145 min
Owned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast#137 - LEGENDS: How Tommy Mello Built a $200M Home Service BusinessOwned and Operated kicks off its new LEGENDS series, focusing on the stories of the home service industry’s most successful entrepreneurs. John Wilson and Jack Carr are joined by special guest Tommy Mello, founder and CEO of A1 Garage, which operates in over 20 states, with over 50 locations. The talk with Tommy covers his insistence on a strong company culture, how partnerships drove his company to new milestones, and the reasons why networking in the home service space is so important to constant business growth and success. Tommy also discusses his most recent book, ‘Elevate’, creating a busine...2024-08-191h 03Owned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast#134 - HVAC Business Ups and Downs and Creating Your Organizational StructureJohn joins the show this week from the middle of the woods as he and Jack discuss creating your home service business organizational structure, org charts, and the issues with hiring leaders. It’s also peak HVAC business season and that means an inevitable downturn. Are Jack and John prepared for an HVAC shoulder season? Will John find his way out of the woods? Give a listen to this week’s show, hear about organizational structure for small business owners, and get a massive knowledge level-up on how to grow your business through hiring.Episode Hosts: 🎤...2024-07-3036 min