Shows
Owned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast#201 Turf Takeover and the Rise of Tier Two Business AcquisitionsIn this episode of Jackcquisitions, we explore profitable small business acquisition strategies with Peter De Baptiste, owner of Joe Cole Plumbing in Florida. Peter shares his entrepreneurial journey—starting in banking, then leading a delivery service startup, and ultimately acquiring a plumbing company. Now, he's setting his sights on HVAC and turf installation businesses, uncovering high-potential, under-the-radar sectors in the home services industry.We break down the unique appeal of tier two and tier three service businesses, such as synthetic turf installation and residential HVAC. Peter and Jack discuss the financial performance, operational demands, an...2025-05-2353 min
Owned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast#198 This ONE Mistake Can Tank Your First AcquisitionDon’t Fall for the Buyer’s Trap: Why No-Marketing Businesses Aren’t Easy Wins In this episode of Jackquisitions, we dive into a common pitfall many first-time buyers fall for—the belief that a business with little or no marketing is a “goldmine” just waiting to be unlocked. Spoiler: it’s not that simple. Using the tongue-in-cheek example of an underwater basket weaving business, we break down the real costs of building out a marketing engine from scratch.Jack unpacks the "buyer’s trap": the dangerous assumption that adding marketing...2025-05-1614 min
Owned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast#196 Hiring Secrets That ACTUALLY WorkStruggling to find great technicians or keep your best employees around? This episode is your playbook.We break down battle-tested recruiting strategies that helped scale real home service businesses—from plumbing and HVAC to general trades. You'll learn how to treat recruitment like a sales pipeline, maintain momentum year-round, and create a company culture that people want to be part of.This episode goes beyond theory. From incentive trips and performance bonuses to sharp branding, upgraded vehicles, and custom dashboards, you'll hear exactly how to build an environment that attracts and retains top-tier talent.🚨 What...2025-05-1338 minOwned 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#185 From Roofing to Riches: The Blueprint for Business GrowthThinking 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 outbound sales to analyzing the true value of niche service companies—this episode is pac...2025-04-1043 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 minOwned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast#169 - Scaling an HVAC Startup to $6M: How Andrew Morrell Went from ZERO to MillionsIn 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 SCALERSIn 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 Serv...2025-02-1356 minOwned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast#168 - We Cut Payroll Costs by 50%—Here’s How Remote Hiring Cuts Major CostsIn 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 AvocaLooking to train your call center and improve technician performance? Avoca AI is here to help your team identify existing issues, improve call quality, and drive results from start to finish. Click here to schedule a demo2025-02-1138 minOwned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast#167- Stop Pitching, Start Closing—The Secret to More Plumbing ConversionsMost 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.SPECIAL THANKS TO SERVICE SCALERS2025-02-0635 minOwned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast#162 - Get Your Techs to Close More Tickets: How We Built Confidence, Boosted Sales, and Cut StressIn 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.Special Thanks to AvocaLooking to trai...2025-01-2131 minOwned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast#161 - Private Equity vs. Co-Investment: Strategies for Scaling Small BusinessesIn 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 trades.A SPECIAL THANKS TO HATCHTurn communication into conversion with Hatch and its AI Agents, r...2025-01-1641 minOwned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast#160 - How This One Sales Tactic Unlocked $10 Million in PotentialIn 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 to scale and achieve higher efficiency in their operations.Shout out to Service ScalersIn...2025-01-1443 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#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#149 - Leadership Through Open Book Management with Ellen RohrA new episode of 'Owned and Operated' is here, with the incomparable Ellen Rohr joining Jack and John as they talk about her expensive journey through the world of plumbing, what leadership means, and why open book management leads to success. They talk about Ellen’s journey from plumbing to business success, strategic approaches to overcoming debt through proper pricing, and the personal evolution of founding successful ventures like Benjamin Franklin the Punctual Plumber and Zoom Drain. Now working with ServiceTitan, Ellen has seen a lot–don’t miss this masterclass episode of the show.A SPECIA...2024-10-291h 03Owned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast#148 - Using Global Talent to Outpace Competition with Sagan's Jon MatznerIn this episode of Owned and Operated, John and Jack are joined by Sagan’s Jon Matzner to talk about the use of global talent and hiring overseas to enhance business operations, beyond just saving costs. What is the importance of systemization and automation in building a high-leverage business model?Jon also goes through the evolution of the Sagan system, which starts with global talent as an entry point and extends to include automation and decentralized leadership. What are the dynamics of remote hiring, the role of AI in augmenting job roles, and the changing landscape of ta...2024-10-2235 minOwned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast#147 - From Customer to Owner: The Journey into Business Acquisition and OwnershipIn this episode, Jack is flying solo and speaks with Rory Tyer, a new owner of an independent garden center in South Carolina, about his journey in entrepreneurship through acquisition. Rory shares his experiences and challenges in acquiring and operating a local nursery, discussing factors such as location, customer demographics, and the dynamics of retail vs. wholesale businesses. The conversation also touches on the significant learning curve, managing inventory, and engaging in new marketing strategies such as an SP club and local school partnerships. Thanks to Our Sponsor Supply House Need parts fa...2024-10-1536 min
Owned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast#145 - LEGENDS: Chris Hoffman and Home Service Financial Discipline at $100M and UpThis episode of Owned and Operated features Chris Hoffman, CEO of the $130M Hoffman Brothers, continuing the "Legends Series," where industry leaders are highlighted for their massive influence and expertise in the home services space. Chris shares his journey with John and Jack, scaling Hoffman Brothers from a modest family business to a multi-million-dollar industry leader, operating out of St. Louis and Nashville. The discussion covers business strategies, leadership challenges, and Chris’s opinions on what it takes to grow a home service business via financial discipline and talent development.Service Scalers can help figure out...2024-10-0159 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#143 - Call-by-Call HVAC Growth Management with Service MVP Joe CrisaraJohn and Jack welcome Joe Crisara from Service MVP, a mainstay in the home services business. Joe shares his extensive experience spanning 47 years in the trades industry, detailing his journey from a service technician to a successful entrepreneur. He discusses how implementing call by call management and personalized customer service can drastically improve business outcomes. Joe also highlights the importance of using technology like Hatch and Rilla to streamline workflows and enhance customer engagement. Is call by call management the path towards becoming your own Service MVP? Tune in and find out.Turn communication i...2024-09-1756 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#141 - Wyatt Smith and Gamifying Employee Retention with UpSmithIn this episode of 'Owned and Operated,' host Jack Carr interviews Wyatt Smith from Upsmith to discuss employee retention and the psychology of incentives for skilled workforces. Wyatt shares a look into UpSmith’s mission to gamify the skilled trades industry using software that provides immediate feedback and recognition to technicians while bolstering your employee retention strategy, and how this approach boosts performance and revenue. Wyatt also breaks down the significance of timely rewards and Upsmith's future roadmap.Thanks to Our Sponsor Supply House Need parts fast? Supply House Dot Com is...2024-09-0323 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#136 - Getting Home Service Business Leads When the Season ChangesAre you focused on business leads in your home service company when the seasons change? This week, Jack and John talk about weak months during peak HVAC season, big victories coming from major talent hires, and the power of specialty equipment paying for itself almost immediately. However, the big topic of conversation covers home service business leads, generating those leads when times get quiet, and the various avenues an owner has available to source customers.Episode Hosts: 🎤John Wilson: @WilsonCompanies on TwitterJack Carr: @TheHVACJack on TwitterSen...2024-08-1332 min