John Wilson
Owned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast
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 busine...
Author
John Wilson
Category
Podcast website
Latest episode
Jul 9, 2026
Where to listen?
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Episodes
#222 Leaving Finance to Build a Legacy in HVAC 11.07.2025 41:41
Buying a service business with the idea of passive income? In this episode of Jack Acquisitions, host Jack interviews Thomas Beebe, a financial advisor who stepped into ownership of his family’s HVAC company. What started as a hands-off investment quickly turned into a hands-on leadership journey. From remote team management to turning around a messy acquisition, Thomas shares the tactical decisio...
#221 No More Tech Turnover: How to Hire and Keep the Best 10.07.2025 41:16
In this episode of Owned and Operated, John and Jack break down the full playbook for hiring HVAC and plumbing technicians—from sourcing to retention. They dive into the real-world challenges of technician recruitment and share the strategies they use to keep a steady pipeline of high-quality candidates. From building a branded hiring engine to managing seasonal swings, this episode delivers tacti...
#220 Buy vs. Build: Start or Acquire Your First Business? 08.07.2025 39:16
In this episode of Owned and Operated, John and Jack dive into one of the most common questions in home services: Should you buy a business or build one from scratch? Focusing on HVAC and plumbing companies, they break down the pros and cons of each path—sharing real-world insights on risk management, startup challenges, and acquisition strategy. Whether you're eyeing your first location or e...
#219 What It Really Takes to Buy a Local Service Business in 2025 04.07.2025 46:34
Buying a small business? In this episode of Jackquisitions, we follow Chris Barr’s journey to acquiring a pressure washing company using smart financing—combining cash, earnouts, and trusted advisors. From submitting the LOI to executing deep-dive due diligence, Chris shares what it really takes to close a successful acquisition. You’ll learn how to build the right team, evaluate financials and le...
#218 Why $20M Doesn’t Mean You’ve Made It 03.07.2025 27:05
In this episode of Owned and Operated, John and Jack unpack what leadership looks like inside a $20–40 million home service business—and why that size still feels small . They explore how companies in this range often remain personality-driven, even with impressive revenue, and what it really takes to level up. From forming HR and marketing departments to structuring a true senior leadership team,...
#217 We Hit $1M Profit — Here’s Exactly How We Did It 01.07.2025 34:17
In this episode of Owned and Operated , John and Jack return to the studio to tackle the real-world challenges of running a successful HVAC business during peak summer heat. They dive into how weather-related service demand, infrastructure upgrades, and a mature home service team contribute to record-breaking weekly revenues and improved operational efficiency. Discover how HVAC businesses can sca...
#216 How One Operator Is Making Big Waves in Business Acquisitions 27.06.2025 46:39
Want to buy a small business using smart deal structures like earnouts, seller financing, and low-risk offers? In this episode of Jackquisitions, host Jack Carr sits down with Chris Barr, a first-time buyer navigating the ups and downs of business acquisitions—from walking away from bad fits to crafting a $900K cash-plus-earnout offer for a pressure washing company. Learn how Chris is sourcing off...
#215 Why You’re Not Getting Promoted.... and How to Fix It 26.06.2025 43:39
In this episode of Owned and Operated, we’re exploring how to grow your career inside a home service company. From internal promotions to mindset shifts, John and Brandon Niro break down what it really takes to move up and lead. Brandon shares how 30–40% of the Wilson team has been promoted from within—and what separates those who grow fast from those who stall. They dig into Wilson’s 52-week Emer...
#214 How Great Leaders Scale Service Businesses Fast 24.06.2025 58:11
In this episode of Owned and Operated, we're digging into what it really takes to lead a growing home service business. From SOPs to scaling strategies, we’re spotlighting the habits and leadership traits that drive operational clarity and empower teams. We’re joined by Brandon Niro, who shares how his role evolved since joining the company in 2019—navigating growth from 30 to over 60 employ...
#213 Behind the Scenes of Buying a Business 20.06.2025 50:01
In this episode of Owned and Operated, we’re diving into real-world strategies for sourcing and securing small business acquisitions. From outreach to private equity firms to using freelancers for off-market deals, we break down how acquisition entrepreneurs are getting creative and staying competitive. We explore how personal branding can help attract brokers, how to craft a buyer persona that ac...
#212 Local Lead Generation Strategies That Actually Work (Home Service Marketing Tips) 19.06.2025 26:58
In this episode of Owned and Operated, we’re diving into innovative lead generation strategies that are reshaping how home service companies attract local customers. From niche local newsletters to AI-powered tools, we cover real-world tactics that are working right now . We explore how hyperlocal publications in places like Annapolis, Maryland and suburban New York are driving leads for services...
#211 What Growing Home Service Companies Get Right About Sales 17.06.2025 34:14
In this episode of Owned and Operated , HVAC business experts Jack Carr and John Wilson break down the sales strategies that drive revenue growth at every stage of a home service company’s journey. Whether you're running a $1M shop or scaling past $50M, understanding how to structure your HVAC sales team is critical—and it starts with knowing the difference between marketed leads and technici...
#210 Trying to Buy a Business: Here’s What No One Tells You 13.06.2025 54:01
In this episode we’re back with part two of the Chris Barr series on Jackquisitions. Chris is three months into his journey to acquire a business in Florida, and he’s bringing real updates from the trenches. From opportunity cost and deal dynamics to cold outreach and broker networks, this episode is packed with hard-won insights from an active business searcher. We dive into the pros and cons o...
#209 How to Scale Your Home Service Business from $3M to $100M | Leadership & Growth Strategies 12.06.2025 50:04
What does it really take to scale a home service business to $100 million in revenue? In this episode of Owned and Operated , we dive deep into the business growth strategies, leadership transitions, and operational upgrades needed to build a high-performing trades company. Whether you're in HVAC, plumbing, or another skilled trade, this conversation reveals the mindset shifts and systems tha...
#208 The Mindset Taking This Plumbing Company to the Top 10.06.2025 1:50:05
What happens when business meets conviction? In this episode of Owned and Operated , we explore how faith, intentionality, and grit shaped one plumbing entrepreneur’s journey from early struggle to long-term success. Dalton Hatch, founder of DH Plumbing in San Antonio, opens up about the mindset and personal transformation that fueled his growth. From rejecting aggressive sales tactics in favor of...
#207 SBA Loan Strategies for Acquiring a Business | Expert Advice 06.06.2025 58:01
Thinking about buying a home service business with an SBA loan? This episode is your go-to guide. Jackquisitions sits down with Alan Peterson—who closed over $70 million in SBA acquisition financing last year—to break down how to structure high-leverage deals, navigate the latest SBA loan rule changes, and avoid the costly mistakes many first-time buyers make. If you're serious about acquirin...
#206 How to Manage Remote Teams Like a Pro 05.06.2025 20:21
Struggling to manage a remote team spread across time zones? This episode dives into the real challenges and solutions of leading from a distance, with a focus on trust,communication, and culture. Laurie, our Director of Operations, shares how she builds high-performing remote teams without micromanaging. From setting clear expectations to fostering real connection across borders, you'll hear...
#205 How Premier Home Pros Scaled to Millions: Talent, Strategy & Explosive Growth 03.06.2025 53:25
In this episode of Owned and Operated , we dive into a powerhouse conversation with top sales leaders—AJ and Noah from Premier Home Pros—as they unpack how to scale a home service business rapidly and sustainably. Whether you're hiring your first rep or leading a high-velocity sales team, this episode delivers practical strategies for fast growth without losing control. From building a magnet...
#204 Top 5 Key Experts You NEED to Buy a Business in 2025 30.05.2025 13:22
In this episode of Jackquisitions, we break down the essential expert team every acquisition entrepreneur must build before buying a business. Whether you’re acquiring your first HVAC company or scaling into multiple service businesses, assembling the right support system can make or break your deal. From legal frameworks to SBA loan processing, we cover the professionals who will help you move qu...
#203 Investment Joy’s 10M Roofing Journey 29.05.2025 53:23
In this episode of Owned and Operated , we sit down with Brandon Schlicter—better known as Investment Joy—to uncover how a small-town Ohio entrepreneur built a multimillion-dollar business portfolio by mastering real estate, laundromats, car washes, and commercial roofing. Brandon shares how his upbringing on a farm and early family struggles forged his hustle mentality. After getting his start in...
#202 How to Develop Great Leaders with Values and Skills for Tomorrow’s Success 27.05.2025 41:55
In this episode of Owned and Operated, we shift focus to a critical yet often overlooked pillar of business success: leadership development and management training. With insights from Amir of Snowball Industries, we dig into how identifying and nurturing potential leaders is foundational to scaling tier two and tier three service businesses. The discussion explores the evolution from technical exp...
#201 Turf Takeover and the Rise of Tier Two Business Acquisitions 23.05.2025 53:33
In 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-p...
#200 How E-Commerce is Transforming the Trades and Home Services Industry 22.05.2025 23:26
In this episode of Owned and Operated, we dive into how the team is leveraging Contractor Commerce to bring e-commerce to the trades. From selling water heaters online to experimenting with lead conversion strategies, the hosts explore what it looks like to run an online storefront for big-ticket home service items like HVAC systems and home generators. They break down the full journey—from initia...
#199 The $174M Remodel Company No One Saw Coming 20.05.2025 55:18
In this episode of Owned and Operated , we sit down with AJ and Noah—the powerhouse founders behind Premier Home Pros—to reveal how they scaled their home services business from $0 to a projected $174 million in just three years. Launched from a dining room table in 2022, AJ and Noah built a home improvement juggernaut using proven sales systems, smart team building, and bold marketing strategies...
#198 This ONE Mistake Can Tank Your First Acquisition 16.05.2025 14:54
Don’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...
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