#214 How Great Leaders Scale Service Businesses Fast

In this episode of Owned and Operated, John sits down with Ethan from New York to explore his rapid journey into the world of home services and franchising. From cold calls to private equity to launching a local newsletter — Ethan shares the real story behind building momentum as a new business owner.🔑 What You’ll Learn:How Ethan used cold calling and emailing to win early leadsWhy franchising became the right fit for his growth goalsHow local newsletters create real business opportunitiesWhat it takes to raise private equity in home servicesJuggling multiple ventures — without losing your mindAdvice for new entrepreneurs on risk-taking and mindset💼 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 $1,000 off your first placement here 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 HERE💼 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 HERE  Host: John WilsonGuest:Ethan Realander Send Us Mail!More Ways To Connect with O&O John's YouTube Channel Weekly Newsletter Leave a Review John Wilson, CEO of Wilson CompaniesJack Carr, CEO of Rapid HVAC📌 Disclaimer:Some links may include UTM parameters for tracking. Episodes may feature paid sponsors, but all opinions are our own. Always do your own research before making business decisions.

How HVAC Leaders Stay Ahead: Overcoming Growth Challenges and Innovation FatigueIn this episode, we unpack key growth and leadership lessons from the HVAC industry. From innovation fatigue and stalled marketing efforts to navigating leadership challenges and sustainable scaling — this one's for owners serious about building a high-performance business.🔑 What You’ll Learn:Why summer slowdowns kill momentum (and how to avoid it)How innovation fatigue creeps in — even with the best toolsWhat strong senior leadership really looks like in HVACWhy smaller HVAC companies are often better at innovatingUpcoming workshops and peer groups you won’t want to miss💼 Sponsored by Volca Supercharge your referral game with Volca—an automated referral program built just for home service companies. With ServiceTitan integration, SMS referrals, automated payments, and real-time tracking, Volca makes manual referral programs a thing of the past.👉 Get 10% off all contracts—exclusive for Owned and Operated listeners. 📅 Book a time with the team: 🎯Tired of hunting for parts? WeSupplyTrades has your back — thousands of Plumbing, HVAC, Hydronics, and PEX products in stock and shipped fast.Create a Free PRO Account and get: Lower prices,Free shipping over $99, Same-day shipping (order by 3:30pm EST), Expert support when you need it. Exclusive Deal: 20% off your first order with code OWNED20 🔗Check it Out HERE 📅 Offer ends 1/31/26👤 Hosted by: John Wilson   Jack Carr 🎧 Listen to more episodes & resources: 👉 https://www.ownedandoperated.com Send Us Mail!More Ways To Connect with O&O John's YouTube Channel Weekly Newsletter Leave a Review John Wilson, CEO of Wilson CompaniesJack Carr, CEO of Rapid HVAC📌 Disclaimer:Some links may include UTM parameters for tracking. Episodes may feature paid sponsors, but all opinions are our own. Always do your own research before making business decisions.

In this episode of Owned and Operated, John sits down with Brian from TR Miller to unpack how they’ve built an HVAC powerhouse generating over $4 million in monthly revenue—and the operational systems that keep it humming.From tackling seasonality and streamlining dispatch, to building out plumbing, sewer, and electrical services—this isn’t just a story of growth. It’s a playbook. Brian shares the lessons learned from scaling, the hiring and retention strategies that keep their field team strong, and how they’ve shaped technician career paths that drive loyalty and performance.Whether you're running a $1M shop or breaking into the eight-figure range, this episode is loaded with practical insights to level up your operations, sales strategy, and team management.🔹 In This Episode, We Cover:How TR Miller scaled to $4M/month across HVAC, plumbing, and electricalManaging seasonality and staying profitable year-roundThe real power of membership plans and recurring revenueOptimizing technician dispatching and scheduling during high demandSales models that boost conversion rates and customer satisfactionRetention strategies and career ladders for field professionalsStrategic hiring to build a growth-ready service team🎧 More Episodes + Resources👤 Hosted by: John Wilson – https://x.com/wilsoncompanies 🎙️ Guest : Brian Sloan, TR Miller - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bsloan25/ 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 HERE🎯Tired of hunting for parts? WeSupplyTrades has your back — thousands of Plumbing, HVAC, Hydronics, and PEX products in stock and shipped fast.Create a Free PRO Account and get: Lower prices,Free shipping over $99, Same-day shipping (order by 3:30pm EST), Expert support when you need it. Exclusive Deal: 20% off your first order with code OWNED20 📅 Offer ends 1/31/26Send Us Mail!More Ways To Connect with O&O John's YouTube Channel Weekly Newsletter Leave a Review John Wilson, CEO of Wilson CompaniesJack Carr, CEO of Rapid HVAC📌 Disclaimer:Some links may include UTM parameters for tracking. Episodes may feature paid sponsors, but all opinions are our own. Always do your own research before making business decisions.

🎉 Bonus drop! Jack’s got something new cooking—JackQuisitions is live. If you’re into business buying, deep dives, and Jack’s take on the acquisition world, head over to the new channel now to listen and watch. 👉 JackQuisitions Youtube👉 JackQuisitions Spotify 👉 JackQuisitions Apple Music Send Us Mail!More Ways To Connect with O&O John's YouTube Channel Weekly Newsletter Leave a Review John Wilson, CEO of Wilson CompaniesJack Carr, CEO of Rapid HVAC📌 Disclaimer:Some links may include UTM parameters for tracking. Episodes may feature paid sponsors, but all opinions are our own. Always do your own research before making business decisions.

In this episode of Owned and Operated, John and Jack break down the most underrated—and often misunderstood—pillar of business success: cash flow.They dive deep into what cash flow actually means (hint: it’s not EBITDA or net profit) and why failing to understand it almost tanked their companies. From sharing near-miss horror stories to the practical systems they've built—like automatic savings transfers and cash forecasting—this episode is a must-watch for any operator who wants to build a sustainable, growth-ready business.Whether you're just starting out or scaling past $10M, John and Jack unpack how better cash flow habits can protect your company from financial landmines and unlock new levels of financial control.🔹 In This Episode, We Cover: The real difference between cash flow and profit Why strong EBITDA doesn’t mean you’re in the clear How bad cash habits nearly killed the business Tactical tips for cash flow forecasting and savings Best practices for managing debt and capital expenditures The role of a controller in small business finance Timing large financial decisions to avoid cash crunches Creating team alignment around cash discipline🎧 Listen to more episodes & resources: 👉 https://www.ownedandoperated.com👤 Hosted by: John Wilson – https://x.com/wilsoncompanies Jack Carr – https://x.com/thehvacjack💼 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 🚀 Huge Shoutout to SupplyHouse!When it comes to fast turnaround times, SupplyHouse has our back! With 250,000+ SKUs covering plumbing, HVAC, and electrical, they make sure we get the right materials—fast and hassle-free.💡Their Trademaster program offers free shipping, returns, and discounts, all with no membership fee. Use promo code SH5 for five percent off your first order— Code is valid through 9/30/2025.🔗 Check them out & level up your supply game here 🚀 Check Out Our Newsletter  We break down how 7- and 8-figure home service businesses scale, hire, and grow. No fluff—just real insights from real operators.Find it HereSend Us Mail!More Ways To Connect with O&O John's YouTube Channel Weekly Newsletter Leave a Review John Wilson, CEO of Wilson CompaniesJack Carr, CEO of Rapid HVAC📌 Disclaimer:Some links may include UTM parameters for tracking. Episodes may feature paid sponsors, but all opinions are our own. Always do your own research before making business decisions.

In this episode of Owned and Operated, John and Jack explore the wild and unconventional world of lifestyle businesses—where personal passion meets profit.From running an online Magic: The Gathering store to launching a ski wax brand, buying a marina, or even farming ants and mushrooms, the duo dives into how niche interests can evolve into sustainable, revenue-generating ventures. They discuss the lifestyle advantages of owning passion-driven businesses, the economics of niche markets, and how to balance multiple income streams while having fun doing it.Whether you're curious about collectibles, concierge services, or the idea of turning hobbies into scalable side hustles, this episode is packed with insight, laughter, and unexpected ideas.🔹 In This Episode, We Cover:Building a business around Magic: The GatheringRunning a niche eCommerce storeMonetizing hobbies like ant farming and mushroom cultivationExploring the economics of ski wax and seasonal productsWhat it takes to own and operate a marinaConcierge services for high-end travelRevisiting Bitcoin mining and its business modelHow to align business with your lifestyle goals🎧 Listen to more episodes & resources: 👉 Owned and Operated 👤 Hosted by: John Wilson – https://x.com/wilsoncompanies Jack Carr – https://x.com/thehvacjack💼 Sponsored by Volca Supercharge your referral game with Volca—an automated referral program built just for home service companies. With ServiceTitan integration, SMS referrals, automated payments, and real-time tracking, Volca makes manual referral programs a thing of the past.👉 Get 10% off all contracts—exclusive for Owned and Operated listeners. 📅 Book a time with the team 💼 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 here💸 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.Send Us Mail!More Ways To Connect with O&O John's YouTube Channel Weekly Newsletter Leave a Review John Wilson, CEO of Wilson CompaniesJack Carr, CEO of Rapid HVAC📌 Disclaimer:Some links may include UTM parameters for tracking. Episodes may feature paid sponsors, but all opinions are our own. Always do your own research before making business decisions.

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 decisions, operational missteps, and growth strategies that shaped his perspective on what it really takes to own and run a trades business. This episode is packed with real-world insight—whether you're planning to buy, scale, or just survive in the world of home services.⚡ What you’ll learnWhy Thomas initially underestimated the involvement required—and how he course-correctedThe operational systems needed for remote management (and where they fail)How to set up accountability when you’re not on-site every dayInsights from a turnaround: A case study of a friend’s messy HVAC acquisitionThe critical questions Thomas asks in due diligence after seeing both sidesWhen to diversify into adjacent verticals like plumbing—and when not toHow to build a business that’s both profitable and people-firstIf you’re buying a local service business or building one to scale, this episode will challenge your assumptions and give you frameworks for sustainable growth—even when you’re managing from a distance.💼 Special Thanks to First Internet Bank! Looking to buy or expand a business? First Internet Bank is a National Preferred SBA lender specializing in acquisitions for the skilled trades. Their SBA loan program offers up to 90% financing for business acquisitions, partner buyouts, and commercial real estate—plus optional lines of credit to fuel future growth. Unlike traditional lenders, they take a “how can we” approach, making deals happen for both first-time buyers and experienced operators.👉 Special Offer: Mention Owned and Operated for a reduced good faith deposit and a complimentary deal review + buyside prequalification.Connect with Alan Peterson from First Internet Bank here to get started [https://alanfib.com/] 💼Buying businesses? Jackquisitions is the must-read newsletter for operators, acquirers, and deal junkies. It’s packed with real acquisition breakdowns, seller red flags, and proven strategies from the trenches.📬 Join and get smarter on small biz M&A every week.👉 Subscribe at [jackquisitions.com]   [https://www.jackquisitions.com/] 👤 Hosted by: Jack Carr 👤 Episode Guest Thomas BeebeSend Us Mail!More Ways To Connect with O&O John's YouTube Channel Weekly Newsletter Leave a Review John Wilson, CEO of Wilson CompaniesJack Carr, CEO of Rapid HVAC📌 Disclaimer:Some links may include UTM parameters for tracking. Episodes may feature paid sponsors, but all opinions are our own. Always do your own research before making business decisions.

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 tactical advice and real SOPs that help home service businesses grow their field teams with intention.They cover why recruiting never stops, how to build a budget that supports year-round hiring, and why onboarding and retention matter just as much as the job offer. Whether you’re scaling a team or trying to fix your hiring funnel, this episode is packed with practical frameworks and firsthand experience.🔹 In This Episode, We Cover: Building a technician recruitment process from scratch Why continuous recruiting beats reactive hiring How to structure compensation to stay competitive The role of onboarding in long-term retention Using recruiters and internal plans to scale hiring Planning budgets around seasonal employment needs Leveraging branding and sales tactics in hiring SOPs and examples that drive real technician results💡 Special Thanks to Modernize! We've been using Modernize for our water quality leads, and it's been a game-changer. If you’re serious about growing your business with better water quality leads, HVAC leads, or home improvement leads, check them out: 🔗 Get Quality Leads Here: (https://modernize.com/pros/leads/wilson)💼 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 $1,000 off your first placement here: [https://www.quickstaffers.com/] 💡 Shoutout to Avoca AI! Avoca is helping home service companies level up with 24/7 AI call handling, performance insights, and targeted coaching. 🔗 Book a demo: [https://www.getavoca.ai/partners/oao] 🌐 More resources: [https://www.ownedandoperated.com] 👤 Hosted by:John Wilson    Jack Carr Send Us Mail!More Ways To Connect with O&O John's YouTube Channel Weekly Newsletter Leave a Review John Wilson, CEO of Wilson CompaniesJack Carr, CEO of Rapid HVAC📌 Disclaimer:Some links may include UTM parameters for tracking. Episodes may feature paid sponsors, but all opinions are our own. Always do your own research before making business decisions.

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 expanding your footprint, this episode helps frame the decision around your skills, experience, and resources.They cover everything from interest rates and international contracting to the realities of marketing and cultural fit in small business ownership. While John and Jack don’t always agree, they align on this: success in HVAC and plumbing comes from understanding your strengths, knowing your limits, and being in the game. This is a must-listen for anyone serious about growing in the trades.💼 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 $1,000 off your first placement here💼 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 💸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.👤 Hosted by:John Wilson  Jack Carr Send Us Mail!More Ways To Connect with O&O John's YouTube Channel Weekly Newsletter Leave a Review John Wilson, CEO of Wilson CompaniesJack Carr, CEO of Rapid HVAC📌 Disclaimer:Some links may include UTM parameters for tracking. Episodes may feature paid sponsors, but all opinions are our own. Always do your own research before making business decisions.

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 legal risks, and structure a deal that fits your vision. Whether you're just exploring acquisitions or in the weeds of a deal, this episode offers an insider’s look at getting a service business acquisition across the finish line.⚡ What you’ll learnWhat Chris looked for in an ideal pressure washing business—and how he sourced itThe creative structure behind his LOI and financing approachWhy specialization matters: How Chris leveraged his real estate pros for M&A successThe step-by-step due diligence checklist across financial, legal, and operational domainsHow to avoid major pitfalls in banking and legal negotiationsThe must-have advisors you need on speed dial when buying a businessHow to evaluate seller-provided info and spot red flags before it’s too lateIf you’re buying a local service business or scaling your portfolio, this episode gives you a framework to approach acquisitions confidently—with the right strategy and team in place.👤 Hosted by: Jack Carr   👤Episode Guest:Chris Barr  💼 Shoutout to Appletree Business Services HVAC and plumbing pros—ditch tax surprises and unresponsive accountants. Appletree handles your books, taxes, payroll, and acquisitions, and they know tools like ServiceTitan cold.🎁 Get a free tax & financial review or 10% off a QOE report. 👉 Book a call here — tell Patrick Jack sent you.💼 Special Thanks to First Internet Bank! Looking to buy or expand a business? First Internet Bank is a National Preferred SBA lender specializing in acquisitions for the skilled trades. Their SBA loan program offers up to 90% financing for business acquisitions, partner buyouts, and commercial real estate—plus optional lines of credit to fuel future growth. Unlike traditional lenders, they take a “how can we” approach, making deals happen for both first-time buyers and experienced operators.👉 Special Offer: Mention Owned and Operated for a reduced good faith deposit and a complimentary deal review + buyside prequalification.Connect with Alan Peterson from First Internet Bank here to get started Send Us Mail!More Ways To Connect with O&O John's YouTube Channel Weekly Newsletter Leave a Review John Wilson, CEO of Wilson CompaniesJack Carr, CEO of Rapid HVAC📌 Disclaimer:Some links may include UTM parameters for tracking. Episodes may feature paid sponsors, but all opinions are our own. Always do your own research before making business decisions.