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

Latest Episodes:

#206 How to Manage Remote Teams Like a Pro Jun 05, 2025

Show notes

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 how strong leadership can drive accountability and loyalty—even when your team is never in the same room.

If you're running a remote or hybrid team and want to strengthen performance without sacrificing culture, this conversation offers the insight you need.

🔹 In This Episode, We Cover:

Daily check-ins via Slack and Google Meet
Mixing personal chats with work for better results
Remote team tips for time zones and holidays
Setting clear KPIs and expectations remotely
Building a respectful remote work culture
Global team communication and retention tips
Emotional intelligence in remote leadership
Hiring and onboarding international talent

🌐 More resources: Ownedandoperated.com

👤 Hosted by:
John Wilson

🎧 Guest:
Laurie Metz
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
📣 This episode is sponsored by Owned and Operated Pro

The private, vetted community for serious home service business owners. Inside OAO Pro, you’ll get matched with a small peer group of operators facing the same challenges, access behind-the-scenes content from top businesses, and tap into exclusive events and vendor deals.

It’s not just a community—it’s a growth engine.
👉 Learn more here

Send Us Mail!

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John Wilson, CEO of Wilson Companies
Jack 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.

#205 How Premier Home Pros Scaled to Millions: Talent, Strategy & Explosive Growth Jun 03, 2025

Show notes

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 magnetic company culture to overcoming supply chain roadblocks, we explore what it really takes to run a top-tier sales operation at scale. If you're aiming to grow your team, tighten your sales systems, or simply perform better—this one’s for you.

🚨 In This Episode, We Cover:
🔹 Hiring and Training for Rapid Sales Growth
🔹 How Culture Impacts Sales Team Performance
🔹 Marketing Strategies That Actually Drive Revenue
🔹 Navigating Supply Chain and Operational Hurdles
🔹 Why Metrics & KPIs Are Your Best Friend
🔹 Running Sales Training via Zoom (and Making It Stick)
🔹 Building a Scalable Sales Leadership Framework
🔹 Retention: Keeping Top Talent in a Competitive Market
🔹 Their Massive Growth Goals—And How They’ll Get There

🌐 [ownedandoperated.com]

🎙️ Host:

🗣️ John Wilson

🎙️ Episode Guests:

🧠 AJ & Noah, Founders of Premier Home Pros

💼 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

💼 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

Send Us Mail!

More Ways To Connect with OAO

Leave a Review

#204 Top 5 Key Experts You NEED to Buy a Business in 2025 May 30, 2025

Show notes

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 quickly, avoid costly mistakes, and access high-quality deals. Plus, we spotlight post-acquisition roles that keep your operations tight—like a skilled bookkeeper and a rock-solid insurance broker.
If you're planning to buy a business in 2025, this is your checklist.

🚨 In This Episode, We Cover:

🔹 Why Every Buyer Needs an M&A Attorney

🔹 Using a CPA to Vet Financials and Forecast Performance

🔹 Finding the Right SBA Lender to Get Funded Fast

🔹 How Valuation Experts Can Protect You from Overpaying

🔹 Post-Close Must-Haves: Bookkeeping, Insurance, and Staff

🔹 Bonus: Outsourcing Your Customer Service with Quick Staffers

🌐 ownedandoperated.com

🎙️ Host:

🗣️ Jack Carr

💼 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

Send Us Mail!

More Ways To Connect with OAO

Leave a Review

#203 Investment Joy’s 10M Roofing Journey May 29, 2025

Show notes

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 logistics and real estate, a single viral laundromat video catapulted his online presence, opening doors to massive business opportunities. Now, with a powerful social media brand and diversified service operations, he reveals how to scale a business empire while staying grounded in family and personal values.

This conversation explores Brandon’s tactical acquisitions, mindset for growth, and how he’s building a team and culture that supports big ambitions. He also offers candid advice for entrepreneurs navigating the early grind and looking to align business models with long-term vision.

🚨 In This Episode, We Cover:
🔹 How Social Media Launched a Service Empire
🔹 Turning Viral Views into Real-World Revenue
🔹 Strategic Acquisitions: Roofing, Laundromats, and More
🔹 Building Complementary Partnerships for Scale
🔹 Balancing Business Growth with Family and Life
🔹 Advice for Entrepreneurs from a Rural Hustler

🌐 [ownedandoperated.com]
🎙️ Host:
🗣️ John Wilson
🎙️ Guest:
🗣️ Brandon Schlicter (Investment Joy)

💼 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
💼 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

Send Us Mail!

More Ways To Connect with OAO

Leave a Review

#202 How to Develop Great Leaders with Values and Skills for Tomorrow’s Success May 27, 2025

Show notes

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 expertise to soft skills as the driving force behind effective leadership. We unpack the core values that matter most—empathy, urgency, financial intelligence, and humility—and how they shape team culture, performance, and long-term growth. John and Amir also examine structured training programs, peer learning opportunities, and practical management tools that enable owners and operators to build sustainable, high-performance teams.
For anyone acquiring or operating in remote and niche sectors like HVAC or turf installation, this conversation delivers actionable insight into creating a leadership framework that fuels operational excellence and employee retention.
🚨 In This Episode, We Cover:
🔹 How to Spot and Grow Future Leaders
🔹 The Shift from Technical to Soft Skills in Management
🔹 Core Leadership Values: Empathy, Urgency, Financial IQ, Humility
🔹 Tools for Structured Leadership Development
🔹 The Power of Peer Teaching and Peer Learning
🔹 Leading Remote Teams with Empathy and Intent
🌐 ownedandoperated.com
🎙️ Hosts:
🗣️ John Wilson
🗣️ Amir Haboosheh
💼 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
🚀 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

Send Us Mail!

More Ways To Connect with OAO

Leave a Review

#201 Turf Takeover and the Rise of Tier Two Business Acquisitions May 23, 2025

Show notes

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-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, and long-term scalability of these niche industries. Whether you're an investor or operator, this episode offers practical insight into identifying and evaluating service businesses with real growth potential.

If you’re looking to buy a service business or expand your portfolio in home services, this conversation delivers a wealth of real-world advice. Learn how to navigate smaller markets, understand what makes niche businesses attractive, and discover the lifestyle implications of owning versus operating in competitive sectors.

🚨 In This Episode, We Cover:
🔹 Peter’s Journey from Banking to Plumbing
🔹 Why He’s Targeting HVAC and Turf Businesses
🔹 Understanding Tier Two and Tier Three Opportunities
🔹 Operational Challenges in Niche Home Services
🔹 Scaling Potential vs. Lifestyle Fit
🔹 How to Evaluate Smaller, Less Competitive Businesses

🌐 ownedandoperated.com
💼 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
💼 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 at appletreebusiness.com — tell Patrick Jack sent you.

🎙️ Hosts:
🗣️ Jack Carr
🗣️ Peter Debaptiste

📢 Enjoyed the episode?

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#200 How E-Commerce is Transforming the Trades and Home Services Industry May 22, 2025

Show notes

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 initial impressions and setup to real-world implementation—and share the ups and downs of paid ad campaigns, membership features, and online payments. Plus, they speculate on how consumers may shift toward buying home services online and what they’re doing to stay ahead of the curve.

Whether you're curious about tech integrations or looking to streamline your sales funnel, this episode is full of firsthand insight into launching an e-commerce experience in the home services space.

🚨 In This Episode, We Cover:

🔹 Implementing E-Commerce for Trades: Lessons Learned

🔹 Online Sales of HVAC Systems and Generators

🔹 How Contractor Commerce Converts Web Traffic

🔹 Paid Ad Campaign Outcomes and Adjustments

🔹 Using Online Payments and Membership Tools

🔹 Future Testing and Strategy Optimization

🌐 ownedandoperated.com

🎙️ Hosts:

🗣️ John Wilson

🗣️ Jesse Reyes

🧰 Contractor Commerce

Contractors: Ready to sell online without the tech headaches?

Contractor Commerce lets you turn your existing website into a real online store—no coding, no inventory, no hassle. From filters to full system installs, your customers can shop 24/7, right from your site.

✅ You stay in control: set your own pricing, choose what you sell, and fulfill orders yourself

✅ Engage more new customers and serve existing ones better

✅ Build a scalable, year-round revenue stream—auto-shipping filters, booking installs, and more

🚨 Special Offer: Get your first 60 days FREE

👉 Start here

Thousands of contractors are already doing it. Don’t get left behind.

Send Us Mail!

More Ways To Connect with OAO

Leave a Review

#199 The $174M Remodel Company No One Saw Coming May 20, 2025

Show notes

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 that fueled rapid growth. But their journey wasn’t without hurdles. From expensive ad failures to tough people problems, they open up about what it really takes to scale at lightning speed.

Whether you're aiming to grow your home services company, lead a larger team, or implement repeatable growth systems, this episode is packed with actionable insights, operator-tested frameworks, and real-world strategy breakdowns.

🚨 In This Episode, We Cover:
🔹 The $15M Year-One Playbook
🔹 How to Build a $174M Trajectory with Smart Systems
🔹 Hiring Mistakes and How They Course-Corrected
🔹 Why Product Differentiation Drove Explosive Sales
🔹 The Power of Data in Scaling Fast
🔹 Repeatable Sales + Marketing = Exponential Growth

🎙️ Hosts:

🗣️ John Wilson
🎙️ Episode Guests
🧠 AJ & Noah, Founders of Premier Home Pros

🚀 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
Shout Out to FieldPulse 🚀

📅 Book your demo

📢 Enjoyed the episode?
✅ Like, Comment & Subscribe for no-fluff breakdowns on building in the trades.

Send Us Mail!

More Ways To Connect with OAO

Leave a Review

#198 This ONE Mistake Can Tank Your First Acquisition May 16, 2025

Show notes

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 real costs of building out a marketing engine from scratch.

Jack unpacks the "buyer’s trap": the dangerous assumption that adding marketing will instantly generate revenue. In reality, successful marketing requires time, capital, and deep strategic focus—and that investment often erodes the profit margins buyers were initially excited about. Instead of chasing fixer-uppers, Jack recommends targeting businesses with established marketing systems already in place. It’s about buying stability, not a project.

Whether you're just starting your acquisition journey or knee-deep in LOIs, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to grow through home service business acquisitions without overextending financially.

🚨 In This Episode, We Cover:

🔹 Why “just add marketing” is a flawed growth plan
🔹 The hidden costs of launching marketing from zero
🔹 Avoiding the buyer’s trap and protecting your upside
🔹 How to evaluate marketing systems before buying
🔹 Real-world examples (including underwater basket weaving)
🔹 Jack’s criteria for choosing scalable, stable businesses

🎙️ Episode Host
🗣️ Jack [@theHVACJack]

💼 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

📢 Enjoyed the episode?
✅ Like, Comment & Subscribe for unfiltered insights on building in the blue-collar space.

📌 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.

Send Us Mail!

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Leave a Review

#197 What’s Actually Working in Home Service Marketing in 2025 (Proven Growth Strategies) May 15, 2025

Show notes

John teams up with Sam Preston, CEO of Service Scalers, to break down the exact marketing strategies that move the needle for home service businesses. Whether you’re HVAC, plumbing, or any trades business, you'll learn how to prioritize channels that capture demand today—before wasting money on ones that might (or might not) pay off later.
Struggling to turn marketing dollars into real leads? This episode is your blueprint.

From real-world wins to costly missteps, John and Sam unpack where most businesses go wrong—like blowing budgets on flashy billboards while ignoring Google Ads, LSAs, and SEO. This isn’t theory; it’s a tactical deep dive grounded in what’s actually working right now.

🚨 What You'll Learn:
• The difference between demand capture vs. demand creation
• Why Google Ads, GMB, LSAs, and SEO are non-negotiable
• How to time your investment in traditional media like mailers and billboards
• The dangers of hiring an internal marketing manager too soon
• How to hold your marketing agency accountable—and what to expect from them
• Real marketing systems that fuel actual growth in the trades

💼 Special Thanks to Service Scalers!

Want to learn how Service Scalers can do the same for you?

🔗 Check them out here

Shout Out to FieldPulse 🚀

📅 Book your demo:

🎙️ Hosts:
🗣️ John Wilson
🎙️ Guest:
🗣️ Sam Preston

📢 Enjoyed the episode?
👍 Like, Comment & Subscribe for weekly tactical advice on scaling blue-collar businesses.

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