In this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson and Jack break down what “smart investing” actually looks like for home service operators—starting with the truth most owners miss: if you run a business, you’re already an investor. You’re investing money, attention, and people every day.
They start with a practical framework for P&L investing (software, headcount, SG&A): if your business sells for a multiple, then any new expense should produce a return that justifies that multiple—otherwise, you may be quietly reducing enterprise value.
From there, they unpack the difference between balance sheet investments (trucks, equipment, inventory) vs P&L investments, why banks and buyers mostly care about EBITDA, and how focusing on fewer initiatives can drive more profitable growth.
Then they shift into the “outside the business” conversation: when diversification helps, when it’s a distraction, and how operators can think in two buckets—cash-flow assets that fund life, and enterprise-value assets that build wealth.
If you’re adding software, hiring leaders, buying equipment, or debating real estate vs reinvesting in the core business—this episode gives you a clean way to think about ROI, focus, and capital allocation.
What You’ll Learn
- Why every operator is an investor (capital, people, and attention allocation)
- A simple rule for P&L expenses: should this generate a 3x+ return based on your business multiple?
- The difference between investing on the balance sheet vs the P&L
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John Wilson, CEO of Wilson Companies
Jack Carr, CEO of Rapid HVAC
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