Owned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast #248 Inside the $150M Operator Playbook: How Sierra Scaled Fast
10 snips
Oct 7, 2025 RJ Magee, an executive at Sierra, shares insights on scaling trades businesses through strategic acquisitions. He reveals how Sierra grew to six companies across five states and discusses the centralization of shared services while allowing localized control. Tyson Chen from Avoca AI elaborates on their AI technology, revolutionizing call centers by booking jobs and integrating seamlessly with ServiceTitan. Together, they explore the importance of embracing technology in the trades, overcoming AI anxiety, and driving cultural change within teams.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Legacy Company Scales By Acquisition
- Sierra started in 1987 as new construction and shifted to home service in 2014 before selling to private equity in 2020.
- Since the sale they acquired five companies and now run six companies across five states with 490 teammates.
Add Resources, Don’t Replace Owners
- When acquiring, standardize processes but avoid gutting a partner's business; add resources that let owners focus on vision instead of daily tasks.
- Provide HR, marketing, recruiting, and operational support to accelerate growth without eliminating founder involvement.
Centralize Tech, Decentralize Call Centers
- Keep call centers locally owned to preserve shop accountability and avoid excuses about centralization.
- Use centralized tech (like Avoca) across locations while letting each shop manage calls and dispatch.