Owned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast
John Wilson
The Owned and Operated electrical, HVAC, and plumbing business growth podcast is hosted by John Wilson and Jack Carr. These two Home Service Business owners bring you weekly podcasts and daily content with multiple perspectives, actionable advice, and info on an ever-changing industry revolving around advertising, lead generation, and more. Join us every Tuesday for topical conversations that unlock the potential for your business growth. Covering topics from top-tier talent recruitment to mastering marketing strategies and scaling your home service business, the podcast aims to be your guide on the path to entrepreneurial success.For more information, visit www.ownedandoperated.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 15, 2026 • 32min
The Disaster Roofing Business: Temporary Roofs, Real Margins
Adam Cherup, a disaster roofer, specializes in installing manufacturer-rated shrink-wrap roofs that provide much better protection than traditional tarps after severe weather events. He reveals the financial perks of this niche, highlighting impressive profit margins and substantial job sizes, ranging from $20K for homes to over $350K for large projects. Adam shares insights on navigating insurance negotiations and building referral networks to secure work quickly post-disaster. With unique challenges in disaster zones, his approach maximizes both efficiency and profitability.
Jan 13, 2026 • 49min
How to Turn Referrals Into a Scalable, Predictable Growth Engine
In this discussion, Murphy Nadauld, founder of ReferPro, dives into turning referrals into a powerful growth machine for home service businesses. He reveals that while 83% of customers want to refer, only 29% do, and outlines a three-part system of awareness, attribution, and automated rewards to bridge this gap. Murphy shares insights on harnessing technician-driven referrals, building a B2B affiliate network, and using AI to personalize outreach. He emphasizes the importance of tracking referrals and rewards to create a predictable, scalable growth engine.
Jan 8, 2026 • 35min
Google LSAs: The Easiest Way to Add Leads Tomorrow
Sam Preston, CEO of ServiceScalers and a marketing guru for home services, shares invaluable insights on leveraging Google Local Services Ads (LSAs) to boost leads instantly. He highlights the importance of the simple answer-call→do job→get five-star-review cycle for rapid growth. Sam emphasizes consistency in managing LSAs and warns against common mistakes, like turning them off or ignoring budget constraints. Plus, he discusses how Google Business Profile activity significantly impacts LSA performance, making it a must for contractors looking to thrive.
14 snips
Jan 6, 2026 • 45min
Stop Losing Money in 2026: The Profit Plan for Higher EBITDA
The focus is on a 'Don't Lose Money' mindset for 2026. The hosts reveal their profit planning approach, emphasizing the importance of EBITDA as a gradual journey. They discuss trimming wasteful software expenses that can leak up to $50K monthly. Marketing discipline is key, with metrics beyond ROI helping eliminate ineffective channels. Negotiating vendor terms and controlling material costs are highlighted as crucial strategies for increasing profitability. The emphasis is on building a healthy, cash-flow-positive business rather than reckless growth.
9 snips
Jan 1, 2026 • 31min
The Sales Process That Took Us From Losing Money to $12.5K Tickets
Discover how a home service business transformed its HVAC sales from losing money to averaging $12,500 per ticket. The hosts share how a repair-first mindset hurt profits and how focusing on selling systems instead changed everything. By implementing effective software and financing strategies early in the sales process, they boosted close rates significantly. Learn why premium equipment sells when framed correctly, and how structured options outperform talent in driving success. This isn't just about selling harder—it's about selling smarter!
Dec 30, 2025 • 49min
The REAL Cost of Running a Trades Business in 2025 — What Most Owners Don’t Understand
Explore the surprising costs of running a home service business in 2025. Discover why plumbing thrived while HVAC struggled amid mild weather and shipment drops. Learn how financial transparency helped navigate tough times and why daily huddles revolutionized team alignment. Uncover the critical importance of recruiting amidst labor shortages and how quick hiring decisions can make or break success. Get strategies for 2026, focusing on gross margin as the key to profitability, alongside a 'Lean & Lethal' operational mindset for future growth.
Dec 23, 2025 • 26min
Nextdoor Marketing for Contractors: The Local Referral Engine for Plumbing, HVAC & Home Services
Join Sam Preston, CEO of Service Scalers and marketing guru for home service businesses, as he reveals the untapped potential of Nextdoor. Discover why authentic storytelling outshines salesy ads and how small operators harness community trust. Learn about the three effective strategies for marketing on Nextdoor, from organic posts to neighborhood engagement. Sam shares insights on turning technicians into content creators and why local authenticity trumps bigger brands. Key takeaways to transform your approach to local marketing await!
Dec 18, 2025 • 39min
How Smart Home Service Owners Should Invest (P&L, EBITDA, and Enterprise Value)
Home service owners are essentially investors, even if they don't realize it. A 3x return on P&L expenses is crucial for maintaining enterprise value. The difference between P&L and balance sheet investments can impact overall growth and profitability. They explore how focusing on just two or three major initiatives can yield better results than spreading resources too thin. Finally, understanding cash-flow versus enterprise-value assets can guide smarter investment decisions for future success.
41 snips
Dec 16, 2025 • 32min
Remote Staffing for Contractors: How to Hire Offshore for Recruiting, Dispatch & Ops
In this discussion, Aizik Zimerman, a contractor from Jay Blanton Plumbing, shares his journey to scaling from zero to 140 employees using a remote-first staffing approach. He reveals how offshore roles, particularly in recruiting and dispatch, unlocked significant growth. Aizik introduces the hub-and-spoke model, emphasizing strategic U.S. leadership with specialized offshore execution. He discusses creative offshore roles and successful training techniques, illustrating how businesses can act quickly to expand their operational capabilities.
4 snips
Dec 11, 2025 • 38min
AI Didn’t Kill Google Search — Here’s Why GBP Still Wins
Sam Preston, CEO of Service Scalers and a home-services marketing expert, joins John Wilson to discuss the enduring power of Google Business Profiles (GBP). They reveal why AI hasn't dethroned GBP, the crucial role of user reviews, and why visibility in local searches remains a top lead source. Sam highlights three key ranking factors: proximity, category strength, and review quality. The duo shares insights on scaling multi-location businesses and emphasizes the importance of treating each GBP like a standalone website for optimal results.
