
OWNR OPS Podcast
Starting a business by offering a service to your local community is one of the greatest entrepreneurial opportunities of our time. While most people search for a remote job and try to build the next tech unicorn, you can start a business in your own back yard.
Join your host, Austin Gray, as he shares tips from behind the scenes of starting and growing his own local service businesses in bite sized <10 min episodes.
PLUS, tune in for special guest interviews, where Austin hosts other entrepreneurs who have started local service businesses in markets across the US.
Latest episodes

Jul 18, 2025 • 52min
How To Grow 39k X Followers In 9 Months!
💰 Join our Free OWNR OPS Skool Community to grow your local service biz: ➡️ https://skool.com/ownropsHow do you turn one viral auction post into a thriving $5 mastermind, multiple digital products, and high-ticket coaching? Shannon Jean—serial entrepreneur and liquidation pro—breaks down his entire Whistle → Workhorse → Whale system:The “auction whistle” that rocketed him from 500 → 39K followersCrafting a simple PDF lead magnet that captured 1,000+ emailsPricing (& repurposing) digital products on Gumroad and KajabiBuilding a global team and using Content OS to 10× content outputCreating the $5 Mastermind community as a low-friction funnelWhen to raise prices on coaching and manage client demandDelegation tips: freeing yourself from sales & ops to chase bigger playsIf you’re ready to transform attention into scalable revenue—whether through newsletters, courses, or community—this episode is your playbook.Links & Resources• Follow Shannon on X: @ShannonJean •OWNR OPS Newsletter & tools: ownerops.comRate ★★★★★ and follow the show to never miss a founder’s firsthand growth story!🔥 Mentioned in This Episode 🔥We use Jobber to manage our quoting, scheduling, & invoicing➡️ Get 20% off your first 6 months here: https://go.getjobber.com/ownrops-spotify📚 Bookkeeping: Get 50% off bookkeeping for 3 months with the Home Service Bookkeeping Pros: https://dialedinbookkeeping.com/ownrops🚀 Get ranked #1 On Google With Stryker Digital SEO: https://stryker-digital.com/?el=ooWant to learn more about starting and scaling your own service-based business?📰 Sign up for the OWNR OPS Newsletter: → ownrops.com/newsletterDon’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes with entrepreneurs sharing their best insights and success stories!

12 snips
Jul 11, 2025 • 49min
Build A Brand That Speaks To Your Ideal Customer
In this enlightening discussion, Brian Sooy, a certified brand architect with over 30 years of experience, shares invaluable insights into branding for service-based businesses. He highlights common pitfalls companies make, emphasizing that branding goes beyond logos to focus on messaging and storytelling. Brian introduces his CARE framework, which enhances brand clarity and relevance. He illustrates how effective branding sets the stage for premium pricing and team attraction, providing practical strategies to help businesses differentiate themselves and resonate with their customers.

9 snips
Jul 4, 2025 • 55min
How a $1.2K Ad Campaign Turned into $40K in Revenue
Asa Hunt, the founder of Big Horn Painting, shares his inspiring journey from tech sales to entrepreneurship in the painting industry. He discusses how he leveraged Facebook Ads, focusing on engaging videos, to boost his business's revenue to over $300K in the first year. Asa emphasizes the significance of building strong referral relationships, mastering email drip campaigns, and using innovative tools like OpenPhone. With practical insights, he empowers aspiring entrepreneurs to embrace challenges and scale smarter in their ventures.

17 snips
Jun 27, 2025 • 1h 5min
$1.6M Painting BIZ Owner Built A Software Startup
Tanner Mullen, an entrepreneur and founder of Drip Jobs, shares his journey from a painting business owner to a software startup leader. He discusses the significance of automating lead processes and enhancing customer experience. Tanner emphasizes that branding goes beyond logos to the stories customers tell. He highlights the challenges of integrating automation tools and stresses empathy in communication to optimize customer engagement. The conversation offers valuable insights for service-based entrepreneurs seeking to grow their impact and streamline operations.

Jun 19, 2025 • 53min
HVAC/PLUMBING STARTUP: BUILDING FROM 0 - $200k / MONTH
Tyler Griffin, founder of Swift Pro, shares his journey from building an HVAC and plumbing business to scaling it successfully. He emphasizes the importance of professional presentation and aligning team values for growth. Topics include pivoting from solar to HVAC, leveraging reviews for brand legitimacy, and the critical role of local SEO. Tyler also discusses the challenges of transitioning from owner/operator to CEO, the significance of a people-first culture, and his vision for the future. It's a goldmine of insights for aspiring entrepreneurs in the blue-collar sector!

Jun 13, 2025 • 57min
Another Stump Grinding Startup Story!
In this episode of the OWNR OPS Podcast, Mike Compton of SWVA Stump Co. joins Austin Gray to discuss the journey of starting a stump grinding business from scratch. Mike shares how he transitioned from a W2 job to becoming an owner-operator, his approach to pricing jobs, and the ups and downs he encountered in his first five weeks of business. They also talk about the importance of taking fast action, learning from mistakes, and building credibility in a local market.Mike’s journey is a perfect example of how entrepreneurs can start small, make mistakes, and grow through persistence and hard work. If you're thinking about starting a service-based business or just want some motivation, this episode is for you. Tune in for insights into equipment purchasing, marketing strategies, and overcoming challenges as a new business owner.Text us your questions about starting your business at 970-585-OWNR!This episode is brought to you by: 🔥 We use Jobber to manage our quoting, scheduling, & invoicing➡️ Get 20% off your first 6 months here: https://go.getjobber.com/ownerops-spotify📖 Bookkeeping: Get 50% off bookkeeping for 3 months with the Home Service Bookkeeping Pros: https://dialedinbookkeeping.com/ownrops🚀 Get ranked #1 On Google With Stryker Digital SEO: https://stryker-digital.com/?el=ooWant to learn more about starting and scaling your own service-based business?📰 Sign up for the OWNR OPS Newsletter: → https://www.ownrops.com/newsletter💰Join our Free OWNR OPS Skool Community to grow your local service biz:➡ https://skool.com/ownropsThanks for listening to the OWNR OPS Podcast, where we help entrepreneurs start and grow local service businesses. Join us every Friday for new episodes!

4 snips
Jun 5, 2025 • 17min
3 Learning Lessons from $90M Business Owner
Discover powerful insights on scaling a service-based business effectively. Learn why building strong systems is crucial before pursuing growth. Explore the impact of paid advertising and sales funnels on success. Uncover the importance of lead tracking with tools like Google Tag Manager for optimizing your marketing efforts. Additionally, find out how tagging customers can enhance their lifetime value. This is all about actionable tips to elevate your business to the next level!

May 30, 2025 • 58min
How To Manage A $6M Outdoor Service Business With Jobber
This week on the OWNR OPS Podcast, Austin Gray speaks with Marlena, the co-founder of G&M Outdoor Services, who has played a crucial role in scaling the business to $6M in revenue. Marlena and her brothers provide year-round services, including snow removal, excavation, and landscaping, and they’ve perfected how to manage seasonal challenges and business overhead.💰Join our Free OWNR OPS Skool Community to grow your local service biz In this episode, Marlena shares:How to navigate employee retention during the off-seasonThe secrets behind snow plowing contracts and how to win bidsManaging heavy equipment and seasonal expensesHow Jobber has been a game-changer in reducing administrative time and improving customer serviceFinancing options for clients and the role of technology in making business operations more efficientWhether you’re in the outdoor services business or running a similar service-based company, Marlena’s insights are invaluable for overcoming seasonal hurdles, managing client relationships, and scaling your business efficiently.🔥This episode is brought to you by: 🚀 Jobber – Streamlining your service-based business💼 Stryker Digital – Helping service businesses grow online 📞 OpenPhone – Simplify communication and help team support customers with easeTune in to learn how Marlena’s hustle and strategy have fueled growth—and how you can apply these lessons to your own business. 🎧 Subscribe for more actionable business tips from the OWNR OPS Podcast.📰 Join the OWNR OPS NewsletterFollow us on social media for updates and more business insights! Instagram: @OwnerOps Twitter: @OwnerOps

May 23, 2025 • 48min
HOW TO BUILD A SWEATY START UP w/ Nick Huber
Nick Huber, founder of Sweaty Startup, dives into building a successful portfolio without a tech background. He shares his journey from starting small with service businesses to raising $52 million in real estate. Huber emphasizes the importance of mastering sales, effective hiring, and decision-making. He offers a playbook for new entrepreneurs, advocating for simplicity and steady growth. Tune in for insights on outsourcing, client prioritization, and the value of resilience in business.

May 15, 2025 • 58min
How JD Bought A Local Plumbing Business
In today’s episode of the OWNR OPS Podcast, Austin Gray talks with John Diekel, the owner of Master Plumbing and Heating in Vermont. From his time in the military to owning a plumbing business, John shares his journey of building a successful service business by focusing on community engagement, modern systems, and creating a company culture based on care and mentorship.💰 Join our Free OWNR OPS Skool Community to grow your local service biz The Importance of Community Engagement for Business GrowthImplementing Software Tools: Streamlining Operations with JobberBuilding a Diverse Team Across GenerationsRecruitment Strategies for Hard-to-Fill Senior-Level RolesThe Power of Investing in People: Employee Benefits & GrowthJohn’s Advice for Business Owners: Focus on Caring for Your TeamFinal Thoughts: Growing a Business with a Strong FoundationMentioned in This Episode🔥 We use Jobber to manage our quoting, scheduling, & invoicing➡️ Get 20% off your first 6 months here.📞 We moved our phone line to OpenPhone so that we can record calls, summarize & tag customers with AI, and integrate with Jobber.➡️ Get 20% off OpenPhone📖 Get 50% off bookkeeping for 3 months with the Home Service Bookkeeping Pros🚀 Get ranked #1 On Google With Stryker Digital SEOWant to learn more about starting and scaling your own service-based business?📰 Sign up for the OWNR OPS NewsletterDon't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes with entrepreneurs sharing their best insights and success stories!