OWNR OPS Podcast

💰 Join our Free OWNR OPS Skool Community to grow your local service biz: ➡️ https://skool.com/ownropsIn this episode, Dave Sheridan from Ascension Tree Care reveals the challenges and triumphs of growing his tree service business from $290K to $550K in just two years. Dave dives deep into his equipment investments, B2B partnerships, and how he successfully navigated marketing through Google Ads and reviews.Dave discusses:His $130K initial equipment investmentHow mini skids became a game-changerB2B strategies for landscapers and golf coursesThe ins and outs of running Google Ads and generating reviewsThe impact of plant healthcare on the businessFamily business dynamics and scaling with partnersListen in to hear how Dave scaled his service-based business through determination and strategic decisions. Get inspired by his story of entrepreneurship and growth.🔥 Services We Use 🔥We use Jobber to handle our estimates, scheduling, & invoicing➡️ Get 20% off Jobber 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 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!

💰Learn Google Business, Facebook Ads, and Automation tips for your Blue Collar Business ➡️ https://skool.com/ownropsHow do you hire employees who actually stick around?Austin Gray sits down with Patrick Murphy, founder of Cascade Home Cleaning, to unpack why recruiting is the single biggest bottleneck in service businesses—and how to fix it.Patrick reveals:Why every great hire adds $130K in annual revenueHis proven recruiting funnel modeled after sales & marketingHow to use Indeed, automation, and strong copy to attract better candidatesThe secret to disqualifying bad fits early (and saving yourself months of headaches)His full multi-step hiring process: applications → screening → test clean → offerThis isn’t theory—it’s the exact framework Patrick uses to manage 20+ employees in a highly competitive, high-turnover industry.If you own a cleaning service, landscaping company, snow removal business, or any local service operation—this is a must-listen playbook for scaling with the right team.🔥 Services We Use 🔥📞 QUO- Business Phone System That Scales With You: Get 20% off your first 3 months. http://quo.com/ownropsWe use Jobber to manage our quoting, scheduling, & invoicing➡️ Get 20% off your first 6 months here: https://go.getjobber.com/ownerops-spotify⁠🚀 Get ranked #1 On Google With Stryker 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://ownrops.com/newsletterDon’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes with blue collar entrepreneurs sharing their best insights and growth tips!

💰 Join our Free OWNR OPS Skool Community to grow your local service biz: ➡️ https://skool.com/ownropsWhat does it take to buy a 103-year-old business and scale it in today’s competitive home services market?In this episode, Austin Gray talks with Hardy Farrow, entrepreneur and owner of Longacre Company, a full-service plumbing, HVAC, electrical, and remodeling business. Hardy previously built and exited multiple companies—and now applies those lessons to operating and growing a multi-division service company.Hardy shares:Why perfection is the enemy of growth (and why 85% is enough)Recruiting strategies that actually work (and why “motor” matters most)Sequencing problems and prioritization for scalingHow to balance specialists vs. generalists on your teamMarketing lessons from B2C funnels, reviews, and Thumbtack adsWhy location and zip code targeting are underrated growth leversHard-won lessons from cutting new construction and doubling down on residentialWhether you’re running a service business, building a local brand, or just love hearing how real operators think, Hardy’s insights will help you think differently about growth, hiring, and execution.👉 Tune in and learn how Hardy scaled a 103-year-old business while staying focused on people, process, and profitability.🔥 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🚀 Get ranked #1 On Google With Stryker Digital⁠ SEO: https://stryker-digital.com/?el=oo📚 Bookkeeping: Get 50% off bookkeeping for 3 months with the Home Service Bookkeeping Pros: https://dialedinbookkeeping.com/ownropsWant 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!

📈Access my free Blue Collar Growth Training: https://start.ownrops.com🎓 Join OWNR OPS Skool Group: skool.com/ownropsIn this episode of the OWNR OPS Podcast, I’m sharing an important decision we just made inside Bear Claw Land Services that I believe will change the future of our business.Over the past three years, we’ve said “yes” to a lot of different work—trees, dirt, foundations, driveways. But after tracking the numbers, analyzing the systems, and watching what’s actually working, we finally made the call to focus on one service and dominate our local market.If you’re a home service business owner, contractor, or operator who’s trying to grow past that first $100K–$500K in revenue, you’ll want to hear this. I break down:Why focus beats being a jack-of-all-trades in the service business.Lessons I learned from interviewing 7- and 8-figure contractors on this podcast.How systems like Jobber and Go High Level help track leads, quotes, and average job size so you can make smarter business decisions.Why optimizing your Google Business Profile and running simple Facebook Ads are the best top-of-funnel strategies for local services.What “fire mitigation” is, why we’re focusing on it, and how specialization gives clarity to your marketing, sales, and operations.The 80/20 rule in action: how 20% of services usually drive 80% of profits.👉 If you’re early in business, my advice is simple: pick one service, become known for it, and pour gas on that fire.

David Loria, the owner of Squeakies Cleaning in Metro Detroit, shares his journey of boosting his cleaning business's revenue by 30% using a production pay model. He details how switching from two-person crews to solo cleaners increased efficiency and job capacity. David discusses data-driven pricing strategies, operational tools like Made Central, and the benefits of a performance-based compensation system for employees. He also touches on future innovations such as AI in enhancing business insights, making it an enlightening discussion for service-oriented entrepreneurs.

💰 Join our Free OWNR OPS Skool Community to grow your local service biz: ➡️ https://skool.com/ownropsAI is revolutionizing sales, customer service, and business operations. In this episode, Austin Gray talks with Nikolas Hulewsky about the latest advancements and how he’s implementing AI in his businesses. From automating sales follow-up with AI chatbots to optimizing lead qualification with CRM tools like Go High Level, Nik reveals how small businesses can use AI to save time and increase efficiency.In this episode, you’ll learn:The future of AI-powered sales and customer serviceHow AI tools like Claude and GPT are transforming how we organize and leverage dataNick's journey in applying AI to his healthcare acceleratorTips for automating lead capture and follow-up to scale your business🔗 Follow Nikolas on Spotify: Nikonomics🔥 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📞 QUO- Business Phone System That Scales With You: Get 20% off your first 3 months. ⁠http://quo.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!

In this conversation with Steven Nash, a private equity operator known for scaling HVAC businesses, listeners discover strategies to break through growth barriers. He shares insights on transitioning from working in your business to working on it, emphasizing the importance of systems and financial awareness. Nash also discusses visionary roles versus executor roles, the significance of accountability in team dynamics, and invaluable life lessons from his grandfather about humility and support. Perfect for ambitious service business owners!

Join Andrew Rampulla, founder of a softwash company in New York and a Christmas lights business in Florida, as he shares his entrepreneurial journey. He reveals how a simple Facebook post landed his first client and discusses the importance of alternating between seasons for maximum revenue. Andrew dives into financial insights like labor and materials costs and offers effective strategies for Facebook advertising to attract local leads. He also explores leveraging AI for scheduling while emphasizing a structured sales process to enhance ROI.

💰 Join our Free OWNR OPS Skool Community to grow your local service biz: ➡️ https://skool.com/ownropsIn this episode of the OWNR OPS Podcast, I sit down with Spencer Claeys, an exterior home service business owner and YouTube creator with over 264,000 subscribers and viral TikTok success. Spencer shares his journey from starting a roof washing business in Washington to building a loyal online following, all while staying true to what excites him most. We dive deep into content creation, entrepreneurship, and how to avoid being trapped by fear or low-ticket thinking. This conversation isn’t just about business—it’s about life. We explore the power of flow state, why bigger-ticket services can be a game changer, and how faith and spirituality shape how we work, create, and live.Inside the episode:The moment Spencer quit sales to go all-in on contentHow one viral tweet thread changed everythingHis 4-part content flywheel (and how you can steal it)SOPs, editing, and why he still does it all soloHow to build trust faster than attentionThe creator mindset that makes content sustainableWhether you’re a home service business owner, a content creator, or just looking for inspiration to live life on your terms, this episode will challenge you to think bigger, move with purpose, and create from your unique voice.🎙️ Tap in and take notes — Spencer doesn’t hold back.🔗 Follow Spencer Clay on: X: https://x.com/spencerclaeysIG: https://www.instagram.com/spencerclaeys/Get a copy of his book: The Official Roof and Gutter Cleaning Business Blueprint 🔥 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/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: → ownrops.com/newsletterDon’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes with entrepreneurs sharing their best insights and success stories!

💰 Join our Free OWNR OPS Skool Community to grow your local service biz: ➡️ https://skool.com/ownropsAustin Gray speaks with Hector Resendez, the mastermind behind Trade School Secrets, a unique platform that helps businesses solve their staffing problems by leveraging trade schools.Hector reveals how virtual reality is revolutionizing the traditional trade school model, making it faster and more accessible for people to gain certifications.Hector discusses:The benefits of building a virtual trade school in today’s workforceHow to use the WIOA grant to fund your trade school tuitionThe financial model behind scaling a successful trade school businessWhy trade schools are a game changer for businesses struggling to find skilled talentHow to position your trade school for an exit and add value to your businessThis episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, operators, and those interested in the future of education in skilled trades.Listen in and discover how you can scale a 7-figure trade school business that not only trains but provides long-term career opportunities.🔥 Mentioned in This Episode🔥We use Jobber to manage our quoting, scheduling, & invoicing➡️ Get 20% off your first 6 months: 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: → ownrops.com/newsletterDon’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes with entrepreneurs sharing their best insights and success stories!