OWNR OPS Podcast

💰Learn Google Business, Facebook Ads, and Automation tips for your Blue Collar Business ➡️ https://skool.com/ownropsAre Facebook ads dead for local service businesses? Not even close.In this episode, Austin Gray chats with Jacob Neffendorf, founder of Rise Online Ads — an agency managing Facebook ad campaigns for over 125 land clearing businesses nationwide. Jacob unpacks how he’s helping operators land six-figure jobs, get 100+ leads per month, and scale with simple, proven strategies.You’ll learn:How one video ad landed a $425K right-of-way clearing jobJacob’s preferred pricing model: day rate vs. by-the-jobThe biggest mistake land clearing operators make in salesWhat to say in a 2025 Facebook ad (hint: targeting is changing)How focusing on one niche can transform your agency or service businessWhether you’re a contractor or a marketer, this is a tactical deep dive into what’s actually working right now.🔥 Services We Use 🔥We use Jobber to handle our estimates, scheduling, & invoicing➡️ Get 20% off Jobber here: https://go.getjobber.com/ownrops-spotify🚀 Get ranked #1 On Google With Stryker 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: → 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!

💰Learn Google Business, Facebook Ads, and Automation tips for your Blue Collar Business ➡️ https://skool.com/ownropsWant to know how Meta ads can transform your local home service business? In this episode, Steve Hunsaker, a successful entrepreneur with years of experience in running Meta (Facebook & Instagram) ads, shares his proven strategies for generating high-quality leads, building brand recognition, and scaling effectively through digital marketing.Steve dives deep into:How Meta ads help local businesses build trust and drive conversionsTargeting high-income neighborhoods with laser-focused adsThe importance of video content and humor in capturing attentionUsing lead forms and adding friction to filter out low-quality leadsReal-life examples from his Christmas light business successHow to use Meta ads for both lead generation and brand buildingWhether you’re a local business owner, marketer, or entrepreneur, this episode offers invaluable insights on running Meta ads profitably and creating ad campaigns that deliver results. Listen in to learn how to make Meta ads work for you and scale your business effectively.🔗 Follow Steve on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valleychristmaslights 🔗 Check out their website: https://www.stevehunsaker.com 🔥 Services We Use 🔥📞 QUO- Business Phone System That Scales With You: Get 20% off your first 3 months. https://www.quo.com/We use Jobber to handle our estimates, scheduling, & invoicing➡️ Get 20% off Jobber here: https://go.getjobber.com/ownrops-youtube🚀 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/ownropsHow do you start a land clearing business from scratch and scale it into a seven-figure company?In this OWNR OPS Live Q&A, Austin Gray (founder of Bear Claw Land Services) shares the exact playbook he used to build his business around fire mitigation, excavation, and driveway grading.Inside, you’ll learn:How Austin landed his very first $3,500 jobWhy a website & Google Business Profile are non-negotiableWhen to rent vs. buy equipment like skid steers & mulcherHow to charge $2,500/day and build profitable bidsFacebook & YouTube ad strategies that actually generate callsWhy “speed to lead” closes more jobs than any other tacticHow to get consistent five-star reviews & dominate your marketIf you’re a contractor, service business owner, or aspiring land clearing pro—this episode gives you the unfiltered blueprint to launch and grow.🔥 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-youtube📚 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/ownropsHow do you validate demand, buy heavy equipment, and scale a land clearing business profitably? In this episode, Austin Gray talks with Alex Boyd, founder of Brushworks Services Co., about starting and growing a land clearing business from scratch.Alex shares:Why he invested $90K into a skid steer and mulcherThe keyword research that revealed untapped demandMistakes he made on pricing and financing (and how he fixed them)How grapple attachments add nearly 100% profit marginThe real cost of maintenance, warranties, and downtimeWhy he runs Facebook video ads with a local-first strategyHow he integrates Jobber, HouseCall Pro, and GoHighLevel into his workflowThe surprising snow plowing side hustle at $375/hr per skid steerIf you’re an entrepreneur looking at excavation, forestry mulching, or other heavy equipment businesses, this episode is a must-listen.🔥 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-youtube📚 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/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!