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
Nov 22, 2024 • 1h 16min
54: WEBSITE MUST HAVES! W/ ANDY WALKER
On this week’s podcast episode, I hosted Andy Walker, a seasoned expert in SEO and website development. Andy breaks down everything you need to know to create a website that not only looks great but also drives real results. Whether you’re designing a site for your home service business or hiring a pro, Andy’s tips can help you turn visitors into leads. 📙Free Service Startup Playbook To Generate Your First $100k: https://www.ownrops.com/playbook🔑 Here’s what we cover in this episode:✅Structuring Your Hero Section to Grab Attention✅Using Social Proof and Testimonials to Build Trust✅Simplifying Contact Forms for Higher Conversions✅Optimizing Your Site for SEO to Boost Visibility✅Why Every Page Should Have Targeted Service Information✅Creating Lead Magnets and Nurturing Leads Over Time✅And much more!If you’re working on a website for your business or looking to get more leads online, this episode is packed with insights on building a conversion-driven, SEO-friendly site.🎧 Enjoying the podcast? Leave us a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify!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📞 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 here: https://get.openphone.com/ownr-ops🚀 Get 50% DISCOUNT DialedIn Bookkeeping: https://www.dialedinbookkeeping.com/ownrops 🚀Local SEO Stryker Digital: https://stryker-digital.com/?el=oo📰 Sign up for the OWNR OPS Newsletter: Weekly growth tips from real 7-figure service OWNRS → ownrops.com/newsletter
Nov 15, 2024 • 26min
53: STARTING A SNOW PLOW BUSINESS - 2024 BEAR CLAW WINTER UPDATE
In this week’s episode of the OWNR OPS Podcast, I share the journey of launching the snow removal division under Bear Claw Land Services. After reaching seven figures with their summer services, I will break down my strategy to scale the winter side and hit the million-dollar mark. 📙Free Service Startup Playbook To Generate Your First $100k: https://www.ownrops.com/playbook🔑 Here’s what we cover in this episode:✅The process of building a team for winter work and ensuring year-round stability✅Using Facebook ads to target high-traffic areas and generate snow removal leads✅Partnering with property management companies to secure large snow removal accounts✅Optimizing Jobber software for efficient scheduling and billing in the snow removal industry✅Positioning for future acquisitions in the snow removal marketIf you’re considering adding a seasonal service or expanding your business, this episode is packed with actionable advice and strategies to help you succeed—even in unpredictable conditions. #OwnrOpsPodcast #SnowRemovalBusiness #BearClawLandServices #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #SeasonalServices #FacebookAds #PropertyManagement #JobberSoftware #SmallBusinessSuccess #OwnerOperator #Excavation #Landscaping #WinterServices #SnowPlowing #BusinessScaling #MarketingTips🎧 Enjoying the podcast? Leave us a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify!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📞 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 here: https://get.openphone.com/ownr-ops🚀 Get 50% DISCOUNT DialedIn Bookkeeping: https://www.dialedinbookkeeping.com/ownrops 🚀Local SEO Stryker Digital: https://stryker-digital.com/?el=oo📰 Sign up for the OWNR OPS Newsletter: Weekly growth tips from real 7-figure service OWNRS → ownrops.com/newsletter
Nov 8, 2024 • 59min
52: BOOKKEEPING BASICS FOR OWNER OPERATORS
On this week’s podcast episode, I hosted Ben Gavin from Dialed In Bookkeeping. Ben grew Dialed In from scratch, building it up to over 50 clients in just a few years. He shares valuable insights for business owners looking to get a handle on their finances, whether they’re just starting or managing a fast-growing company.📙Free Service Startup Playbook To Generate Your First $100k: https://www.ownrops.com/playbook🔑 Here’s what we cover in this episode:✅Get Set Up with QuickBooks✅Understand Your Gross Profit Margin✅Keep Track of Expenses and Receipts✅Know When to Job Cost✅When to Consider Outsourcing Your Bookkeeping✅And much more!If you’re on a growth path with your business, don’t miss this episode—it’s packed with tips on financial management for service companies.#OwnrOpsPodcast #SnowRemovalBusiness #BearClawLandServices #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #SeasonalServices #FacebookAds #PropertyManagement #JobberSoftware #SmallBusinessSuccess #OwnerOperator #Excavation #Landscaping #WinterServices #SnowPlowing #BusinessScaling #MarketingTips🎧 Enjoying the podcast? Leave us a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify!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📞 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 here: https://get.openphone.com/ownr-ops🚀 Get 50% DISCOUNT DialedIn Bookkeeping: https://www.dialedinbookkeeping.com/ownrops 🚀Local SEO Stryker Digital: https://stryker-digital.com/?el=oo📰 Sign up for the OWNR OPS Newsletter: Weekly growth tips from real 7-figure service OWNRS → ownrops.com/newsletter
Nov 1, 2024 • 53min
HOW TO BUILD A SNOW REMOVAL BUSINESS W/ SAM TYLER
In this episode of The OWNR OPS Podcast, I sit down with Sam Tyler, the driven entrepreneur behind Tyler Snow Solutions and Fire Guard, based in Telluride, Colorado. Sam’s journey started with just a shovel, clearing neighborhood driveways, and has grown into a thriving dual business—providing snow removal services in the winter and fire mitigation services in the summer.📙Free Service Startup Playbook To Generate Your First $100k: https://www.ownrops.com/playbook💪Here’s what we cover in this episode:✅How to land big contracts and grow your service business.✅The importance of flexible, simple contracts that prioritize customer needs.✅How Sam manages a year-round business while balancing life as a firefighter.✅ Why service with a focus on clients is key to success.✅ Why there's no "perfect time" to start—just the need to take action and get moving.Tune in to know how the snow removal industry is evolving to meet the needs of customers and workers alike. #SnowRemoval #BusinessModel #WorkforceTrends #SubscriptionServices #SnowPlowing #CustomerService #BusinessGrowth🎧 Enjoying the podcast? Leave us a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify!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📞 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 here: https://get.openphone.com/ownr-ops🚀 Get 50% DISCOUNT DialedIn Bookkeeping: https://www.dialedinbookkeeping.com/ownrops 🚀Local SEO Stryker Digital: https://stryker-digital.com/?el=oo📰 Sign up for the OWNR OPS Newsletter: Weekly growth tips from real 7-figure service OWNRS → ownrops.com/newsletter
Oct 31, 2024 • 54min
50: COLD OUTREACH STRATEGIES W/ BRANDON DIXON & JAKE PAVELLE
On this week’s episode of the OWNR OPS Podcast, Austin Gray sits down with Brandon Dixon, owner of Cleaner Streets, and Jake Pavelle of Colorado Powerwash to discuss how cold outreach transformed their businesses. From MLB to street sweeping and beyond, Brandon shares his journey, practical strategies, and insights into cold calling and email marketing. Jake brings his sales expertise to the table, offering actionable advice on building lasting business relationships through smart prospecting.📙Free Service Startup Playbook To Generate Your First $100k: https://www.ownrops.com/playbook💪Here’s what we cover in this episode:✅Crafting effective cold emails and calls✅Finding the right clients through smart tools like Outscraper and Reonomy✅Turning prospects into long-term customers✅Scaling operations with automated email systemsGive the full episode a listen if you have an interest in starting a business.🎧 Enjoying the podcast? Leave us a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify!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📞 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 here: https://get.openphone.com/ownr-ops🚀 Get 50% DISCOUNT DialedIn Bookkeeping: https://www.dialedinbookkeeping.com/ownrops 🚀Local SEO Stryker Digital: https://stryker-digital.com/?el=oo📰 Sign up for the OWNR OPS Newsletter: Weekly growth tips from real 7-figure service OWNRS → ownrops.com/newsletter
Oct 21, 2024 • 1h 10min
49: SAM BUILT A $22M ROOFING EMPIRE W/ SAM ALLSOPP
Sam Allsopp, owner of Neil Roofing, built an impressive $22 million roofing empire in just five years. He shares valuable insights on mastering marketing, emphasizing how immediate follow-up can boost sales. Discover how he navigated the complexities of subcontractor management while maintaining customer satisfaction. Sam also discusses the critical balance between urgency and patience in growing a business, alongside the importance of crafting a five-star customer experience. His strategies for financial sustainability and team building are must-hears for aspiring entrepreneurs!
Oct 11, 2024 • 1h 10min
48: SHOULD YOU BUY OR LEASE?! W/ JUSTIN RIETMAN
In this episode of the OWNR OPS Podcast, I host Justin Reitman from In Tech Leasing. Justin gives us a crash course on leasing vs. buying equipment, trucks, and fleets. Justin is also sharing insights from his family’s 38 years in business.📙Free Service Startup Playbook To Generate Your First $100k: https://www.ownrops.com/playbook💪Here’s what we cover in this episode:✅Benefits of leasing for business owners✅Why leasing is a more affordable alternative✅How they support for smaller businessesIf you're an owner-operator of a business that requires trucks or specialized equipment, you'll want to give this episode a listen!#TruckLeasing #EquipmentLeasing #SmallBusiness #CommercialVehicles #FleetLeasing #CashFlow #BusinessGrowth #OwnerOperators #LeasingVsBuying #InTechLeasing #HVAC #Excavators #TowTrucks🎧 Enjoying the podcast? Leave us a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify!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📞 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 here: https://get.openphone.com/ownr-ops🚀 Get 50% DISCOUNT DialedIn Bookkeeping: https://www.dialedinbookkeeping.com/ownrops 🚀Local SEO Stryker Digital: https://stryker-digital.com/?el=oo📰 Sign up for the OWNR OPS Newsletter: Weekly growth tips from real 7-figure service OWNRS → ownrops.com/newsletter
Oct 6, 2024 • 1h 4min
47: NEW OWNER OPERATOR OF COLORADO POWER WASH - Meet Jake Pavelle
Meet Jake Pavelle, the new owner-operator of Colorado Power Wash. After getting tired of corporate life, Jake knew entrepreneurship was the right path for him. He quit his job, took over the Colorado Power Wash website, and quickly grew the business using his sales and marketing skills.📙Free Service Startup Playbook To Generate Your First $100k: https://www.ownrops.com/playbook💪Here’s what we cover in this episode:✅How Jake got his first jobs ✅How he found his first subcontractors and crew ✅The experience of power washing a massive 500,000 sq. ft. parking garage ✅Washing 27 fleet vehicles for a big corporate brand ✅Cleaning a Starbucks retail center ✅His creative pitch to Walmart #Entrepreneur #PowerWashing #SmallBusiness #OwnrOps #ColoradoPowerWash #BusinessGrowth #SalesAndMarketing #Walmart #FleetWashing #Starbucks #StartupStory #Subcontractors #NewBusiness🎧 Enjoying the podcast? Leave us a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify!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📞 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 here: https://get.openphone.com/ownr-ops🚀 Get 50% DISCOUNT DialedIn Bookkeeping: https://www.dialedinbookkeeping.com/ownrops 🚀Local SEO Stryker Digital: https://stryker-digital.com/?el=oo📰 Sign up for the OWNR OPS Newsletter: Weekly growth tips from real 7-figure service OWNRS → ownrops.com/newsletter
Sep 28, 2024 • 1h 17min
46: TURNING $10K INVESTMENT STUMP GRINDING INTO SUCCESS WITH CARL ROSENBERG
Carl Rosenberg joins us this week from ARE Land Management in Georgia. Carl started his business by purchasing a $10k stump grinding machine. He focused on doing $200-$500 stump grinding jobs for other tree contractors to get his equipment paid off.He quickly saw an opportunity to get into forestry mulching, so he purchased a skid steer & forestry mulching attachment.After that, he bought an excavator & a track loader to complete his land management suite.📙Free Service Startup Playbook To Generate Your First $100k: https://www.ownrops.com/playbook💪Here’s what we cover in this episode:✅Carl’s entry into the business world with a $10,000 stump grinder and a simple side gig. ✅How he saw an opportunity in stump grinding✅How building relationships and leveraging Facebook Marketplace affect business growth ✅How cold calling and connecting with providers led to valuable partnerships✅The Power of Subcontracting ✅His transition from an electrician to focusing solely on stump grinding. #StumpGrinding #BusinessJourney #Entrepreneurship #OwnrOpsPodcast #NicheMarketing #TreeService #ColdCalling #SmallBusinessGrowth🎧 Enjoying the podcast? Leave us a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify!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📞 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 here: https://get.openphone.com/ownr-ops🚀 Get 50% DISCOUNT DialedIn Bookkeeping: https://www.dialedinbookkeeping.com/ownrops 🚀Local SEO Stryker Digital: https://stryker-digital.com/?el=oo📰 Sign up for the OWNR OPS Newsletter: Weekly growth tips from real 7-figure service OWNRS → ownrops.com/newsletter
Sep 21, 2024 • 53min
45: MANAGE SCHEDULE, QUOTES, JOBS, & INVOICES BETTER with Marlena Spiegeler
📈Get 20% Off Jobber - Home Service Management Software: Jobber is the all-in-one business management software for service businesses. Get 20% off your first 6 months: https://go.getjobber.com/ownropsIn this episode of the OWNR OPS Podcast, I host Marlena Spiegeler. Marlena is the co-owner of G&M Outdoor Services in Big Lake, Minnesota. She is the Office Operations Director for G&M and oversees all HR, Payroll, Bookkeeping, Scheduling, Finance, and everything else office operations.Many listeners have asked me recently, "If I hire someone to help me with the back office operations of my business, what responsibilities should they be focusing on?"Marlena shares what roles/responsibilities she was handling when she and Garrett started the business and also shares how her roles & responsibilities have changed as they've grown to $5mm.📙Free Service Startup Playbook To Generate Your First $100k: https://www.ownrops.com/playbook💪Here’s what we cover in this episode:✅Scheduling✅Payroll✅Bookkeeping✅Job Costing✅How To Use Jobber To Run An Efficient Back Office#quickbooks #officemanagement #officeoperations #management #invoices #scheduling #jobcosting #bookkeeping #payroll #jobber 🎧 Enjoying the podcast? Leave us a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify!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📞 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 here: https://get.openphone.com/ownr-ops🚀 Get 50% DISCOUNT DialedIn Bookkeeping: https://www.dialedinbookkeeping.com/ownrops 🚀Local SEO Stryker Digital: https://stryker-digital.com/?el=oo📰 Sign up for the OWNR OPS Newsletter: Weekly growth tips from real 7-figure service OWNRS → ownrops.com/newsletter
