Owned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast
John Wilson
The Owned and Operated Podcast is the go-to show for HVAC, plumbing, and electrical business owners who want to grow faster, increase profits, and scale smarter.Hosted by John Wilson and Jack Carr, real home service operators in the trenches. This podcast delivers 2x weekly, no-BS conversations on what’s actually working in the trades today. From lead generation and marketing to hiring top-tier talent and building scalable systems, every episode is packed with actionable strategies you can implement immediately.If you're an HVAC contractor, plumber, or electrician looking to grow your business, improve operations, and stay ahead in a competitive market, this podcast is for you.New episodes drop every Tuesday and Thursday.Learn more at www.ownedandoperated.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 3, 2026 • 39min
Under $5M? Marketing Isn’t Complicated (Here’s the Playbook)
Sam Preston, CEO of Service Scalers and home-services marketing pro, explains why under $5M marketing is simple if you execute basics. He covers when to hire versus stick with an agency. Short, tactical takes on the right first hire, budget math, and avoiding the trap of expecting one person to do everything. Practical playbook for HVAC, plumbing, and electrical operators looking for repeatable lead growth.
Jan 29, 2026 • 36min
Building, Scaling, and Selling Home Service Businesses (Supercut)
Clips explore buying distressed home service companies and turning them into systemized, sellable businesses. Conversations cover scaling from a single shop to a multi-location platform and the org structure that supports rapid growth. They highlight balancing local autonomy with centralized functions, what private equity looks for, and the leadership shifts required as teams expand.
Jan 27, 2026 • 48min
How to Budget Marketing in 2026 (Without Wasting Cash)
Sam Preston, CEO of Service Scalers and marketing expert for home-service companies, shares practical frameworks for budgeting marketing in 2026. He discusses sizing budgets from gross profit, reverse-engineering spend from daily lead needs, and the four-plus-one budget buckets to test, scale, or pause channels. Short, tactical guidance on emergency funds, PPC vs LSA priorities, and a kill-vs-scale testing approach.
Jan 22, 2026 • 42min
What Home Service Business Should You Start in 2026? (And How to Win Early)
In this engaging discussion, the hosts emphasize the importance of research over gut instinct when selecting a home service niche. They argue that the old strategies from 2016-2020 are no longer effective due to market changes. Focus is placed on choosing less competitive, fragmented industries with significant growth potential. The advantages of offering simple, repeatable services are highlighted, alongside effective marketing strategies to attract organic leads. They also stress the importance of systematic leadership and managing dependencies for business scaling.
Jan 21, 2026 • 47min
How Smart Operators Plan for Real Growth (Bonus)
In this engaging discussion, the hosts explore the significance of measurable goals in business growth. They unveil their strategic planning for 2026, emphasizing revenue targets and accountability. Discover why many firms stagnate around $3M and the crucial role of top talent in overcoming this hurdle. The conversation highlights the importance of investing in technology before jumping on trends like AI. Listeners receive actionable tips, including key performance metrics to track across various departments for sustained success.
Jan 20, 2026 • 26min
The Dark Side of Roofing: Insurance Scams, Storm Chasers, and Why Homeowners Get Burned
In this engaging discussion, Adam Cherup, a seasoned roofing contractor from Florida, exposes the hidden challenges in the roofing industry. He reveals the "deny, delay, defend" tactics used by insurers, shedding light on how homeowners can better navigate insurance claims. Adam also dives into the dangers of storm chasers and the importance of proper documentation to maximize payouts. He explores the impact of seasonality on cash flow and shares insights on starting a roofing business, emphasizing the need for transparency and education in the field.
10 snips
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.
9 snips
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.
