How do you double a plumbing business in just 90 days after buying it?

In this episode, John Wilson breaks down the exact moves that led to nearly 100% growth immediately post-acquisition. From simple operational fixes to high-impact decisions, this is a practical look at what actually drives results in a small service business.

If you're buying—or thinking about buying—a home service company, this episode shows how to unlock growth fast and run a business effectively from day one.

Follow John Wilson:
https://x.com/WilsonCompanies

More Solo Content:
https://www.youtube.com/@JohnWilsonStudio

Send Us Mail!

More Ways To Connect with O&O

• John's YouTube Channel
• Weekly Newsletter
• Owned and Operated

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John Wilson, CEO of Wilson Companies
Jack Carr, CEO of Rapid HVAC

📌 Disclaimer: Some links may include UTM parameters or affiliate relationships, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase. Episodes may feature sponsors, but all opinions expressed are our own.

I Bought 3 Home Service Businesses in 90 Days… Here’s What Happened

In this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson sits down with co-host Jack Carr (CEO of Rapid HVAC) to break down what actually happens when you aggressively scale through acquisitions.

After buying three businesses in 90 days, John walks through the strategy, the chaos, and the results—from rapid revenue growth to hitting 24% EBITDA and transforming the structure of his business almost overnight.

This isn’t theory. It’s a real-time look at what it takes to scale a home service company through M&A—and when it actually works.

What we cover:

• Why the best companies combine organic growth + acquisitions
• How John added $10–12M in run-rate revenue in one quarter
• The real reason acquisitions worked this time (and broke the business in the past)
• How shared services (marketing, call center, dispatch) drive massive efficiency gains
• Why infrastructure—not deal flow—is the key to scaling acquisitions

If you’re thinking about buying businesses—or wondering when you’re actually ready—this episode is a candid breakdown of what it really takes to scale through M&A.

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💼 Extra Special Thanks to Service Scalers!

We’ve been partnering with Service Scalers to maximize our Local Service Ads (LSAs) and optimize our Google My Business profiles, and the results have been incredible. With hundreds of thousands in sales and 900+ calls in a single week, GMBs are now our top-performing organic lead channel.

Want to learn how Service Scalers can do the same for you?

🔗Check Them Out Here

💼 Shoutout to Quick Staffers LLC

Need trained HVAC & plumbing CSRs at a fraction of the cost? Quick Staffers LLC specializes in placing top-tier global talent with the best SOPs and scripts.

🔥 Get $500 off your first placement here

Host: John Wilson https://x.com/WilsonCompanies
Guest: Jack Carr (Rapid HVAC) https://x.com/thehvacjack

#HomeServices #HVAC #Plumbing #BusinessAcquisition #Entrepreneurship #ServiceBusiness

Send Us Mail!

More Ways To Connect with O&O

• John's YouTube Channel
• Weekly Newsletter
• Owned and Operated

Leave a Review

John Wilson, CEO of Wilson Companies
Jack Carr, CEO of Rapid HVAC

📌 Disclaimer: Some links may include UTM parameters or affiliate relationships, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase. Episodes may feature sponsors, but all opinions expressed are our own.

Is “weird” marketing actually working in home services… or are contractors missing massive opportunities?

In this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson is joined by Sam Preston (CEO of Service Scalers) to break down unconventional marketing channels that are quietly driving real revenue for home service businesses.

From advertising above 100+ stadium toilets to generating leads through church bulletins and local newspapers, this episode explores the overlooked strategies that most contractors ignore—and why they work.

They also dig into why crowded channels like Google and Facebook aren’t the only path to growth, and how thinking differently about marketing can unlock cheaper leads and stronger brand recognition.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why “weird” local marketing channels still drive real results
• Real-world examples: stadium ads, newspapers, church bulletins, pizza boxes, and more
• How overlooked channels can outperform traditional digital ads
• The power of brand familiarity and low cost per impression

If you’re looking to grow your home service business, reduce customer acquisition costs, or find an edge your competitors aren’t using—this episode will change how you think about marketing.

Host: John Wilson
https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbwilson1/

Guest: Sam Preston
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-preston-a682103b6

💳 Extra Special Thanks to Coast!

Coast is the smart fuel card built for home service businesses. Set custom spend controls, stop fuel fraud in real time, earn rebates, and use it anywhere Visa is accepted — no more station restrictions or admin headaches.

Want to see how much you could save? Check them out HERE

The Coast Visa® Commercial Card is issued by Celtic Bank. All card accounts subject to credit approval.

Shout Out to FieldPulse 🚀

FieldPulse is an incredible Field Service Management platform that helps you save hours each week while keeping your operations running smoothly. If you're looking to streamline your processes, stay competitive, and focus on what truly matters, FieldPulse is a game-changer!

📅 Book your demo

💼Shoutout to Avoca AI!

Looking to train your call center and improve technician performance? Avoca AI helps teams identify issues, improve call quality, and drive results from start to finish.
🔗 Schedule a demo:

Send Us Mail!

More Ways To Connect with O&O

• John's YouTube Channel
• Weekly Newsletter
• Owned and Operated

Leave a Review

John Wilson, CEO of Wilson Companies
Jack Carr, CEO of Rapid HVAC

📌 Disclaimer: Some links may include UTM parameters or affiliate relationships, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase. Episodes may feature sponsors, but all opinions expressed are our own.

If you’re starting a home service business in 2026… you’re probably focusing on the wrong things.

Most people waste months on logos, websites, and branding—before they ever get a single customer.

In this solo episode, John breaks down exactly how he would start a home service business from $0 today—and the framework that actually drives revenue from day one.

This isn’t theory. It’s the same mindset and systems used to build a $40M home service company from the ground up.

If you’re thinking about starting a business—or trying to get your first real traction—this is the playbook.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why picking the right market and service matters more than anything else
• How to find low-competition, high-demand opportunities (and avoid crowded markets)
• The biggest mistake new operators make (and why most fail early)
• Why you’re not in the trade business—you’re in marketing and sales
• The fastest way to get customers with $0 (and start generating revenue immediately)
• Why branding, websites, and “looking legit” don’t matter early on

Follow John Wilson:
https://x.com/WilsonCompanies

More Solo Content:
https://www.youtube.com/@JohnWilsonStudio

Send Us Mail!

More Ways To Connect with O&O

• John's YouTube Channel
• Weekly Newsletter
• Owned and Operated

Leave a Review

John Wilson, CEO of Wilson Companies
Jack Carr, CEO of Rapid HVAC

📌 Disclaimer: Some links may include UTM parameters or affiliate relationships, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase. Episodes may feature sponsors, but all opinions expressed are our own.

Is AI actually changing home services… or just hype?

In this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson sits down with Tyson Chen (Founder of Avoca) to break down how AI is actually being deployed inside home service businesses right now—and why the gap between operators is widening fast.

From contractors building their own tools to PE-backed companies unlocking millions in efficiency, this episode cuts through the noise and gets practical.

What we cover:

• Why contractors are rapidly deploying AI across their businesses
• The rise of “AI-native” operators (and why they scale faster)
• Real use cases: dispatch, call center, marketing, and capacity planning
• Where AI drives the biggest ROI (and where it breaks)

If you’re trying to scale, improve margins, or stay competitive as AI adoption accelerates—this episode will reshape how you think about your business.

Host: John Wilson https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbwilson1/
Guest: Tyson Chen https://www.avoca.ai/partners/oao

Shout Out to FieldPulse 🚀

FieldPulse is an incredible Field Service Management platform that helps you save hours each week while keeping your operations running smoothly. If you're looking to streamline your processes, stay competitive, and focus on what truly matters, FieldPulse is a game-changer!

📅 Book your demo

🛒 Extra Special Thanks to Contractor Commerce!

Contractor Commerce turns your website into a 24/7 sales engine for service contractors. With guided pricing, online service and membership sales, and deep system integrations, your site pre-qualifies customers before the phone ever rings.

One contractor generated a $15,000 service sale after hours — straight from their website.

Visit contractorcommerce.com Book a demo to see how Contractor Commerce turns your website into a 24/7 sales and qualification engine.

💸Sponsored by CFO Made Easy

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📈 Free Offer: Book a 45-min Financial Insight Session to uncover growth blockers.

#HomeServices #HVAC #Plumbing #Electrical #AI #Automation #ServiceBusiness

Send Us Mail!

More Ways To Connect with O&O

• John's YouTube Channel
• Weekly Newsletter
• Owned and Operated

Leave a Review

John Wilson, CEO of Wilson Companies
Jack Carr, CEO of Rapid HVAC

📌 Disclaimer: Some links may include UTM parameters or affiliate relationships, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase. Episodes may feature sponsors, but all opinions expressed are our own.

Is Chick-fil-A entering home services… and what does that mean for contractors?

At first glance, it sounds like a joke — but it’s real. A Chick-fil-A–backed venture has launched a home service brand focused on handyman work, and it raises a much bigger question:

Who’s coming for the home service industry next?

In this episode, John Wilson is joined by Jack Carr (CEO of Rapid HVAC) to break down what this move actually signals — from venture capital entering the trades to the long-term impact of consolidation.

They also unpack a core issue most operators misunderstand: why handyman businesses are incredibly hard to scale, despite looking simple on the surface.

From scope creep and pricing pressure to labor challenges and customer expectations, this conversation gets into the realities behind “easy” service models — and where the real opportunities are.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why Chick-fil-A’s move into home services isn’t as crazy as it sounds
• The hidden challenges of running and scaling a handyman business
• How “small jobs” turn into complex operations
• Why the word “handyman” can hurt your pricing power
• The rise of venture capital and institutional buyers in home services
• What consolidation means for contractors over the next decade
• How distribution (Home Depot, Costco, etc.) could reshape the industry

If you’re building, buying, or scaling a home service business — this episode will give you a clearer view of where the industry is heading next.

Break through the $5M ceiling.

Join John Wilson and Jack Carr May 5–7, 2026 in Akron, Ohio for the Breaking $5 Million Workshop—a 3-day, in-person event for HVAC, plumbing, and electrical owners ready to scale. You’ll see the Wilson operation live, sit in on a real sales huddle, tour the shop, and build your roadmap to $5M+.

🎟 Get $500 off with code BREAKINGEARLYBIRD HERE

💼 iWallet — Cut Payment Fees & Simplify Your Cash Flow

Running 5+ trucks? You know payments are a mess—slow checks, high fees, and disconnected systems.

iWallet is built for home service businesses, combining cards, ACH, and digital checks into one platform that plugs into your CRM.

👉 Book a demo HERE

Host: John Wilson https://x.com/WilsonCompanies
Guest: Jack Carr (Rapid HVAC) https://x.com/thehvacjack

Send Us Mail!

More Ways To Connect with O&O

• John's YouTube Channel
• Weekly Newsletter
• Owned and Operated

Leave a Review

John Wilson, CEO of Wilson Companies
Jack Carr, CEO of Rapid HVAC

📌 Disclaimer: Some links may include UTM parameters or affiliate relationships, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase. Episodes may feature sponsors, but all opinions expressed are our own.

If you’re trying to win in HVAC in 2026… most of what you’ve been told about marketing is wrong.

Contractors are wasting thousands on agencies, chasing “leads,” and relying on channels they don’t actually control.

In this solo episode, John breaks down the exact HVAC marketing system he’s using to scale one of the largest non-private equity-backed home service companies in Ohio—and what’s actually working right now.

This isn’t theory. It’s what’s driving real calls, real jobs, and real growth.

If you’re stuck in feast-or-famine, trying to grow past $1M, or scaling toward $10M+, this is the playbook.

What You’ll Learn:

• The difference between controllable vs. uncontrollable demand (and why it matters)
• The exact channels driving consistent HVAC leads today (SEO, Google Ads, LSA, direct mail)
• Why most contractors underinvest in marketing—and how it holds them back
• The “speed to lead” system that turns missed calls into booked jobs

Follow John Wilson:
https://x.com/WilsonCompanies

More Solo Content:
https://www.youtube.com/@JohnWilsonStudio

Send Us Mail!

More Ways To Connect with O&O

• John's YouTube Channel
• Weekly Newsletter
• Owned and Operated

Leave a Review

John Wilson, CEO of Wilson Companies
Jack Carr, CEO of Rapid HVAC

📌 Disclaimer: Some links may include UTM parameters or affiliate relationships, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase. Episodes may feature sponsors, but all opinions expressed are our own.

Is your home service marketing actually working — or is Google getting all the credit? In this episode John Wilson and returning guest Tony Castelucci (Wanamaker Advertising) explain why cost‑per‑lead (CPL) often misleads, how attribution and demand generation are changing in 2026, and practical steps to measure true marketing ROI for plumbing, electrical, and HVAC businesses.

They unpack why cost per lead is often the wrong metric, how demand capture and demand creation work together, and what operators need to track if they want to scale profitably instead of just chasing cheap leads.

What we cover:

• Why last-click attribution gives too much credit to Google
• Why cost per lead is one of the most misleading metrics in marketing
• The difference between demand capture vs demand creation
• Why branded traffic and direct traffic are often your best leads
• How to use timestamps, call data, and CRM reporting to measure true marketing ROI

If you're spending more on marketing but still struggling to understand what’s truly driving booked jobs and profitable growth, this episode is for you.

Host: John Wilson
https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbwilson1/

Guest: Tony Castelucci (Wanamaker)
[https://wantmore-leads.com]

💼Shoutout to Avoca AI!

Looking to train your call center and improve technician performance? Avoca AI helps teams identify issues, improve call quality, and drive results from start to finish.
🔗 Schedule a demo

💼 Big Reputation — Stop chasing reviews and watching competitors outrank you. Big Reputation is the AI-powered review + SEO platform built for home service pros. Automate review generation, respond with AI, track local SEO, and integrate with your CRM. Setup is free, and your first month’s on the house.

👉 Book your demo

💼 Extra Special Thanks to Service Scalers!

We’ve been partnering with Service Scalers to maximize our Local Service Ads (LSAs) and optimize our Google My Business profiles, and the results have been incredible. With hundreds of thousands in sales and 900+ calls in a single week, GMBs are now our top-performing organic lead channel.
Want to learn how Service Scalers can do the same for you?

🔗Check Them Out Here

Send Us Mail!

More Ways To Connect with O&O

• John's YouTube Channel
• Weekly Newsletter
• Owned and Operated

Leave a Review

John Wilson, CEO of Wilson Companies
Jack Carr, CEO of Rapid HVAC

📌 Disclaimer: Some links may include UTM parameters or affiliate relationships, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase. Episodes may feature sponsors, but all opinions expressed are our own.