Don’t Fall for the Buyer’s Trap: Why No-Marketing Businesses Aren’t Easy Wins
In this episode of Jackquisitions, we dive into a common pitfall many first-time buyers fall for—the belief that a business with little or no marketing is a “goldmine” just waiting to be unlocked. Spoiler: it’s not that simple. Using the tongue-in-cheek example of an underwater basket weaving business, we break down the real costs of building out a marketing engine from scratch.

Jack unpacks the "buyer’s trap": the dangerous assumption that adding marketing will instantly generate revenue. In reality, successful marketing requires time, capital, and deep strategic focus—and that investment often erodes the profit margins buyers were initially excited about. Instead of chasing fixer-uppers, Jack recommends targeting businesses with established marketing systems already in place. It’s about buying stability, not a project.

Whether you're just starting your acquisition journey or knee-deep in LOIs, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to grow through home service business acquisitions without overextending financially.

🚨 In This Episode, We Cover:

🔹 Why “just add marketing” is a flawed growth plan
🔹 The hidden costs of launching marketing from zero
🔹 Avoiding the buyer’s trap and protecting your upside
🔹 How to evaluate marketing systems before buying
🔹 Real-world examples (including underwater basket weaving)
🔹 Jack’s criteria for choosing scalable, stable businesses

🎙️ Episode Host
🗣️ Jack [@theHVACJack]

💼 Special Thanks to First Internet Bank!

Looking to buy or expand a business? First Internet Bank is a National Preferred SBA lender specializing in acquisitions for the skilled trades. Their SBA loan program offers up to 90% financing for business acquisitions, partner buyouts, and commercial real estate—plus optional lines of credit to fuel future growth. Unlike traditional lenders, they take a “how can we” approach, making deals happen for both first-time buyers and experienced operators.

👉 Special Offer: Mention Owned and Operated for a reduced good faith deposit and a complimentary deal review + buyside prequalification.

Connect with Alan Peterson from First Internet Bank here to get started

📢 Enjoyed the episode?
✅ Like, Comment & Subscribe for unfiltered insights on building in the blue-collar space.

📌 Disclaimer:

Some links may include UTM parameters for tracking. Episodes may feature paid sponsors, but all opinions are our own. Always do your own research before making business decisions.

Send Us Mail!

Contact Owned and Operated:

• info@ownedandoperated.com
• Visit the website for more information

More Ways To Connect with O&O

• John's YouTube Channel
• Weekly Newsletter

Leave a Review

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

📌 Disclaimer:
Some links may include UTM parameters for tracking. Episodes may feature paid sponsors, but all opinions are our own. Always do your own research before making business decisions.

John teams up with Sam Preston, CEO of Service Scalers, to break down the exact marketing strategies that move the needle for home service businesses. Whether you’re HVAC, plumbing, or any trades business, you'll learn how to prioritize channels that capture demand today—before wasting money on ones that might (or might not) pay off later.

Struggling to turn marketing dollars into real leads? This episode is your blueprint.

From real-world wins to costly missteps, John and Sam unpack where most businesses go wrong—like blowing budgets on flashy billboards while ignoring Google Ads, LSAs, and SEO. This isn’t theory; it’s a tactical deep dive grounded in what’s actually working right now.

🚨 What You'll Learn:
• The difference between demand capture vs. demand creation
• Why Google Ads, GMB, LSAs, and SEO are non-negotiable
• How to time your investment in traditional media like mailers and billboards
• The dangers of hiring an internal marketing manager too soon
• How to hold your marketing agency accountable—and what to expect from them
• Real marketing systems that fuel actual growth in the trades

💼 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

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:

🎙️ Hosts:
🗣️ John Wilson
🎙️ Guest:
🗣️ Sam Preston

📢 Enjoyed the episode?
👍 Like, Comment & Subscribe for weekly tactical advice on scaling blue-collar businesses.

Send Us Mail!

Contact Owned and Operated:

• info@ownedandoperated.com
• Visit the website for more information

More Ways To Connect with O&O

• John's YouTube Channel
• Weekly Newsletter

Leave a Review

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

Struggling to find great technicians or keep your best employees around? This episode is your playbook.

We break down battle-tested recruiting strategies that helped scale real home service businesses—from plumbing and HVAC to general trades. You'll learn how to treat recruitment like a sales pipeline, maintain momentum year-round, and create a company culture that people want to be part of.
This episode goes beyond theory. From incentive trips and performance bonuses to sharp branding, upgraded vehicles, and custom dashboards, you'll hear exactly how to build an environment that attracts and retains top-tier talent.

🚨 What You'll Learn:
• Why recruitment should be treated like sales
• How to build a continuous, always-on hiring funnel
• Using CRMs and dashboards to track applicants and team performance
• Incentives that actually work: Trips, bonuses, and peer recognition
• How infrastructure—like trucks, tools, and facilities—sells your company
• Real-world examples of what actually works in blue-collar culture building

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 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 $1,000 off your first placement here

🎙️ Hosts:
🗣️John Wilson
🗣️Jack Carr

📢 Enjoyed the episode?
👍 Like, Comment & Subscribe for weekly tactical advice on scaling blue-collar businesses.

Send Us Mail!

Contact Owned and Operated:

• info@ownedandoperated.com
• Visit the website for more information

More Ways To Connect with O&O

• John's YouTube Channel
• Weekly Newsletter

Leave a Review

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

Looking to break into the home service industry through business acquisitions? In this episode of Jack Acquisitions, we sit down with Elias Youssef, a 24-year-old entrepreneur who’s quickly making a name for himself by acquiring and scaling blue-collar service businesses. Based in Denver, Colorado, Elias shares how he transitioned from selling appliances to owning a fast-growing plumbing company, using creative deal structures and relentless outreach to land his first acquisition. His story offers a blueprint for aspiring entrepreneurs who want to grow through home service business acquisitions and enter the trades without large upfront capital.

Elias walks us through how he sourced deals through cold calling, built a team of experienced operators, and executed a management services agreement (MSA)—a unique acquisition model that minimizes financial risk while maximizing upside. With ambitious plans to hit a $10 million revenue run rate by the end of the year and scale to $27 million, Elias reveals his playbook for growth through acquisitions, operational excellence, and mentorship from seasoned industry professionals.

🎙️ Episode Host:
🗣️ Jack Carr
🎙️ Guest: Elias Youssef


💼 Shoutout to Appletree Business Services
HVAC and plumbing pros—ditch tax surprises and unresponsive accountants. Appletree handles your books, taxes, payroll, and acquisitions, and they know tools like ServiceTitan cold.

🎁 Get a free tax & financial review or 10% off a QOE report.
👉 Book a call at appletreebusiness.com — tell Patrick Jack sent you.

💼 Special Thanks to First Internet Bank!

Looking to buy or expand a business? First Internet Bank is a National Preferred SBA lender specializing in acquisitions for the skilled trades. Their SBA loan program offers up to 90% financing for business acquisitions, partner buyouts, and commercial real estate—plus optional lines of credit to fuel future growth. Unlike traditional lenders, they take a “how can we” approach, making deals happen for both first-time buyers and experienced operators.

👉 Special Offer: Mention Owned and Operated for a reduced good faith deposit and a complimentary deal review + buyside prequalification.

Connect with Alan Peterson from First Internet Bank here to get started

📢 Enjoyed the episode?
✅ Like, Comment & Subscribe for real-world stories on building in the blue-collar space.

Send Us Mail!

Contact Owned and Operated:

• info@ownedandoperated.com
• Visit the website for more information

More Ways To Connect with O&O

• John's YouTube Channel
• Weekly Newsletter

Leave a Review

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

Curious how AI is transforming the way home service businesses handle customer calls and convert leads? In this episode of Owned and Operated, John sits down with Rafi, from Avoca—an innovative voice AI platform purpose-built for the trades. Together, they dive deep into how AI is reshaping call center operations, reducing reliance on human CSRs, and boosting conversion rates across the board.

From 24/7 call answering to real-time customer interaction, Avoca is helping businesses from $2M to $100M scale more efficiently while cutting costs and minimizing lost leads. Rafi shares the strategy behind successful AI implementation, stressing the importance of starting small, refining workflows, and scaling with confidence.

Plus, we explore other high-impact AI tools for home service businesses, like in-field technician coaching and automated dispatching—offering a glimpse into the future of operational excellence in the trades.

🚨 In This Episode, We Cover:
🔹 How voice AI is revolutionizing call center operations
🔹 Reducing lead loss and driving better conversion rates
🔹 Real-world success stories from $20M–$100M businesses using Avoca
🔹 Tactics for starting small and scaling AI across your org
🔹 Other AI innovations in coaching, dispatch, and more
🔹 Why now is the time to adopt AI in the home service industry

🎙️ Episode Host:
🗣️ John Wilson
🎙️ Guest:
🗣️ Rafi from Avoca AI

💡 Shoutout to Avoca AI!
Avoca is helping home service companies level up with 24/7 AI call handling, performance insights, and targeted coaching.
🔗 Book a demo

📢 Enjoyed the episode?
✅ Like, Comment & Subscribe for weekly insights on scaling your service business with cutting-edge operations, marketing, and technology

Send Us Mail!

Contact Owned and Operated:

• info@ownedandoperated.com
• Visit the website for more information

More Ways To Connect with O&O

• John's YouTube Channel
• Weekly Newsletter

Leave a Review

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

Want to grow and scale your plumbing business with proven strategies for sales, operations, and fulfillment? In this episode of Owned and Operated, we break down exactly how to build a successful plumbing company—from optimizing pricing structures and boosting conversion rates to training teams and improving customer experience. Hosts John Wilson and Jack Carr share their real-world experiences growing a profitable plumbing business, revealing hard-won lessons and key tactics that drive sustainable growth in the home service industry.

Whether you’re a plumbing business owner, contractor, or service entrepreneur, this episode is your go-to guide for mastering plumbing sales, improving operational efficiency, and setting up systems for long-term success. We cover essential topics like lead generation, sales funnels, service fulfillment, and the importance of dedicated sales and installation roles. Plus, we take you behind the scenes of our own journey—building a professional studio and reflecting on the realities of growing both a service business and a brand.

🚨 In This Episode, We Cover:

🔹 The core pillars of growth: leads, sales, and fulfillment
🔹 How to tighten your pricing structure and boost profitability
🔹 Strategies for training teams to increase efficiency and service quality
🔹 Why dedicated sales and installation roles drive better performance
🔹 Operational gaps to watch for—and how to close them fast
🔹 The personal side of building a business and a podcast studio
‍

💼 Shoutout to Avoca AI!
Avoca AI is helping us level up call center training and tech performance. They analyze calls, provide targeted coaching, and help drive better results across the board.
🔗 Book a demo!

💼 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 $1,000 off your first placement here

🎙️ Episode Hosts:
🗣️ John Wilson – [x.com/wilsoncompanies]
🗣️ Jack Carr - [x.com/thehvacjack]

📢 Enjoyed the episode?
✅ Like, Comment & Subscribe for weekly content on scaling home service businesses, marketing tactics, operations, and more!

‍

Send Us Mail!

Contact Owned and Operated:

• info@ownedandoperated.com
• Visit the website for more information

More Ways To Connect with O&O

• John's YouTube Channel
• Weekly Newsletter

Leave a Review

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

The Ultimate Playbook to Buy & Scale Small Businesses

Want to grow your business through smart acquisitions, direct outreach, and personal branding? In this episode of JackQuisitions, we dive deep into the art of buying small businesses and building relationships that close deals. Host Jack sits down with an experienced operator to explore what it really takes to acquire businesses, from cold calls to contract signing.

Whether you’re a new buyer, an aspiring entrepreneur, or an operator aiming to expand your portfolio, this episode is your blueprint for mastering business acquisitions, deal structuring, and effective broker relations. Learn proven strategies for sourcing deals, building trust with sellers, and navigating private equity competition.

Discover how top acquirers are identifying great opportunities, building authentic connections, and using storytelling to stand out in a crowded market. You’ll also hear real-life examples of deals—from pool cleaning to art framing shops—and gain insight into due diligence, deal terms, and transitioning ownership the right way.

🚨 In This Episode, We Cover:

🔹 How to cold call and source small business deals effectively
🔹 The challenges and benefits of working with private equity vs. good operators
🔹 Why storytelling and personal branding are key to broker success
🔹 Real-world acquisition stories: from pool cleaning to art framing
🔹 How to handle deal terms, due diligence, and transitions smoothly
🔹 Tips for standing out as a serious buyer in a competitive market

💼 Special Thanks to First Internet Bank!
Looking to buy or expand a business? First Internet Bank is a National Preferred SBA lender specializing in acquisitions for the skilled trades. Their SBA7a loan program offers up to 90% financing for business acquisitions, partner buyouts, and commercial real estate—plus optional lines of credit to fuel future growth. Unlike traditional lenders, they take a “how can we” approach, making deals happen for both first-time buyers and experienced operators.

👉 Special Offer: Mention Owned and Operated for a reduced good faith deposit and a complimentary deal review + buyside prequalification.

Get Started Here

🎙️ Episode Host:
🗣️ Jack – x.com/thehvacjack

🎙️ Episode Guest:
🗣️ Chris Barr - Linkedin

📢 Enjoyed the episode?
✅ Like, Comment & Subscribe for weekly insights on business acquisitions, deal flow, marketing, and growth strategies!

Send Us Mail!

Contact Owned and Operated:

• info@ownedandoperated.com
• Visit the website for more information

More Ways To Connect with O&O

• John's YouTube Channel
• Weekly Newsletter

Leave a Review

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

Want to grow your HVAC, plumbing, or roofing business using AI, lead generation, and marketing automation? In this episode of Owned and Operated, we dive into how artificial intelligence is transforming the home service industry. Host John Wilson sits down with James Zaner from Modernize to explore cutting-edge strategies for using AI-powered tools to generate high-quality leads, automate operations, and expand into new markets. Whether you're a contractor, service business owner, or operator looking to scale, this episode is your playbook for growth through AI integration, customer segmentation, and smart marketing systems.

Discover how top-performing service businesses are leveraging AI for business growth, customer acquisition, and operational efficiency. James shares how Modernize uses tools like ChatGPT, CRM systems, and AI automation to improve sales productivity, nurture long-term customer value, and drive sustainable expansion. From optimizing lead generation funnels to implementing AI agents and marketing tech stacks, you’ll learn exactly how to modernize your service business and stay ahead in a competitive market.

🚨 In This Episode, We Cover:

🔹 How Modernize uses AI to scale lead generation and improve ROI

🔹 Real-world applications of ChatGPT and automation in business operations

🔹 The importance of customer segmentation and CRM in growth

🔹 Why modernizing traditional trades is crucial for future-proofing

🔹 How to align marketing strategy with long-term customer value

🔹 Market expansion tactics driven by smart data and AI

💼 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 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

🎙️ Episode Host:

🗣️ John Wilson

🎙️ Episode Guest:

🗣️ James Zayner

📢 Enjoyed the episode?

✅ Like, Comment & Subscribe for weekly content on growing and scaling service businesses, marketing, ops, AI tools, and more!

Send Us Mail!

Contact Owned and Operated:

• info@ownedandoperated.com
• Visit the website for more information

More Ways To Connect with O&O

• John's YouTube Channel
• Weekly Newsletter

Leave a Review

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