In this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson is joined by Jack Carr from Jackquisitions to break down how to hire the perfect employee—the true A-player who moves your business forward. From defining success to matching personality to role, John and Jack share a 4-step playbook to build an offer A-players want, market the job like a product, scope roles tightly with clear KPIs, and screen for the right behavioral fit.

They dive into why you should treat hiring like marketing & sales, how to position your Indeed post (lead with “No On-Call,” Guaranteed 40 Hours, etc.), why unrealistic comp bands repel talent, and how scenario-based interviews reveal coaching temperament. John shares real examples from running a $30M HVAC, plumbing & electric company and the QA Tech role that slashed callbacks.

Together, they unpack:
• Offer first: Would you choose you? Comp, benefits, trucks, safety, facility
• Market the job: Indeed ≈ GMB—headline your differentiators to get seen
• Tight scope + KPIs: Roles people actually want, with success metrics in the post
• Personality-to-seat fit: Coach vs. closer; stress tests & scenario questions (QA Tech example)

🎙️ Host
John Wilson

🎙️ Guest
Jack Carr


💼 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



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💼 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

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More Ways To Connect with O&O

• John's YouTube Channel
• Weekly Newsletter

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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.

In this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson is joined by Jen Laughlin from WeSupplyTrades to break down how contractors can cut material costs without sacrificing quality. From OEM parts to exclusive brands, John and Jen dig into real-world ways to protect margin, get parts fast (even if you’re rural), and build supplier partnerships that actually help you scale.

They dive into shipping realities (UPS vs. LTL), why exclusives like Stream33/Breeze33/Bright33 can be margin game-changers, how to handle fraudulent tool orders, and what trust + open communication with your wholesaler should look like. John shares how swapping SKUs and auditing his top 500 items unlocked big savings inside a $30M home service company.
Together, they unpack:

Being the “lifeline” for hard-to-find OEM parts (and why that wins lifetime customers)
The SKU audit playbook: start with your top 500 and swap line by line
Partnering with wholesalers in 2025: trust, feedback loops, and clear expectations
Facility maintenance & rural logistics: stocking strategy without bloating inventory

🎙️ Host
John Wilson

🎙️ Guest
Jen Lauglin

📞Sponsored by OpenPhone — the AI-powered business phone built for growing teams. Never miss a call, never miss a customer. Get 20% off your first 6 months when you start your free trial today HERE

💼 Modernize is how smart contractors scale.

With inbound calls, live transfers, and branded programs, Modernize connects you to ready-to-buy homeowners. Over 9M leads delivered and $4B+ in revenue generated.

👉 Start growing 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

Send Us Mail!

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 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.

In this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson is joined by Jack Carr from Jackquisitions to break down the four steps every business owner must take to truly become a CEO. From leaving the tools behind to managing senior leaders, John and Jack share the exact progression operators go through—and the pitfalls at each stage.

They dive into the messy middle stages (what Jack calls “owner’s hell”), where infrastructure costs skyrocket and leaders struggle to let go. John opens up about his own journey scaling a $30M home service company and when he finally felt like a real CEO. Together, they unpack:

• Why “founder” and “CEO” aren’t the same thing
• The hardest stage to escape and how to move past it
• Why adding managers can both unlock growth and squeeze cash flow
• What it takes to lead through layers of leadership without losing speed
• The looming leap from single-location to multi-location leadership
  
  
  

This is a must-listen for any contractor or entrepreneur who wants to move beyond being “just the owner” and step fully into the CEO role.

💼 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

🔨Sponsored by WeSupplyTrades — Thousands of Plumbing, HVAC, and Hydronics parts shipped fast.

Sign up free, save big, and get 20% off your first order with code OWNED20 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 $1,000 off your first placement here

🎙️ Host
John Wilson

🎙️ Guest
Jack Carr

Send Us Mail!

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 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.