The Owner Operator Podcast

This week on the OWNR OPS Podcast, Austin Gray speaks with Marlena, the co-founder of G&M Outdoor Services, who has played a crucial role in scaling the business to $6M in revenue. Marlena and her brothers provide year-round services, including snow removal, excavation, and landscaping, and they've perfected how to manage seasonal challenges and business overhead.

In this solo episode of the OWNR OPS Podcast, I'm sharing some powerful insights I've been learning about how to scale a service-based business the right way. From mastering paid ads to building systems that actually work for growth, I break down the key strategies I'm using to grow my business, Bearclaw, and how you can apply them to your own local service business.Whether you're just getting started or looking to optimize what you've already got, these actionable tips will help you level up and push your business forward.For those who don't know me, I'm Austin Gray — owner of Bearclaw Land Services, specializing in land clearing, forestry, and snowplowing. I'm also the host of OWNR OPS, where I share my journey and learn from other seven-figure service business owners so we can all grow together.In this episode, you'll learn:The importance of building strong systems before scaling.How paid advertising and sales funnels are critical to growth.Why tracking and analyzing leads through tools like Google Tag Manager is essential.How tagging customers in your CRM can increase long-term customer value.Austin's top tips for generating better leads and optimizing marketing efforts.Tune in and learn from Austin's journey to growing a successful service business!

How do you build a $50M+ portfolio without VC money or a tech background? Nick Huber—founder of Sweaty Startup—did just that. In this episode, Nick shares how he went from scraping sidewalks and hiring Walmart employees to raising $52M for real estate and growing a remote team of 325+.We cover:His “Sweaty Startup” mindset (and why he avoids the tech trap) The first hire every service business should makeHow to delegate, hire, and fire with confidenceWhy decision-making and selling are the two most critical skillsA full playbook for going from $0 to $1M and beyondWhether you're just starting your service business or trying to scale without stress, this episode is your blueprint for high-output, no-fluff growth.

In today's episode of the Owner Ops Podcast, Austin Gray talks with John Diekel, the owner of Master Plumbing and Heating in Vermont.From his time in the military to owning a plumbing business, John shares his journey of building a successful service business by focusing on community engagement, modern systems, and creating a company culture based on care and mentorship.The Importance of Community Engagement for Business GrowthImplementing Software Tools: Streamlining Operations with JobberBuilding a Diverse Team Across GenerationsRecruitment Strategies for Hard-to-Fill Senior-Level RolesThe Power of Investing in People: Employee Benefits & GrowthJohn's Advice for Business Owners: Focus on Caring for Your TeamFinal Thoughts: Growing a Business with a Strong FoundationMentioned in This Episode

In this episode of the OWNR OPS Podcast, we dive into customer acquisition, local marketing strategies, and how you can maximize your ROI with data-driven remarketing. Austin is joined by Thomas Rudy, co-founder & CMO of Data Shopper, a software company revolutionizing remarketing for local businesses.

In this week's episode of the OWNR OPS Podcast, I have the pleasure of sitting down with Tyler Mumford, owner of GrindTime Stump Grinding. Tyler's story is nothing short of inspiring. He built his stump grinding business from scratch and hit $100,000 in revenue in just 7.5 months—and he did it all solo, with no debt and no outside investment.Tyler shares how he took the leap from a tech sales job to the world of stump grinding, how he built B2B relationships that generate consistent revenue, and the challenges he overcame along the way. He's not just grinding stumps—he's building a business with grit, determination, and relentless hustle.In this episode, you'll learn:How Tyler transitioned into the service industry with zero experience.The steps he took to reach $100K in revenue without employees.A breakdown of his $3,500 day and what goes into pricing stump grinding jobs.The mindset that kept him going during difficult times.Tyler's ambitious goal of hitting $200K in 2025 and what's next for his business.Whether you're just starting out or scaling your business, Tyler's approach offers valuable lessons in building a service-based business, maintaining a positive mindset, and finding success on your own terms.Connect with Tyler!Instagram: Tyler MumfordTwitter/X: @StumpGuyTaiLinkedIn: Tyler Mumford➡️ First Appearance: "0 to 75K in Stump Grinding" - **https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCfiQ-Y-5tI**Tune in now for a deep dive into how Tyler's hustle turned into 6-figure success in less than a year!Mentioned in This Episode:

How do you build a recognizable brand in the home service space—from scratch?Alex Lathery shares his journey from zero clients and free projects to co-founding the now-thriving Cincinnati Painting Co. This episode is a must-listen if you're building in the local service space and want real talk on:How to pick a business name that helps you rank on GoogleBalancing bold branding with simple clarityWhy your website should convert in 5 secondsThe 3-month process behind one of the cleanest service biz websites we've seenWhen to not spend money on websites, logos, or SEOWhether you're at $0 or $1M+, there's something in this episode for you.

In this episode of the OWNR OPS Podcast, we speak with Sam Allsopp, the managing partner of Neal Roofing, who's successfully scaled his business to $25.7M in 2024. Sam reveals his formula for success and shares how he plans to double his revenue in 2025 by tracking key performance indicators (KPIs), optimizing marketing spend, and building a robust operational framework. Whether you're a roofing business owner, entrepreneur, or simply looking to grow your business, Sam's insights will help you optimize your marketing efforts and create a scalable business model.Key Highlights:✨ How Sam broke down his marketing and sales KPIs for daily execution✨ The role of data tracking in hitting ambitious revenue goals✨ The secret to successfully managing a mixed team of subcontractors and in-house employees✨How Neal Roofing uses multiple marketing channels including Google Ads and Local Services Ads to drive sales✨The importance of referral programs and how Sam incentivizes clients to generate leads✨What Sam looks at daily to track and adjust his revenue goals and marketing budgetSam also shares his vision of growing Neal Roofing to $100M and how he plans to acquire and scale new businesses to reach that goal. If you're ready to implement proven strategies for your business, this episode is a must-listen!Don't forget to follow the OWNR OPS Podcast for more tips from successful entrepreneurs in the home services industry.

Welcome to another episode of the Owner Operator Podcast! In today's episode, I sit down again with Kriss Bergethon, a seasoned entrepreneur and the founder of SMB Uni, to discuss all things entrepreneurship, business growth, and practical advice for those starting out in the home services industry.Kriss has built multiple successful businesses, and in this conversation, we dive deep into the strategies that helped him grow his ventures—from starting in the trenches to scaling rapidly. Whether you're considering entering the home service industry or you're already in it, we share invaluable insights that can help you fast-track your success.

Join me as I share my journey of launching a land-clearing business. With years of experience as an entrepreneur, I'll take you step-by-step through my approach to starting a home service business—from identifying my ideal customer to creating a solid plan for operations, sales and marketing, and finance.

In this episode, Simon Turner, who is a very seasoned and savvy entrepreneur. He has built and sold two companies over the last two decades, and he's the type of person who, whenever he commits to something, sees it through and does it. Simon also shares the theme of building company culture, his thoughts on creating a positive and productive work environment, and how to foster a sense of community and teamwork within an organization.

In this episode, Nolan Gore, the owner of Top Choice Lawn Care, joins the podcast to discuss his journey into entrepreneurship, his experiences balancing work and family life, and the challenges of managing a growing business. From early morning recording sessions to navigating the complexities of business ownership, Nolan offers a candid look into his personal and professional life. 

On this week's podcast episode, I share an exciting update about a new partnership with Jobber, the all-in-one software management solution for home service and trade businesses. I break down how Jobber transformed Bear Claw's operations, from simplifying customer management to streamlining job scheduling and payment collection, all while saving time and reducing stress. If you've ever wondered how to optimize your service business, adopt game-changing technology, or manage multiple crews more efficiently, this episode is packed with actionable insights and valuable lessons. Here's what we covered: ✅ How Jobber helps capture and organize customer information for streamlined operations. ✅ The power of automation in invoicing, job scheduling, and payment collection. ✅ Tips for effectively managing multiple crews using Jobber's scheduling features. ✅ Why adopting modern software is essential to staying competitive in today's market. ✅ The role of Bear Claw Media in scaling service businesses with proven marketing strategies. Whether you're just starting or looking to make your service business more efficient and scalable, this episode offers practical strategies and inspiration to help you on your journey. Enjoying the podcast? Leave us a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify! Watching on YouTube? Don't forget to like and subscribe. This episode is brought to you by: ✅ Jobber: I've used Jobber since Day 1 — it's a game-changer for managing service and trade businesses. Sign up here: go.getjobber.com/ownrops ✅ Bear Claw Media: Proven digital marketing strategies for contractors. ✅ Stryker Digital: Helping service businesses dominate Google rankings. Want more actionable tips? Subscribe to the OWNR OPS Weekly Newsletter at ownerops.com!

On this week's podcast episode, I chat with Brock, owner of Canadian Sanitation, who scaled his septic business to $2.3 million in annual revenue with just three people. Brock shares how he specialized in septic installations, streamlined operations, and navigated the challenges of working in a highly seasonal industry. If you've ever wondered how to build a lean but profitable operation, pay down equipment debt strategically, or maintain clarity amid fast-paced growth, this episode is packed with actionable insights and valuable lessons. Here's what we covered: ✅ Why specializing in one service can set your business apart from competitors. ✅ How Brock optimized operations to average 1.5 to 2 septic installations per week with a small team. ✅ The benefits of reducing overhead and focusing on profitability rather than endless growth. ✅Why reflection and gratitude are crucial for staying motivated and focused. ✅The mindset shift from constant risk-taking to building long-term financial security. Whether you're starting your business or looking to run a leaner, more efficient operation, this episode offers practical strategies and inspiration to help you on your journey. Enjoying the podcast? Leave us a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify! Watching on YouTube? Don't forget to like and subscribe. This episode is brought to you by: ✅ Jobber: I've used Jobber since Day 1, if you're looking for a software to manage your service or trade business Jobber has got you. ✅ Bear Claw Media: Proven digital marketing strategies for contractors. ✅ Stryker Digital: Helping service businesses dominate Google rankings. Want more actionable tips? Subscribe to the OWNR OPS Weekly Newsletter at ownerops.com!

On this week's podcast episode, I chat with Alex, owner of Lane 17 Custom Cabinetry, who scaled his woodworking business from a one-car garage to over $1.6 million in annual revenue. Alex shares how he navigated rapid growth, built a stronger team, and restructured his operations to prepare for doubling production volume in 2025. If you've ever wondered how to tackle the challenges of breaking through revenue ceilings, delegate effectively, or lead your team with clarity, this episode is packed with actionable insights and hard-earned lessons. Here's what we covered: - Why shifting from brute force growth to systemized scaling is critical for long-term success. - How Alex redefined leadership by focusing on the human element of business. - The importance of clear expectations and daily output goals for team performance. - How discomfort during growth phases signals opportunities to break through ceilings. - Tools like Notion for building a centralized playbook to streamline operations and scale sustainably. Whether you're building your business from the ground up or scaling to new heights, this episode offers valuable strategies and inspiration to help you on your journey. Enjoying the podcast? Leave us a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify! Watching on YouTube? Don't forget to like and subscribe. This episode is brought to you by: Bear Claw Media: Proven digital marketing strategies for contractors. Stryker Digital: Helping service businesses dominate Google rankings. Dialed In Bookkeeping: Job costing and financial clarity for service-based businesses. Want more actionable tips? Subscribe to the OWNR OPS Weekly Newsletter at ownerops.com!

On this week's podcast episode, I chat with Brian Furness, creator of the Diesel & Iron YouTube channel and owner of a successful excavation business. Brian built a thriving YouTube channel with over 59,000 subscribers while managing his service-based excavation business. Starting with simple videos filmed on a smartphone, Brian now uses his platform to educate others, land partnerships, and inspire the next generation of tradespeople. If you've ever thought about leveraging content creation to grow your business or wondered how to balance running a company while building an online presence, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiration. Here's what we covered:

On this week's podcast episode, I recap Season One of the Owner Ops Podcast and share the vision for 2025. I started this podcast to learn from successful service business entrepreneurs and to share their insights with others on a similar journey. In just one season, we've featured stories from people building businesses ranging from $100K to $25M in revenue, offering invaluable lessons along the way. If you're looking to grow your service-based business, this episode is packed with key takeaways from our most popular episodes and what's next for the Owner Ops Podcast. Here's what we covered: ✅ Why focusing on one core service can lead to exponential growth (Brock's $2.3M septic business with just three employees). ✅ How hiring and delegation are crucial to scaling (John Wilson's $25M plumbing empire). ✅ Actionable marketing strategies like optimizing your Google Business Profile and leveraging SEO for leads. ✅ Streamlining operations with systems for quoting, scheduling, and invoicing. ✅ The importance of mindset, positivity, and building a team culture that drives success. Whether you're just starting or scaling to the next level, this episode offers inspiration and actionable strategies to help you grow in 2025. Enjoying the podcast? Leave us a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify! Watching on YouTube? Don't forget to like and subscribe.

On this week's podcast episode, I dive into how I built Bear Claw into a $1.7M business in just two years, starting with a single $3,500 forestry cleanup job. If you're looking to grow your service-based business in 2025, this episode is packed with actionable advice on starting strong, marketing effectively, and scaling profitably. I break down the exact steps I took, including the strategies that helped me land government contracts and build recurring revenue streams. Here's what I covered: - How to identify high-demand, high-ticket services in your local market. - Building a customer-focused brand that generates referrals and repeat clients. - Leveraging digital marketing tools like Facebook ads and SEO to dominate your niche. - Why starting small and delivering 5-star service can set you up for long-term success. - Using market research and customer feedback to identify growth opportunities. Whether you're just starting or looking to scale, this episode will inspire and equip you with the tools you need to succeed. Enjoying the podcast? Leave us a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify! Watching on YouTube? Don't forget to like and subscribe. This episode is brought to you by: Bear Claw Media: Helping contractors grow with proven digital marketing strategies. Stryker Digital: SEO experts for service businesses that need to rank on Google. Dialed In Bookkeeping: Job costing and financial clarity for service-based businesses. Want more actionable tips? Subscribe to the OWNR OPS Weekly Newsletter at ownerops.com!

On this week's podcast episode, I break down how I built a $1.7 million skid steer business starting with just $50K in 2022. If you're looking to grow your heavy equipment business in 2025, this episode is packed with strategies and insights to help you succeed. I walk you through four profitable skid steer services that can jumpstart your revenue and share actionable tips on marketing, networking, and operations. Here's what I covered: - How to capitalize on overlooked services like gravel driveway repair to generate consistent income. - Positioning your land clearing and brush control services based on regional demand. - Using snow removal to keep your equipment productive during the winter. - Subcontracting strategies to keep your skid steer busy year-round. - The power of simple outreach to general contractors and property managers to land more jobs. Whether you're starting fresh or want to scale your existing business, this episode will help you take actionable steps toward success. Enjoying the podcast? Leave us a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify! Watching on YouTube? Don't forget to like and subscribe. This episode is brought to you by: Bear Claw Media: Digital marketing for land clearing, excavation, and snow removal contractors. Stryker Digital: Local SEO experts helping service businesses dominate Google search results. Dialed In Bookkeeping: Keeping your books accurate and providing job costing for service businesses. For more insights and weekly tips, subscribe to the OWNR OPS Weekly Newsletter at ownerops.com.

On this week's podcast episode, I shared a simple yet powerful framework to reflect on 2024 and prepare for an even better 2025. Using the 5 F's—Faith, Family, Finances, Fitness, and Fun—I broke down how to assess your progress in key areas of life and identify opportunities for growth. Whether you're an entrepreneur juggling business and personal goals or someone looking to level up in the new year, this episode will help you gain clarity and direction. Here's what I covered: - How faith and gratitude can anchor you during life's ups and downs - Finding balance between building a business and cherishing family moments - Evaluating your financial performance and setting realistic, growth-oriented goals - The importance of fitness for energy, productivity, and mental resilience - Prioritizing fun to recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance Enjoying the podcast? Don't forget to leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify, and if you're on YouTube, hit like and subscribe! This episode is brought to you by: Bear Claw Media: Experts in lead generation for excavation, clearing, and snow removal businesses. Stryker Digital: Dominating local SEO for contractors and land service businesses, helping them generate more organic leads. Dialed In Bookkeeping: Providing financial clarity and job costing solutions for service-based businesses. For more insights, subscribe to the OWNR OPS Weekly Newsletter

On this week's podcast episode, I broke down why Jobber is the ultimate software for managing a home service business, from tree services to snow removal. Drawing from my experience scaling Bear Claw Land Services to $1.5 million in two years, I shared actionable insights to help you streamline operations and maximize growth. If you're a local service business owner looking for ways to save time, secure faster payments, and boost efficiency, this episode has you covered. I highlighted how Jobber can help you improve client management, schedule jobs seamlessly, and simplify quoting and invoicing processes. Here's what we covered: - Why centralized client management is key to scaling - How to integrate lead capture forms directly into your website - Turning quotes into booked jobs with a few clicks - Strategies to streamline scheduling for teams and projects - Using automated invoicing and payment tools to improve cash flow - Pro tips for staying on top of unpaid invoices and accounts receivable Whether you're just starting out or already running a six- or seven-figure service business, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you level up. Enjoying the podcast? We'd love a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify! If you're watching on YouTube, don't forget to like and subscribe. This episode is brought to you by: Land Service Marketers: Experts in lead generation for excavation, clearing, and trucking businesses. Stryker Digital: Offering SEO solutions for local service businesses. They help contractors in excavation and land management dominate local search results and generate more organic leads. Dialed In Bookkeeping: Helping service businesses gain financial clarity and improve job costing. For more insights, subscribe to the OWNR OPS Weekly Newsletter and join our free Skool group for service-based entrepreneurs: https://www.skool.com/ownr-ops/about.

On this week's podcast episode, I sat down with Steven Day, founder of Armor Excavating, to explore how he built a thriving excavation and trucking business in Texas from the ground up. If you're a local service business owner looking to scale your operations while keeping costs under control, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss. Steven shares how he leveraged his financial background, focused on customer needs, and built a team and processes that drive success. Here's what we covered: - How to identify untapped market opportunities and capitalize on them - The benefits of starting small and scaling strategically - Tips for managing equipment downtime and improving profitability - Why building relationships with trusted partners can accelerate growth - The power of refining pricing and cost structures to stay ahead - How to create a culture of excellence and loyalty with your team - Leveraging tax strategies to fund growth sustainably Whether you're just starting out or already running a seven-figure business, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you level up. Enjoying the podcast? We'd love a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify! If you're watching on YouTube, don't forget to like and subscribe. This episode is brought to you by: Land Service Marketers: Experts in lead generation and content creation for businesses like excavation, grading, and snow removal. Stryker Digital: SEO specialists helping local service contractors dominate search rankings and attract more leads. Dialed In Bookkeeping: Providing bookkeeping, job costing, and financial clarity for service-based businesses. For more tips and insights, check out the OWNR OPS Weekly Newsletter and join our free Skool group for service business owners: https://www.skool.com/ownr-ops/about.

On this week's podcast episode, I shared my proven system for building a content strategy that generates leads on autopilot. If you're a local service business owner looking to grow your customer base without spending all your time on marketing, this episode is for you. I break down the step-by-step process I've used to scale Bear Claw and help others do the same. Here's what we covered: - Why your website is your most important marketing asset - How to leverage SEO to dominate local search results - The power of Facebook and Instagram ads for consistent lead generation - Building a simple yet effective content system to grow your social media presence - Tips for automating lead management for instant follow-ups - The importance of word-of-mouth marketing and neighborhood outreach -When and how to delegate marketing tasks to focus on growth And much more! If you want to create a marketing system that works for you while you focus on running your business, this episode is packed with actionable tips to get you started. Enjoying the podcast? We'd love a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify! If you're watching on YouTube, don't forget to like and subscribe. This episode is brought to you by: Land Service Marketers: Experts in lead generation and content creation for businesses like excavation, grading, and snow removal. Stryker Digital: SEO specialists helping local service contractors dominate search rankings and attract more leads. Dialed In Bookkeeping: Providing bookkeeping, job costing, and financial clarity for service-based businesses. For more tips and insights, check out the OWNR OPS Weekly Newsletter and join our free Skool group for service business owners: https://www.skool.com/ownr-ops/about.

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. Here's what we covered: - 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. If you're enjoying these episodes, we'd love a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify, and if you're listening on YouTube, a like and subscribe are much appreciated! This episode is brought to you by our sponsors: Land Service Marketers, specializing in lead generation and content creation for land management businesses like land clearing, excavation, grading, and snow removal. Check them out if you're looking to expand your digital presence in the industry. Stryker Digital, offering SEO solutions for local service businesses. They help contractors in excavation and land management dominate local search results and generate more organic leads. Dialed In Bookkeeping, Ben and his team provide bookkeeping services, job costing reports, and accurate financial data for home service businesses. Check out the OWNR OPS weekly newsletter and Skool group if you're looking for more insights on starting and growing a local service business! https://www.skool.com/ownr-ops/about

On this week's podcast episode, I share the journey of launching our snow removal business under Bear Claw Land Services. With Bear Claw already reaching seven figures in summer services, we're aiming to scale the winter side of the business to hit the million-dollar mark. I break down the decisions, challenges, and strategies we're using to grow this new venture, including: - Building a team for winter work and maintaining year-round stability - Using Facebook ads to target high-traffic areas for consistent snow removal leads - Partnering with property management companies to secure large accounts - Optimizing Jobber software for scheduling and billing in the snow removal industry - Positioning ourselves for potential future acquisitions in our market If you're considering adding a seasonal service or expanding your existing business, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you find success—even in unpredictable conditions. As always, we'd love a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify, and if you're watching on YouTube, a like and subscribe are much appreciated! This episode is brought to you by our sponsors: Land Service Marketers, specializing in lead generation and content creation for land management businesses like land clearing, excavation, grading, and snow removal. Check them out if you're looking to expand your digital presence in the industry. Stryker Digital, offering SEO solutions for local service businesses. They help contractors in excavation and land management dominate local search results and generate more organic leads. Dialed In Bookkeping, Ben and his team provide bookkeeping services, job costing reports, and accurate financial data for home service businesses. Check out the OWNR OPS weekly newsletter and Skool group if you're looking for more insights on starting and growing a local service business! https://www.skool.com/ownr-ops/about

On this week's podcast episode, I hosted Ben Gavin from DialedIn Bookkeeping. Ben grew DialedIn 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 out or managing a fast-growing company: 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. If you're enjoying these episodes, we'd love a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify, and if you're listening on YouTube, a like and subscribe are much appreciated! This episode is brought to you by our sponsors: Land Service Marketers, specializing in lead generation and content creation for land management businesses like land clearing, excavation, grading, and snow removal. Check them out if you're looking to expand your digital presence in the industry. Stryker Digital, offering SEO solutions for local service businesses. They help contractors in excavation and land management dominate local search results and generate more organic leads. Check out the OWNR OPS weekly newsletter and Skool group if you're looking for more insights on starting and growing a local service business! https://www.skool.com/ownr-ops/about

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 began with just a shovel, clearing neighborhood driveways, and has grown into a thriving dual business tackling both snow removal in the winter and fire mitigation services in the summer. Sam shares insights on everything from leveraging paid ads to land big contracts, building client trust through flexible and simple contracts, and the hustle required to keep a service business running year-round. Join us to learn how Sam has built his business from the ground up while balancing life as a firefighter, why customer-first service is his cornerstone, and why he believes there's no “perfect time” to start—just a need to get moving. If you are enjoying these episodes, we'd sure appreciate a 5 star review on Apple or Spotify. And if you're listening on YouTube, a like and subscribe to the channel is also much appreciated! This episode is brought to you by two of our sponsors, Land Service Marketers & Stryker Digital Land Service Marketers specializes in lead generation & content creation to help land clearing, excavation, grading and snow removal business owners grow their digital presence. Check out landservicemarketers.com if you're in the Land Services / Land Management space and want to grow your presence online. They've helped Bear Claw grow our FB presence to over 10k followers and have also created some viral videos to increase exposure. Josh and LSM team deliver 5 star service and are highly recommended! Stryker Digital specializes in SEO for local service business and have helped Bear Claw get to #1 search result for our search term in our state. If you're looking to get more organic leads as a land clearing, excavation, grading, or snow removal contractor, look no further than Stryker. They are CRUSHING IT for local service businesses across the U.S. If you own & operate a local service business - check out the OWNR OPS weekly newsletter & Skool group. We share insights on starting and growing a local service business! https://www.skool.com/ownr-ops/about

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. Whether you're a business owner or just starting out, this episode covers key strategies: 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 systems Give the full episode a listen if you have interest in starting a business. If you are enjoying these episodes, we'd sure appreciate a 5 star review on Apple or Spotify. And if you're listening on YouTube, a like and subscribe to the channel is also much appreciated! This episode is brought to you by two of our sponsors, Land Service Marketers & Stryker Digital Land Service Marketers specializes in lead generation & content creation to help land clearing, excavation, grading and snow removal business owners grow their digital presence. Check out landservicemarketers.com if you're in the Land Services / Land Management space and want to grow your presence online. They've helped Bear Claw grow our FB presence to over 10k followers and have also created some viral videos to increase exposure. Josh and LSM team deliver 5 star service and are highly recommended! Stryker Digital specializes in SEO for local service business and have helped Bear Claw get to #1 search result for our search term in our state. If you're looking to get more organic leads as a land clearing, excavation, grading, or snow removal contractor, look no further than Stryker. They are CRUSHING IT for local service businesses across the U.S. If you own & operate a local service business - check out the OWNR OPS weekly newsletter & Skool group. We share insights on starting and growing a local service business! https://www.skool.com/ownr-ops/about

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. Whether you're a business owner or just starting out, this episode covers key strategies: 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 systems Give the full episode a listen if you have interest in starting a business. If you are enjoying these episodes, we'd sure appreciate a 5 star review on Apple or Spotify. And if you're listening on YouTube, a like and subscribe to the channel is also much appreciated! This episode is brought to you by two of our sponsors, Land Service Marketers & Stryker Digital Land Service Marketers specializes in lead generation & content creation to help land clearing, excavation, grading and snow removal business owners grow their digital presence. Check out landservicemarketers.com if you're in the Land Services / Land Management space and want to grow your presence online. They've helped Bear Claw grow our FB presence to over 10k followers and have also created some viral videos to increase exposure. Josh and LSM team deliver 5 star service and are highly recommended! Stryker Digital specializes in SEO for local service business and have helped Bear Claw get to #1 search result for our search term in our state. If you're looking to get more organic leads as a land clearing, excavation, grading, or snow removal contractor, look no further than Stryker. They are CRUSHING IT for local service businesses across the U.S. If you own & operate a local service business - check out the OWNR OPS weekly newsletter & Skool group. We share insights on starting and growing a local service business! https://www.skool.com/ownr-ops/about

On this week's podcast episode, I hosted Sam Allsopp, owner of Neil Roofing. He invested $50k to start the business and has grown to $22 million revenue in 5 years. Sam shares some good tips that might help you on your business growth journey: 1. Master Your Marketing 2. Streamline Your Operations 3. Fine-Tune Your Finances 4. Prioritize Customer Satisfaction 5. Build a Strong Team And more! Give the full episode a listen if you have interest in starting a business. If you are enjoying these episodes, we'd sure appreciate a 5 star review on Apple or Spotify. And if you're listening on YouTube, a like and subscribe to the channel is also much appreciated! This episode is brought to you by two of our sponsors, Land Service Marketers & Stryker Digital Land Service Marketers specializes in lead generation & content creation to help land clearing, excavation, grading and snow removal business owners grow their digital presence. Check out landservicemarketers.com if you're in the Land Services / Land Management space and want to grow your presence online. They've helped Bear Claw grow our FB presence to over 10k followers and have also created some viral videos to increase exposure. Josh and LSM team deliver 5 star service and are highly recommended! Stryker Digital specializes in SEO for local service business and have helped Bear Claw get to #1 search result for our search term in our state. If you're looking to get more organic leads as a land clearing, excavation, grading, or snow removal contractor, look no further than Stryker. They are CRUSHING IT for local service businesses across the U.S. If you own & operate a local service business - check out the OWNR OPS weekly newsletter & Skool group. We share insights on starting and growing a local service business! https://www.skool.com/ownr-ops/about

In this episode of the OWNR OPS Podcast, I host Justin Reitman from Intek Leasing. Justin gives us the crash course on leasing vs. buying equipment, trucks, and fleets. If you're an owner operator of a business that requires trucks or equipment, you'll want to give this episode a listen! If you are enjoying these episodes, please like & subscribe to our YouTube channel to get notified when our weekly episodes drop. We'd sure appreciate a 5 star review if you're listening on Apple or Spotify! Work Hard Do Your Best Never Settle For Less

Meet Jake Pavelle, the new Owner Operator of Colorado Power Wash. Jake was bored of working corporate and knew entrepreneurship was the path for him. After a quick decision to quit his job, Jake took over the Colorado Power Wash website from me and has quickly skyrocketed growth by using his sales & marketing skills. He tells us: how he got his 1st jobs how he found his 1st sub contractors & crew members how he power washed a 500,000 sq. ft. parking garage Washing 27 fleet vehicles for a well known corporate brand Washing a Starbucks retail center His creative pitch for Walmart This was a fun episode and I hope y'all enjoy! Check out his FREE PITCH DECK TEMPLATE that he used to pitch a Walmart for recurring washes! The Walmart Sales Pitch Deck Template - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KqzBfeNZy0vFRT9ED6SdeQA2cX9eZvbvN9lfXH-PIg0/edit?usp=sharing Walmart - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1U45ZpLZcUM-elPdFP8ujFl1vrmV65VlICTt0DGMSavU/edit?usp=sharing

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. Carl shares with us: when he bought each piece of equipment financing / purchase terms for each piece of equipment his forestry mulching pricing model how he got stump grinding jobs in the early days what he learned from an experienced equipment operator And more! Give the full episode a listen if you have interest in stump grinding, forestry mulching, excavation, driveway grading, land services / land management. If you are enjoying these episodes, we'd sure appreciate a 5 star review on Apple or Spotify. And if you're listening on YouTube, a like and subscribe to the channel is also much appreicated! This episode is brought to you by two of our sponsors, Land Service Marketers & Stryker Digital Land Service Marketers specializes in lead generation & content creation to help land clearing, excavation, grading and snow removal business owners grow their digital presence. Check out landservicemarketers.com if you're in the Land Services / Land Management space and want to grow your presence online. They've helped Bear Claw grow our FB presence to over 10k followers and have also created some viral videos to increase exposure. Josh and LSM team deliver 5 star service and are highly recommended! Stryker Digital specializes in SEO for local service busienses and have helped Bear Claw get to #1 search result for our search term in our state. If you're looking to get more organic leads as a land clearing, excavation, grading, or snow removal contractor, look no further than Stryker. They are CRUSHING IT for local service businesses across the U.S. Finally, if you own & operate a local service business - check out the OWNR OPS weekly newsletter & Skool group. We share insights on starting and growing a local service business!

In 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?" If you're looking to hire someone to help you with the back office operations of your business, you'll want to listen to this WHOLE episode! 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. Topics we cover: -Scheduling -Payroll -Bookkeeping -Job Costing -How To Use Jobber To Run An Efficient Back Office If you're an owner operator looking to hire someone to help you with your back office, you'll want to give this episode a listen! And if you're enjoying these episodes, we'd sure appreciate a 5 star review on Apple & Spotify (and a like & subscribe to our YouTube channel!) Thanks again for all the support! don't forget, WORK HARD DO YOUR BEST NEVER SETTLE FOR LESS If you are enjoying these episodes, we'd sure appreciate a 5 star review on Apple or Spotify. And if you're listening on YouTube, a like and subscribe to the channel is also much appreciated! This episode is brought to you by two of our sponsors, Land Service Marketers & Stryker Digital. Land Service Marketers specializes in lead generation & content creation to help land clearing, excavation, grading and snow removal business owners grow their digital presence. Check out landservicemarketers.com if you're in the Land Services / Land Management space and want to grow your presence online. They've helped Bear Claw grow our FB presence to over 10k followers and have also created some viral videos to increase exposure. Josh and LSM team deliver 5 star service and are highly recommended! Stryker Digital specializes in SEO for local service business and have helped Bear Claw get to #1 search result for our search term in our state. If you're looking to get more organic leads as a land clearing, excavation, grading, or snow removal contractor, look no further than Stryker. They are CRUSHING IT for local service businesses across the U.S. Finally, if you own & operate a local service business - check out the OWNR OPS weekly newsletter & Skool group. We share insights on starting and growing a local service business!

Are you a contractor / local service business owner running around like a chicken with your head cut off? Watch this video! In this video I answer some questions that were texted to me by one of our podcast listeners. The questions are listed below: ◦ Need help developing strategies and systems as (listener) is feeling pulled in too many different directions with lack of consistent cash flow How to juggle bidding, looking at jobs, operating, maintenance, etc as owner/operator and when to start hiring subs/employees? In this video, I provide my answers to these questions asked by an early stage solo owner operator of a local excavation / grading business Keep in mind, this is only one opinion — but I answer these questions stating how I approached these questions inside my own business I hope my answers can be helpful to other solo owner operators out there who are struggling to find enough time in the day for everything! If you are enjoying these episodes, we'd sure appreciate a 5 star review on Apple or Spotify. And if you're listening on YouTube, a like and subscribe to the channel is also much appreciated! This episode is brought to you by two of our sponsors, Land Service Marketers & Stryker Digital. Land Service Marketers specializes in lead generation & content creation to help land clearing, excavation, grading and snow removal business owners grow their digital presence. Check out landservicemarketers.com if you're in the Land Services / Land Management space and want to grow your presence online. They've helped Bear Claw grow our FB presence to over 10k followers and have also created some viral videos to increase exposure. Josh and LSM team deliver 5 star service and are highly recommended! Stryker Digital specializes in SEO for local service business and have helped Bear Claw get to #1 search result for our search term in our state. If you're looking to get more organic leads as a land clearing, excavation, grading, or snow removal contractor, look no further than Stryker. They are CRUSHING IT for local service businesses across the U.S. Finally, if you own & operate a local service business - check out the OWNR OPS weekly newsletter & Skool group. We share insights on starting and growing a local service business!

In this episode I host Logan Robison, a Short Term Rental Cleaning Business Owner. He shares how he's grown his business from $5k - $30k / mo after quitting his full time job. Since our last episode he has: 1. Quit his full time job 2. Specialized in AirBnb Cleans ONLY 3. Hired a GM to run operations 4. Set a cold outreach goal of 10 new prospects per day 5. Implemented quality control system 6. Set the vision to become the BEST AirBnb Cleaning business in NW Arkansas Stay tuned for the full episode to hear how Logan has implemented a strategy to grow from 5k - 30k per month! If you're enjoying these episodes, we'd also appreciate a 5 Star Review on Apple & Spotify. Subscribe to the OWNR OPS Weekly Newsletter to get actionable weekly growth tips for your local service business: ownrops.com/newsletter Like & subscribe to our YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@theownerop Same Day Turn: https://www.samedayturn.com X Profile: https://x.com/LoganARobison Work Hard Do Your Best Never Settle For Less

In this episode of the OWNR OPS Podcast, I interview Baird Kleinsmith, the Sultan of Storage. Baird bought his first self storage property in 2021 and has since grown the portfolio to 9 properties & $2.6mm of annual revenues. What's more impressive is this business kicks off close to $900k per year in annual cash flow while being manage by an offshore team in Latin America Baird shares with us: 1. how he bought his first self storage property 2. deal structure, financing terms, how much cash he brought to the table 3. how he bought the 2nd property 4. how he manages his team with offshore talent in Latin America 5. how every U.S. business owner can leverage remote talent in Latin America for $1500 / mo or less 6. tactical advice for how to hire offshore - payment, expectations, talent available, etc. Show notes: Tools Baird Uses: 1. DialPad - AI powered customer intelligence & team communication 2. Notion - documenting SOPs 3. Google Drive - storage 4. Melio - Intelligent Bill Pay Services

Brandon Dixon, the Owner Operator of Cleaner Streets, joins me in this episode. Brandon shares his story about transitioning from playing professional baseball into the world of small business entrepreneurship after acquiring a street sweeping business in California. We talk: -why Brandon decided to buy a small business -deal structure -how he found a street sweeping business -focusing on the "Fundamentals" -taking massive action -starting before you feel "qualified" -and much more! Tune in to this episode to see how this former MLB Player dove head first into the world of local service business ownership! Thanks to our sponsors: Stryker Digital helps local service business owners rank #1 on Google through powerful SEO. visit stryker-digital.com to learn more LSM helps local service business owners get more jobs through paid ad strategies & unlimited content creation. Visit localservicemarketers.com to learn more.

Welcome back to The Owner Operator Podcast where I host other SMB owners who are building local service businesses. In this episode, I host Casey McDaniel again after he made his first acqusition: We talk about: -Deal size -Why he chose acquisition as a growth strategy -How he structured the deal -What SBA lender he used -Purchase Price -Curveballs he wasn't expecting -The first 3 things he did after closing -How he kept the employees on And more! If you like these episode, please make sure to leave us a 5 Star Review below!

We hit 35,000 listens! Thank you so much for your ongoing support of the OWNR OPS Podcast! In this episode, I will share with you 3 updates Podcast & Brand Update Free Giveaway OWNR OPS Content Is All Free To enter the free giveaway, follow the 5 steps below Subscribe to our YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@theownerop Sign Up For Weekly Newsletter https://ownrops.com/ Leave a 5 Star Review On Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ownr-ops-podcast/id1719794628 Leave a 5 Star Review On Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/03aIzodPlVpuoyFM2D1q1o?si=15587a1aadb0478e Join The Free Skool Community https://www.skool.com/ownr-ops/about Work Hard Do Your Best Never Settle For Less

In this episode, I am hosting Bodhi Gallo again. Bodhi being the co-founder of Stryker Digital, where they specialize in SEO, he is going to give you local SEO tips that you can implement into your own local service business. We break down what you can do today, to optimize your Google My Business Profile for your business in your own local market, no matter what market you're operating in nor what service you're offering. Stick around and find out what you can implement in your business today!

In this episode I am hosting Bodhi Gallo! Bodhi is the co-founder of Stryker Digital, they specialize in SEO. Get ready to receive some local SEO tips that you can implement into your own local service business! We breakdown what you can do as a business owner to optimize your Google My Business Profile in your own local market, no matter the market / service you are operating in! I hope you stick around and find out how you can get more leads!

Andy walker is hosted in this episode! Andy is the co-founder of Stryker Digital, they specialize in SEO'S services for home service businesses! In this episode, we delve into how they are getting us to the top of the search results in our home state. Enjoy this episode learning about SEO's services for small local home service businesses.

In this podcast, we have a roundtable, I have hosted both of my friends Mike and Brock, both in the excavation business that jumped in head first! All 3 of us being in the industry where we operate heavy equipment. I hope that you listen to this podcast and it encourages you to go and take the action! All you need to do, is just start!

In this show, we have Mike Flaugher joining us! Mike is a friend and a fellow excavation contractor. Mike went from working as a foremen for a local company for 14 years doing underground grading and excavation, decided to go off on his own! Join us as he shares his story and some creative marketing techniques for owner operators! If you enjoy the episode, please like, follow, and subscribe. Your 5-star review would mean a lot! Also, join our private Skool community for local service business entrepreneurs at http:// http://ownrops.com/alliance. Thanks for tuning in!