John sits down with Tyler Griffin (Swift Pro Heating, Cooling & Plumbing) to unpack how he launched a fast-growing HVAC + Plumbing startup in one of the most competitive markets in America: Washington, D.C./Northern Virginia. From selling his previous exterior business to private equity, taking a six-month reset, and then sprinting from zero to multi-million in year one, Tyler shares the gritty playbook—reviews over revenue early, Angie Ads to jumpstart demand, vendor partnerships (hello, Trane/Ferguson), dialing memberships, and building leaders who model → mentor → multiply.
They get tactical on launching from scratch instead of buying, recruiting in a saturated market, wiring culture for speed, standing up next-day installs, and using Nexstar’s OPEX roadmap to avoid the common HVAC pitfalls. If you’re eyeing a greenfield launch or adding a second trade, this one’s a field guide.
💡 What You’ll Learn
- Launch vs. buy: why greenfield can beat pricey acquisitions
- The “Day 1 legitimacy” stack: branded wraps, website, and review flywheel
- Demand plumbing: Angie Ads, map pack, and referral loops that convert to system replacements
- Memberships as a moat (and how to fix a lopsided install/service mix)
- Vendor strategy: pricing, warranty support, and picking partners who bet on
🎙️ Host
🎙️ Guest
Tyler Griffin (Swift Pro Heating, Cooling & Plumbing – Washington, D.C./Northern Virginia)
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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!
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🔗 More from us
https://www.ownedandoperated.com/
More Ways To Connect with O&O
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.
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