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

John Wilson

🎙️ Guest

Tyler Griffin (Swift Pro Heating, Cooling & Plumbing – Washington, D.C./Northern Virginia)

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

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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.

#250 Start From Scratch or Buy? One Founder’s Surprising Answer

Owned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast