Ismael Valdez built NexGen Air Conditioning & Plumbing from $0 to $108 million in just 6.5 years. Now he’s back on Owned and Operated to share the blueprint for his next $100M home service company.

John Wilson and Ismael break down what worked at NexGen, the mistakes he would never repeat, why most HVAC and plumbing contractors stall below $2M, and why sales and marketing are the real engines behind rapid growth.

Ismael also shares what he’s building next. After investing more than $22 million of his own money into Nuve, generating $15.2 million in first-year sales, and selling more than 110,000 units, he’s turning his attention back to home services.

His vision: an AI-powered, hyper-efficient HVAC and plumbing company with almost no traditional back office, lower prices, higher close rates, and the potential for 40%+ EBITDA margins.

In This Episode:

• How Ismael Valdez built NexGen from $0 to $108M
• What he learned from a nine-figure home service exit
• Building Nuve to $15.2M in first-year sales
• Why most contractors stall below $2M
• NexGen’s biggest wins and mistakes
• Why sales and marketing drive growth
• Building an AI-powered home service company
• Ismael’s blueprint for his next $100M company

Connect

John Wilson
https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbwilson1/

Ismael Valdez
https://www.instagram.com/nuveceo/

Owned and Operated
https://www.ownedandoperated.com/

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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.

Ismael Valdez: How I Built a $108M Home Service Company & What I’m Building Next

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

Ismael Valdez: How I Built a $108M Home Service Company & What I’m Building Next