In this episode of JackQuisitions, Jack flips the mic to bring on… JackQuisitions favorite and Owned & Operated’s own John Wilson. Together they break down two real deals in Ohio: a premium pool service route in Northeast Ohio and a 221-ATM route in Franklin County (Columbus). They dig into seasonality, margins, route density, and the very real difference between buying a cash-flowing job vs. a scalable business. If you’re weighing service routes, LSA arbitrage, or sticky B2B contracts (YMCA/schools/hotels), this one’s rubber-meets-the-road deal analysis.

John and Jack unpack how pool service plugs neatly into a home-services platform (maintenance → service → replace), where the margin leaks might be, and why commercial indoor pools can spin off restoration/mold remediation upsides. Then they turn to the ATM route: 221 machines, ~two people to run it, eye-popping EBITDA… but relationship concentration, pricing, and “are you buying a job?” realities.

💼 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: [https://alanfib.com/]



💼 Business Modification Group —

The go-to business brokers for trades companies. Whether you’re buying or selling HVAC, plumbing, or electrical businesses, we help you navigate valuations, find deals, and close successfully. Get a free valuation as a buyer or seller and join our exclusive distribution list for the best opportunities in the trades market.

👉 Get Your Free Valuation Here

For Sellers

For Buyers

💼 Shoutout to Appletree Business Services

HVAC and plumbing pros—ditch tax surprises and unresponsive accountants. Appletree handles your books, taxes, payroll, and acquisitions, and they know tools like ServiceTitan cold.

🎁 Get a free tax & financial review or 10% off a QOE report.

👉 Book a call HERE tell Patrick Jack sent you.

🎙 Host: Jack Carr — https://x.com/thehvacjack
🎙 Guest: John Wilson — https://x.com/thewilsoncompanies

Send us a text

Jackquisitions Newsletter — Your favorite source for how to buy small businesses. Real insights, smart strategies, zero gurus.

🖊️ Sign up HERE for more insights


📢 Enjoyed the episode?
✅ Like, Comment & Subscribe for weekly insights on business acquisitions, deal flow, marketing, and growth strategies!

📌 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 JackQuisitions, Jack sits down with Patrick Lange of Business Modification Group to unpack what really drives (and drags down) HVAC and plumbing valuations. Patrick has sold 149+ trades companies and shares straight-talk on multiples, owner bottlenecks, service vs. construction mix, and how buyer profiles—and the June SBA SOP changes—are reshaping deals. If you’re eyeing an exit (or your next acquisition), this one’s a masterclass in reality over rumor.

Patrick explains why many $1M-revenue shops get stuck (perfectionist owners doing everything), why “20× multiple” stories are almost always misleading, and what separates a $5–8M exit from a $2–3M fire sale. We dig into geographic effects (why the Southeast—and Tennessee—often trades hotter), price discipline, clean books, and building repeatable systems that survive the owner stepping back.

📩 Jackquisitions Newsletter — Your favorite source for how to buy small businesses. Real insights, smart strategies, zero gurus.

🖊️ Sign up HERE

💼 Shoutout to Quick Staffers LLC

Hire trained HVAC & plumbing CSRs at a fraction of the cost.

🔥 $1,000 off your first placement HERE

💼 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

🎙 Host: Jack Carr

🎙 Guest: Patrick Lange

Send us a text

Jackquisitions Newsletter — Your favorite source for how to buy small businesses. Real insights, smart strategies, zero gurus.

🖊️ Sign up HERE for more insights


📢 Enjoyed the episode?
✅ Like, Comment & Subscribe for weekly insights on business acquisitions, deal flow, marketing, and growth strategies!

📌 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 part two, Jack sits back down with Chris Cisneros of Diamond Plumbing—this time diving deep into acquisitions, market entry strategy, and leading seasoned techs as a 23-year-old service manager. Live from the Miami Meetup, they unpack how to decide between greenfield vs. acquisition, what it really takes to keep teams post-close, and how to think about radius, logistics, and install crews when you’re expanding into Palm Beach County from Miami–Broward.

They talk real risks (like “everyone quit in week one”), LOI-to-close learning, buying profit on day one vs. recruiting from scratch, and the sales-first approach Chris uses to win buy-in from techs in their 30s and 40s.

💡 What You’ll Learn

• Greenfield vs. Acquisition: When buying a book of business beats starting from zero—and when it doesn’t
• Team Retention Post-Close: Why size and maturity of the target matters for culture conversion
• Market Mapping: Using a 2-hour radius, jump points, and install-crew logistics to enter adjacent counties
• Recruiting Alternatives: When a dedicated recruiter outperforms an acquisition—for headcount only
• Change Management: A sales-led playbook for earning respect as a younger leader
• From LOI to Day 1: What to learn before you write the check (and how to avoid six years of trial-and-error)

💼 Shoutout to Appletree Business Services

HVAC and plumbing pros—ditch tax surprises and unresponsive accountants. Appletree handles your books, taxes, payroll, and acquisitions, and they know tools like ServiceTitan cold.
🎁 Get a free tax & financial review or 10% off a QOE report.
👉 Book a call HERE tell Patrick Jack sent you.

💼 Shoutout to Quick Staffers LLC

Hire trained HVAC & plumbing CSRs at a fraction of the cost.
🔥 $1,000 off your first placement

💼 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

🎙 Host & Guest

Host: Jack Carr — https://x.com/thehvacjack

Guest: Chris Cisneros — Diamond Plumbing (IG & LinkedIn: Chris A. Cisneros)

Send us a text

Jackquisitions Newsletter — Your favorite source for how to buy small businesses. Real insights, smart strategies, zero gurus.

🖊️ Sign up HERE for more insights


📢 Enjoyed the episode?
✅ Like, Comment & Subscribe for weekly insights on business acquisitions, deal flow, marketing, and growth strategies!

📌 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 JackQuisitions, Jack sits down with Chris Cisneros of Diamond Plumbing live at the Miami Meetup. Chris shares his incredible journey from selling marketing services door-to-door at just 13 years old to building a fast-growing plumbing business alongside his father. What started with one truck and a thrift store breakroom office has now expanded into a multi-truck operation with a warehouse, a growing team, and lessons learned the hard way.

Chris opens up about the struggles of running a business without mentorship, the costly mistakes of ignoring office systems, and how mentorship, sales training, and overseas staffing transformed their business. From convincing his father to embrace modern sales practices to scaling with virtual CSRs, this conversation is packed with practical insights for operators navigating the messy middle of growth.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

• Why mentorship can shorten years of painful trial-and-error
• How PPC and digital marketing fueled growth—even as a teenager
• Lessons from transitioning a one-man shop into a scalable business
• The importance of shifting focus from fieldwork to office systems
• How overseas CSRs and AI can create near 24/7 coverage
• Why emotional selling and sales training are game-changers in home services
  
  

💼 Business Modification Group —
The go-to business brokers for trades companies. Whether you’re buying or selling HVAC, plumbing, or electrical businesses, we help you navigate valuations, find deals, and close successfully. Get a free valuation as a buyer or seller and join our exclusive distribution list for the best opportunities in the trades market.
👉 Get Your Free Valuation Here
For Sellers:
For Buyers:

💼 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

🎙 Host: Jack Carr
🎙 Guest: Chris Cisneros

Send us a text

Jackquisitions Newsletter — Your favorite source for how to buy small businesses. Real insights, smart strategies, zero gurus.

🖊️ Sign up HERE for more insights


📢 Enjoyed the episode?
✅ Like, Comment & Subscribe for weekly insights on business acquisitions, deal flow, marketing, and growth strategies!

📌 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 JackQuisitions, Jack sits down in Akron, Ohio with Matt, who just closed on his very first acquisition: a 75-year-old HVAC and refrigeration company outside Pittsburgh. Fresh off the Breaking $5 Million workshop, Matt walks through the whirlwind of his first six weeks as an owner—what it’s like to take on a $2M deal, why he valued stability over chasing top-line growth, and how he’s transitioning from a career in big tech and Amazon Web Services to running a boots-on-the-ground service business.

From sourcing the deal through a broker, to navigating retrades when revenue dipped, to managing seller relationships and earnouts, Matt shares the hard realities behind closing his first SBA-backed acquisition. He explains how he de-risked the deal with real estate, why he insists on fixed legal pricing next time, and why building something steady for his family and community matters more than chasing 500% growth curves.

💡 What You’ll Learn:
How to source and negotiate your first small business acquisition
Why stability and history can outweigh chasing the biggest revenue number
Creative ways to de-risk a deal through real estate and seller notes
Lessons in managing brokers, lawyers, and SBA lenders
Why leaving a W2 for business ownership is a bet on yourself
How to build a company that supports your family, team, and community

💼 Business Modification Group —
The go-to business brokers for trades companies. Whether you’re buying or selling HVAC, plumbing, or electrical businesses, we help you navigate valuations, find deals, and close successfully. Get a free valuation as a buyer or seller and join our exclusive distribution list for the best opportunities in the trades market.

👉 Get Your Free Valuation Here
For Sellers
For Buyers

📩 Jackquisitions Newsletter — Your favorite source for how to buy small businesses. Real insights, smart strategies, zero gurus.

🖊️ Sign up HERE

💼 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

🎙 Host: Jack Carr
🎙 Guest: Matt Wynne — Winning Services, Pittsburgh PA

Send us a text

Jackquisitions Newsletter — Your favorite source for how to buy small businesses. Real insights, smart strategies, zero gurus.

🖊️ Sign up HERE for more insights


📢 Enjoyed the episode?
✅ Like, Comment & Subscribe for weekly insights on business acquisitions, deal flow, marketing, and growth strategies!

📌 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 JackQuisitions, Jack catches up with Chris Barr, who returns with a hard but valuable update: his most recent deal is officially dead. After months of diligence, capital invested, and a strong connection with the sellers, Chris made the tough call to walk away when the risk profile jumped too high. What could have been a dream business became a cautionary tale about what happens when books don’t line up, multiples stop making sense, and the juice just isn’t worth the squeeze.

Chris shares the emotional side of killing a deal, why it sometimes feels like “paying tuition” in the acquisitions school of hard knocks, and the critical lessons he’ll carry into his next LOI. From working capital debates to due diligence missteps, this conversation is a masterclass in knowing when to say no—without losing sight of the bigger goal.

💼 Business Modification Group —
The go-to business brokers for trades companies. Whether you’re buying or selling HVAC, plumbing, or electrical businesses, we help you navigate valuations, find deals, and close successfully. Get a free valuation as a buyer or seller and join our exclusive distribution list for the best opportunities in the trades market.

👉 Get Your Free Valuation Here
For Sellers: [https://businessmodificationgroup.com/jq/]
For Buyers: [https://businessmodificationgroup.com/listings/?statuses=ACTIVE]

📩 Jackquisitions Newsletter — Your favorite source for how to buy small businesses. Real insights, smart strategies, zero gurus.

🖊️ Sign up HERE for more insights

💼 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

🎙 Host: Jack Carr — https://x.com/thehvacjack
🎙 Guest: Chris Barr

📈 Keywords: small business acquisitions, dead deals, due diligence, working capital, risk mitigation, sunk cost lessons, acquisition strategy, ETA, service business growth

📌 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 o

Send us a text

Jackquisitions Newsletter — Your favorite source for how to buy small businesses. Real insights, smart strategies, zero gurus.

🖊️ Sign up HERE for more insights


📢 Enjoyed the episode?
✅ Like, Comment & Subscribe for weekly insights on business acquisitions, deal flow, marketing, and growth strategies!

📌 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 JackQuisitions, Jack sits down with Jeff Bates, a Michigan-based operator who went from running trucks in the heat to owning and growing multiple HVAC companies. After years at Lennox and a crash course in small business while working for his father-in-law’s trucking company, Jeff and his partner decided to jump into ownership themselves.

Their first deal came in 2022 with RNL Heating & Cooling, a legacy business with real estate included. But the story didn’t stop there—just a year later, they acquired Hurside Heating & Cooling through a broker connection. Along the way, Jeff shares the reality of SBA financing, why branding and location matter more than you think, and how “Day One calls” convinced him to buy vs. build.

From navigating tuck-ins to learning the power of the supply house counter as the ultimate networking hub, Jeff walks through what it really takes to expand through acquisition while keeping culture strong.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

• Why Jeff chose buying over building—and the immediate payoff of legacy customers
• How to use supply houses and parts counters as a secret due diligence tool
• The tradeoffs of including real estate in an SBA-financed acquisition
• Branding pitfalls: when a company name works against you
• The importance of a no-asshole policy in preserving culture
• Why tuck-ins remain the best strategy for consistent HVAC growth

💼 Business Modification Group —

The go-to business brokers for trades companies. Whether you’re buying or selling HVAC, plumbing, or electrical businesses, we help you navigate valuations, find deals, and close successfully. Get a free valuation as a buyer or seller and join our exclusive distribution list for the best opportunities in the trades market.

👉 Get Your Free Valuation Here

For Sellers

For Buyers

Jackquisitions Newsletter — Your favorite source for how to buy small businesses. Real insights, smart strategies, zero gurus.

🖊️ Sign up HERE for more insights

💼 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

🎙 Host: Jack Carr
🎙 Guest: Jeff Bates

Send us a text

Jackquisitions Newsletter — Your favorite source for how to buy small businesses. Real insights, smart strategies, zero gurus.

🖊️ Sign up HERE for more insights


📢 Enjoyed the episode?
✅ Like, Comment & Subscribe for weekly insights on business acquisitions, deal flow, marketing, and growth strategies!

📌 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 JackQuisitions, Jack sits down with Matthew Railla, a former wine industry operator turned termite company owner. After years running his family’s winery, Matt discovered business brokerage through his brother-in-law—and eventually listed a highly profitable termite inspection company. When buyers kept passing due to its relationship-driven, project-based model, Matt had a realization: What if I bought it myself?

From that October 2023 “aha” moment to closing in June 2024, Matt navigated creative SBA financing, licensing requirements, and a stubborn seller’s attorney to acquire Top Termite. Now, he’s growing the business, expanding service areas, and exploring new B2B offerings—all while sharing lessons for first-time buyers.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

• How an industry outsider found and bought a business through brokerage work
• Why some profitable companies still struggle to find the right buyer\
• How to structure a partial buyout with only 5% down (under 2024 SBA rules)
• The role of trust, relationships, and reputation in non-recurring revenue trades
• Key team members every first-time buyer should have on their side
• The mindset shift from “doing it all yourself” to leaning on experts
  
  🎙 Host: Jack Carr — [https://x.com/thehvacjack]
  🎙 Guest: Matthew Railla — matt@toptermiteco.com | LinkedIn: Matthew Railla

Jackquisitions Newsletter — Your favorite source for how to buy small businesses. Real insights, smart strategies, zero gurus.

🖊️ Sign up HERE for more insights

💼 Business Modification Group — The go-to business brokers for trades companies. Whether you’re buying or selling HVAC, plumbing, or electrical businesses, we help you navigate valuations, find deals, and close successfully. Get a free valuation as a buyer or seller and join our exclusive distribution list for the best opportunities in the trades market.
💼 Business Modification Group —
The go-to business brokers for trades companies. Whether you’re buying or selling HVAC, plumbing, or electrical businesses, we help you navigate valuations, find deals, and close successfully. Get a free valuation as a buyer or seller and join our exclusive distribution list for the best opportunities in the trades market.

👉 Get Your Free Valuation Here
For Sellers
For Buyers

Send us a text

Jackquisitions Newsletter — Your favorite source for how to buy small businesses. Real insights, smart strategies, zero gurus.

🖊️ Sign up HERE for more insights


📢 Enjoyed the episode?
✅ Like, Comment & Subscribe for weekly insights on business acquisitions, deal flow, marketing, and growth strategies!

📌 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.