If We Started Over Today, These Are the Businesses We'd Buy

If We Started Over Today, These Are the Businesses We'd BuyWhat’s the best home service business to start in 2026?In this episode of Owned and Operated, John Wilson and Jack Carr break down the industries they'd bet on if they had to start over from scratch today. From HVAC, plumbing, and electrical to restoration, landscaping, roofing, septic, and even trash collection, they debate which businesses offer the best combination of recurring revenue, profitability, scalability, and long-term enterprise value.The conversation dives into what actually makes a great business: recurring revenue vs. high-ticket projects, cash flow vs. enterprise value, ease of hiring vs. ease of selling, and which industries are positioned to win over the next decade. Along the way, John and Jack share lessons from building, acquiring, and investing in service businesses, and reveal which opportunities they're most excited about right now.If you're looking to buy a business, launch a company, or expand into a new trade, this episode offers a practical framework for evaluating where the best opportunities exist today.What You'll Learn:→ What makes a great home service business in 2026→ Why recurring revenue businesses are so attractive→ The tradeoffs between cash flow and enterprise value→ Why restoration may be one of the most underrated opportunities today→ The pros and cons of roofing, landscaping, septic, pest control, and more→ Which business John and Jack would personally choose if they had to start over tomorrow————————————————🔗 CONNECT————————————————John Wilson → https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbwilson1/Jack Carr → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-carr-home-service/Owned and Operated → https://www.ownedandoperated.com————————————————💰 SPONSORS————————————————💼 Big Reputation — Stop chasing reviews and watching competitors outrank you. Big Reputation is the AI-powered review + SEO platform built for home service pros. Automate review generation, respond with AI, track local SEO, and integrate with your CRM. Setup is free, and your first month’s on the house.👉 Book your demo: https://www.bigreputation.ai/oao 📞 Sponsored by Quo — The Modern Business Phone for Service ProsMissed calls mean missed business. Quo (formerly OpenPhone) is the AI-powered phone system that logs calls, creates summaries, and automates follow-ups — keeping your team connected and customers happy.?🎁 Start your 7-day free trial and get 20% off your first six months at https://quo.com/owned Send Us Mail!More Ways To Connect with O&OJohn's Podcast YouTube ChannelOwned and Operated Newsletter Bonus Videos From JohnLeave a ReviewJohn Wilson, CEO of Wilson CompaniesJack 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.