Jack Carr has become one of the most recognizable voices in the HVAC industry through his role as co-host of the Owned & Operated podcast and his remarkable journey from corporate facilities maintenance executive to successful HVAC business owner. Known as @TheHVACJack on social media and CEO of Rapid Response Heating & Cooling, Carr's story of leaving a high-paying corporate job to start an HVAC business has inspired countless entrepreneurs in the home services sector. He recently launched Jackquisitions, further expanding his influence in the HVAC acquisition space.
From Executive to HVAC Entrepreneur
Jack Carr's entrepreneurial journey began with a powerful realization about work-life balance and family priorities. Working in facilities maintenance, he was waking up at 4 or 5 a.m., leaving before his newborn son was awake, and returning home after the child was already in bed. This grueling routine made him realize he didn't want to live a life where he never saw his kids.
The turning point came during his hour-long morning commutes when he discovered podcasts like "Buy Then Build," which introduced him to Brent Bashorn and the concept of acquisition entrepreneurship. Around the same time, Carr was running a bitcoin mining farm, which he sold for a significant amount of money, providing the financial cushion needed to take a couple of years off and explore business ownership opportunities.
His background in facilities maintenance at wineries proved crucial in his business choice. The extensive cooling needs for wine storage required subcontracting refrigeration work because Carr didn't understand the complex theory and systems behind it. This knowledge gap became his "aha moment"—if he found refrigeration challenging with his technical background, others probably did too, creating a potential competitive moat for an HVAC business.
Building Rapid Response Heating & Cooling
Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Jack Carr founded Rapid Response Heating & Cooling with a strategic focus on the complexities of refrigeration systems. His company specializes in both residential and commercial HVAC services, leveraging his understanding that refrigeration theory remains a complex topic that creates natural barriers to entry for competitors.
The business selection process involved extensive research and travel. Carr spent time exploring opportunities across Texas and Tennessee, examining various refrigeration companies and sending out several Letters of Intent (LOIs). Interestingly, some of the companies he initially tried to acquire are now his direct competitors in the Nashville market.
Co-Host of the Leading Home Services Podcast
Since 2021, Jack Carr has served as co-host of the Owned & Operated podcast alongside John Wilson, founder of The Wilson Companies. The partnership brings together two successful home service business owners who provide weekly podcasts and daily content with multiple perspectives and actionable advice.
The podcast has become essential listening for HVAC, plumbing, and electrical contractors looking to scale their operations. Carr's unique perspective as both an acquisition entrepreneur and hands-on operator adds valuable depth to the show's content, particularly for episodes covering business acquisitions, operational challenges, and growth strategies.
Launching Jackquisitions: Expanding HVAC Acquisition Expertise
In addition to running Rapid Response Heating & Cooling, Jack Carr recently launched Jackquisitions, a new venture focused on HVAC business acquisitions. This expansion demonstrates his commitment to helping other entrepreneurs enter the HVAC industry through strategic acquisitions, sharing the knowledge and experience he's gained from his own journey.
Jackquisitions represents the natural evolution of Carr's expertise in acquisition entrepreneurship, providing a platform to help others navigate the complex process of buying and building HVAC businesses. This venture positions him as not just a successful operator, but also as a facilitator for others looking to enter the home services industry.
Expertise in HVAC Business Strategy and Acquisitions
Jack Carr's content and podcast appearances consistently focus on practical, implementable strategies for HVAC business growth and acquisition. His areas of expertise include:
Work-Life Balance: Carr's decision to leave corporate was driven by family priorities—he now has breakfast with his family every morning and dinner with them most nights, despite working more hours overall.
Strategic Industry Selection: His choice of HVAC was strategic, recognizing it as a recession-resistant industry where people prioritize essential services like heating and cooling over discretionary spending.
Competitive Advantage: Understanding that refrigeration theory creates a natural moat due to its complexity, helping differentiate his business from competitors who avoid challenging technical work.
The HVAC Industry Thought Leader
Through his podcast platform and social media presence as @TheHVACJack, Carr has established himself as a trusted voice in the HVAC community. His content consistently addresses the real challenges facing HVAC business owners, from managing seasonal demand fluctuations to implementing effective marketing strategies.
Unlike industry commentators who focus purely on theory, Carr's advice comes from active involvement in running HVAC operations. This practical experience resonates with business owners who need solutions that work in real-world scenarios, not just in business school case studies.
Content Creation and Industry Impact
Beyond the Owned & Operated podcast, Jack Carr creates content specifically focused on HVAC business growth and acquisition strategies. His articles and episodes cover topics such as:
- How to quit a high-paying job to start an HVAC business
- Making successful first HVAC acquisitions
- Managing HVAC demand during extreme weather conditions
- Integrating B2B and B2C marketing strategies for maximum effectiveness
This content has helped position Carr as an authority on HVAC business acquisition and operations, particularly for entrepreneurs looking to enter the industry through acquisition rather than starting from scratch.
Lessons from the Front Lines
What sets Jack Carr apart from other business advisors is his willingness to share both successes and failures. His transparency about the challenges of his first acquisition—including the mass exodus of technicians on day one—provides valuable lessons for other entrepreneurs considering similar paths.
Carr's journey demonstrates that success in the HVAC industry doesn't require decades of technical experience. Instead, it requires business acumen, operational discipline, and the willingness to learn whatever skills are necessary to succeed.
Future Vision and Industry Influence
As the HVAC industry continues to evolve with new technologies, changing customer expectations, and consolidation pressures, Jack Carr's voice provides valuable perspective for independent contractors and small business owners. His focus on practical growth strategies and acquisition opportunities helps level the playing field for entrepreneurs competing against larger, well-funded competitors.
Through the Owned & Operated platform, Carr continues to influence how HVAC businesses approach growth, operations, and strategic planning. His combination of acquisition expertise and operational experience makes him a uniquely valuable resource for the home services community.
Jack Carr's story serves as inspiration for career changers, aspiring entrepreneurs, and existing HVAC business owners looking to scale their operations. His journey from corporate executive to successful HVAC entrepreneur proves that with the right mindset and strategic approach, it's possible to build a thriving business in any industry.
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