From Operator to Owner: The Shift That Breaks the Growth Ceiling

From Operator to Owner: The Shift That Breaks the Growth Ceiling

Most business owners don’t stall because they lack effort — they stall because they’re still operating the business instead of owning it.

In this episode, Chris sits down with Josh Dukes and Erin Jones, founders of One Residential, to unpack the lessons that helped them break through that ceiling and build a business that grows through people.

Serving the MD / VA / DC market, One Residential will finish 2025 with:

• 685 closings
• $308M in volume
• $7.1M in revenue

🔑 What You’ll Learn

• Why trying to be everything to everyone limits growth
• How to balance collaboration with decisive leadership
• When your “client” shifts from customers to your people
• How letting go multiplies leadership, impact, and culture

🧠 The Big Shift

Operators succeed through personal effort. Owners succeed through people, systems, and leadership.

Josh & Erin share how making that shift changed everything — and what they’re still learning as owners today.

🎯 Who This Episode Is For

• Small business owners
• Service-based operators (HVAC, plumbing, trades, etc.)
• Leaders who feel like they’re the bottleneck in their business

🎙️ Why This Conversation Matters

Josh & Erin have broken through a ceiling most operators never escape — and for the past year and a half, Chris has coached them through that transition.

If growth has started to feel heavier instead of freer, this episode is for you.