RJ Magee | Scaling a Home Service Company the Right Way

What does it take to scale a family business into a multi-brand platform? In this episode of the Entrepreneurial CEO Podcast, Andrew Gerhart sits down with RJ Magee, CEO of Sierra Group, a growing group of residential service companies specializing in HVAC, plumbing, and electrical. RJ shares his journey from working in his family’s HVAC business, starting in the shop and the field, to leading an organization with more than 400 employees across multiple markets. RJ discusses Sierra’s shift from new construction to a service-driven model after the Great Recession, the challenges of building a B2C culture, and the lessons learned while scaling the company. He also talks about partnering with private equity and growing the business from $16 million to over $100 million in revenue. The conversation explores how implementing MAP systems such as Vital Factor Dashboards, Goals and Controls, and team consulting helped create accountability, alignment, and stronger leadership across the organization. RJ also shares insights on leadership development, building a growth-focused culture, and why great people are the key to successful acquisitions. In this episode, Andrew and RJ will discuss: (00:00) Introduction to RJ Magee and Sierra (01:00) The Evolution of Sierra: From Family Business to Multi-Brand Leader (05:02) Navigating Change: The Shift from B2B to B2C (09:36) Implementing MAP: The Journey to Accountability and Alignment (12:06) Leadership Transformation: From Operator to Visionary (14:21) Challenges of Family Business Dynamics (16:32) Post-Acquisition: Navigating Change with Private Equity (18:07) Future Goals: Scaling and Creating Opportunities (20:21) Identifying Growth Opportunities: The Search for New Acquisitions (22:01) The Key to Growth: Leadership Development and Team Empowerment (24:00) Integrating MAP into New Acquisitions (25:52) Advice for Founders: Letting Go and Hiring Right RJ Magee is the CEO of Sierra Group, a growing platform of residential service companies specializing in HVAC, plumbing, and electrical services across multiple U.S. markets. A second-generation HVAC professional, he began his career working in his family’s business in Las Vegas, gaining hands-on experience in the shop and the field before moving into leadership. Under his leadership, the company has expanded from a single operation into a multi-brand organization, driven by a focus on leadership development, strong culture, and strategic growth. Magee holds a finance degree from Texas Tech University and an MBA from Syracuse University. Connect with RJ: Website: https://sierracoolslv.com/ LinkedIn:   / rj-magee-997ab524   Email: [email protected] Follow the Entrepreneurial CEO Podcast: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/entrepreneurial-ceo-podcast YouTube:    / @entrepreneurialceopodcast