I’ve been in the HVAC industry since 2017, but my first time on a job site was way back in 2011 when I was just 14 years old. Over the years, I’ve really only worked for two HVAC companies, but both shaped me in major ways.

The first was a small, custom home–focused HVAC outfit where I spent a little over six years. During that time, I gained a tremendous amount of knowledge—starting as the guy grabbing tools and eventually becoming the lead installer on multi‑million‑dollar homes. I learned duct design, service work, duct installation, fireplaces, mini‑splits, architectural sheet metal, and small light‑commercial systems. That company gave me the foundation for everything I know today.

After six years, I wanted something bigger and more challenging, so I joined one of the largest HVAC companies in town. Not long after I started, my foreman realized I wasn’t a typical employee. He put me in charge of running a three‑story bank project, where I managed a crew of eight—two journeymen and six apprentices. That job taught me a lot about leadership. I learned quickly that you can’t treat everyone the same; people have different strengths, work ethics, and learning styles. Developing those people skills was huge for me.

When that project wrapped up, I helped on a massive weld job, which taught me the importance of time management. Without it, that project never would have finished on schedule. From there, I worked on several more jobs: a nutrient center, a prison where we added a rooftop unit, a community‑owned animal shelter, and finally a Christian school.

After completing all these projects, I realized something important: a lot of people in this industry don’t care about craftsmanship or quality the way I do. I got tired of hearing “It’s just another job” from the office, the owners, and even the field workers. That mindset didn’t sit right with me. That’s when I decided it was time to start my own HVAC outfit—one built on pride, quality, and real craftsmanship.