Member Services By Cody Novini
Should I Go Off On My Own? T
his article is for current employ- ees of HVACR businesses that are considering quitting and going off to start their own gig. This could
be a service tech, installer, office worker, or manager. There are many different reasons some-
one would want to go off on their own. Most considering this major move is because they are unhappy in their current employ- ment situation. Some think they can make more money on their own. Others want to be in control and be the one in charge. While there are many good reason to go start your own company, there are also many bad reasons. I hope to share some deeper food for thought to help guide you through your decision-making, whether to stick it out and stay in the workforce, or to go start your own company. Before venturing off on your own, start
taking night classes after work and on the weekends. Get educated to fully under- stand what is involved in starting your own business. Stay 100 percent committed to your current employer while working for them. But when you are off the clock, it is time to focus on your new side hustle, fig- uring out if starting a business is the right thing for you. If you feel this will take away from your personal time, this will actually be a good test. Starting a new business will be very demanding on your time. Some of the best places to start are
listening to podcasts, reading books, and becoming part of a best practices group. Here are some of the ones I recommend:
To the Point with Chris Yano of RYNO Strategic Solutions (podcast) Change Your Filter with “Tall Paul”
Redman (podcast) Service Millionaire by Tony Mellow
(book) The E-Myth HVAC Contractor by Micheal E. Gerber and Ken Goodrich
Best practice groups are ACCA (of
course!) and Electric and Gas Industry Association (EGIA). Watch James Leitcher and Gary Elekes videos on Profit and Loss
30 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2023
(P&L) statements and other standard busi- ness practices. Do you think your company charges too much? Wait until you see the true costs of running a successful business. Are you educated? This industry is
advancing at lightening speed. Technol- ogy advancements
like Smar AC and
MeasureQuick are next level business “must-haves,” along with technical knowl- edge from ACCA and NCI, and business best practices. If you are not getting edu- cated multiple times a year, the industry is surpassing you. You need to make sure that you have time and capital to support your living and educational expenses as you get up to speed. If you want to start your own business
mainly because you are unhappy at your current employer, ask yourself what you would do differently. Many people start working on their own
because they don’t like their manager. I have to warn you, most people who fall in this category struggle on their own. IF you think your manager makes you perform too many unnecessary steps and you think you can get it done with less work, you should do some real research. Consider why you are required to do so many steps. Why do I have to pull a permit on an install, and put in a new disconnect, and airflow improved filtration? Why do I have to remove the top of the condenser on a tune-up, rather than just spray the outside with a garden hose? There are good reasons for doing the work right. If you plan to cut these corners out, you are doing a disservice to your clients. Of course, you will be cheaper than your competition, but this renders a lower value for HVAC work in general. Starting your own business when it is
not a good choice is a lose-lose! In closing, I leave you with this: Do you
have a business plan? Do you know what a P&L is? Can you handle the stress? Do you have access to enough capital? Or…are you just mad at your current employer? I wish you the best in either direction you choose. Fortunately, you are in an industry of successful leaders willing to share their
THE PROS of starting your own business when it is the right decision to make: You get to improve the industry with your innovation. You get the freedom to create your own way to provide high quality service to your customers. You will grow the industry workforce and help reduce unemployment. You get to bring a new competi- tive edge for your client. You have the opportunity to inspire your team to new levels of personal and professional growth.
THE CONS of starting your own business when it is the wrong decision: You have less income with much higher risk. Your clients do not get the quality of work they need and deserve. The HVACR industry gets devalued by your low pricing. The HVACR workforce is low- ered as you get removed. Your employees do not get the benefits and support that they need.
knowledge. Reach out to your idols and turn them into your mentors by communi- cating and asking the right questions.
Cody Novini, an ACCA board member, owns SoCal Airflow Pros, in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, one of the top- rated companies in their service area and one of only three ACCA Quality Assured (QA) Accredited contractors in their market. You can contact him at
socalairflowpros.com.
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