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Row of classic and muscle cars with their hoods open at a car show, showcasing the engines of vintage vehicles.

Breaking Stereotypes: From Fixing Cars to Running an HVAC Business

Row of classic and muscle cars with their hoods open at a car show, showcasing the engines of vintage vehicles.

Breaking Stereotypes: From Fixing Cars to Running an HVAC Business

Growing up, I never thought twice about getting my hands dirty and learning how to fix things. One of my earliest memories of hands-on work is when my father brought home a 1955 Buick Century station wagon. He told my mother it was an early birthday present for me, but I wasn’t sure how much of that was true. Regardless, I insisted on being part of the entire restoration process to claim some ownership of the car.

Armed with a Chilton Manual—the mechanics’ guide with exploded views and part lists—I helped my father search through junkyards and piece together the parts we needed. Although the car didn’t end up being mine in the end, I walked away with something far more valuable: confidence in working with mechanical systems.

A Day at the Car Show: Revisiting Old Memories

Recently, I had a full-circle moment while attending a car show in Yorktown Heights with my 14-year-old son. At first, he wasn’t interested—saying he didn’t want to look at “a bunch of old cars.” But since he’s a car enthusiast, we decided to make a day of it. We grabbed food from the food trucks, and as we explored the show, I could see the fascination on his face. He was captivated by the classic muscle cars on display, listening to the roar of engines and appreciating the craftsmanship.

Watching him reminded me of my own experiences as a teenager with my father. Those moments spent fixing up the Buick, attending car shows, and getting immersed in the automotive world shaped my love for mechanical systems. It’s what eventually gave me the confidence to start my own HVAC business.

A Chilton repair manual for automotive vehicles, showing detailed instructions, diagrams, and technical information for car maintenance and repairs.
Row of classic and muscle cars with their hoods open at a car show, showcasing the engines of vintage vehicles.
A close-up view of a dirty outdoor condenser coil, clogged with debris and dust, before cleaning as part of HVAC maintenance.

Facing Bias as a Business Owner

Now, as the owner of an HVAC company, I still face those biases that I experienced growing up. Recently, my crew and I were on a job doing a duct leakage test for a customer, and I decided to clean the outdoor condenser coil while they worked. It was part of the work order, and I enjoy cleaning coils. There’s something satisfying about watching the dirt wash away and knowing that I’m helping the system run better.

To my surprise, the customer was upset that I was handling the task myself rather than assigning it to someone else. After we completed the job, he called me, visibly frustrated. He accused us of “rushing” through the job and even questioned my decision to hire subcontractors for certain parts of the project.

 

 

I stayed calm, listened to his concerns, and explained the situation. I let him know that duct leakage testing requires specialized equipment, which is why we subcontracted that part of the job. I also explained that we couldn’t move forward with improving the indoor air quality until we addressed the leaks in the duct system. Far from rushing, we were following a detailed process to ensure everything was done properly. However, this experience reminded me of something important: the customer is not always right. While customer service is critical, sometimes the professional knows best, and it’s our job to educate clients about the right way to do things.

The Nocebo Effect: How Bias Can Impact Perception

This situation reminded me of the nocebo effect, where negative expectations lead to negative outcomes. The customer’s assumptions—that because I was doing part of the work myself, I was cutting corners—had impacted his perception of the job. In reality, we were following best practices and delivering a thorough service.

This experience took me back to my time in junkyards with my father, where I was often questioned: “Are you sure that’s the part you need?” or “Do you really know what you’re doing?” It’s frustrating to have your abilities constantly questioned because you don’t fit the stereotypical image. But those experiences shaped my resilience and gave me the tools to address these situations calmly and professionally.

A close-up view of a clean outdoor condenser coil after professional cleaning, with all debris and dust removed, as part of HVAC system maintenance.

Breaking Stereotypes and Leading with Confidence

As a small business owner, I’ve learned to handle these moments of doubt and bias with patience and professionalism. We all face moments of frustration, but staying calm, educating others, and remaining committed to delivering great work is key. Sometimes, these difficult conversations are an opportunity to shift perspectives and break down stereotypes.

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