He invited me to be his business partner in October of 2007, and we purchased Western Heating & Air Conditioning, out of Orem, Utah. I joined him in this new adventure because I wanted to support my husband and help him with his dream of owning and growing a successful HVAC business.

At that time, I had no idea that I would fall in love with the industry, the people, the partners, the vendors, my customers, the manufactures, the distributors, and so many other amazing organizations in the industry.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of working in HVACR?

The people, hands down. The relationships I’ve made have been so special, and I would not be where I’m at today without the people I’ve met along the way. I have learned so much from other contractors, coaches, consultants, and organizations.

Describe the proudest moment in your career.

In 2016, I lost a very close friend to the effects of postpartum depression. Her friends and family began a nonprofit organization in her memory to help bring awareness and resources to other mothers who were suffering called the Emily Effect. I wrapped one of our service vans to spread awareness and show our support of the Emily Effect. My technicians left behind additional information about the Emily Effect in every home we entered. We shared a portion of the revenue generated from that van with the Emily Effect to help provide resources for mothers. Six years later, we now have an outpatient facility to care for new mothers.

Shortly after we unveiled our Emily Effect van, I was awarded the ServiceWorld Woman of the Year at the very first ServiceWorld. I was so grateful and proud to be recognized for making a difference not only in my community, but in the industry.

What challenges do women face in this profession? Can you give a personal example?

It’s unfortunate, but I feel like many women in our industry face a judgmental bias from others that women do not know or understand as much as men do when it comes to technical and business knowledge in the trades. I have seen my own female technicians belittled and challenged by other technicians, and even by some of our customers. I am so proud of the women at my company who had to work so hard to prove their value and have paved the way for other women to feel comfortable and confident in their technical roles.

How can we increase the number of women in HVACR?

There are three ways you can help increase the number of women in HVACR, and specifically, your own company.

Share what your company does with both men and women. Show that there is a place at the table for all. Use photos of women in your marketing, social media, and on your websites. Let others know that you welcome women on your team and celebrate the women you do have on your team.

Create a culture and an environment that is inclusive and welcoming to women. Take great care to use language that is inclusive of women and is not male-centric. Be respectful and open to the thoughts and ideas that women bring to the table. Create a pleasing physical space for them and make sure they have their own restroom. It’s also helpful to be mindful of family priorities and be flexible as needed.

Create partnerships with the local high schools, trade schools, and other organizations to help introduce HVACR to women. If your organization is not part of Women in HVACR, join today so that you can get access to a wonderful network of women from all areas in HVACR.

What does your day-to-day job entail?

I am very fortunate to work remotely from home on the customer experience team at ServiceTitan. I use my network and industry experience to equip, engage, and empower contractors with business best practices. I work closely with the Torch Network team (customer advocacy), the Community team (customer engagement) and the STCP (certified provider team) and their initiatives. I also advise our internal team on HVAC and home service workflows so they can build a solid product, and understand “contractor” language and needs.

At Western Heating, I am currently serving as the director of marketing, and work closely with my peers in the Friendly Group on our marketing strategy. I work with the team to drive our leads, create brand recognition, and participate in the community.

What remains on your HVACR bucket list — what do you aspire to do that you haven’t accomplished yet?

I am most fulfilled when I am training, speaking, coaching, and helping other contractors thrive in their businesses. I absolutely love an opportunity to make an impact and help others experience the success and joy that I’ve found in the industry. I am looking forward to many more opportunities to work with contractors and hopefully share my experience in a meaningful way.

What advice do you have for females who are considering entering the HVACR field?

This is an amazing industry. I wish I knew 15 years ago how much this industry would impact my life and how the opportunities would unfold. There are so many opportunities from technical, to sales, to communication, to marketing, to business growth. We need your skills, your experience, your voice, and your contributions to help make our industry shine. Find a mentor, join Women in HVACR, and come join us.