Back in May 2001, The News introduced readers to Bowen Refrigeration, Heating & Cooling of Muskegon, Mich. The company was the winner of The News' "Do You Want to Grow Your Business?" contest. Owners Don and Jennifer Bowen had entered the contest hoping for a chance to increase business and boost profits with a little help from Ruth King, currently CEO of ProNetwork.TV Inc., an information company serving the HVAC and plumbing trades. As the winners of the contest, the Bowens received some one-on-one sessions with King as part of the package.
King recommended a stepped-up effort to sell residential and commercial service agreements as part of her expert advice. Other suggestions included adding new accounting and dispatching software.