Today we’d like to introduce you to Ralph Streeter.
Ralph, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Before we moved to Georgia, I had tried to venture out on my own businesses. I had two not so successful “lessons”. Luckily, I was accepted back to the same real job twice. I did have a successful “pocket money” business since 1984, but it wasn’t enough to make a living of. My wife and I decided it was time to start over somewhere that was not Maryland.
We visited Jasper, Georgia and knew that was to be our new home. So, I was 52 when we left Maryland, our families and everything familiar and secure. We arrived without jobs. We had bought land and was building a new home. We were having no luck in finding jobs of our liking. My wife suggested I take what I was doing for pocket money in Maryland and make a go of going in business again. I am forever thankful to her for the belief and support.
I realized I could turn over jobs much quicker without having a “real job” cutting into my time. The first 7 months, we only made about 1/5 the income we made in Maryland. It was scary. Fast forward 5 years to the present…I am single, earning more than when I left Maryland, expanding the business and “living the good life”.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road to HVAC Consulting and Design took a few turns before getting where I am today. The original name I used for my businesses was R L Streeter Enterprises. It was used cover my Home Inspections business in Maryland and my HVAC service business, and now it lives on under another purpose.
We started the business in a spare bedroom of the rental home in Tate. After we made it into the new home business started to grow by leaps and bounds. At the same time my wife and I started down different paths in life. This created distractions that challenged my focus on life and business. We still supported each other’s interests as best we could, but ended walking our own paths. Bummer.
With the increase in business, I was struggling to keep up. I didn’t want the responsibility of employees or franchising. I had a couple meetings with the University of Georgia- Small Business Development, they put the business on two paths of growth.
Create a new company name that is clear about what I provided and use the original name for the second path. HVAC Consulting and Design is currently the bread and butter, but R L Streeter Enterprises is the future. Instead of hiring or franchising, we came up with a business model. This business model can be sold to set up individuals in their own business. In turn I would be able to start shifting some of my backlog to their business. My biggest challenge at this time is that I am so busy that I haven’t had the time to put into the new venture. A good problem to have.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about HVAC Consulting and Design – what should we know?
HVAC Consulting and Design does just that. In short, I am a consultant for most things HVAC and I design systems to meet customers comfort needs.
I mainly design residential heating and cooling systems, duct designs and sizing, and proper equipment selections. My designs are used to provide the end user with a system they can live with for a long time. HVAC is a huge investment. They shouldn’t rely on “This how we have always done it” or “Maybe we could step you up the next size equipment just in case”. You wouldn’t buy a car without due diligence, so why spend thousands of dollars on your comfort without knowing what you are being sold. After all, “Size Really Does Matter”
There are three main components to the packages I provide; Manual-J: the actual heating and cooling loads on your home based on building materials, location and orientation. The Manual-D; Duct design and sizing assures that, if the ducts are installed ‘properly’ the HVAC System is delivering the comfort to where you need it and in the right quantities. In between these calculations, but not done as often as I think it should be, is the Manual-S; System selections based on the Manual-J calculations. This assures that the equipment you spent your hard-earned money on is the correct size and can deliver the proper amount of air. I could go on about System selection for hours.
This is a niche business. There are a few of us out there, but what sets me apart, from my point of view, is my customers would rather wait than switch. From my customers feedback I provide the best service offered in this trade. I draw from my 30+ years to provide the packages. On top of that I can troubleshoot equipment/duct problems, make recommendations over a wide range of manufacturers, consult on humidity and ventilation issues, train people to do what I do, and rarely leave any customer hanging. If I don’t know an answer to a question I will typically seek out the answer and get back to the customer. This is two-fold “added value service”- I learn something new that I can share when the subject comes up again and it makes me a first call for information which is an opportunity to gain more business. I think it is this service that has built my following over the years (Thank you, Uncle Harry).
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Although I started this as an added value for my customers it wasn’t without inspiration. My parents instilled in all of us kids and attitude of good work ethics and a need to leave things better than we found them. All the while paying it forward. If we made money along the way, great! My parents supported everything I chose to do. That is not to say they liked all of my choices, but I was always supported
This was carried on by my Drafting teacher. He shared the same values. Even though I am no longer drafting plans I read them as part of my business.
When I got into HVAC I knew nothing about the parts and purposes of the trade. My boss, my uncle, Harry Tate was the greatest influence to how I provide customer service. I quote him almost daily… “Every person you meet is a potential customer, so learn to read people”, “You do not need to know everything- you just need to know where to find the answers. Then pass them on. You learn and they learn to come to you,” “Never back down from a challenge. You may regret it the rest of your life by thinking ‘what if I didn’t do that.'”
Thinking back I have always been surrounded by supportive, inspiring people. This fact came to light later in life, although it has, literally, always been there.
My greatest thanks goes to a former wife, Gabrele Elise. She pointed out that my beliefs attracted the kind of people that surrounded me. She was the inspiration to actually put this business to the test. This is after she has already been through two other solo ventures that, well, turned out to be “lessons”. She was the reason we pulled the trigger on moving to Georgia. I guess for my being my own boss the 3rd time was the charm.
I had a customer, as a salesman, that asked my “why would you give up everything that works to move and risk life on a ‘maybe’. This question coming from a millionaire was an inspiration as well. To paraphrase my Uncle Harry my answer was easy… “I do not want to an old man, sitting in my rocking chair, telling the story of my life to my grand-children. ‘You know I had the chance to (choose a subject). I was afraid to risk it. Instead, I can sit back and say ‘I had a chance to (same subject-or not). I decided I would risk it and 1- It was the dumbest thing I ever did, but I survived and learned a lesson, or 2- It was the greatest turning point in my life. I am so glad I did.” No matter the choice made or path taken it is where we are today.
Pricing:
- Manual-J: typical home with 1 or 2 systems $250.00
- Manual-S: Each system $75.00
- Manual-D: Each system $75.00
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hvacconsultingdesign.com
- Phone: 706-669-5374
- Email: ralph@hvacconsultingdesign.com
- Facebook: HVAC Consulting and Design
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