Today we’d like to introduce you to Richard Shaw.
Richard, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am Cuban American and I was born and raised in Miami, Florida, in a family that taught me the values of hard work, resilience, and faith. Life wasn’t always easy—I faced my share of setbacks, including many that could have stopped me in my tracks. I eventually moved forward in my career by joining AirPros USA in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. With them, I had the opportunity to grow quickly. They moved me to Texas where I served as a national liaison, working closely with newly acquired companies that my boss was purchasing. My job was to instruct and guide those teams—teaching them processes, ensuring standards were met, and making sure operations were being done the right way. From there, I was relocated again, this time to Atlanta, to serve as the General Manager of an all-new location that wasn’t an acquisition. But despite the effort and responsibility I poured into the role, I was ultimately fired.
That moment was a turning point for me. I was stuck, because at the time I had taken my father—who couldn’t walk and was in the dying stage of his life—from Texas to Atlanta. He couldn’t survive another move, so I had no choice but to stay in Atlanta. Going back to Miami wasn’t an option. I got a new job working for ARS in sales, but eventually they fired me for texting and driving. That was it. That was the final push. Not long after, my father passed away—just before I opened Shaw Air. He never got the chance to see me win, and that pain lit a fire in me. I decided right then and there that I was going to start my own company, and I was going to make it. From the very beginning, I made a promise to myself that customers would always be at the core of everything. Seniors and veterans would receive special treatment, and I would run things my way—built on honesty, integrity, and determination. That’s how Shaw Air was born.
Starting Shaw Air was far from easy. My personal credit challenges meant I couldn’t lean on loans or investors, so every step forward came from reinvesting what little profit I made back into the business. I spent long days in the field working on systems, and long nights at home handling calls, paperwork, and scheduling. There were moments when it seemed like the hurdles were too high—financial struggles, legal setbacks, and even times when I doubted if I could keep the doors open. But faith, determination, and an unshakable belief in my mission kept me moving.
Through it all, my mother, Mercedes, has been by my side. She’s a senior herself, battling chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), while also raising two very young children in her care. Despite her health challenges, she has never stopped supporting me. She has been there at every step of the journey—not only encouraging me but also helping Shaw Air fund jobs when cash flow was tight. Her strength and sacrifice have been a foundation for me. Watching her fight for her own health, care for children, and still show up for me and my business has been one of the most powerful inspirations in my life. She reminds me daily why Shaw Air exists: to treat people with the same care, dignity, and respect she deserves.
Today, Shaw Air has grown into a trusted name in metro Atlanta. We’ve built a loyal customer base because people know we stand by our work and our word. Whether it’s a small repair in a family home, a full system installation, or a large commercial project for a medical facility, we bring the same level of craftsmanship and care every time. We’re now also stepping into federal contracts, expanding the reach of Shaw Air into larger projects that will strengthen our reputation and open new doors for growth.
Looking back, I can see that every setback prepared me for this. Losing my father before he could see me succeed was one of the hardest parts of my journey, but it also pushed me to honor him by building something lasting. At the same time, having my mother by my side—despite her own battles—has been one of the greatest blessings. I pray every day that soon she will be able to transition from Miami to Atlanta, where she can finally live with me in peace. My promise to her is that I will take care of her and the kids, and that they will always be okay—even one day, when God forbid, she passes.
Shaw Air is not just about business; it’s about impact. I’m working to launch a nonprofit that will provide seniors and veterans with free HVAC installs using reconditioned equipment, giving dignity and comfort to those who might otherwise go without. Beyond that, I’m investing in innovation. I’m developing a home energy sensor—a simple but powerful chip—that will allow families to better understand their home’s efficiency, track comfort, and prevent costly problems before they happen. To me, this is the future: combining service with technology and community care, so that no family is left behind.
Shaw Air is not just my story, it’s my family’s story. It’s proof that second chances can lead to something greater. My goal now is to continue growing, to keep serving families and businesses across Georgia, and to leave behind a legacy of quality, honesty, and service that will last long after me—a legacy that honors my father’s memory, fulfills my promise to my mother, and creates a better future for the people we serve.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has been anything but smooth. From the very beginning, I was building Shaw Air without the safety net that most business owners rely on—no loans, no credit lines, no investors. Because of my past financial struggles, I had to rely on sheer determination and reinvesting every single dollar I earned back into the business. That meant there were times I had to decide whether to pay myself or buy the materials needed to complete a job.
On top of the financial challenges, life was happening all around me. I lost my father right before opening Shaw Air, which left me carrying the weight of his absence while trying to create something he never got to see. My mother, battling chronic lymphocytic leukemia while raising two very young children, stood by me the whole way, even helping fund jobs when money was tight. Balancing her health, the needs of the kids, and the demands of a new business was a test of strength, patience, and faith.
Then came the battles within the industry itself. Competing with much larger companies that have access to endless marketing budgets and financing has never been easy. I’ve had to win customers over not with flashy advertising, but with trust, honesty, and delivering results. Along the way, I’ve also dealt with subcontractors who cut corners, walked off jobs, or tried to undercut me in front of my clients—situations that not only cost me money but also put my reputation on the line. Each time, I had to step in, finish the work myself, and prove to the customer that Shaw Air would never leave them hanging.
And on top of all that, I’m a new resident of Atlanta. I came here from Miami with no network, no reputation, and no name recognition in this city. I wasn’t the local guy everyone knew and trusted—I was a stranger trying to build a business in a place where customers had no idea who I was. That meant every single job was an audition. Every handshake, every estimate, every install had to speak louder than my lack of history here. It forced me to go above and beyond on every project, because proving myself wasn’t optional—it was survival.
There were also the personal sacrifices. I’ve worked seven days a week for years—days in the field, nights on paperwork—while facing legal setbacks, personal attacks, and the constant uphill battle of proving myself in an industry dominated by bigger companies with deeper pockets.
But every challenge shaped me. Those obstacles gave me a tougher skin and a stronger faith. Instead of breaking me, they built the foundation of who I am today—a business owner who knows how to weather storms, keep promises, and never lose sight of the customers and community that I serve
As you know, we’re big fans of Shaw Air. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Shaw Air is more than just an HVAC company—we’re a service-first business built on honesty, craftsmanship, and community care. We specialize in heating and cooling installations, replacements, repairs, and ductwork for both residential and commercial properties. What sets us apart isn’t just the quality of our work, but the way we approach every job: with integrity, transparency, and a promise to treat our customers like family.
We’re known for going above and beyond to make sure our customers are taken care of, not just sold to. Many companies focus on upselling or pushing products that people don’t need—we focus on providing the right solution, at the right price, the first time. Seniors and veterans in particular are at the heart of our mission. They’ve sacrificed and given so much, and we show our respect by tailoring services to meet their needs and budgets.
One of the things I’m most proud of is the trust Shaw Air has built. In just a few years, we’ve gone from being the new name in town to being a company that people call first when their comfort is on the line. We’ve handled everything from family homes to medical facilities, and now we’re stepping into federal contracting opportunities that will allow us to serve at an even greater scale.
But our vision doesn’t stop there. Shaw Air is preparing to launch a nonprofit branch that will provide free installs of reconditioned HVAC systems for seniors and veterans who otherwise might not be able to afford them. On top of that, we’re developing new technology—a home energy sensor chip that will help families monitor their system performance and home efficiency in real time, giving them the power to prevent costly breakdowns and save on energy.
And with that, I want readers to know this: no matter what situation you’re in, you can make it. I’ve faced just about every roadblock imaginable. I was incarcerated in Florida for four years, and even that did not stop me. I’ve been knocked down more times than I can count, but I’ve refused to let my past define me. Instead, I’ve used it as fuel to build Shaw Air and prove that you can rise, you can rebuild, and you can win. If I can do it—with every reason not to—then anyone can.
What I want readers to know is simple: Shaw Air is built on heart. We’re not just here to keep your home or business comfortable—we’re here to give you peace of mind, knowing you’ve got a team that values your trust above everything else.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up in Miami, I was the baby of five kids. My mother wasn’t around much in my early years, not because she didn’t love us, but because she had to work two jobs to keep a roof over our heads and make sure we lived the life she wanted for us. She sacrificed so much, and looking back, I realize how hard she fought to give us opportunities she never had.
My father was present, but not always in the way a child hopes for. He spent most of his days on his computer. From him, I did learn valuable things—especially about computers and technology—but he didn’t have the patience that most fathers have. Our relationship was complicated, but even in that, I picked up knowledge and lessons that stayed with me.
Because of this, I spent nearly all my childhood days with my sister Patti. We were inseparable, and in many ways she raised me until I was about 14. She was my world growing up, and we had an unbreakable bond. Unfortunately, over time, as she started a new chapter in her life with her husband, our relationship changed, and eventually she stepped away from my life. Even though it’s not the same now, I will always hold on to those memories because she shaped so much of who I became.
I also look up to my sister Brigitte, who is one of my greatest inspirations. She is a physician assistant and owns South Florida Sinus and Allergy Center with her husband, Lee Mandel. Seeing what they have built together motivates me every day to keep pushing forward with Shaw Air, because I want to achieve that same level of success, professionalism, and impact.
Then there are my twin sisters, Nicole and Natalie. They’ve been through many of the same struggles I’ve faced, and I hold them close to my heart. I continue to stand by them, working with them so that they can grow into the best versions of themselves.
The truth is, I don’t talk to my sisters nearly as much as I would like to. Life, distance, and struggles sometimes get in the way. But each one of them is very important to me, and I carry them with me in everything I do.
As for me, I was always creative and curious. At one point, I even pursued modeling, which gave me confidence and opened doors to new experiences. Later, I went to Miami International University of Art & Design to study film and digital production. I loved the creativity of the industry, but over time I lost confidence in my place there. It wasn’t the path I was meant to take, but it gave me valuable skills and a different perspective on storytelling, design, and presentation—things I still use today as a business owner.
As a kid, I was curious, independent, and sometimes stubborn, but I learned to lean on family when I needed it most. My siblings shaped me in different ways—some by standing beside me, others by inspiring me from a distance, and others by reminding me what resilience looks like. Those family dynamics, combined with my mother’s sacrifices, gave me grit, perspective, and the relentless drive I carry with me today. It also shaped how I treat my customers: with patience, respect, loyalty, and the kind of care that comes from knowing the value of family
Pricing:
- Free in-home estimates — every job starts with transparency and clear communication.
- Competitive system replacements — we price fairly against larger competitors while offering higher-quality craftsmanship.
- Seniors and veterans always receive a minimum 10% discount, and in many cases much more.
- Buy an AC, Get a Furnace Free” seasonal promotions for homeowners.
- Flexible financing options available to fit different budgets. • Custom solutions — no “one-size-fits-all” pricing; every project is tailored to the home, the system, and the budget.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.shawairga.com
- Instagram: Shaw.air
Image Credits
The first picture of me
In front of van is by Marla Smith
