u/SoftwareToHVAC

Hi all. I'm currently a remoter programmer but previously worked in HVAC as a residential service tech. I switched to make more money when I got married. Considering getting back into the trades for ownership reasons, now that I have capital; would have done it before but we just weren't saving any money.

HVAC is the obvious choice here, but I've also been doing some research on garage doors, and frankly I'm super intrigued by the trade's balance of defined scope (relatively easier to train techs, easier to scale) and emergency need / higher ticket replacements (like HVAC).

Would I be in idiot to launch a garage door business instead of looking into what I already know?

Working on a garage door repair service concept.

Is it possible to build a brand off a time period? Thinking 80s, Stranger Things nostalgia vibes.

Any recommendations for where to look for a business owner mentor / expert to review my business plan?

Has anyone used SCORE?

Planning my next business. I know Facebook community groups / Nextdoor are a potential job source, but who has time to scour these groups all day?

I assumed there were companies that will "monitor" groups for you and send you alerts, and I've found a few. Essentially you pay them, tell them which groups to monitor for your keywords, and then they text you or email you when someone posts asking for your service.

One quote was "starting at" $99 / month. It's a cool idea, but I'm wondering: has anyone actually tried any of these services with success?

Specifically looking at home services: HVAC / Garage Doors, etc.

Thanks for any real feedback; not selling a service.

Hi all, I'd like to get into garage doors as a small owner operator. No previous experience, but have owned my own landscape design build company and have experience in HVAC service.

What looking to attend Mount On Site's one week residential course and then build my own garage and practice there, then launch part time while keeping my day job.

Not trying to knock the trade, but it does seem relatively straightforward and this is the appeal.

Is this a route folks have successfully gone down? Not opposed to working for someone else for a period of time, but launching part-time with my current job would be ideal.

Thanks!

I'm interested in learning more about garage doors. I have several years in mechanical service work (HVAC) and a few years in landscaping. I have a day job that I wouldn't be quitting.

Are smaller owners interested in guys who can help out on Saturdays or evenings? Trying to figure out how to explore the industry.

Brief Context:

Married, early 40s, remote laptop class job at risk to AI and political changes. Previously Army officer, landscape franchise owner, and HVAC service tech. No debt, 4 kids, wife stays home. Rural NC ~45 minutes to 1m + metro. Really itching to start another business when I retire from the Reserve at 46.

Comparison:

HVAC:

• Would need to quit my day job and re-enter the field for a period of time.
• Larger capital investment up front.
• Hot attics
• Hard to scale / tech shortage.

Garage Doors:

• Gain experience on the weekends / Side-hustle it until it replaces income.
• Easier to scale / train techs
• Lower investment threshhold.
• More niche / less aggregate demand

I'd appreciate any feedback. I'm trying to grow a business that my kiddos might inherit / run / work in as the get older.

I'm happily married with 3 additional children now, but ten years ago, my oldest daughter's mom and I split up right after our daughter was born. She broke up with me. We had a year long custody / move away battle that I lost. I closed my business and surprise moved to their new state to be close to my daughter.

She fought me for custody here too, but we finally got to 50-50 schedule when our daughter was like 3. We've had that schedule since. We still do everything separately, and even thought I've come to see my responsibility in the situation, I still hate my daughter's mom.

My ex got pregnant 8 months ago and had her induction this week. I thought briefly of how nice it might be - God forbid - that something happen.

On Tuesday, during work, the day she went in for her induction, I felt a strong compulsion to pray for her in the early afternoon. Like I sense of "if you don't pray for her, your daughter's mom will die." No guilt, just a very matter of fact voice speaking to me.

I wrestled with it for a few seconds, felt a "wall" - nope, can't do it - but then I did, I prayed for a safe delivery, mostly for my daughters sake. It felt like an act of forgiveness. I wouldn't say it was forced, if felt more like God's will, and not my own, doing the lifting. Hard to describe.

Anyway, my daughter used my phone to text her mom yesterday, since we hadn't heard anything, and my daughter told her mom how she cried herself to sleep on Monday because she thought her mom would die during the delivery. Her mom responded by saying everything was okay, and even sent a photo of my daughter's new sister.

Cool.

Well, today her mom texted me, saying it was semi-urgent we talk. I immediately thought she might ask to move again.

Then asked me if I could keep our daughter a few extra days this week, because, as it turns out, the delivery did not go well. She had a placental abruption and had an emergency C section. Apparently baby and mom were within minutes of dying. Before the general could kick in, she was being cut open.

Everyone is doing good now, baby is still in NICU, but both baby and mom are doing well.

After the call I broke down crying. I know it's not me, but I feel in this weird way that had I not prayed for her, she would have died. That same voice that spoke to me earlier is still saying that my prayer was the one that was needed.

I know it can all be a coincidence, but man, this is the second time in my adult life I have felt what I can only describe as the voice of God speaking to me.

Wanted to share. Just very surreal.

Thank you Lord, for having mercy on me, a sinner.  Please pray for everyone mentioned.