Christopher Mickey is a seasoned entrepreneur from New Port Richey, Florida, with a passion for business, innovation, and real estate investing. As the owner of Airheads HVAC, a successful air conditioning business he founded to address a gap in the market, Christopher has grown into a leader in energy-efficient HVAC solutions. His entrepreneurial journey began in the restaurant industry, where he transformed a struggling pizza franchise into one of the top performers. After selling his restaurant holdings, he and his wife embarked on flipping over 545 homes, which has given him invaluable insight into both real estate and the construction industry. Christopher’s success stems from setting clear priorities, continuous learning, and building strong relationships. Outside of work, he’s actively involved in community service and philanthropy.
What inspired you to start Airheads HVAC, and what gap did you see in the market?
The idea for Airheads HVAC came out of necessity. While flipping houses, my wife and I kept running into the same issue: finding a reliable, customer-focused air conditioning service was difficult. Either the work was overpriced, or the service was subpar. We were constantly delayed on projects because we couldn’t find HVAC companies that would meet our needs on time and within budget. It was frustrating.
I saw an opportunity there—if we were having this problem, I knew others were, too. So, I decided to start my own HVAC company that focused on reliability, transparency, and energy-efficient solutions. Airheads HVAC was born to fill that gap and ensure that clients, whether they’re homeowners or real estate investors, could trust us to deliver on our promises. Our goal has always been to combine quality work with excellent customer service, something that I felt was missing in the market.
How did your experience in the restaurant industry help shape your approach to running an HVAC company?
Running a pizza franchise taught me a lot about business—especially about customer service, efficiency, and operations. When I took over that Westshore Pizza franchise, it wasn’t performing well, and I had to figure out how to turn things around quickly. I learned how to streamline processes, manage costs, and, most importantly, connect with customers on a personal level.
These lessons were invaluable when I started Airheads HVAC. Customer service is everything, regardless of the industry. Whether you’re serving someone pizza or installing an AC unit, how you treat the customer can make or break your business. I applied the same principles of building relationships and providing value in my HVAC business. I also brought over operational insights—things like how to manage staff, keep overhead low, and ensure the quality of work remained high. The fundamentals of running a business are the same, no matter what product or service you’re offering.
What is one trend in the HVAC industry that you think will define the future?
Energy efficiency and sustainability are the future of HVAC. People are more conscious than ever about their energy consumption and how it impacts both their bills and the environment. The demand for eco-friendly solutions, like smart thermostats and energy-efficient HVAC systems, has been growing rapidly.
At Airheads HVAC, we’ve made it a priority to stay ahead of the curve in offering these sustainable solutions. For example, customers are looking for systems that not only cool their homes but also help them reduce their carbon footprint. I’m excited about the direction this is heading because it aligns perfectly with where I see the market going and what I want for the future of my company. We’re constantly researching and integrating the latest technologies to ensure our clients get the most efficient and environmentally responsible systems.
How do you stay productive and manage your time with so many businesses and responsibilities?
Time management has always been one of my biggest challenges, especially when you’re running multiple businesses and trying to balance that with personal life. The key for me has been setting clear priorities and being very intentional with my time. I start every day with a plan—what I need to accomplish, what meetings are essential, and what tasks can be delegated. Delegation is huge. When I was younger, I thought I could do it all myself, but now I know how important it is to trust my team and empower them to handle responsibilities.
I also make sure I reserve some time in my day for “big picture” thinking. It’s easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day, but I believe in setting time aside to think about long-term strategy and where I want the businesses to go in the future. As for personal time, I make sure to carve out time for my family and hobbies. That balance keeps me from burning out.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about starting a business in the trades, like HVAC?
The first thing I’d say is to make sure you’re passionate about what you’re doing. Running a business—especially in the trades—takes a lot of hard work, and you need to have a real drive for it to push through the tough times. HVAC, for example, is a hands-on industry, and you’ll face plenty of challenges, from managing staff to keeping up with regulations and staying competitive in a crowded market.
The second piece of advice is to focus on customer service. No matter how good you are at the technical side of things, if your customers don’t trust you or don’t feel valued, you won’t last. Building strong relationships and providing excellent service is what creates loyal clients and, ultimately, long-term success.
Finally, invest in learning. The trades are evolving, especially with the shift toward greener technologies. If you’re not continuously learning and adapting, you’ll fall behind. Stay curious, stay humble, and don’t be afraid to seek mentorship or guidance from those who have been there before you.
What is one failure in your career, and how did you overcome it?
One of my earlier failures was an investment in a small restaurant chain that didn’t pan out as expected. I went in with a lot of optimism but not enough research or due diligence. I ended up losing a significant amount of money and time. It was a tough lesson, but I learned the importance of thoroughly vetting opportunities and never rushing into something just because it “sounds good.”
To overcome that failure, I took a step back, reevaluated my approach, and doubled down on what I knew best: real estate and HVAC. The key takeaway was that you have to stick to what you’re good at and scale that. I also realized that failure is part of the journey—it’s not the end. It taught me resilience, and I applied those lessons when building my other businesses. I became much more cautious, but also more confident in making smarter, calculated risks.
What is one strategy that has been crucial in growing your businesses?
The most important strategy has been building a strong network. In every business I’ve been involved in, from flipping houses to HVAC, relationships have been key to growth. Whether it’s relationships with clients, suppliers, or employees, having a solid network makes all the difference.
For example, when we were flipping houses, knowing the right contractors, real estate agents, and even neighbors helped us move faster and get better deals. In the HVAC business, it’s all about maintaining good relationships with customers so they come back and refer you to others. Word of mouth is incredibly powerful in this industry, and treating people right has helped Airheads HVAC grow consistently.
Another crucial strategy is focusing on repeat business and service contracts. By offering customers long-term maintenance agreements and priority service plans, we not only retain customers but also create a steady stream of revenue. It’s a win-win because customers get peace of mind, and we build ongoing relationships that keep us top of mind when new HVAC needs arise.
When you feel overwhelmed or need to refocus, what do you do?
When things start to feel overwhelming, I like to step away from the business for a bit. It might sound counterintuitive, but sometimes the best way to refocus is to take a break. I’ll go for a walk, spend time at the beach house, or just disconnect for a day. It gives me the mental space to think more clearly and come back with a fresh perspective.
Sometimes, all it takes is that brief reset to remind yourself why you’re doing what you’re doing and to tackle problems with a clearer head. Another thing I’ve found helpful is talking to mentors or people I trust for advice. A fresh pair of eyes or a different perspective can make all the difference when you’re feeling stuck.
What is one business idea you think holds potential for the future?
I think there’s a huge opportunity in expanding the service contract model for HVAC into a subscription-based business. Imagine customers paying a flat monthly fee for all their HVAC needs—maintenance, repair, and even system upgrades. It would give them peace of mind, knowing they’re covered year-round, and provide a predictable, recurring revenue stream for the business. It’s a win-win.
People are getting used to subscription models in so many other industries, like streaming and even car maintenance, so why not HVAC? If you can build a network of customers who trust you and see the value in long-term service, this model could scale quickly. Plus, with the growing focus on energy efficiency, offering customers regular upgrades or maintenance on newer, greener technologies would only add to the appeal.
How do you manage to stay up-to-date with industry trends and innovations?
I’m a big believer in continuous learning. The HVAC industry, like many others, is constantly evolving with new technologies, regulations, and trends. To stay competitive, I make sure I’m always reading up on the latest innovations, attending industry seminars, and networking with other professionals.
For instance, I’ve recently invested time in learning more about smart home systems and how they integrate with HVAC to offer better energy management for homeowners. I also rely on my team—they’re out there on the front lines, and their feedback is invaluable in keeping me informed about what’s working and what’s changing in the industry