Thomas Smith of Weston, Florida, is an entrepreneur and successful business owner. He is the President of All Year Cooling and Heating, an air conditioning company located in Coral Springs, Florida that serves all of South Florida. The HVAC company specializes in the installation and repair of home air conditioning units. Thomas was born in Hollywood, Florida and grew up in Plantation, Florida, where he attended South Plantation High School. From an early age, Thomas Smith was a hardworking self-starter. At nineteen years of age, he was selling cars and quickly bought his own lot. Thomas then successfully managed an operation buying homes and building houses. He returned to the business he grew up around when he became the President of All Year Cooling and Heating.
Thomas Smith has helped All Year Cooling and Heating grow from a small company to a vibrant and established business. Through his leadership, the company has grown into one of the leading air conditioning companies in South Florida. With Thomas residing in Weston, Florida and its business office in Coral Springs, All Year Cooling and Heating serves customers everywhere from Vero Beach to Homestead. Thomas is an exceptional leader, who leads by example. His passion for excellent customer service drives his team to consistently deliver the highest quality work. Thomas ensures that his customers can rely on him and makes himself available any time of day.
Despite a jam-packed schedule as a business owner, Thomas Smith is a devoted family man. He and his wife Erin Smith, along with their four children, live in Weston, Florida where they are involved in many community activities and charitable causes, including Project We Care, a family-based non-profit organization that provides veterans with food, clothing, home goods, and other necessities. Thomas loves to be involved in his kids’ interests—spending time in lacrosse, soccer, gymnastics, or coding—and to spend time with his family making new memories.
What’s the name of your company? What exactly does your company do and how do you help people?
All Year Cooling and Heating is an Air Conditioning and appliance company. We install, maintain and repair HVAC units in homes all over South Florida. Our main goal is to provide the best service possible to our customers. Not only do we want them completely satisfied with the job that was done but we always strive for 100% customer satisfaction overall! We believe in integrity and fairness in everything we do at All Year Cooling and Heating so when you call us for anything you’re guaranteed to get someone who’s ready to help right away. We help people by providing a reliable service that ensures satisfaction and comfort whether it is a residential or commercial job.
What was your motivation for becoming a business owner?
I’ve always been entrepreneurial by nature and I love the challenge of building something from the ground up. When I was 19 years old, I was selling cars and quickly bought my own lot. I then successfully managed an operation buying homes and building houses. So when the opportunity to become the President of All Year Cooling and Heating presented itself, it was a perfect fit.
What are some of your favorite things about being a business owner?
I love the challenge of building something from the ground up and the sense of accomplishment that comes with it. I also enjoy the freedom and flexibility that come with owning my own business.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a business owner?
One of the biggest challenges has been managing growth while maintaining the high level of customer service that we’re known for. As we’ve grown, we’ve had to make sure that our team is equipped to handle an increased workload while still providing the same great experience to our customers.
How do you maintain a work/life balance?
It can be tough, but I make it a priority. I have a great support system at home and at work, which makes it easier. I also make sure to schedule time for myself and my family. Even if it’s just a few hours on the weekend, it’s important to unplug and recharge.
What are some of your favorite things to do in your free time?
I love spending time with my family. We like to go on vacation, go to the beach, and just spend time together. I’m also a big fan of sports. I love playing golf, tennis, and basketball.
What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about becoming a business owner?
My advice would be to go for it! It’s not an easy road, but it’s so rewarding. Just make sure you do your research, put together a solid business plan, and surround yourself with a great team.
What piece of advice do you wish someone had given you at the start of your career?
I wish someone had advised me to always give it my all, but to keep in mind that because everyone starts out in life differently, there is no need to measure oneself against another. Another piece of advice I would provide is to go cautiously and wait until you are certain you are ready for what you desire. It’s crucial to start small and build your way up rather than planning too much at once because you might fail.
What is a habit of yours as an entrepreneur that you would recommend?
Having an excellent companion by my side is the key to my success. One person can’t do everything in life or company, so I’ve come to realize how crucial it is to surround oneself with individuals who are more skilled than me in specific areas. For instance, my business partner, who has a passion for statistics, spends countless hours working on our company’s finances, whereas I choose to spend more time on employee training and client collaboration. We realize that we can’t be successful without one another, therefore we work together to maintain our own motivation every day. We are the perfect complement to one another.
Can you tell us one way that you have grown your business?
I have learned so much about customer service and how to attract new customers through networking. Every chance we get, we try to meet new people and learn as much as possible from them because you never know what kind of opportunities they can provide or who knows, maybe they will become your next client!
What are your goals for the future of All Year Cooling and Heating?
My goal is to continue to grow the company and provide our customers with the best possible service. I’d also like to continue to give back to the community. We’re very involved with Project We Care, a non-profit that provides veterans with food, clothing, and other necessities. I’d like to do more work with them in the future.
What is your favorite quote?
“Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.” -Henry Ford