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• Stay informed and flexible: monitor industry trends and legislation to adapt quickly. Everyone wants to save on their electricity bills, with air conditioning being the most expensive part. What products are available? What services can you offer?
2. PREPARING FOR PERSONAL CHALLENGES Life events like a critical illness or injury can be devastating for any business owner. Are you prepared for such challenges?
Your health: This goes without saying, but how healthy are you? And when last did you go for a check-up and tune-up of your body? Gents, thinking that you are okay, and‘ built tough’ like a Ford is not a good strategy. It’ s a positive mindset, yes! But it’ s not a fail-safe.
Insurance is essential: While having public liability insurance for your business is one thing, you need to have insurance on yourself. Speak to a trusted advisor to find out about the different types of insurance available, such as:
• Disability insurance: protects your income if you’ re unable to work
• Critical illness cover: provides financial support during recovery
• Key person insurance: ensures your business can continue operating even if you’ re unable to contribute
Delegate and build a team:
• Train staff or trusted colleagues to handle operations in your absence
“ As owner-managers of businesses, we’ re trained to solve problems on-site.”
RACA Journal I October 2025
• Create clear processes for tasks like quoting, invoicing and customer communication
• Consider hiring an office manager or outsourcing admin and finances
Plan for the worst:
• Draft a succession plan – who will take over your business if you can’ t run it anymore?
• Keep all essential business information – like contracts and passwords – organised and accessible to your trusted team or family.
3. RETHINKING YOUR BUSINESS AS YOU AGE Air conditioning is a physically demanding job. As you gain experience, you may find that your priorities, energy levels and goals shift. How will your business evolve as you grow older? Here are a few examples of how you could leverage your expertise in the years ahead:
• HVAC consultant: works with architects, builders or homeowners during the planning stage of renovations and new builds
• Home inspector: helps clients ensure their HVAC systems meet regulations
• Project manager: oversees HVAC projects, co-ordinate teams and ensure work is completed to standard and on schedule
• Trainer or educator: teaches apprentice technicians or run training workshops
• Specialist roles in niche areas: advise businesses and homeowners on energy-saving technologies; focus on the installation and maintenance of energy-efficient systems
• Equipment rental or retail business: rents out specialised tools or open a shop to sell HVAC materials
• Sales: work with suppliers to sell HVAC products backed by your hands-on knowledge.
• Industry advocate or adviser: works with trade associations, advisory boards or government agencies to influence HVAC standards and policies
• Franchise owner: licenses your business model if there is something unique and valuable about the specific work that you do
4. BUILDING YOUR LEGACY In between managing day-to-day life, at some point, you might ask yourself: What will I leave behind? Whether it’ s for your
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