In this episode of Bring the Moxie, I sit down with Brandon, Recruiting Manager at Comfort Temp and Vice President of the Gainesville Air Conditioning Contractors Association (GACCA), for a conversation about something every growing business eventually faces: people, change, and the future of the workforce. Brandon brings nearly 20 years of experience in talent acquisition and management to an industry facing a major challenge — finding and developing the next generation of skilled tradespeople. We talk about why businesses can’t expect to grow without being willing to change, why hiring the right people matters just as much as having the right equipment, and how organizations like GACCA can help strengthen the HVAC industry across North Central Florida. We also dig into the changing perception of the trades, apprenticeships and the idea of “earn while you learn,” and why skilled careers in HVAC, plumbing, electrical, construction, and other trades can provide incredible opportunities without following the traditional four-year college path. And, of course, we get into AI — not as something that necessarily replaces skilled workers, but as a tool that can make them faster, smarter, and more efficient. As Brandon puts it, people may not be replaced by AI as much as they are replaced by people who know how to use AI better. Along the way, we talk entrepreneurship, leadership, embracing change, the value of curiosity, building a legacy, and taking pride in being able to drive past something and say: “I built that.” It’s a conversation about the people behind the businesses, the future of the trades, and why being willing to learn, adapt, and execute might be one of the most important forms of bringing the moxie. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit joehancock1.substack.com