At 28 years old, Mitch Noto is already a licensed HVAC contractor, business owner, technician, installer, and the creator behind Total HVAC. In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, we sit down with Mitch to talk about what it's really like building a career in HVAC while taking on the responsibility of running a business. Mitch grew up around the trade and eventually stepped into the family HVAC business, but his path wasn't as simple as deciding from day one that HVAC was going to be his career. We talk about how his perspective on the trades changed, getting licensed, taking on more responsibility, and realizing just how much opportunity exists in HVAC. But owning an HVAC company isn't just buying a van, filling it with tools, and waiting for the money to roll in. Mitch gets into the reality of finding customers, advertising, quoting work, ordering parts, handling warranties, underbidding jobs, and figuring things out as you go. Sometimes you quote a job wrong, something unexpected happens, and you have to eat some of the cost, keep the customer happy, learn from it, and move on. We also get into a topic that needs more discussion: young technicians entering the skilled trades. There's no shortage of people saying the younger generation "doesn't want to work," yet we're watching 18-, 19-, and 20-year-olds buy service vans, start companies, learn the trade, and build businesses. They may not approach the industry exactly like the generation before them—but that doesn't mean they're afraid to work. Mitch has also experienced what happens when a young technician walks into a customer's home and immediately has his knowledge questioned because of his age. Sometimes the best response is doing the job, diagnosing the problem correctly, and letting your work prove what you know. We cover: • Growing up around an HVAC business• Becoming a licensed HVAC contractor• Technician vs. business owner mentality• The realities of starting an HVAC company• Finding customers and advertising• Underbidding jobs and learning from mistakes• Young technicians entering the skilled trades• Service work vs. installation• Digital HVAC tools vs. old-school fundamentals• Social media and the HVAC creator community• Creating content while still getting the work done• Handling criticism from people who only see a short clip 🔥 SPONSORED BY VIPER This episode is powered by Viper from Refrigeration Technologies. From Nylog Blue and Big Blu leak detector to coil cleaners, drain treatments, and other chemicals built for HVACR professionals, Viper products are made for technicians who need products that work in the real world. If you're turning wrenches in HVACR, check out the full lineup from Refrigeration Technologies and ask for Viper products at your local HVACR supply house. https://www.refrigtech.com/ Mitch represents a generation of technicians who aren't waiting around for someone else to build their careers for them. They're learning, getting licensed, starting businesses, creating content, networking, and finding their own place in the industry. Whether you're an HVAC technician, contractor, apprentice, business owner, instructor, or someone considering the skilled trades, this conversation has something for you. 🎧 Check out the full episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles. If you enjoy conversations with the technicians, contractors, manufacturers, trainers, and creators actually working in the trades, FOLLOW the show, leave a review, and SHARE this episode with another technician. Would you rather become a top-level technician or eventually take the risk and start your own company? Follow Mitch on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok: Total_HVAC. https://www.youtube.com/@Total_hvac https://www.instagram.com/total_hvac/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@total_hvac Commercial Kitchen Chronicles — The Original Foodservice Equipment Repair Podcast. https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/
