Blending Marketing Expertise with Neighborly’s Values, Franchisee John Sulentic Thrives With Aire Serv
John R. Sulentic’s marketing experience gave him a leg up as an Aire Serv franchisee. “I worked at a full-service marketing agency, focusing on national brands. My role was to help connect brands to people, and that aided my transition into business ownership,” he says. Today Sulentic helps connect his own company, Aire Serv of Boca Raton, Fla., with residential and commercial customers needing repair and installation of heating, air conditioning and ventilation equipment, water heaters and more.
“The marketing agency prioritized a people-first approach, encouraged taking ownership in your work, and enabled an entrepreneurial spirit,” providing Sulentic with a model for a winning culture. “And while I loved working there, I always wanted to start my own business. I realized that starting from scratch without the support of a strong franchisor would be challenging, which is why I was naturally attracted to the franchise model.
“At the marketing agency, I had become familiar with Neighborly, having worked on marketing for its Junk King and Molly Maid franchises.” Sulentic ultimately zeroed in on Neighborly’s Aire Serv brand after working with a franchise consultant.
Investing in a business with a welcoming, supportive culture was a priority. “I genuinely love the culture at Aire Serv. In many organizations, codes of values are often just words on the wall, but here, they truly stand behind them. This was very important to me because of the culture I was used to at my previous company. It was strong, filled with love and felt like a family. I feel the same way here, and I couldn’t be happier with the culture at Aire Serv.”
Prioritizing Culture
Sulentic wants his Aire Serv, which opened last March, to echo that culture. “I strive to promote a people-first organization. I always treat people with respect. I want this to feel like a family, and if I notice any toxic or negative behavior, I address it directly and make necessary changes. My goal is to create a fun working environment for the team, which currently consists of two technicians, one customer service representative and myself. I do sales, customer service, marketing, quality control, accounting, etc.,” he says.
The Day-to-Day
“I’m always on the go, tackling what seems to be a never-ending checklist. I typically start by reviewing our scheduled appointments and ensuring the trucks are stocked with everything needed to be successful. I then go on estimates and visit customers’ houses to ensure quality work and complete satisfaction. In between, I’m responding to emails, returning missed calls, and constantly seeking new ways to get the phone to ring and book more appointments.”
That last responsibility takes perseverance. “Getting the phones to ring is crucial and incredibly challenging. Understanding my local market while trying to stand out in the already-crowded AC industry has been my most significant hurdle.”
Sulentic expects to leap that hurdle and grow. “I plan to scale the business by first establishing a strong foundation and implementing the most effective processes to run the business. Once I’m confident in these areas and the demand requires it, I plan to add an operations manager and a salesperson. Then I’ll grow the fleet by adding trucks and technicians. My goal is to hit $10 million in annual revenue, and I won’t stop until I get there.”
Aire Serv stood out because of its unique culture, support network and customer-focused approach.
Aire Serv Advantage
In choosing his franchise, “Aire Serv stood out because of its unique culture, support network and customer-focused approach. While it’s clear that everyone needs AC, not all AC companies are created equal. Customer satisfaction varies significantly depending on who performs the work and the process they follow.”
Sulentic also recognized the growing demand for these services. According to the Washington Post, record-breaking heat waves and rising temperatures have spiked demand for HVAC services as homes and businesses need reliable cooling systems more than ever. Franchisees like John Sulentic are ready to meet this demand with timely repairs, installations and dependable solutions for hotter climates. This trend has boosted both the HVAC industry and the Aire Serv franchise, opening doors for growth and community impact.
Aire Serv further strengthens its customer appeal because it has no overtime charge, offers anytime service and up-front pricing, and gives its customers on-the-way alerts to minimize wasted wait time. Customers and potential franchisees alike appreciate that 32-year-old Aire Serv is an established brand with 210 units in the U.S. and Canada.
For more information, visit https://franchise.neighborly.com/aire-serv.
