Where did you go to school and what did you study?
Amanda went to high school in Broadalbin-Perth and then went to college at Schenectady County Community College. She studied Human Resources and Chemical Dependency Counseling, thinking she would be working with children in the foster system.
How did you get into this industry?
Amanda was hired in an accounting office and within a year was promoted to accounting manager. She developed a passion for “accounting, spreadsheets and numbers,” and really seeing how business operates behind the scenes. She started flipping houses and two flips in, Amanda’s father decided to sell his HVAC company to her in the fall of 2015.
Did you ever work for his company before?
Amanda’s only experience in HVAC prior to taking over the business was what she heard growing up. Since 2016, Amanda has been running the business, learning and growing the company.
What was the transition of ownership like?
After the first 3 months into the transition by May 2016, Amanda implemented new policies and procedures and made some changes. PMA Mechanical was down to 2 employees and she started to wonder if she was cut out to run this company.
Not even thirty days later, after what felt like rock bottom, things began to change. New connections were made, new contracts were signed and grew to 15 employees in the next four months. In this growth, Amanda added residential installations, service and maintenance to the company (previously, they had only done commercial installations). “I always knew right when I took it over that I wanted to figure out how to invade into the residential realm and in the service/maintenance realm.” says Amanda. To break into the residential HVAC market, Amanda spent a lot of time creating a brand and building the company’s reputation. She added a web presence, and built up the company website and social media.
Another major factor that played a role in PMA’s growth is her team. “I don’t think we would be where we are right now… if weren’t for the guys that believe in this company in me as their leader and in themselves to be better.”
What is it like being a woman business owner in the HVAC industry?
“It’s actually really crazy. The thing about it is, I knew very well before I took this over, the competition and amount of HVAC companies who are out there trying to earn each and every customer there is… I knew that we needed to definitely be able to do something different or add a new mix to it in order to have any kind of shot.”
There are a lot of HVAC companies in the area competing for business, so Amanda knew she needed to have something different to stand out. Amanda spends some time every month researching her competitors, reading reviews or service contracts, to see where PMA fits in.
“I could learn what other people were doing wrong, to make sure we had things in place to make sure we were doing them right.”
Every employee at PMA strives for excellence. Amanda knows that having a team that believes in the mission and cares about the customer and work they provide.
The commercial realm, she says, is insane. “I don’t think it’s unfair to say that you can get chewed up and spit out really quickly.” She says you need to be smart, organized and ahead of the 8-ball. For residential, she loves relating to homeowners and build the relationships. “I actually love residential because I love every opportunity we get to make an impression or build an awareness.”
She also adds that there is enough business to go around. “I don’t spend much time worrying about the competition.” Sometimes, she admits, that she gets discouraged. But when she takes a few steps back she realizes many of the other HVAC companies have been in business over 30 years.
When interviewing people for the job, it’s important that they fit in with the team dynamic and company culture. Amanda says that she will know within a day if someone is the right fit based on how they interact with other members of the team. She wants everyone to know that there are values behind her company.
What is a common misconception about owning an HVAC companies?
Amanda often hears, “You’re a woman and you own a heating and cooling company… all of your employees are men… do you even have more knowledge than them? or Do they respect you?” When it comes to running a business, Amanda is very knowledgeable. She says, that she can’t know everything so she puts strategic people in place that help facilitate the operations of the company. These people teach her as well as keep business running.
As for being respected, Amanda holds the respect of all the guys she works with. In fact, any time the guys hears someone talking while they’re out in the field they stand up for her. Amanda knows her guys have her back. “They’re awesome.”
If someone has a problem with their HVAC system, what are some questions they should be asking when they call for service?
Service and maintenance is really important in maintaining the equipment in your home. When they get an emergency call, their first question is always “When did you last have it serviced?” Proper service and maintenance is essential to the longevity and health of that system. It’s not just filter changes or spraying down the outside condenser.
PMA offers a full checklist of procedures. During a routine check, a technician can bring attention to potential issues and prepare the homeowner for upcoming repairs. The heating and cooling system is one of the most expensive home repairs, second only to the roof. It’s important to protect that.
PMA Comfort actually makes their own duct-work in house. They are able to save a lot of money and cut down on costs that way. Their installers have the ability to call in a special piece of duct work should they have a need for it on the job. By having these pieces made in house, they are getting installs done quicker. “Everything is done under one roof here… we do everything except radiant heat and oil furnaces.”
What is a question you are asked when people find out you own an HVAC company?
“How the heck did you learn all that?” Amanda’s answer is “It actually a work in progress.” She has owned PMA Comfort Solutions since 2016 and continues to learn more about the HVAC industry all the time.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Amanda is recently married, so she likes spending time with her family and being outside. She loves driving with the windows down, watching the sunset.
How does PMA Comfort Solutions give back to the community?
At Christmastime, PMA sells t-shirts or mugs to sponsor a child in foster care for the holiday season. Lots of people like to purchase that contributes to such a good cause and even donate beyond their purchase.
What do you do for lunch?
Lunch is the area she struggles with the most. Amanda doesn’t have a scheduled lunch, and scheduling time is something she’s working on. If she doesn’t pack a lunch, she will order delivery from Grub Hub or head out to Wired, a local coffee shop.
Where can people find you and PMA Comfort Solutions on social media?
