Air Treatment Company had been in business for years when Jim Griffin and Dan Simpson bought the company from Dan’s uncle in 2020. They both wanted to make a good thing even better. “When we bought it, I’d worked there for about seven years, and we saw an opportunity to make it bigger, better, and more profitable,” says Dan.

Air Treatment Company (www.air-treatment.com) provides comprehensive maintenance, repairs, and replacements on air and heating units. Their goal is to keep customers’ homes comfortable and provide efficient, effective service.

Jim and Dan were not sure where to start when buying the company, so they reached out to the Mason SBDC. “I didn’t know what I didn’t know,” Jim admits. He met with his advisor, Timm Johnson. “The first visit, I came in as a deer in the headlights and left there somewhat confident that we could do this,” Jim says.

Working with the SBDC helped Jim and Dan secure a $1.5 million loan, increase their sales by $1.3 million, create six jobs, and retain 19 employees. They plan to use their loan to purchase commercial real estate in the future.

Jim and Dan are proud of the company’s positive culture, both for employees and customers. “When a customer has a complaint or a concern, we fix it immediately, and we usually do a little more than what they ask,” says Dan. Regarding employees, he adds, “I can make the people around me feel appreciated by giving them the things they deserve and the things that make them feel important. So, when I walk through the door, I feel like it’s a work family.”

Jim explains that the SBDC “can help with a wide variety of different areas, not just the actual initial purchase or startup,” citing human resources and advertising as other supports provided.

“Somebody who’s thinking about going into business for themselves should know that they’re welcome [at the SBDC],” Dan adds. “They’ll be happily received and given good guidance.”

Jim and Dan have already referred other business owners to the SBDC and will continue to utilize its resources as Air Treatment Company grows.