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Starting and scaling an HVAC business isn’t easy—especially in competitive markets like Southwest Florida. Yet in just over two years, Catalyst Air Conditioning has grown from two founders to 9 trucks and 18 employees.
In this interview, owners Kris Bollinger and Alexis Munoz share how they built Catalyst Air Conditioning, the foundational decisions that fueled their rapid growth, and the lessons other HVAC contractors can apply to scale smarter and faster.
From High School Friends to Business Partners
Kris and Alexis’ story starts long before Catalyst Air Conditioning existed.
The two met in high school and stayed connected throughout their careers in the trades. While Alexis built his background in HVAC, Kris spent years in roofing. Although they worked for different companies, they frequently collaborated on projects—especially commercial jobs where HVAC systems and roofing naturally intersected.
Over time, they realized two things:
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There was a strong market demand for quality HVAC services.
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Neither of their companies was aligned with the direction they wanted for their careers.
After years of conversations about working together, they decided to build something of their own—combining experience, trust, and a shared vision.
Launching an HVAC Company the Right Way
Catalyst Air Conditioning officially launched in 2023, but the planning started much earlier.
Originally, Kris and Alexis planned to go live in late 2022. However, Hurricane Ian hit Southwest Florida and forced them to pause. Instead of rushing to open, they used the unexpected delay to do what many contractors skip: build a strong foundation.
That meant:
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Getting operations and systems in place
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Preparing relationships with technicians and vendors
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Laying the groundwork for marketing and brand awareness
When they finally launched, they didn’t start from zero. People already knew Catalyst Air Conditioning was coming.
Growth Timeline: From 2 Owners to 9 Trucks
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Year 1 (2023):
The business started with just Kris and Alexis.-
Kris handled office administration and operations
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Alexis was in the field handling service calls
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First 2–3 Months:
They hired their first technicians quickly due to high demand in Southwest Florida. -
Today:
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9 service trucks
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18 employees
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Rapid, controlled growth built on systems—not chaos
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Living in a region where air conditioning is essential gave them a market advantage, but experience and execution made the difference.
The Power of Local Trust and Community
One of the biggest advantages Catalyst Air Conditioning had was deep local roots.
Both owners grew up in the area, and over the years they built strong relationships with:
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Homeowners
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Contractors
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Industry professionals
That trust translated directly into early customers and early hires. When Catalyst opened its doors, the community was already willing to give them a chance—something many new HVAC businesses struggle to earn.
Lesson for contractors: Local authority and reputation can outperform big ad budgets when leveraged correctly.
Early Marketing: What Worked (and What Didn’t)
Like many HVAC business owners, Kris admits marketing was not his background.
In the beginning:
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They had no Facebook presence
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Kris didn’t even have a personal Facebook account
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Everything was learned by researching what other HVAC companies were doing
Marketing Channels They Tested:
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Google & SEO (recognized early as critical)
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Angi / Angi Ads
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Facebook marketing (handled by a local partner)
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Industry referrals and trade show connections
Rather than trying to do everything themselves, they partnered with people who understood the home service industry—saving time and avoiding costly mistakes.
Why SEO Became a Priority
Through conversations with trusted peers in the trades, Kris and Alexis learned a hard truth:
HVAC companies that dominate Google win the long game.
After meeting Plumbing & HVAC SEO through a mutual connection and seeing real-world results from other contractors, they decided to invest in long-term digital visibility rather than chasing short-term leads alone.
The takeaway is clear:
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Paid leads can help early
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SEO builds predictable, scalable growth
Lessons HVAC Business Owners Can Learn from Catalyst Air Conditioning
Catalyst’s growth wasn’t accidental. It was intentional.
Key Takeaways:
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✅ Build a foundation before scaling
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✅ Leverage local reputation and trust
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✅ Don’t ignore SEO early—it compounds
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✅ Hire help instead of guessing with marketing
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✅ Focus on systems, not just trucks
For HVAC contractors looking to grow beyond referrals and plateaus, Catalyst Air Conditioning is proof that smart planning beats rushed expansion.
Final Thoughts
Catalyst Air Conditioning’s story shows what’s possible when experience, relationships, and strategy come together. From high school friends to owners of a fast-growing HVAC company, Kris and Alexis built something sustainable—not just busy.
If you’re an HVAC contractor looking to:
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Generate more consistent leads
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Scale your team with confidence
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Dominate your local market online
The right foundation makes all the difference.
Interested in growing your own plumbing or HVAC business?
At Plumbing & HVAC SEO, we help companies like Warhold dominate their market through digital marketing, SEO, and automation strategies that generate more booked jobs and repeat customers.
👉 Schedule a Free Strategy Session to see how we can help you build your own success story.
