James Sinclair opened AirSouth Cooling and Heating in March 2015 with one truck and one employee – himself. His marketing efforts consisted of driving Highway 49 North and South until someone called the phone number on the side of his truck.
With perseverance and determination Sinclair’s efforts paid off. AirSouth now has a fleet of 68 trucks with 128 employees and counting.
The company’s goal and vision permeate every level of AirSouth, from the moment a customer walks in the door to employee paperwork and conference room displays. Sinclair wants to provide good service in a timely manner, providing a good working environment for his employees while creating long lasting relationships with his customers.
After completing high school Sinclair knew he wanted to open an AC/heating company and he wanted it in his hometown of Mendenhall. However, he had no knowledge of the industry at that time. He moved to Louisiana and learned the trade as he did not want to learn from someone locally with the intent of being a competitor. While there he also met his wife Martha. They have one daughter, Caroline.
While headquartered in Mendenhall, AirSouth services the whole state of Mississippi and sometimes out of state as well. The initial desire to plant AirSouth here had to do with the number of underserved people in rural areas. Sinclair adds, “We are happy to go where we are asked.”
The company has enjoyed rapid growth in the seven years since opening its doors. Sinclair explained, “We started with air conditioning and heating. We were having clients repetitively asking us for additional services. There’s nothing worse than telling someone, ‘No, I can’t’.
“Our goal was to grow into that. We’ve been blessed to be able to bring on some very skilled tradesmen that are certified and very proficient and efficient at providing those additional services whether it is plumbing or electrical. Their skill far exceeds what they’re doing currently.” Sinclair is utilizing their expertise to oversee and develop this next endeavor. He continued, “We want to have everything that our client needs. Our vision is to grow into offering full plumbing and electrical services but taking baby steps to get there. We believe that if there is someone that can do it better, we shouldn’t offer it. That’s why we’re doing one thing at a time, one step at a time.”
Because each rig is fully equipped, technicians are dispatched from their home rather than the central office. This allows AirSouth to service a much larger area rather than simply Simpson County and the surrounding areas. It also creates more efficiency and productivity.
AirSouth has seen two physical plant expansions in recent months as well. A maintenance garage has been built to service the trucks. Behind the main office building a new installation department as well as parts and materials warehouse has been built.
The main building is undergoing renovations. Plans include using the existing installations building and making it a school. “We are going to be creating an educational program that will allow us to bring people in that fit what we’re looking for and train them. The goal is to have three to four days a week in class and one to two days a week in the field getting live experience,” Sinclair stated. Trainees will be paid while learning.
“It’s always been a challenge to have qualified team members not only skilled tradesmen but with high integrity. That can be kind of a unicorn because most folks that are, already have great jobs. Why would you leave somewhere that’s comfortable? We decided that we are going to bring on folks as part of our team that have high integrity, have our core values; and we’re going to train them for the job. That’s more meaningful because you’re doing something impactful for your community as well as your industry. You’re also giving someone who doesn’t have the raw skill an opportunity to provide for their family. It’s more meaningful than to pull from competitors. That doesn’t do anyone any good. It doesn’t create a healthy environment for anyone. Our goal is not to snipe each other’s people but to find key individuals that have the same purpose and vision that we do and then give them the skills to be successful in the field that we’re in,” Sinclair added.
AirSouth also provides growth within the company. According to Sinclair there is no desire on the company’s part to see employees leave for new opportunities; rather, he wants them to move up in leadership. “Most of our directors started out in entry level roles and excelled in them, reflecting our core values in such a way that now they are leading our company. Our vision is to have continued growth so that there’s continued opportunity for everyone involved”— a reason they are always looking for new hires.
AirSouth offers service 24/7, 365 days a year and not by way of an answering service or answering machine. Sinclair explained that there is an employee on site from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. to handle not only emergency service calls but anything else one might need assistance on, from checking on your profile to paying a bill. “There can be such a feeling of volatility when you need something and you don’t have someone who can help. Our goal is to always be available when you need us most.”
Sinclair has surrounded himself with a good leadership team who in turn hire good employees with the same mindset to achieve the common company goals.
“It takes some really dedicated people to be able to accomplish that. I can want it but unless someone has the willingness and the servant heart to do that, it’s not accomplishable. They are definitely the ones making it possible,” he said.
