This feature is a question-and-answer session with a Blount County Chamber member. So, here we go with our 244th installment visiting with Joshua Symonds, service advisor with Tradewinds Mechanical which provides a more personalized repair service for small businesses and homeowners in rural and urban communities alike.
What is your background? I started in trade school back in 1998 with a strong desire to understand what an air conditioner was since we didn’t have one in Hawaii where I was born and raised. I’ve worked for large and small companies installing, repairing and maintaining refrigeration, heating, cooling and ventilation equipment until the 2008 Recession which caused massive layoff’s. I had to get my own contractors license in 2009 and start my own business if I wanted to survive and provide for my family. I became a lower cost, better skilled solution to businesses that needed maintenance and repairs. I grew that company to 10+ employees servicing global manufacturing companies, large local health care providers, large gas station chains, fast food chains.
Describe your customers: Light commercial: Office space, restaurant, health care, convenience stores, manufacturing.
Residential: Single family home, condos, apartments, manufactured homes, AirBnB rentals
What do you enjoy most about your occupation? I enjoy meeting and talking to people, hearing their stories and fixing the equipment.