We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Joslyn Christman and Ryan Haltom a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Joslyn and Ryan, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
Finding Purpose Through Resilience: The Story Behind Hometown Air
In the heart of Carson City, Nevada, Joslyn and Ryan are redefining what it means to own and operate a family-run business. Together, they built Hometown Air, an HVAC and refrigeration company, from the ground up—one thoughtful decision at a time. But their story is more than one of entrepreneurship; it’s a tale of resilience, transformation, and purpose.
The seeds of Hometown Air were sown long before its doors opened in May 2022. Joslyn, a single mother at the time, knew firsthand the stress of managing home repairs alone. The frustration of finding reliable help, the fear of being overcharged or misled, and the overwhelming nature of home maintenance stuck with her. She wanted to create a business that could do better—not just for herself but for others navigating those same challenges.
Then came Ryan, a steady and kind partner who entered Joslyn’s life just before the COVID-19 pandemic turned the world upside down. Together, they faced the turbulence of that era, mourning a devastating personal loss while also making a life-altering decision: to get sober. The pandemic, with all its uncertainty, gave them space to reflect deeply on what they wanted their future to look like.
Camping trips, long road adventures, and quiet evenings spent dreaming and planning became their escape and their therapy. “We wanted to find a way to align our work with our values,” Joslyn shares. “We knew we had to create something meaningful—not just for ourselves but for our community.”
As they embarked on these trips, the idea for their own company began to take shape. On one car ride to a new camping destination, they brainstormed over 30 potential business names, scribbling down ideas until Hometown Air stood out. The name reflected everything they wanted their company to represent: community, reliability, and the warmth of a trusted neighbor.
Opening Hometown Air was more than just a business venture—it was a mission. From day one, Joslyn and Ryan have committed to making home repairs less overwhelming by fostering transparency and honesty in every interaction. They aim to remove the guesswork, stress, and confusion that so often accompany HVAC repairs, and they do it with a touch of kindness that stems from their own life experiences. “We understand how hard it can be to ask for help,” Ryan explains. “We’ve been there.”
But their vision for Hometown Air goes far beyond fixing heaters and air conditioners. As they built their business, Joslyn and Ryan noticed something troubling about the trade industry: a lack of support for mental health and sobriety. Determined to change the narrative, they made it a cornerstone of their company culture. “The trades are tough,” Ryan says. “It’s physically demanding, but it’s also emotionally taxing. We wanted to create a place where our team could feel safe, supported, and seen.”
Hometown Air actively encourages conversations around mental health, promotes sobriety, and offers a workplace culture rooted in compassion and understanding. Ryan and Joslyn’s own sobriety journey informs their approach, giving them the perspective to lead with empathy. They hope to set an example—not just for their employees but for the industry at large.
Now, as they reflect on the path that brought them here, Joslyn and Ryan see Hometown Air as the culmination of every struggle and triumph they’ve shared. Their company is more than just a business; it’s a testament to what’s possible when resilience meets purpose. Whether they’re on a service call or connecting with their team, Joslyn and Ryan remain focused on the principles that guide them: kindness, integrity, and a relentless drive to make life easier for others.
For Joslyn, the single mom who once dreaded home repairs, and Ryan, who learned to dream big even in the face of loss, Hometown Air is not just a career—it’s a calling. It’s proof that the hardest chapters in life can pave the way for something truly beautiful.
As they look ahead, Joslyn and Ryan are excited to continue growing their business, serving their community, and expanding their mission. Their story is one of hope, resilience, and the profound power of purpose—a reminder that even the toughest journeys can lead you exactly where you’re meant to be.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
What Hometown Air Brings to Northern Nevada
Hometown Air isn’t just about fixing systems—it’s about creating comfort and peace of mind for every customer. Based in the Reno/Tahoe Area, the company serves residential, commercial, and refrigeration clients across Northern Nevada. Whether it’s repairing a heater during the bitter winter months, installing an air conditioning system to beat the summer heat, or ensuring commercial refrigeration units stay operational, Hometown Air tackles each job with expertise and care.
Guided by their tagline, “Big City Service, Small Town Heart,” Joslyn and Ryan have built a boutique firm that combines top-tier professionalism with a personal, neighborly touch. On the residential side, their team specializes in keeping homes comfortable year-round. From routine maintenance to emergency repairs, they take pride in offering solutions that are as stress-free as possible. For commercial clients, Hometown Air understands the unique demands of businesses and offers tailored services to minimize downtime and maximize efficiency. Their refrigeration services, a crucial lifeline for restaurants, grocery stores, and other industries, are backed by their commitment to reliability and fast response times.
What sets Hometown Air apart isn’t just their technical skill—it’s the heart they put into every project. They emphasize transparency with clear explanations and upfront pricing, ensuring customers never feel left in the dark. “We’re not just fixing systems; we’re building trust,” Ryan says.
As a company rooted in the community, Hometown Air also offers 24-hour emergency services, ensuring that when something goes wrong, help is just a phone call away. Their seasonal 52-point inspections and tune-ups provide proactive care to keep systems running smoothly, and they’re constantly exploring ways to expand their offerings, like the recent addition of indoor air quality improvements.
Hometown Air isn’t just a company—it’s a promise to the Northern Nevada community: a promise to deliver quality, honesty, and a little peace of mind with every service call. For Joslyn and Ryan, it’s a way to give back to the region they love while creating a legacy of compassion and excellence in the trade industry. With “Big City Service, Small Town Heart,” they aim to prove that exceptional service can always be delivered with kindness.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking Back: The Keys to Success
When Joslyn and Ryan reflect on their journey to build Hometown Air, three qualities stand out as being most impactful: resilience, communication, and a commitment to continuous learning. These qualities weren’t just skills they honed—they were lifelines that guided them through challenges and allowed them to thrive.
Resilience
For Joslyn and Ryan, resilience was forged in the fire of their personal struggles. Getting sober, weathering the uncertainties of the pandemic, and overcoming the loss they faced together were defining moments that taught them how to adapt and persevere. “The road wasn’t easy, but it taught us that failure is part of growth,” Joslyn shares.
Advice: “Resilience isn’t about avoiding failure; it’s about learning from it,” Ryan says. “Start by facing challenges head-on, even when they seem overwhelming. Take setbacks as opportunities to refine your approach and keep going, no matter what.” Practicing mindfulness, setting small, achievable goals, and surrounding yourself with a strong support system are also essential tools for building resilience over time.
Communication
From brainstorming company names to working through tough decisions, communication became the cornerstone of Joslyn and Ryan’s partnership—both personally and professionally. “We learned that open, honest conversations are the key to staying on the same page, especially when stakes are high,” Joslyn says. Clear communication also helped them build trust with their team and customers, setting the foundation for Hometown Air’s culture of transparency.
Advice: “Listen more than you speak,” Joslyn advises. “Good communication starts with understanding others’ perspectives.” For those early in their journey, they recommend practicing active listening, being clear about your intentions, and prioritizing empathy in conversations. Whether you’re talking to a partner, a team member, or a customer, make space for mutual understanding and trust.
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Starting Hometown Air required more than just a good idea—it required knowledge of HVAC systems, business management, and customer service. Ryan and Joslyn committed themselves to learning every step of the way, from researching the industry to refining their skills as leaders. “The learning never stops,” Ryan says. “Every challenge is an opportunity to grow.”
Advice: “Stay curious and humble,” Joslyn says. “Recognize what you don’t know, and don’t be afraid to ask questions or seek help.” They encourage those early in their journey to invest in personal and professional development, whether through courses, mentorship, or hands-on experience. “The more you know, the better equipped you’ll be to handle the unexpected,” Ryan adds.
A Final Word of Encouragement
“Starting something new can be scary,” Joslyn admits. “But the best thing you can do is start anyway. Take it one step at a time, lean on your values, and trust that you’ll find your way.” For Joslyn and Ryan, the journey to building Hometown Air was one of self-discovery and growth, and they hope their story inspires others to embrace their own paths with courage and heart.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
The Book That Shaped Their Journey: Ego Is the Enemy
When asked to name a book that played a pivotal role in their personal and professional development, Joslyn and Ryan point to Ryan Holiday’s Ego Is the Enemy. This modern-day philosophical guide became a source of clarity and inspiration for both of them as they navigated the challenges of sobriety, business ownership, and personal growth.
For Joslyn and Ryan, the book offered a framework for understanding how ego often stands in the way of success—and how humility, discipline, and self-awareness can lead to far greater outcomes. “It really spoke to us at a time when we were trying to redefine what success and purpose meant in our lives,” Joslyn explains.
Impactful Nuggets of Wisdom
1. Be a Lifelong Student
One of the book’s most valuable lessons for Joslyn and Ryan was the importance of maintaining a student mindset. Holiday emphasizes the need to approach life with curiosity and humility, constantly seeking to learn rather than assuming you have all the answers.
“Starting Hometown Air meant stepping into unknown territory,” Ryan shares. “We didn’t know everything about running a business, but we were willing to learn—through research, trial and error, and asking for help. Staying humble enough to admit what we didn’t know made all the difference.”
2. Success Is a Byproduct of Service
Holiday argues that true success comes from serving others rather than feeding the ego. This resonated deeply with Joslyn and Ryan, who built Hometown Air with a mission of helping their community.
“It reminded us to focus on the bigger picture,” Joslyn says. “It’s not about recognition or personal gain—it’s about making a real difference in people’s lives. That mindset keeps us grounded and motivated, even on the toughest days.”
3. Silence Speaks Volumes
Holiday’s discussion on the value of quiet confidence struck a chord with Ryan. “Sometimes, the loudest person in the room isn’t the most capable,” Ryan says. “Holiday taught us that you don’t need to shout your achievements from the rooftops. Let your work speak for itself.” This perspective has shaped the way they lead their team and interact with clients—focusing on actions rather than words.
4. Let Go of the Outcome
A powerful takeaway from Ego Is the Enemy is the idea of detaching from the results and focusing instead on the process. This philosophy helped Joslyn and Ryan navigate the highs and lows of building a business.
“When we started Hometown Air, there were so many unknowns,” Joslyn recalls. “Holiday’s message reminded us to put in the effort and trust the journey, even when the results weren’t immediate. That helped us stay focused and not get discouraged.”
How the Book Continues to Guide Them
Even now, as Hometown Air grows, Joslyn and Ryan revisit the lessons from Ego Is the Enemy to stay grounded. “It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind or the idea of ‘success,’” Ryan says. “But this book reminds us to keep our egos in check and focus on what really matters: growth, service, and staying true to our values.”
For anyone starting their own journey—whether in business, sobriety, or personal development—Joslyn and Ryan wholeheartedly recommend Ego Is the Enemy. “It’s a reminder that the biggest obstacle isn’t out there,” Joslyn says. “It’s within. If you can conquer that, you can do anything.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hometownairnv.com
- Instagram: @hometownairnv
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090081567616
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hometown-air
Image Credits
@keepsakephotography; Sand Harbor, Lake Tahoe
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