Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Yesy Hernandez. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Yesy, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
I get my resilience from my family and overarching community. Over the years, my 25-year-old daughter “Yasmin” has inspired me to follow my intuition—and to do the right thing, no matter what other people may think. She’s kind and strong-willed, and I learn so much from her. She reminds me of my mother in many ways, who taught me that I could achieve my goals so long as I put in the work needed to succeed. My mom is actually the person who encouraged me to earn my MBA, to pivot from insurance to engineering when I expressed a desire to do so, and to build my career in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC).
It’s good to have people you trust in your corner. In addition to my family, my mentor “Alfred”, my team and my clients give me resilience. With them by my side, I feel I can achieve anything I put my mind to. I know that at Climatisation HVAC, I can deliver trusted solutions and work through challenges with confidence. I’m very grateful for the resilience I’ve built through these personal and professional relationships.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am the founder and president of Climatisation HVAC, a Los Angeles-based HVAC company. The business specializes in custom, ecoconscious heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems. We serve commercial and residential clients throughout Southern California, with plans to expand to the entire state in the coming years.
After starting my career in insurance, I realized I wanted to work in engineering. My mentor “Alfred” has an HVAC business of his own, and observing him, I noticed that overcoming obstacles in the trade—and developing solutions—felt a lot like solving a puzzle. This really resonated with me, so I got my degree in mechanical engineering (specializing in stationary air conditioning and heating), and then my Master’s in Business Administration.
My education means a lot to me because it’s given me tons of theoretical and practical experience. I know the trade well, but I also have expertise in the business side of things. It’s for this reason that Climatisation has built such a loyal roster of clients, including major retailers like Birkenstock and Zegna.
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?
The first thing that comes to mind is a willingness to pivot. I’m very open about the fact that I started out working in an entirely different industry and only later decided my true calling was in the trade. Now, I’ll admit that it takes time and effort to make a career change. I went back to school to further my education and learned a great deal from my mentor, the owner of an HVAC company where I previously served as Vice President and picked up invaluable skills.
Another essential quality is the ability to see the humanity in everyone, from customers and prospects, to colleagues and the general public. It’s important to treat others professionally, while offering compassion and respect even in difficult times.
Finally, continuous learning has been another key factor in my journey. Energy codes are always changing, sustainable solutions have become more prevalent, and HVAC leaders simply can’t sleep on the latest innovations. Those who are early in their journey have to prioritize this continuous learning piece as they enter the trade—and for many years to come after the fact. This openness is a key differentiator that clients will appreciate. It can also be achieved by reaching out to other folks in HVAC: by sharing experiences and connecting with likeminded people.
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
At Climatisation HVAC, my ideal client is based in Los Angeles (or elsewhere in Southern California). A person or entity has a high net worth and an affinity for custom, sustainable solutions that leverage cutting-edge green technologies. They may be commercial or residential—for example, the owner of a luxury home or the manager of a high-end storefront. Today, for example, my company serves brands like Gucci and Loewe in LA.
Contact Info:
- Website: Chvacla.com
- Instagram: Chvacla
