Today we’d like to introduce you to Jesus Martinez.
Hi Jesus, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
It was the summer of 2014 I was 20 years old jumping job to job. And I got lucky and got hired at airteam. With no background in the field, no trade school, and no connections. Carlos the manager took a chance on me and I got hired for 9 dollars an hour. I always wanted to have my own business so I knew I had to stick to something. So seeing the opportunity, I decided to stick to HVAC no matter how hard it got or how low I was getting paid. I met people along the way that helped me it may have not been big help but it was small steps that got me in the position I am today. Met David, we were the same age and told me I could get certified through a supplier. So I go buy a certification book and study. Ive always have been good at testing so I go and pass it. I come back to the shop I ask Carlos for more money. He gives me more money but with that comes more work more exposure to the HVAC field. I stick around airteam 4 years. I wanted more money and to learn more so I move on to Houk. At Houk I start participating in the on call rotation. They give me some start ups one day. And I guess the were impressed by how efficient and good I was at completing them that one day they tell me they want me to do start ups only. Their start ups were a piece of cake compared to airteam’s. At airteam I worked on custom homes, several builders, and they would send me to Austin to start their first builders over there. So stuck it out for 3 years at Houk did service and start ups. I leave Houk for Jorden’s. At Jorden’s I kind of wanted out of HVAC I wasn’t getting paid good and honestly was bored with the trade. I knew there was only one last thing I could do to challenge myself. It was to get my contractor’s license and start my own business. So while I was at Jorden’s I would go to supply houses just look around and one day I saw a card that said study for your contractor’s license. Grabbed it called the number made the purchase. It was an online course but my procrastinating mind wouldn’t let me study. I paid like $1,000.00 dollars for that course and didn’t complete it. So months pass and I run into a friend of a friend that has his own company. And I ask him how he got his license. He recommends me to the teacher he had, and tells me he has classes in campus. Which is perfect for me, I get all my paperwork sent to Austin get approved and start studying for the test. It’s November of 2022 and Im ready to turn in my test and asking God to let me pass this time. It’s the third time, I get my test results and read through the results and read pass. My mind is in disbelief, I’m not sure what’s next. The lady just tells me write down your company name and you’re done. I don’t even know what to call my company lol. So I write down 0 Degrees A C and Heating on the piece paper. So I’m still new to all this and now I need an LLC, an Ein number, and business bank account. I’m searching and searching of how I can get an LLC. Finally I decide to ask my aunt who she used because my uncle had a company at the time. She gave me her tax guy’s info that gets taken cared of. But while I’m trying to figure that stuff out I get offered a new job, right after I got my license. To be a maintenance supervisor at bush intercontinental airport. Literally one week after getting my license, I start in my new role as supervisor 3 weeks into getting my license, so my whole life felt like a did a 360. It’s 2023 I’m a supervisor in the biggest airport in Houston, I have a company now. While I’m working at the airport I’m working on things like opening accounts with HVAC supply stores. I learn about credit accounts, I paint my truck and wrap it with my company information. Create social media business accounts. September 2023 I decide to leave the airport and go to a commercial/industrial company called infinity systems. I learned more about commercial and continue learning about my business. A year passes and I decide it’s now or never and decide that 2025 I was going full time with 17 Degrees A C and Heating. So it’s February 2025 and I have anxiety and mixed emotions. Throughout 2025 I start learning about marketing, made a website, and get out my comfort zone and started going to networking events and put my self out there. Also became a Ruud dealer, learned about financing, made more connections In the industry. Sponsored one of my friends in a fight, shes a professional mma fighter for fury fc. I definitely hit some goals and did things I would have never imagined. 2026 I want to continue to grow with 17 Degrees A C and Heating and help my fellow Houstonians and all our neighbors in the other towns.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Learning was a challenge, being in the attics at 140 degrees fahrenheit for long periods of time, working long hours, sacrificing pay when I had to take the test and study. Risking my life to my environment.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Born and raised in Houston, TX. Third coast born that means I’m Texas raised. Eldest in my family, son to Mexican parents. Didn’t come from a rich family, didn’t have to many options right out of high school. Family was struggling but I wasn’t a dumb kid, so I knew if I stuck to something I was going to make something happen. Im proud that even though I didn’t complete college like I wanted to, I stuck to the opportunities that were presented to me. And made something out of nothing. When I first got my license, I would wake up in misbelief and felt I had imposter syndrome. Now I wake up and accepted that’s who I am. But of course with great power comes great responsibility. A boss is not a role where you just look pretty all day, it’s someone that wakes up everyday and makes things happen. Keeps the same positive mindset when there’s nothing to be positive about. I can say becoming an entrepreneur will make you grow spiritually because you will have to show up on the days you don’t even feel like showing up. Everybody likes to paint the picture like it’s a whole bunch of money being made and smiles everyday. Entrepreneurs are regular people and they have off days but have to show up or nothing will happen
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I think it’s more about consistency, and small wins accumulate. There’s no secret recipe to success. You talk to everyone and tell them about yourself or your business. If you don’t make any noise for your business nobody will. And this is coming from a quiet introverted person that was forced to get out of his comfort zone.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://17degreesacandheating.com
- Instagram: 17degreesac
- Facebook: 17 Degrees A/C and Heating LLC
Image Credits
Eric Rangel, my cousin designed my logo before he was killed by a drunk driver on his birthday 12/10/2023
