12/13/2005
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"... we need a voice for small business. -- Mike Lovings |
Mike Lovings founded Lovings Heating and Cooling, Inc., in 1981 as a full-time pursuit while working for the United States Steel Corp. at night.
"I worked for an appliance store delivering appliances during my high school years, but I started working for U.S. Steel out of high school for 12 years," Lovings says. "My brother was in the appliance business, and he talked me into going to school to learn about heating and air conditioning."
For five years Lovings worked the graveyard shift in the steel mills and spent his days developing heating and air-conditioning clients and servicing appliances. During this time his daytime workload grew, and he reached a point where he needed to choose between a career at the mills and a career as an independent businessman.
"The mills were starting to lay off workers, so I went full time with my own work," Lovings explains.
More than 20 years later, his business is going strong with a team of eight to 10 employees that includes his son, his wife and, on a part-time basis, his step-daughter. Like most small-business owners, however, Lovings has weathered his fair share of challenges over the years.
"We work with Mother Nature. When the weather's mild, we don't really make any money," he notes. On top of the weather-related struggles, Lovings has had to contend with a barrage of governmental regulations, notably Environmental Protection Agency stipulations pertaining to the use and handling of Freon. "At times it's been tough, and I've considered leaving the business. But I'm glad I didn't."
Lovings says that participation in NFIB has been a key support over the years. He joined more than 10 years ago following a visit from an NFIB sales representative.
"We have a lot of unions in our area, and we need a voice for small business. I am more than happy to contribute to that voice," he explains, noting that he is an active member of NFIB/Indiana's local Area Action Council, as well as the Portage Chamber of Commerce.
Lovings's priority issues are the right-to-work, health insurance and environmental regulations.
"People in government and people who work '9 to 5' don't understand the challenges small-business owners face," he contends. "Every day I think about our business -- on weekends, vacations, every day."
The benefits and freedoms that come from business ownership make the struggles and the added workload worthwhile in Lovings' mind, however.
"You have to earn them by working long hours and being responsible for paying bills and taking care of your customers and your employees, but there are lots of fringe benefits, like flexible hours and flexible vacation time," he says. "Also, we like being in business for ourselves because we like the challenge. Every day is different. It's never boring."
