NFIB

Janine Montoya's father had been a member of NFIB for more than twenty years when she was asked to join about a year ago. "I understood what NFIB was about," she said. "I love that lobbying is their emphasis -- not networking, not group buying ability. They jump into the fray of all that matters to me and my business. I am compelled to be involved in the legislative process as the decisions of my government affect me and my family personally and acutely."

Janine and her husband, Ted, started Tri County Heating, Air Conditioning and Fireplaces and Valley Aire Heating and Air Conditioning in 1988 after friends, family and acquaintances began to ask Ted, a service technician for a small company, to do side jobs. He got his license and eventually expanded when they purchased their competitor 12 miles away, about 4.5 years ago. Currently, they have 21 employees and are located in Simi Valley.

The Montoyas have found a niche of serving customers in a personal way using layman's terms in a very technical and mechanical industry. They do installation, service and maintenance of every brand of equipment; address indoor air quality and energy saving concerns for their customers; and also have a fireplace design division serving mostly contractors.

The entire Montoya family, including three children, works in the businesses and they use the family ownership aspect in all of their advertising. Janine said this draws a certain customer who expects integrity and honest work, and the Montoyas deliver knowing that their personal reputation rides on every word they say and every job they do. Janine's sister, Lisa Hebert, an interior designer, manages the fireplace division and a close friend of 20 years handles the books and payrolls. 

Janine serves on NFIB's Southern Leadership Council as the vice-chair and has participated in many activities related to the health care reform initiatives over the past year. She took part in several press conferences at the Capitol and testified before the Senate Health Committee about the impact that mandates and higher taxes would have on small-business owners. She also met with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger along with other NFIB members to ensure that the voice of small business is heard in the health care reform debate. Janine also had the opportunity to ask a question of presidential candidate Mitt Romney during a recent NFIB Town Hall call.

When asked about her involvement with NFIB/California, Janine said, "Although I've been a business advocate for years and lobbied with other organizations, NFIB has blown all I've done before out of the water. My votes get counted and turned into research data, NFIB press releases cause a stir in the Capitol, our testimonies stand out as the most intelligent and well-reasoned among a crowd of hundreds and even the governor takes heed to our concerns. My time is never wasted when I work with NFIB."

Janine said that the biggest challenge facing her business are the hours spent meeting government demands -- from human resources to how they pull permits -- and even whether they provide water for employees while on the job. "We also have a difficult time finding people who want to work in the trades," she said. "Service businesses are not going away, and the educational system needs to adapt and bring back the practical shop classes. There are thousands of homes and commercial properties that need roofs, electricity, phones, plumbing, landscaping, and of course heating and air conditioning, and someone has to do it."

According to Janine, the best part of being a small-business owner is being able to use her talents creatively and the dozens of young women she has been able to train in office and management skills that have become part of her. "Creating businesses that support many families is amazing and gratifying, and working as a team with my family is a special treat many people don't enjoy," she said.

"Janine is one of the most active members we have in California," NFIB/California State Director John Kabateck said. "She has jumped in with both feet and is committed to making sure that the voice of small business is heard."