From Apprentice to HVAC Owner: The Real Story ft. Jared Crye | Sean Meyers | Ep. 198

FROM A JEEP CHEROKEE… TO A 20+ PERSON HVAC EMPIRE?!  Most people graduate high school with no clue what they want to do. Jared Crye graduated in 2014… and accidentally stumbled into a trade that would completely change his life. What started as a union apprentice job quickly turned into a late-night hustle fixing AC units for friends and family… then something wild happened. He got his contractor’s license. Told his boss he wanted to start a company. And got LET GO the moment he received it. With a 6-month-old baby at home, no real backup plan, and only his wife’s Jeep Cherokee as a service truck, Jared had one choice: Sink… or build something unstoppable. In this powerful episode of Level Up + Live, Jared reveals the gritty, behind-the-scenes story of how he: Turned a side hustle into a thriving HVAC business Took midnight service calls while others slept Learned the brutal truth about pricing, margins, and scaling Avoided the trap that keeps most small businesses stuck Built a company culture that now supports 20+ employees And ultimately merged his company with ASAP HVAC in 2023 to scale even bigger. But here’s the twist…Jared says the biggest mistake entrepreneurs make isn’t lack of work ethic, it’s trying to do EVERYTHING themselves. Inside this conversation you’ll learn: Why pricing yourself wrong can destroy your growth The hidden reason most businesses never scale past the owner What it really takes to survive the brutal first 12–24 months How hiring the right people literally buys back your life Why even successful entrepreneurs still struggle with leadership This isn’t a polished “overnight success” story. It’s the raw blueprint of grit, sacrifice, and real entrepreneurship from the trenches of the skilled trades. If you’ve ever wondered what it actually takes to build a business from scratch this episode is a must-listen. Hit play now and hear how one apprentice turned pressure into a powerhouse company. Be Our Guest! Join our Level Up + Live Mastermind, the weekly power room for business owners and leaders hungry for clarity, accountability, and growth without sacrificing their soul in the process. Be Our Guest! https://docs.google.com/forms/u/0/d/1G_e-L28-BaTRQP71r-srT_8uFtPs3y_itIWWMEBfQ60/viewform?usp=drivesdk&edit_requested=true Hit play. Get uncomfortable. Live with intention.  Stay in the loop; stay in the lead! Get exclusive insights on business, fitness, leadership, and community straight to your inbox! Subscribe to the Level Up + Live newsletter now Level Up + Live  Tools to Level Up! Free Resources — Level Up + Live