In the 20-plus years Stephen and Karen Smith have owned Peninsula Heating & Air, the business has grown leaps and bounds, from eight employees to 42 today. The business has also moved from a 2,600-square-foot facility at Hayes to a 17,000-square-foot facility near Ordinary and continues to grow.

The Smiths credit their business success to their employees—whom they refer to as family—to a strong sense of quality workmanship instilled in each employee from the moment he or she walk through the door.

Stephen Smith, a professional engineer, started his career at Amoco Oil Refinery, where he held management positions and excelled in his roles with that company, Karen said. “Stephen’s degree and professional background has had a huge impact on our business,” she said. 

She also said she and her husband are deeply involved in the daily management of maintaining the quality of the company’s workmanship and customer service. “At the end of t...