We were lucky to catch up with Ana Rivera recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Ana, thanks for joining us today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?
The idea for our HVAC company was born out of family values not a business plan. My husband was working long hours during the summer, and he couldn’t take time off to be with us. For us, family is everything and missing Saturday morning sports with our kids just didn’t feel right. That’s when we realized something had to change.
We started by dreaming out loud, asking ourselves, ‘What if we built something of our own something that gave us both freedom and purpose?’ We didn’t rush. We saved money, wrote down every idea, every possible expense, and every dream on paper. Then we took it a step further we built our vision, literally on a board. That Vision Board became our blueprint.
From there, it was all about faith and follow through. We researched licensing, started small, made mistakes, learned to market, and eventually launched The HVAC Guys. What started as a family goal became a company that now helps other families stay comfortable in their homes and reminds us every day why we started in the first place.
Ana, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m more than just the owner of an air conditioning and heating company I’m a woman on a mission to show others that you really can do it all, just not all at the same time, and definitely not alone. My journey started from wanting more time with my family turning that desire into The HVAC Guys, a company built on honesty, community, and comfort. Over time, my role grew beyond business ownership. I became a mentor and community leader, empowering other women in the trades and beyond to find balance, purpose, and courage to start their own journeys.
One of my proudest moments was being recognized as Woman Business of the Year by Assemblyman Phillip Chen not just for the growth of my company, but for the heart behind it. I believe success is meant to be shared. That’s why I host my Vision Board Workshops, where I guide others to turn their dreams into actionable steps blending faith, personal growth, and execution.
Alongside that, I earned my life insurance license and launched Anchored Financial Services to help families secure their futures through life insurance and retirement planning. Whether I’m helping someone protect their home comfort, their financial legacy, or their personal vision, my mission remains the same: to serve with integrity, faith, and community at the core. I want people to see that being anchored in your purpose can help you weather any storm and that your dreams are not just meant to be imagined, but built.
How did you build your audience on social media?
For me, social media has never been about numbers it’s about connection. I started by simply showing up as myself sharing motherhood moments, business lessons, and a behind the scenes look at the real life of a woman juggling multiple roles. Over time, I realized that authenticity attracts the right audience. When you give people value whether it’s inspiration, education, or encouragement without expecting anything in return, that’s when your community starts to grow.
I did invest in a few professional videos and headshots because presentation matters, but the real growth came from consistency and honesty. My Instagram handle @LadyProAnaR has become a space where I share faith, business tips, and encouragement for women in home services and beyond.
My advice for anyone starting out is simple: be yourself and be consistent. You don’t need to have it all figured out just start. Let people see your heart, not just your highlights, and your audience will grow naturally.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Right now is actually one of those pivotal seasons in my journey. I realized I needed to make a shift not because I was failing, but because I was growing. I recently transitioned to a new life insurance agency that gives me more freedom to focus on what truly matters: helping clients and being present with my partners who support me during appointments. It’s been about working smarter, not just harder.
At the same time, I’ve been streamlining my HVAC business hiring a virtual assistant, bringing on a strategist, and learning to delegate with trust. In business, it’s easy to move a thousand miles an hour without stopping to ask, ‘Am I still heading in the right direction?’ For a while, I lost that focus, but this pivot has brought me back to center.
This season is teaching me that sometimes, slowing down is the most powerful move you can make. When you pivot with purpose, you don’t lose momentum you realign it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.the-hvacguys.com
- Instagram: ladyproanar
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ana.rivera.184
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ladyproanarivera/
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/EfbNu5yiDkk?si=7O1ckunROJo0Slsg
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-hvac-guys-la-habra-3
Image Credits
Denise Hernandez photography