Today we’d like to introduce you to Devonte Perdue.
Hi Devonte, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
It began with a field trip my sophomore year to the career center. During that field trip, I learned about many different careers, but one stood out the most.
After the field trip, I rolled into the Hvac program.
I attended Fairfield career center for both my junior and senior year in the Hvac program. Upon graduating from high school in 2012 I was offered a job that I couldn’t refuse. I began my career as a Hvac apprentice in the local 189 Plumbers Pipefitters Union.
My apprenticeship was complete after five years and I received my Journeyman card. I stayed with the hvac company for a total of 10 years. In 2019 the company decided to close its doors with no signs of reopening. I was left to find another job.
While on the job hunt. I decided to start my own hvac company. Cap City Comfort LLC.
Eventually I began working at my new job but I still had a goal to never be put in the position to be laid off again. While working 40hrs a week I’d come home to work on growing my business with running service calls on the weekdays and doing installs on the weekends.
2020 i acquired my state HVAC license and hit the ground running. I posted before and after pictures of my work on social media. I got business cards made and went door to door to every commercial building I lived around. I built up enough clientele to replace my salary at my job. In 2023 I made the decision to take a leap of faith and leave my job and focus 100% on my own company. Fast forward to today I celebrated two years of full time entrepreneurship and five years of running my own company.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Coming from the career center to the real HVAC field was a struggle. You think you know it all because you Aced a test but you don’t. Doing jobs wrong for the first time and having to start all over until you figure out the correct way.
Hearing a lot of “No’s” because people thought I was too young to know HVAC. Nobody wants a “kid” working on their gas appliance.
No one warns you about the challenges of being an entrepreneur. Everything is on you.
Starting a business requires time and also money. It was a difficult decision Spending my savings to get things started for my company. The more my company grew, the capital I needed. I went to multiple banks trying to get a loan but most banks won’t loan to a new business without any prior history. Eventually I found one to take a risk.
It took a lot of faith, perseverance and patience to overcome these challenges.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As owner/operator I have many different hats I wear depending on the day. One day I’ll be a door to door salesman and the next a technician on a roof in 10 degree weather fixing your heat.
The thing I’m most proud of is that i believed in myself and took that leap of faith. I am working on my goal of creating generational wealth.
Most people know me as the co-owner of Cap City Comfort LLC.
We specialize in service and repairs on commercial and residential HVAC equipment in central Ohio.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Network with as many people possible. Your network of contacts can save you. They will help you navigate through things a lot faster. Try to challenge yourself with new things. Ask as many questions as possible. Dont be afraid to look for help. Believe/Know you can do anything you put your mind to.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://capcitycomfort.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dperdue32
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/188j5fYcMR/
