It’s a Mead Family Affair at Mead Mechanical
One of the most heartwarming aspects of Mead Mechanical’s small business growth story is the level of family support and involvement in this fairly new local business.
Mead Mechanical founder Mike Mead III returned to the South Haven area with his family from Joplin, MO, a moderate sized town, booming since a 2011 hurricane rebuild. “After the rebuild, there were two or three of everything in this town of less than 55,000 people,” he said. “Moreover, there were more than 50 heating and air conditioning companies! That’s not much of the ‘pie’ according to Mead. The chance to return to South Haven/Bangor and put down roots near family made the decision simple for him.
On a side note, Mead’s grandfather was an entrepreneur, in business for almost 40 years – M & M Seamless Gutters (Bay City, MI). “We were best friends but we never talked business together. He was always motivating and encouraging but not directive in business matters,” says Mead.
As a result of the grandfather’s entrepreneurial mindset (or maybe as an unconscious tribute to the man), the Mead family tree has extensive tendrils in all the businesses listed below; from immediate family, aunts, uncles, and even in laws, the Mead family means business. “For any of your needs, there’s a Mead”
- Mead Engineering
- Mead Fence
- Mead Clean
- Elite Cleaning
- A Good Neighbor Heating & Cooling
- Huntington Bank
- Mead Window Cleaning
- Pristine West Cleaning
- Mead Construction
- Mead Mattresses and More
- Grace Apostolic Tabernacle
With that same entrepreneurial spirit Mead Mechanical was born—from a simple idea and a lot of determination…and family – see the theme here?.
In 2021, after being laid off from his job Mead found it the perfect time to launch Mead Mechanical Heating and Cooling in South Haven with his previous experience and the support of his family.
“The local market has been dominated by a few large companies. However, working for competitors has shown me that there’s room for growth and expansion in the industry service offered. While I didn’t want to compete aggressively, I knew there was a demand for a higher quality of service and tradesmanship,” he says. “There is more than enough ‘pie’ for everyone to have a share!”
In early 2022 Mead hired some young apprentices (relatives) and by March of 2022 they were up and running and immediately landed a subcontracting contract with a company who was developing a nursing home in the area. They also landed an installation contract with Sears. “That job took us across the state sometimes for days at a time and had its challenges. The strain was horrible but we stuck with it for more than a year.”
“Then one day my mom said, ‘I looked at your numbers, and If you did only one or two private job with your existing profit margins, you’d make more net profit in one or two job than you do for 20 days running for Sears.”
“That was my ‘duh’ moment. We pivoted before the end of the month and began grassroots marketing efforts to find that ONE JOB to make up for all our running around the state! “Thanks Mom!”
Around that same time, Mike was introduced to Debi Howe of the South Haven Region Business Hub by his uncle Ryan, at Huntington Bank. “I attended our first HUB event during the South Haven Regional Business Hub’s Startup Series. I went to one, then went to every single event or roundtable after that first one and really began networking with local entrepreneurs. I found a lot of local people who didn’t seem to think that business networking was important, however, I realized that attending these events was a great way to get our name out there. The people at the HUB are well-connected, and they know a lot of people in the industries supporting small businesses. By building relationships with them, we expanded our network significantly.”
By June 2022, Mead had hired a second apprentice (relative) who he’d worked with before. By August there was so much work the company brought on a junior technician (relative) to help streamline the process.
In April 2023 Mead hired his experienced uncle as the Master Technician. “We started to throttle up with new ideas and he served as a sounding board and brought cool ideas on marketing strategy. We did billboards, large signs (grandma’s house on 43 in Bangor), new logos, work apparel, hats and wrapped vehicles. Things were looking great.
Then that changed with the weather. Literally.
The past 12 months have been particularly difficult for Mead Mechanical. The too-cool summer and too-warm winter played havoc with heating and air conditioning jobs. The key tune-up seasons were dismal from late 2023-mid 2024. This combination was the worst blow the industry has ever seen for heating and air conditioning businesses in the Mid-West.
The company restructured in February 2024. “Unfortunately, we had to lay off almost all of our employees. It was a difficult decision, especially because many of them were family members. Alex, Joe, Bear, and Ben had worked for us from March 2022 to February 2024.”
Also at that time, Mead Mechanical was too young and new of a business to obtain bank funding and Mead had exhausted all his savings and was struggling to keep the business afloat. “My dad finally told me that we had no more money and we should call it quits.”
After the regroup, Mead was forced to handle any incoming calls by himself for a while. “My younger brother, Ben, who is 16, came back on as our junior technician. Nathan (brother) took on the role of lead installer. Now, it’s the three of us and it’s going well.”
While the company is doing fewer jobs than last year at this time, Mead has been able to save money by reducing overhead and payroll expenses. As a result, net income actually increased.
The Power of Networking with the HUB
In addition to actively addressing the challenges above, Mike Mead also recognized the importance of networking. Many local people underestimate the importance of networking. They often prioritize just handing out a business card. However, “attending industry events like the South Haven Regional Business Hub’s events can significantly increase your visibility,” Mead says.
“Building strong relationships with other business owners can lead to referrals, partnerships, and valuable insights. It’s essential to attend these events consistently and actively participate in the community.”
Networking has been invaluable for Mead Mechanical. It has helped connect them to potential clients, partners, and mentors. By actively participating in the HUB Startup Series and supporting other businesses, they have become known as a valuable member of the local business community. The people who regularly attend these meetings often are the most vocal and well-connected. By becoming involved in the HUB community, Mead feels confident business owners can tap into a much larger network of people who can help them grow their businesses.
“One of the key benefits of attending HUB events is the opportunity to meet people who can help you grow your business,” he says. “They’ve ‘got the biggest mouths’” as he says referring to the vast network of HUB resources, mentors, and subject matter experts. “When they need what we offer, our name will come to mind. Plus, these people often know others who might need our help, so networking is essential.”
The Importance of Persistence
Mead Mechanical’s story is a reminder that with resilience, determination, and a strong support system, it is possible to overcome adversity and achieve success. By focusing on building relationships, networking, and providing exceptional service, Mead Mechanical has positioned itself for continued growth and prosperity.
Next Steps
Financing for the small business will be crucial for continued growth. “We just went into Sturgis Bank to apply for a business loan to use for operating costs. I’ve been fronting $20-$50K in materials on some jobs with personal credit, and we’ve been fortunate that no job has ever gone unpaid. Improving my personal credit has helped with the funding applications.
Right now my objective is feeding my family and keeping my brothers employed. It’s a Godsend I have. We’re able to do jobs in ½ the time with an effective and efficient process – based on other techs in the state – we beat the socks off them. And, all our employees are still getting paid. So that’s a good thing.
Final Thoughts
“I think Nike has the best slogan to sum it up: ‘Just Do It.’ Go network in the community. Get out there. It’s going to benefit you and your business. Don’t think twice, just do it,” he advises.