Episode #319- JUAN

HVAC Masters of the Hustle – Episode #319: JUAN

Host: JDubMoneyMaker (Jacob)
Guest: Juan Tia Jr.
Date: September 15, 2025

Overview

This episode centers on overcoming obstacles, conquering fear, and harnessing the power of mindset and manifestation within the HVAC industry. Host JDubMoneyMaker interviews Juan Tia Jr., a young but accomplished HVAC professional who has navigated a nontraditional path—from dropping out of high school to becoming a sought-after technician, then branching into general contracting. Juan shares candid insights on career setbacks, mentorship, personal growth, and the sacrifices required to reach the top 1%. The episode is an open, motivational conversation full of practical wisdom and actionable advice for HVAC professionals at all levels.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Juan’s Entry into the Trades

Background: Juan did not graduate high school and had to attend adult school (05:40).
First Job Opportunity: Started working for his uncle (an iron worker), then by chance, his HVAC contractor neighbor offered him either an HVAC or plumbing job.
Choosing HVAC: “I don’t know what HVAC tech is, but that sounds more better than being a plumber.” (06:47, Juan)
Path Forward: Attended a trade school in Fairfield as a requirement before employment.
Career Progression: Networked, learned from several companies, and made friends and mentors along the way (07:56).

2. Manifestation & Mindset

Transformation: Exposure to people with “next level” mindsets changed Juan’s trajectory (08:19).
Influential Figures: Inspired by Bradley, Weldon Long, and Andy Frisella.
Manifesting Big Dreams: “If you could dream it, then it could become reality. But you need to know what that is... I’m gonna just dream the biggest I can, something that really, really just scares the out of me.” (10:37, Juan)
Dreaming Beyond Circumstance: Encourages not limiting oneself by current circumstances (11:12).

3. Overcoming Challenges in HVAC & General Contracting

Not an Easy Path: “Has the venture been easy? Oh, hell no. Hell no.” (12:52, Juan)
Post-High School Confusion: Felt lost without college as a path—pushed himself beyond his comfort zone (13:39).
Getting Cocky, Building Swagger: Developed confidence and skill through experience, but it didn’t insulate him from failure.
General Contracting: Jumping into general contracting meant learning a new business terrain.
Family Partnerships Pitfalls: Importance of compatible vision when bringing in partners—even family (15:20).

4. Mentorship – Choosing Wisely

Not All Mentors Are Alike: Learned hard lessons about mentorship, including encountering a “big shot” salesperson unwilling to help unless paid exorbitantly (16:10–17:59).
Filtering Advice: “Be aware of myself, be morally correct and be like, you know what, like, I don’t really like how he took that…Do I really want to learn from a person like that?” (17:59, Juan)
Failing Forward: The right mentor helps you learn from failure rather than fear it (19:07).

5. Facing Obstacles and Solving Problems

Transitioning Companies: Some companies spoon-fed everything (installers, materials); others expected full job ownership (19:40).
Resourcefulness & Growth: “Don’t just stand there, figure it out…I'm running a $20 million company, you want me to drop everything just to tell you what you need to do?” (20:11, former boss, paraphrased by Juan)
Embracing Manuals & Technology: Swallowed his pride, started reading manuals and leveraging tech—no shame in learning (21:56–22:22).

6. Source of Ambition & “Go Get It” Attitude

Roots: Early lessons from his father, a self-employed photographer, taught discipline (22:27).
Tough Love: Public discipline as a child was humiliating, but contributed to a resilient mindset (24:15).
Generational Shifts: Recognizes the different resources and attitudes between older “old dogs” in HVAC and the younger, more collaborative generation (25:37).

7. Transition to General Contracting & Licensure Journey

Restlessness in HVAC: Sought more creative outlets—construction/remodeling provided that (27:25).
Preparation & Sacrifice: Drove to Anaheim, slept in his car, and devoted a year to study for his General B license (30:45–32:34).
Willing to Miss Out: “A lot of people, their high point is high school or college party days…Not me. I want my good days to be when I have a company going…” (32:34).

8. Sacrifice & Next-Generation Thinking

Personal Sacrifice: Withheld from trips or social activities to focus on business knowledge—experienced periods of depression and loneliness (34:09).
Vision-Driven Sacrifice: “I don't want my kids to suffer...if anything, I want them to be like, damn, Dad's a badass.” (34:30, Juan)
Bigger Purpose: “When people realize that you work for the next generation, not for yourself…” (35:50, Jacob)
Addiction to Impact: “It becomes addicting when you just want to see more of those smiles...” (36:16, Juan)

9. Future Goals – “Lionheart” Vision

Immediate Plan: Studying for his C20 (HVAC) license to be able to serve more clients (37:06).
Bay Area Focus: Drawn by density and opportunity in the Bay Area vs. Sacramento's more spread-out market (37:30).
10-Year Vision: Envisions a 4-story glass headquarters for Lionheart (“big line right there, water feature…”), several hundred employees, and $50–80M in annual revenue (38:09–40:21).
- “If that’s not a sign, I don’t know what it is…but that’s my goal.” (39:01, Juan)

10. Key Takeaway for Listeners

Juan’s Advice: “Just don’t be scared. That’s it…fear is the thing that’s gonna happen regardless…so just don’t be scared. Try it out. If it doesn’t work, there’s always a different angle to approach it.” (40:37, Juan)
On Confidence: “The more that you do, the more your confidence grows, the more people resonate with you, because they feel it…man, I don't know what it is about you, man, but when you come in, you have this aura that just makes me want to do business with you.” (41:12, Juan)
On Failure: “Don’t be scared to fail…I'm not failing, I'm learning.” (41:59, Juan)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Manifesting Success:
"If you could dream it, then it could become reality. But you need to know what that is...What's the worst of dreaming the most craziest things ever?...the worst thing that could happen is you just come a level shorter, but it's still an incredible life."
— Juan (10:37)
On the Challenge of Trades:
"Has the venture been easy? Oh, hell no. Hell no."
— Juan (12:52)
On Choosing Mentors Wisely:
"Do I really want to learn from a person like that? ... Be aware of myself and be morally correct..."
— Juan (17:59)
On Overcoming Problems:
"You have a problem, figure it out... I'm running a 15, 20 million dollar company; you want me to drop everything to tell you what you need to do?"
— Juan paraphrasing his boss (20:11)
On Sacrifice:
"I just don’t think I was born to be average."
— Juan (33:34)
On Working for Others:
"When people realize that you work for the next generation, not for yourself..."
— Jacob (35:50)
On Fear:
"Fear, it's always going to be a thing. So be friends with it...That's your chance, your opportunity to grow as a person, as a professional."
— Juan (41:48)

Timestamps for Important Segments

05:40 – Juan’s origins in trades, post-high school journey
08:19 – Mindset shift, influences, and manifesting big goals
12:52 – The reality of starting out: “Hell no” it’s not easy
16:10 – Mentorship lessons, learning from the right people
19:40 – Facing and solving job challenges
22:27 – Source of drive and lessons from family
25:37 – Generational culture shifts in the trades; importance of sharing
27:25 – Decision to pursue general contracting
30:45 – Sacrifice and commitment to passing licensing exams
34:09 – The reality of sacrificing social life for long-term goals
35:50 – Working for future generations, not just self
37:06 – Next steps: studying for C20, building the Lionheart vision
40:37 – Juan’s parting advice to listeners: “Don’t be scared”

Tone & Style

The conversation is motivational, candid, and informal—with plenty of personal anecdotes, honest admissions of struggle, and an undercurrent of fierce ambition and positivity.
Juan’s language is open, honest, and sometimes raw—especially when talking about difficult childhood moments and mental health.
Jacob serves as an encouraging, energetic host, reinforcing lessons and drawing out actionable insights for the audience.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode is a must-hear for anyone in the HVAC or trades industry confronting obstacles, doubting their potential, or hungry for actionable inspiration. Juan’s journey—marked by serendipity, hard work, selectivity in mentorship, and calculated sacrifice—offers a roadmap for anyone seeking to escape average, manifest their vision, and move forward despite fear. The dialogue is rich with practical advice, vivid stories, and hard-won wisdom for listeners at every stage of the hustle.

HVAC Masters of the Hustle – Episode #319: JUAN

Host: JDubMoneyMaker (Jacob)
Guest: Juan Tia Jr.
Date: September 15, 2025

Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Juan’s Entry into the Trades

Background: Juan did not graduate high school and had to attend adult school (05:40).
First Job Opportunity: Started working for his uncle (an iron worker), then by chance, his HVAC contractor neighbor offered him either an HVAC or plumbing job.
Choosing HVAC: “I don’t know what HVAC tech is, but that sounds more better than being a plumber.” (06:47, Juan)
Path Forward: Attended a trade school in Fairfield as a requirement before employment.
Career Progression: Networked, learned from several companies, and made friends and mentors along the way (07:56).

2. Manifestation & Mindset

Transformation: Exposure to people with “next level” mindsets changed Juan’s trajectory (08:19).
Influential Figures: Inspired by Bradley, Weldon Long, and Andy Frisella.
Manifesting Big Dreams: “If you could dream it, then it could become reality. But you need to know what that is... I’m gonna just dream the biggest I can, something that really, really just scares the out of me.” (10:37, Juan)
Dreaming Beyond Circumstance: Encourages not limiting oneself by current circumstances (11:12).

3. Overcoming Challenges in HVAC & General Contracting

Not an Easy Path: “Has the venture been easy? Oh, hell no. Hell no.” (12:52, Juan)
Post-High School Confusion: Felt lost without college as a path—pushed himself beyond his comfort zone (13:39).
Getting Cocky, Building Swagger: Developed confidence and skill through experience, but it didn’t insulate him from failure.
General Contracting: Jumping into general contracting meant learning a new business terrain.
Family Partnerships Pitfalls: Importance of compatible vision when bringing in partners—even family (15:20).

4. Mentorship – Choosing Wisely

Not All Mentors Are Alike: Learned hard lessons about mentorship, including encountering a “big shot” salesperson unwilling to help unless paid exorbitantly (16:10–17:59).
Filtering Advice: “Be aware of myself, be morally correct and be like, you know what, like, I don’t really like how he took that…Do I really want to learn from a person like that?” (17:59, Juan)
Failing Forward: The right mentor helps you learn from failure rather than fear it (19:07).

5. Facing Obstacles and Solving Problems

Transitioning Companies: Some companies spoon-fed everything (installers, materials); others expected full job ownership (19:40).
Resourcefulness & Growth: “Don’t just stand there, figure it out…I'm running a $20 million company, you want me to drop everything just to tell you what you need to do?” (20:11, former boss, paraphrased by Juan)
Embracing Manuals & Technology: Swallowed his pride, started reading manuals and leveraging tech—no shame in learning (21:56–22:22).

6. Source of Ambition & “Go Get It” Attitude

Roots: Early lessons from his father, a self-employed photographer, taught discipline (22:27).
Tough Love: Public discipline as a child was humiliating, but contributed to a resilient mindset (24:15).
Generational Shifts: Recognizes the different resources and attitudes between older “old dogs” in HVAC and the younger, more collaborative generation (25:37).

7. Transition to General Contracting & Licensure Journey

Restlessness in HVAC: Sought more creative outlets—construction/remodeling provided that (27:25).
Preparation & Sacrifice: Drove to Anaheim, slept in his car, and devoted a year to study for his General B license (30:45–32:34).
Willing to Miss Out: “A lot of people, their high point is high school or college party days…Not me. I want my good days to be when I have a company going…” (32:34).

8. Sacrifice & Next-Generation Thinking

Personal Sacrifice: Withheld from trips or social activities to focus on business knowledge—experienced periods of depression and loneliness (34:09).
Vision-Driven Sacrifice: “I don't want my kids to suffer...if anything, I want them to be like, damn, Dad's a badass.” (34:30, Juan)
Bigger Purpose: “When people realize that you work for the next generation, not for yourself…” (35:50, Jacob)
Addiction to Impact: “It becomes addicting when you just want to see more of those smiles...” (36:16, Juan)

9. Future Goals – “Lionheart” Vision

Immediate Plan: Studying for his C20 (HVAC) license to be able to serve more clients (37:06).
Bay Area Focus: Drawn by density and opportunity in the Bay Area vs. Sacramento's more spread-out market (37:30).
10-Year Vision: Envisions a 4-story glass headquarters for Lionheart (“big line right there, water feature…”), several hundred employees, and $50–80M in annual revenue (38:09–40:21).
- “If that’s not a sign, I don’t know what it is…but that’s my goal.” (39:01, Juan)

10. Key Takeaway for Listeners

Juan’s Advice: “Just don’t be scared. That’s it…fear is the thing that’s gonna happen regardless…so just don’t be scared. Try it out. If it doesn’t work, there’s always a different angle to approach it.” (40:37, Juan)
On Confidence: “The more that you do, the more your confidence grows, the more people resonate with you, because they feel it…man, I don't know what it is about you, man, but when you come in, you have this aura that just makes me want to do business with you.” (41:12, Juan)
On Failure: “Don’t be scared to fail…I'm not failing, I'm learning.” (41:59, Juan)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Manifesting Success:
"If you could dream it, then it could become reality. But you need to know what that is...What's the worst of dreaming the most craziest things ever?...the worst thing that could happen is you just come a level shorter, but it's still an incredible life."
— Juan (10:37)
On the Challenge of Trades:
"Has the venture been easy? Oh, hell no. Hell no."
— Juan (12:52)
On Choosing Mentors Wisely:
"Do I really want to learn from a person like that? ... Be aware of myself and be morally correct..."
— Juan (17:59)
On Overcoming Problems:
"You have a problem, figure it out... I'm running a 15, 20 million dollar company; you want me to drop everything to tell you what you need to do?"
— Juan paraphrasing his boss (20:11)
On Sacrifice:
"I just don’t think I was born to be average."
— Juan (33:34)
On Working for Others:
"When people realize that you work for the next generation, not for yourself..."
— Jacob (35:50)
On Fear:
"Fear, it's always going to be a thing. So be friends with it...That's your chance, your opportunity to grow as a person, as a professional."
— Juan (41:48)

Timestamps for Important Segments

05:40 – Juan’s origins in trades, post-high school journey
08:19 – Mindset shift, influences, and manifesting big goals
12:52 – The reality of starting out: “Hell no” it’s not easy
16:10 – Mentorship lessons, learning from the right people
19:40 – Facing and solving job challenges
22:27 – Source of drive and lessons from family
25:37 – Generational culture shifts in the trades; importance of sharing
27:25 – Decision to pursue general contracting
30:45 – Sacrifice and commitment to passing licensing exams
34:09 – The reality of sacrificing social life for long-term goals
35:50 – Working for future generations, not just self
37:06 – Next steps: studying for C20, building the Lionheart vision
40:37 – Juan’s parting advice to listeners: “Don’t be scared”

Tone & Style

The conversation is motivational, candid, and informal—with plenty of personal anecdotes, honest admissions of struggle, and an undercurrent of fierce ambition and positivity.
Juan’s language is open, honest, and sometimes raw—especially when talking about difficult childhood moments and mental health.
Jacob serves as an encouraging, energetic host, reinforcing lessons and drawing out actionable insights for the audience.

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Summary

HVAC Masters of the Hustle – Episode #319: JUAN

Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Juan’s Entry into the Trades

2. Manifestation & Mindset

3. Overcoming Challenges in HVAC & General Contracting

4. Mentorship – Choosing Wisely

5. Facing Obstacles and Solving Problems

6. Source of Ambition & “Go Get It” Attitude

7. Transition to General Contracting & Licensure Journey

8. Sacrifice & Next-Generation Thinking

9. Future Goals – “Lionheart” Vision

10. Key Takeaway for Listeners

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Important Segments

Tone & Style

Summary for New Listeners

Summary

HVAC Masters of the Hustle – Episode #319: JUAN

Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Juan’s Entry into the Trades

2. Manifestation & Mindset

3. Overcoming Challenges in HVAC & General Contracting

4. Mentorship – Choosing Wisely

5. Facing Obstacles and Solving Problems

6. Source of Ambition & “Go Get It” Attitude

7. Transition to General Contracting & Licensure Journey

8. Sacrifice & Next-Generation Thinking

9. Future Goals – “Lionheart” Vision

10. Key Takeaway for Listeners

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Important Segments

Tone & Style

Summary for New Listeners