Text & cover photo by Michael Dumas

The Mobile Chamber is gearing up for its annual celebration of minority businesses, known for three decades as the Eagle Awards. This year’s accolades highlight the entrepreneurship of individuals specializing in a variety of industries, from home and business climate to compassionate end-of-life care to the communal celebration that is live music.

Eagle Award Winner: Easy Heating & Cooling

Enoch and and Gretta Smith have become successful and connected enough to consider themselves “Chamber famous,” a label they’re very proud of. So it’s no surprise they’re the receiving their second Eagle Award since 2020. The couple started Easy Heating & Cooling in 2005, and have led their business through a plan of steady growth and learning every step of the way.

Enoch, the company’s president and CEO, has honed his leadership style over the years thanks in no small part to initiatives created by the Mobile Chamber. It all started with his completion of the MAWSS Mentor Protégé Program, which was followed by training through the Chamber’s Minority Business Accelerator and Emerging Leaders initiative. Then came what Smith called the “grand finale” of his leadership education: the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program.

“I’ve taken advantage of a lot of free training, and it has paid off,” Smith said. “Because of that, I’m still able to grow, set goals and implement the things I’ve learned over time.”

Smith’s philosophy of consistent growth applies to everything his company offers, as well. What started as a “one man band” firm focusing on heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) services has grown most recently to include a Master Plumber and Master Gas Fitting Certification, extending services for whole-house generator installations, water heaters and gas lines. The company’s diversification of experience and dedication to customer service help separate the company from its competitors, Smith said.

“Even though there are another 400 to 500 HVAC contractors in the region, God still sees fit for us to continually be productive, hire reliable people and have work to do each and every day,” he said. “And one of our biggest goals is to show other minority contractors that business ownership can be done.”

Smith and his wife built Easy Heating & Cooling to be reachable and reliable, every day of the week, adopting a mantra of “no senior left in the heat,” which also extends to anyone else who needs its services.

“When people call on the weekend, they don’t want to reach a voicemail, they want to talk to a live person,” Smith said. “They want to see action, and we’re able to make sure we respond in a timely manner because someone’s health could be on the line.”

2024 Eagle Awards Luncheon

The recipients will be honored during the 2024 Eagle Awards at the Battle House Hotel on October 11, which will feature training sessions and a luncheon featuring keynote educational speaker Cheryl Grace.

Tickets are available now by clicking here. Darrell Randle, the Mobile Chamber’s vice president of Small Business Development, said the lasting legacy of the Eagle Awards is a testament to the strength of the businesses it recognizes.