RIVER CITY SIX – CORWIN KELLER
Meet Corwin Keller, owner/operator of Ideal Heating and Air Conditioning, LLC (heatingairomaha.com).
Tell us a little about your business. – Ideal Heating and Air Conditioning offers residential and commercial services in Omaha. We have an experienced team that can fix your furnace and air conditioning unit, in addition to carrying out regular HVAC maintenance.
How did you get started in the business? – I’ve had various jobs in the past but was really trying to figure out something I was passionate about and could make a career out of. One day, I saw an ad in the paper for a job at an HVAC company and went for it. I found that I really enjoyed the work. I was in the industry for about seven years before starting my own company with a few partners. I ended up selling my share and then started Ideal Heating and Air Conditioning.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – There is a lack of trained tradesmen out there, so hiring enough people to get the job done has been tough.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Making God front and center in our business.
Tell us a little about your family. – My wife Allison and I have been married for 23 years. We have three kids: Zoey, CJ, and Layla. I was born and raised in Scottsbluff/Gering, NE. My parents still own a catering business there. They definitely gave me my entrepreneurial spirit.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – Having to accept that my first business was not succeeding. It opened my eyes to the way I was handling myself and my life. I was pretty selfish back then. I learned to live for others, not just for myself.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – Anything outdoors. I enjoy golfing, biking, and hiking. Making time to relax is also important.
Who inspires you? – A prominent mentor in my life right now is Dan Hazuka. He holds a leadership position with CBMC (Christian Business Men’s Connection) of the Heartland. He’s helped me grow as a spiritual leader and as a man in general.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Devoted.
Which talent would you most like to have? – Public speaking.
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – Ministry.
What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? – Definitely CBMC. They are all about bringing men together to do life, supporting each other through authentic relationships and spiritual truth.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell.
What is your favorite movie? – I don’t watch a lot of movies or TV, but my daughter has a neurological disorder so we watch a lot of Disney together.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Martin Luther King Jr. I would love to hear first-hand how he overcame all of the challenges he faced.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – (402) 932-0649; corwin@heatingairomaha.com; heatingairomaha.com.