Christopher Mickey grew up in New Port Richey, Florida. Life changed for him at age seven when his father, a plumber, passed away. His mother, who worked in a hospital lab, raised Christopher and his younger sister with resilience and routine. By the time he was 14, Christopher had moved out on his own, working at Winn-Dixie and learning the value of independence.
He graduated from River Ridge High School in 2000 and went on to earn degrees in economics from St. Petersburg College and the University of South Florida. Years later, he would also gain a master’s in economics and an HVAC licence from Marchman Technical College, blending academic and technical training.
At just 21, Christopher bought a struggling Westshore Pizza franchise location. Within three years, he turned it into the second-best performer in the chain. By 25, he sold his restaurant holdings and pivoted to real estate. Over 17 years, he and his wife, Stephanie Woods, flipped 545 houses, learning every detail of the property market.
Frustrated by unreliable contractors, Christopher launched Airheads HVAC in 2017, building a company on principles of reliability and accountability. Alongside his ventures in leasing and finance, this has become the cornerstone of his career.
Christopher is also deeply involved in his community. He and his wife support churches, schools, charities, and youth sports across Pasco County. A father of three, he balances a demanding work life with time at his family’s beach house. His story is one of perseverance, adaptability, and steady growth.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My day usually starts early, around 5:30 a.m. I write down tasks in a notebook I’ve kept for years. I split the list into two categories: things only I can do and things I can delegate. That way I don’t waste time on distractions. Mornings are often for site visits or HVAC jobs because that’s when crews are fresh. Afternoons I shift into business management—finance, planning, or real estate work. I stay productive by protecting my mornings from phone calls that can wait.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I look for problems. For example, when flipping houses, HVAC was always a pain. After dealing with no-shows and poor work, I got licensed and built Airheads HVAC. Ideas aren’t always glamorous—they’re often solutions to repeated frustrations.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I’m fascinated by energy-efficient HVAC systems. Florida homes burn through electricity in the summer. The new generation of smart thermostats and eco-friendly units has real potential to lower costs and reduce strain on the grid.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Writing things down. Every goal, every deadline. If it’s not written, it’s forgotten.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t chase volume. Early on I wanted as many businesses as possible. Now I know it’s better to run fewer things well.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I believe being too available kills productivity. People think good leaders must answer every call instantly. I think silence and focus produce better results.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Show up on time. Sounds simple, but it’s the fastest way to build trust.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I step away and work with my hands—something small like fixing a latch or tuning up equipment. Physical tasks clear my head.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Learning the work myself. When I started HVAC, I didn’t just hire technicians. I went back to school. That way I could train people properly and understand the trade from the inside out.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early in real estate, we bought a house with hidden structural problems. It nearly broke us. Instead of walking away, we rebuilt it from the ground up. It taught me persistence and that “failure” is often just a longer route to profit.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
A reliable on-demand trades scheduling app for small towns. Big cities have options, but suburban communities need trustworthy local platforms.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Trello. I use it to keep track of projects across different businesses. Simple, visual, effective.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber. It’s about building systems so businesses don’t rely on one person. That mindset saved me from burnout.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
The Bear. It shows how chaotic running a small business can be—and how teamwork matters more than one person’s vision.
Key learnings
- Success is built on consistency, not one lucky break.
- Writing down tasks and goals is a powerful productivity tool.
- Solving problems, not chasing passions, often leads to the best business ideas.
- Persistence through setbacks creates long-term wins.
- Supporting community projects is as important as growing profit.