Six Years In: How Southern Chill Went from a Vision to a Team on a Mission

Six years ago, Southern Chill was an idea — a calling, really — born from a need to serve people better.

We didn’t start with a storefront or a full fleet of trucks.

We started with faith, a folding table, and a goal:

To build an HVAC company that treated people right — and did the job right, every single time.

What began in our home with just the two of us — myself and my husband, Louis Gary III — is now a growing, thriving team with a fleet, a process, and a reputation we’re incredibly proud of.

But none of it came easy.

We’ve built this from the ground up — and every win, every loss, every lesson shaped the business we are today.

Where We Are Today

Fast forward to today, and we’ve grown in ways we couldn’t have imagined — but not without work, sacrifice, and more than a few hard lessons.

We now have:

• 3 fully equipped service trucks on the road

• 1 dedicated install truck

• 1 wrapped airflow & diagnostics van, complete with our new logo and colors that represent everything we’ve built

• 5 incredible lead technicians

• 4 hardworking tech helpers

• A rock-solid office manager who keeps our operations running smooth

And behind the scenes, I (Courtney) took on in-house Manual J load calculations — something I never imagined I’d be passionate about until I saw how important it is to do this part of the job right.

It was a deep dive into the science of HVAC, and it’s one of the most valuable pieces we’ve added to our process.

The Growth Wasn’t Easy — But It Was Real

Last year tested us in ways we didn’t see coming.

It pushed us to take a hard look at how we were operating — what was working, what wasn’t, and where things were slipping through the cracks.

Some lessons came quietly. Others hit hard. But all of them brought clarity.

We realized that to grow with purpose, we had to raise our standards, strengthen our systems, and lead with intention — not just effort.

That shift wasn’t easy.

It came with growing pains, tough decisions, and quiet moments of reflection.

But it became a turning point — the moment we stopped working in the business and started truly leading it.

Not everyone is meant to move forward with you — and that’s part of the process.

The lesson?

Growth isn’t always comfortable, but it’s always worth protecting what you’ve worked so hard to build.

A New Chapter Begins

And just when we thought things couldn’t get more exciting — they did.

We’re incredibly proud to share that we recently acquired Donnie’s Cooling and Heating, a 32-year-old company that has been serving Jennings and the surrounding areas for decades.

Donnie’s is more than just a name — it’s a legacy in this community. A business known, trusted, and loved by so many local families.

And the best part? Mr. Donnie himself is joining the Southern Chill team to help with the transition — continuing the care and relationships he’s built over the years, now backed by our team’s energy and resources.

It’s a full-circle moment — blending tradition with forward momentum.

And we’re honored to carry Donnie’s legacy forward while expanding the reach of Southern Chill.

What We’ve Learned

We’ve learned that:

• Growth requires sacrifice

• Loyalty can’t replace accountability

• Every setback holds a lesson — some more expensive than others

• Leadership means protecting your team, your customers, and your vision

The truth is, we’re still learning.

But we’re committed to growing forward — smarter, stronger, and more rooted than ever.

Celebrating Our Wins (and the Lessons Behind Them)

We’ve grown a business from scratch.

We’ve hired, trained, and built a team that shows up, works hard, and shares our values.

We’ve learned to make the hard calls, tighten our systems, and still show up with heart.

Our trucks may look polished, but behind every logo — and every wrap still in progress — is a story of grit, grace, and growth.

This isn’t just a company. It’s a family business. It’s a calling.

It’s our way of serving our community — one home at a time.

To Our Team, Customers, and Supporters: Thank You

To our team — thank you for believing in the mission, raising the bar, and doing the work day in and day out.

To our customers — thank you for choosing a company that puts people first.

To our early days and hard lessons — thank you for shaping who we are.

We’re proud of where we’ve been.

We’re even more excited about where we’re going.

Ready to Work with a Company Built on Heart, Hustle, and Higher Standards?

At Southern Chill A/C and Heating, LLC, we don’t just fix systems — we build trust, protect homes, and lead with integrity.

Whether you need fast, honest HVAC service or you’re a skilled tech looking to join a company that values family, faith, and real accountability —

we want to hear from you.

We’re not just growing.

We’re growing the right way — with the right people.

Let’s raise the standard of comfort together.