Roy Bird Talks Boiler Mechanics and Entrepreneurship

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Roy Bird, a boiler mechanic with over 30 years of experience. He explains his work, which involves maintaining boilers that generate steam for industries like hospitals and oil processing plants. Roy shares how he got into this field at 14 and transitioned from HVAC to working with boilers after realizing he wasn’t keen on crawling through attics. Nine years ago, he started his own business, Olson Boiler HVAC Services, and talks about the fears he faced when leaving a steady job. He emphasizes the challenges of being your own boss, particularly having hundreds of bosses—your clients—and the long hours that come with building a business. Roy’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to prepare thoroughly before starting—make sure you have the necessary licenses, insurance, and financial support. His motto is simple: treat others well, and good things will come back to you.