Community Highlights: Meet Eric Flores of True Flow Heating and Air

Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Flores.

Hi Eric , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Denver, Colorado, in a typical, busy household. Between school, after-school activities, and chores, our home was always in motion. With both parents working and trying to get three kids where we needed to be, it was a constant juggling act. We didn’t have much growing up when it came to material things, I always wanted the things other kids at school had. When I was 13, I asked my parents for a pair of Jordan shoes. They said they’d let me know, but that evening I overheard them talking and saying they couldn’t afford them. The next day, I told them never mind.
We lived just one block from an elementary school, so after school I walked over and asked the head custodian if he had any work I could do. He hired me on the spot for $5.25 an hour. I started the very next day, working after school Monday through Friday—20 hours a week. I saved up and eventually bought myself those Jordans.
That experience taught me that with hard work, you can get what you want. From that moment on, I made a promise to always hustle and work hard, just like I’d watched my parents do. Through it all, my parents taught me the value of sacrifice and hard work.
After graduating from high school, I attended college part-time. Not long after, I found out I was expecting a child, and I knew I needed a quicker path to a career—something that would allow me to start earning right away. My daughter became the most important person in my life and my main motivation. My godfather had owned a large mechanical company in the Denver metro area for over 40 years, although not close, I reached out to him and asked if I could learn a trade. I am thankful that he offered me an entry-level position in any of the trades under his umbrella, and I chose HVAC/sheet metal. I started at $7.55 an hour, but I knew if I stayed committed, the pay would follow.
I worked for him for over 10 years, It wasn’t an easy ride. With commercial construction comes layoffs, long days working in the snow, rain, wind, freezing temps and mud—but I stuck with it. Through persistence and hard work, I eventually earned my place as a journeyman sheet metal installer. I helped build schools, hospitals, office buildings, banks, you name it. It was physically demanding work, and after multiple shoulder and knee surgeries then losing the ability to grip a hammer for eight hours a day, I knew it was time for a change. I enrolled in HVAC service school to learn a different side of the trade.
After completing the program, I shifted into residential HVAC. I really enjoyed helping homeowners solve problems—it felt more personal than working on commercial buildings. Over the years, I wore many hats: installer, service technician, salesperson, manager. But after 18 years in the trade, I started to burn out.
Then, something unexpected happened, something I now believe was meant to be.
A good friend of mine, who owns a real estate brokerage, called and asked if I could help him with a property he was selling. He needed a new furnace installed, and I agreed to do it as a favor. A few days later, he called again and asked if the title company could write the check directly to me. I said sure, no problem. Then he added, “By the way, you need a state registered company name for the check.”
I didn’t have a company name, remember, this was just a favor but I went ahead and brainstormed a name, registered it with the State of Colorado, and gave it to him. Then he said, “Oh, and you’ll need insurance too.” So I got that as well.
That first job actually cost me more than I made—I ended up upside down on the deal. But in hindsight, I realize my friend was giving me a push in the right direction, maybe even a second chance at a trade I was beginning to fall out of love with. After that first project, he gave me another. Then another. Soon, word of mouth spread that I was out on my own. Business picked up quickly.
Eventually, I had a choice to make: stay at the company where I had a steady paycheck, or take a leap of faith and go all in on this business I hadn’t planned on starting. I followed my gut and made the only logical decision and in 2018 I quit my job and committed fully to True Flow Heating and Air.
And just like that, my love for the trade was reignited.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Throughout my career, I’ve worn many hats but nothing truly prepares you for being a business owner.
There have been plenty of obstacles along the way. One of the biggest challenges was navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. As an HVAC company, we were considered essential workers, but that didn’t make things easier. Equipment pipelines came to a halt, and supply houses prioritized large, corporate-owned HVAC companies over smaller businesses like ours. It essentially became a bidding war just to get basic equipment.
We didn’t have the deep pockets that corporate companies did, so competing was incredibly difficult. I spoke up—loud and clear—at a time when I was being encouraged to stay quiet. I stood my ground in front of those bigger companies, even when the supply houses tried to silence me. Eventually, that pressure helped shift the conversation, and we began receiving the equipment we needed at a fair cost.
Another ongoing challenge has been securing consistent work. The HVAC market in our area is saturated, making it tough to stand out. I’ve hired multiple marketing companies over the years—none of which delivered the results we needed. It was frustrating and costly, but that’s part of being a small business owner and entrepreneur: you make the best decisions you can with the information you have, and sometimes things don’t work out.
That said, I’ve learned a lot through trial and error—especially when it comes to marketing. I now know what to look for (and what to avoid) when hiring a marketing partner. I’m happy to say that we’ve recently teamed up with a new marketing company, and things are finally moving in the right direction.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m the owner of True Flow Heating and Air, a residential HVAC company specializing in service, repairs, installations, and maintenance.
The culture I’ve built—and what I want True Flow to be known for—is honesty and helpfulness. Yes, we work in HVAC but our real business is customer service. Without our customers, we don’t exist, and everything we do is centered around taking care of them.
I want every homeowner and client to know that we’re here for you. As the owner, I make it a point to stay accessible—many of our clients have my personal number and reach out at all hours of the day and night. I’m proud that over time, many of those clients have become friends. We’ve gone to Rockies games together, shared dinners, and even celebrated weddings.
That’s what True Flow is all about—helping people first, and trusting that everything else will fall into place.
True Flow started with me helping a friend, and that spirit of helping others continues to guide everything we do today.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
People can work with or support me and True Flow Heating and Air by simply giving us the opportunity to earn your trust. Whether it’s a repair, a maintenance visit, or a full system replacement, our goal is always to be honest, helpful, and dependable.
We also love to collaborate with non profits, property managers, and anybody who shares the same commitment to customer care and quality work.
And for those who just want to support us, the best way is through word of mouth—sharing your experience, leaving a review, or referring a friend or neighbor. Most of our growth has come from happy customers spreading the word, and we’re so grateful for that.
At the end of the day, whether you’re a client, partner, or supporter, it all comes down to building real relationships and helping people stay comfortable in their homes.
P.S – I am forever grateful to everybody that supported me in the past and who continues to support me. Thank You.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.trueflowheatingandair.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trueflowheat/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trueflowhvac

Image Credits
24k photography