Start With Your People, Build Something That Lasts
Stephanie Postell with her Husband David
"Building a company that people are proud to work for doesn’t happen by accident."
It’s not the result of one good policy or a stacked benefits package. It’s the outcome of intentional decisions, made consistently over time, with people – not just profit – at the center.
That belief shaped everything when my husband, David, and I started Anchor Heating & Air. A previous experience taught us how quickly misalignment at the top can create instability at every level. We didn’t build the company and figure out values later, but instead built the company around them. Trust, consistency, and purpose had to define how we lead, how we operate, and how we show up for our people. And that belief continues to guide every decision we make.
In the trades, where the work is as demanding as it is competitive, it’s easy to focus solely on growth. But the environment you create for your team matters just as much as the numbers. A business isn’t just a service; it’s a place where people spend most of their waking hours. And that experience should reflect the same integrity you want your brand to represent.
At Anchor, we’ve worked hard to build a culture where expectations are clear and leadership is steady. Communication, follow-through, and accountability are part of the job, and they start at the top. One of the most important questions we often ask is: Are we living what we say we stand for? If the answer is no, we figure out why.
That kind of alignment has to show up in the details. Internal communication needs to carry the same weight as the promises made to customers. If you say you value teamwork, but your processes isolate people, it’s time to rethink them. From onboarding to the day-to-day, your systems should reinforce, not contradict, your values.
Anchor Heating & Air Team
That kind of alignment has to show up in the details. Internal communication needs to carry the same weight as the promises made to customers. If you say you value teamwork, but your processes isolate people, it’s time to rethink them. From onboarding to the day-to-day, your systems should reinforce, not contradict, your values.
Now, I know this industry. I know that clients aren’t asking how your team meetings run or if your contractors feel heard. And sure, those things probably won’t be the deciding factors that land you the job. But here’s what they do affect: how problems get solved. How customers are treated. Whether your team is proud to wear your logo.
Community is one of the most natural ways we reinforce that purpose. While I’m personally involved with Make-A-Wish, our team also connects through things like sponsoring youth sports, supporting local schools, or showing up at community events. And while these aren’t always massive efforts, they matter. When your team sees you supporting their kids, their causes, their neighborhoods – it builds pride that carries into the field.
Because a company should be more than a place to clock in. It should be a vehicle for growth, for providing, and for making life better at home and at work. When leaders take that responsibility seriously, people stay. They care. They bring their best.
Did I grow up watching and learning how to build a company like this? No. But I get to be one of the people doing it now. And I’ve learned that we’re all incredibly lucky to work in an industry built around serving others. The work we do impacts real people every day, and that service starts with how we show up for our own teams. Because the goal isn’t to just bring people in the door, but to create a place where they’re supported, challenged, and proud to be.
There’s no perfect version of this. But if you want to build a company people believe in: Be consistent. Stay accountable. And lead like it matters – because it does.
Stephanie Postell with Anchor Heating and Air
Stephanie Postell is the co-owner and COO of Anchor Heating & Air in Charleston, South Carolina. A former educator turned business leader, she is the founder of the She Means Business Conference, a two-time She Shines award winner, and a 2025 member of the Lowcountry W.I.S.H. Society. Stephanie is known for her approach to branding, leadership, and her commitment to building a company grounded in purpose, integrity, and community impact.
Learn more about Anchor Heating & Air at: https://www.anchorheatingandair.com
