We recently had the chance to connect with Eric Craigo and have shared our conversation below.
Eric, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity. While energy and intelligence are both valuable, integrity is the most important quality in our line of work. When you’re invited into someone’s home or business, they’re trusting you with something personal and important. Integrity means we’re honest about what a customer needs, we don’t cut corners, and we stand by our word. You can have all the knowledge in the world, but if you don’t approach your work with integrity, people won’t feel confident in you. Our reputation is built on doing the right thing, even when no one is watching, and that’s what earns long-term relationships and referrals. Integrity creates trust, and trust is the foundation of everything we do.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
It’s an honor to be featured in this magazine for a second time. Since our last interview, we’ve continued to grow, not just in the services we offer but also in how we connect with our community. At Carolina HVAC Services, we’ve always believed that reliability and trust are the foundation of our work, and that commitment has only deepened.
What makes us unique isn’t just that we install and repair heating and cooling systems, it’s the relationships we build. We take pride in helping families and businesses stay comfortable, safe, and energy-efficient year-round, but we also believe in giving back to the community that supports us.
That’s why we sponsor local youth sports teams and get involved wherever else we can. For us, it’s about more than business, it’s about being a neighbor and investing in the next generation! Our brand and our values carry into everything we do, whether it’s fixing a system or cheering on kids at a local game.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
One of the most influential relationships in my life was with a former boss I worked under at another HVAC company early in my career. He showed me that real success comes from hard work, accountability, and consistency. It wasn’t just about getting the job done, it was about showing up every day, being dependable, and taking pride in the quality of your work!
That experience shaped the way I see myself today, and it’s also influenced how I lead my own company. At Carolina HVAC Services, we emphasize reliability, craftsmanship, and a genuine commitment to customer care. Those lessons I learned years ago are still the foundation of how I approach every job and every decision today.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me resilience in a way that success never could. When everything is going well, it’s easy to think you’ve got it all figured out. But it’s the challenges, the setbacks, the long days, and the mistakes that really test you. Those moments forced me to slow down, stay patient, and learn to adapt.
I realized that hardship teaches empathy, too. It solidifies that everyone is carrying their own struggles, and that perspective makes me a better leader, coworker, and neighbor. Success is great, but it doesn’t build character the way tough times do. The lessons I learned during the hard seasons are the same ones that keep me grounded and motivated today.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I think a lot of smart people today are getting it wrong by overcomplicating things. Whether it’s in business, technology, or even customer service, there’s a tendency to chase the newest trend or the flashiest solution and forget about the basics. In our industry, for example, people can get caught up in high-tech systems and forget that what customers really need is reliability, clear communication, and someone who will actually show up when they say they will.
Sometimes the smartest thing you can do is keep it simple by listening to people, doing quality work, and following through.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Absolutely. I believe your work should reflect your own standards, not just the recognition you get for it. In my career, there have been plenty of times when the effort I put in went unnoticed, but I never saw that as wasted energy. Giving your best, even without praise, builds discipline, pride, and consistency.
At the end of the day, I know that I’ve given a customer or a project my full effort, and that’s its own reward. Praise is nice, but doing the right thing and knowing you didn’t cut corners is what really lasts. That’s the mentality I try to instill in my team as well. Work as if someone’s always watching, but be proud of it even if no one ever does.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.carolinahvacservices.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarolinaHVACServices1/
