Joshua Rodriguez is a Pioneer Valley native who credits his father and two grandfathers, all businessmen, with showing him that hard work creates opportunities, and that anything is possible if you work hard for it. He cherishes the positive reputation his father established for the family and is also grateful to his teachers, who inspired and encouraged him to pursue his dream of owning a business.
“I love mechanical and electrical systems,” says Rodriguez. “I like exploring the engineering of how something is built, and the process of problem-solving to fix equipment, or make it run better.”
Full name: Joshua Rodriguez
People know you as: JRod
Date and place of birth: April 1981, Springfield
Town of residence: Hatfield
Job: Owner of Year Round Heating and Cooling, Hatfield
Who lives under the same roof as you? My wife, Sarah Rodriguez
Children: They haven’t shown up yet.
Education: HVAC at Dean Vocational High School in Holyoke
Pets: Our dog
Hobbies: Fishing, kayaking, basketball, playing pool
Book you’d recommend to a friend: “The New Frugality” by Chris Farrell
Favorite television show: The television series “Macgyver”
Five items you can’t live without: My combustion analyzer, my refrigeration gauges, my cell phone, my computer, my Honda vehicles
Last thing you purchased just for fun: A trolling motor for my kayak
What’s at the top of your bucket list? Traveling to Spain, Ireland, and New Zealand
Lifechanging experience: Starting my HVAC company. I have always been told that I am personable and great with people. I took that information and worked on making people happy and smile. I find great satisfaction making people happy and doing a great job. I was never happy or felt satisfied with my work when I worked for someone else, no matter how hard I tried. That has all changed.
What is your current Facebook status? Mostly regarding business. I enjoy communicating with people through different methods, including on Facebook. I’ve noticed even on my Facebook page, at this time of year, people in general are in great moods, and are eager to enjoy their homes almost as their own vacation destination.
A little known fact about you: I’m a perfectionist.
Dumbest thing you ever did: Not starting my own company sooner. For years I thought I had to be a perfect person to even think about starting a company. But when I took a closer look at a lot of company owners, I realized they were ordinary people, hard working and ambitious. So I thought, why not me?
One trend you’d like to see return: Blockbuster Video, or video stores in general
If you could spend the day with a celebrity, from any time in history, who would it be? Nikola Tesla. I am fascinated with his electrical ingenuity and his inventions.
Best or worst advice you ever got? Worst advice: “Do not start your own company.” Best advice: “Start your own company.”
Pretty much everyone but a few people said not to go for it. I am the kind of person that when I hear I can’t do something, I am compelled to prove them wrong, and I have.
My wife was a great support, as well as a few friends. They knew me and that I would only be happy if I went for it.
Favorite place to get a bite and why? Johnny’s Bar and Grille in South Hadley. Everything I’ve ordered has been delicious.
Your favorite team or athlete and why? Favorite athlete of all time is Scottie Pippen because he was practically the perfect all-around player, and the best complement to Michael Jordan.
What does your ideal weekend look like? At the beach relaxing with my wife
People who knew you in high school thought you were: Athletic and a “guy’sguy”
Whom do you most admire? My wife, because she has been through a lot, and she still stays positive. I admire her attitude.
Parting shot: “He who says he can, and he who says he can’t, are the same person” — meaning if you put your mind to something, you’re going to accomplish it.