When Stephanie and David Postell were fired from their HVAC jobs in December 2020, they poured the $2,000 they had saved into equipment and founded Anchor Heating and Air in Charleston. With more than 30 years of industry experience combined, the couple leveraged their technical know‑how and customer contacts to land a string of first‑job contracts, reinvesting every profit to buy parts and tools. By the end of 2021, the fledgling business was servicing both residential and commercial clients across the Lowcountry.
In a September 9 interview on the Blue Collar Start‑Up podcast, the Postells revealed that Anchor is on track to generate slightly more than $8 million in revenue during its fifth year. They credit disciplined pricing, transparent customer communication and a lean hiring model that rewards technicians for quality work. The firm also keeps family in the loop: two of their children have worked part‑time, each staying with the company for up to four years.
The couple’s partnership evolved from former employer‑employee to equal partners. David now focuses on field operations, while Stephanie handles marketing and operations, ensuring no overlap in decision‑making. They have codified a policy that personal disagreements never spill into the workplace, preserving a professional atmosphere for the 15 technicians on staff.
Looking ahead, the Postells plan to open a second service hub in North Charleston and to add 12 new technicians by mid‑2027. They also intend to secure a multi‑year municipal contract for heating and cooling maintenance across the city, which could raise annual revenue to $10 million. Their trajectory is seen as a benchmark for small‑business resilience in the post‑pandemic economy.