HER Heating & Cooling in Indianapolis announces that it has been officially certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) by Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), a national certifying body. This certification recognizes the company as a woman-owned, operated, and controlled business, reinforcing its commitment to diversity, innovation, and leadership within the HVAC industry.

“This certification is more than a designation; it represents our values, our journey, and our commitment to excellence,” said Cecilia Smith, Owner of HER Heating & Cooling. “We are proud to stand among a growing network of women-owned businesses making a meaningful impact in traditionally male-dominated industries.”

Cecilia Smith, a native of Indiana, has been in the HVAC industry for over a decade. She started her small business as the Covid-19 pandemic took hold. HER Heating & Cooling serves an 80-mile radius around Indianapolis.

“I was working for a heating and cooling company and was one of the top technicians at 16 branches,” Cecilia Smith said. “With the success I was having, I decided I wanted to be my own boss.”

With a shortage of skilled technicians as well as a lack of women in the industry, Cecilia Smith said she hopes the certification will also strengthen her recruitment efforts in the HVAC industry. She said it’s tough to find skilled maintenance technicians, and she’s willing to train motivated workers.

“I am working on two more woman-owned certifications; it could open doors,” Cecilia Smith said.

Achieving WBE certification marks a milestone for HER Heating & Cooling, opening new opportunities for partnerships with corporations and government agencies that prioritize supplier diversity programs. It also "underscores the company’s dedication to fostering an inclusive business environment and delivering high-quality heating and cooling solutions to its customers."

According to the company, HER Heating & Cooling has built a reputation for "dependable service, technical expertise and customer-first solutions." With this certification, the company aims to expand its reach while continuing to provide top-tier HVAC services to residential and commercial clients.