A 9-to-5 job is a safe choice for millions of Americans. The steady paycheck and a clearer career ladder matter to many people. But for others, an office job is limiting financially, physically and mentally.
GOBankingRates spoke to Bobby Gibbons of Enhance Home Solutions, who built a six-figure income by leaving the traditional employment path and betting on his skills instead. Here are the reasons he quit his 9-to-5 job as an HVAC technician and started a business.
A Life-Changing Moment Forced a Rethink of Office Stability
The first push away from his traditional HVAC role didn’t come from burnout. Gibbons was involved in an accident.
“While working a service call, I was rear-ended by a tow truck at a red light. The accident severely injured my neck and back. I tried to keep working for months, but the physical demands of HVAC, climbing attics and carrying equipment became unbearable,” said Gibbons.
After surgery and months without work, Gibbons realized that relying on a single paycheck is risky. With bills piling up and no backup plan, “That forced me to think differently about how to use my industry knowledge.”
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Industry Expertise Opened New Revenue Streams
Gibbons didn’t abandon HVAC. He expanded into adjacent markets where his expertise created value without the physical toll.
“I had always been passionate about high-efficiency systems like HVAC, insulation, air quality, and making homes perform better,” he said. “That naturally led me into solar and energy solutions in a more independent way.”
Like any other service-based business, there were long payment cycles and delayed commissions. Gibbons eventually took a major financial risk to enter solar. Within his first year, he generated over six figures.
“This was also a challenging time, but ultimately I was able to go fully independent,” he shared.
Flexibility and Ability To Make Decisions Faster
The freedom to execute matters more than the freedom to set your own schedule. When you spot a problem or opportunity, you can act immediately. That’s what Gibbons loves most about his current business.
“What I love most is the ability to make decisions quickly and actually improve situations without layers of politics slowing everything down. If something needs fixing, I can fix it,” he said.
Resilience Through Multiple Setbacks
Just as the business gained traction, another accident and a major hurricane threatened to shut everything down.
“When a major hurricane hit, I pivoted again and reinvented the company around insurance-based restoration services,” said Gibbons. “By offering emergency tarping, working alongside public adjusters and helping homeowners secure funding for repairs, I was able to stabilize and rebuild the business.”
Leaving his office job came with several setbacks that forced Gibbons to evolve.
“Those experiences ultimately shaped a more resilient company built on problem-solving, efficiency, and long-term sustainability.”
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: I’m an HVAC Tech with a Six-Figure Salary — 4 Reasons I Left the Office Life for Good
