Business 'scaling' La Montaña

  To reach the summit of "the mountain" is one of the main goals for Armando Ochoa Robles, owner of La Montaña (The Mountain) Heating and Cooling.

  Armando has lived in the U.S. for 11 years. Originally from the Mexican state of Sinaloa, he was raised in Agua Prieta and San Luis Rio Colorado, Son.

  Two years ago, he was able to pursue the American dream of being his own boss with the help of a friend and the financial support of a brother-in- law.

  One day, he said his friend, Jesse Gomez, owner of Fortuna de Oro (a 1,500-space recreational park east of the Foothills) approached him. "He said to me, 'If you decide to start your own business, I'll give you the contract for the park.'"

  That was how Armando got his first contract. "Then came Yuma Nursing Center, among others."

  He does advertise, he said, but he believes his best advertisement is the word of mouth spread by happy customers.

  "When I do a job, the same people recommend me to others. I live to offer quality service, not quantity."

  It's a business policy that has proven successful for Armando. Currently, he has many important service contracts, the most recent one to service the Holiday Inn units.

  Armando previously worked for Dae Woo, Dole Fresh Vegetables and New Star, among others. He had studied air conditioning and refrigeration in Mexico and has Arizona state certification in addition to a special universal certification to handle the gas the cooling units use.

  There's a special reason he named his business La Montaña, he said. It symbolizes one his main goals as a businessman.

  "Every mountain has a summit and to get there you need to struggle. I know it takes lots of work and sacrifices, time, effort, dedication and money. And I am working hard and with honesty so that in five years my company is well recognized and I can open another office."

  Armando advises others who want to open a business to think it through very well and be sure you have the right knowledge and experience to do the job well.

  "If a job is done well, the people themselves will do the advertising for you."

  La Montaña is located at 14795 S. Avenue B, Somerton. The business is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and can be reached at 726-0838.

  For 24-hour service when that emergency breakdown occurs, call 941-4063.