Meet One Hour Heating & Air Franchise Owner Michelle Glasson

Careers in the skilled trades have long been dominated by men. That reality is slowly changing as more women step into leadership roles and technical positions across the industry. One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning franchisee Michelle Glasson has seen that shift firsthand.

Glasson owns a One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning franchise in Levittown, Pennsylvania. Her introduction to the home services industry came through a family business, where she quickly developed an interest in the work and the people behind it.

“I’ve always been drawn to businesses that serve the community and provide real value to people’s everyday lives,” she said.

Early involvement in the company gave Glasson the chance to learn how the business worked day to day. Customer service, operations and leadership all became part of her experience.

“Home services is one of those industries where the work you do genuinely matters,” she said. “When someone’s heat isn’t working or they have a plumbing emergency, you’re solving a real problem for them.”

Glasson also owns and operates Benjamin Franklin Plumbing and Mister Sparky franchises, allowing her to serve customers across multiple home service trades. The brands stood out because of their strong systems, training and emphasis on professionalism and customer experience.

“Those values aligned well with how we wanted to run our businesses,” she said. “The brands provide a strong foundation, but they still allow us to build our own team culture and relationships within our local community.”

Glasson believes successful home service companies depend on strong teams. Leadership plays a major role in creating that environment. “We want our team members to feel like they are part of something bigger than just a job,” she said. “They are a part of our family.”

Training and professional development are a regular focus within the business. Team members are encouraged to grow their skills and pursue advancement opportunities.

Support does not stop when the workday ends. Leadership remains available when employees need help or guidance outside the workplace.

“Our technicians and staff represent our company in customers’ homes every day, so professionalism and trust are extremely important,” she said. “When people feel valued and supported, they tend to take ownership of their work and care deeply about the success of the business.”

Glasson entered the trades at a time when female leadership was still uncommon in the industry. Early reactions were sometimes dismissive.

“In the very beginning, it was both challenging and, for the most part, laughed at,” she said. “However, through the years it has proven to be incredibly rewarding. When you focus on building a strong team, supporting your employees, and leading with integrity, people respond to that regardless of gender.”

Glasson believes the skilled trades offer strong career opportunities for women who are willing to learn the business.

“Women often bring a strong sense of communication, organization and emotional intelligence to leadership roles,” she said. “Those qualities are incredibly valuable when you’re managing teams, supporting employees and building relationships with customers.”

Glasson encourages women interested in the trades to trust their abilities and pursue opportunities in the field. Skilled trade careers provide strong potential for stability, growth and entrepreneurship.