Honestly, it comes down to who we are as a company. At Stewart Mechanical, we've always believed we're more than just an air conditioning company — we're part of this community. We see our customers as neighbors first. The same families we're helping stay cool in the summer are the ones we run into at rodeos, school events, and community gatherings. Supporting those events is just another way of showing up for them outside of the job.

It also reflects how we've always run our business. We're not trying to be faceless in a company; we want people to know who we are, trust us, and feel comfortable calling us when they need help. Being present at local events helps build those relationships in a genuine way, and it keeps us connected to the community that keeps our business going. We also proudly sponsor other rodeos such as the 406 Rodeo, which is filled with the next generation of rodeo. We see it as investing in our community and our youth — the two most important things. Our family has lived here for five generations, and we hope to keep this sport alive in Cave Creek for many generations to come.

When we choose someone to sponsor, character and heart come first. We want to see that passion for what they do and the love for their horses that help them do it. We are proudly sponsoring two beautiful young women, Madisyn Desautelle and Dakota Stewart. We presented both of these young women with beautiful custom Stewart Mechanical buckles made by Sheridan Buckle Co.

Madisyn is everything we were looking for, plus some. She carries herself with kindness, strength, and professionalism. Madisyn and her horse Winnie show up for every race and give it their all.

Dakota is our daughter but has an undeniable passion for horses and barrel racing. She is eager and willing to learn so she can take her and her horse Kallie to the next level. Dakota encourages and mentors other younger children to get involved with horses and barrel racing every chance she gets. Several people ask, "What does air conditioning have to do with barrel racing?" and I always tell them "Everything." The Stewart family has a passion for both, and as we all know in Arizona, everyone needs air conditioning. Our family is either out at the arena or working on an air conditioning unit.

The Stewart family has always been a part of the horse community, but watching our daughter grow as a young barrel racer has added a whole new layer of meaning to our involvement. What started as supporting her interest has turned into a shared family experience that keeps us grounded in the values that define this lifestyle — hard work, resilience, and genuine connection. You spend long days at the arena, early mornings at the barn, and countless hours alongside other families who quickly become more than just familiar faces; they become part of your extended circle.

We have made so many great relationships along the way and work closely with others in the equine community. Cortney Morris is an extremely decorated barrel racer and currently trains Dakota in the arena. Dakota strives to be everything Cortney is and looks up to her.

Being a five-generation HVAC family isn't just something we say — it's really how we operate day to day. Everyone has their role, but because we are family and have been in the industry since our great-great uncles Gust and Adam Goettl founded Goettl in 1939, things just flow naturally. We communicate easily, step in for one another when needed, and there's a built-in level of trust that makes everything run smoother.

That family connection definitely shows up in how we treat our customers, too. We're not looking at people as just another service call — we treat them like neighbors. The same values that have been passed down through generations, being honest, showing up when we say we will, and respecting someone's home and business are just part of who we are. At the end of the day, I think people can feel and see that. It's not a big corporate experience, it's more personal. When you call in you will either get me (Samantha Stewart) or Michael Stewart taking your call. You're working with a family that genuinely cares, and that's what gives it that "neighborly" feel. We are not building our company to sell off to corporate — we are building to pass down to our children, Tanner and Dakota.

Honestly, the "secret" is we don't really treat it like two separate things. Our business and our time in the horse community both come from the same place — family, hard work, and just showing up for people. We work closely with El Hay Guy and Clover C Productions to keep Larkyn Memorial Arena, which is our local arena, open and beautiful for all types of equine sports. We show up as a company to help where needed and as a family to support our daughter.