Family runs two businesses side-by-side
Most families who own a family business put all of their time and energy into making it work. However, for Brian and Paula Deml it has become double duty because they run two family businesses side-by-side.
The Demls own Deml Heating & Air Conditioning in Owatonna and help Paula’s dad, Don McDonald, run Alpha Aviation in Owatonna and Burnsville.
Even though running two businesses can mean a lot of long hours, the thought of putting one company to rest has never been an option for the Demls.
“We are a family business and we didn’t abandon that. We are a big player in a small market so we are not going to walk away from that,” Paula said about Alpha Aviation.
“It was built as a family business, and I believe that it should be continued as a family business. I don’t believe in big cookie-cutter businesses trying to serve all of Minnesota and Iowa; I believe that in order to do the best service for your customers and to keep that personal touch you just have to stay in your little area,” Brian added about Deml Heating.
Brian’s dad Roger started Deml Heating in 1969, after some part-time work of installing furnaces on the weekends turned into a full-fledged business. Brian grew up in the business and started helping out at a very young age. He has been working full-time since 1982.
Two years ago Brian and Paula bought the business from Roger and Brian’s sister, Colleen. Today the business primarily serves the residential market and offers a variety of services including air conditioning installation, repair and replacement, furnace installation, repair and replacement, geothermal heat pump installation, heating system installation, repair and replacement and humidifier installation.
Brian mostly enjoys the variety the job brings.
“I’ve done it my entire life. I find it so beneficial because I have to know so many other parts of the industry in order to do the best job that I can,” he said. “It gives me a refreshing view. Every single house is different.”
Alpha Aviation was founded in 1990 by Paula’s dad, Don McDonald. After McDonald retired from the phone company, he was looking for something to do so he started a flight school with a friend. After the flight school grew McDonald developed a four-legged jack, instead of the traditional three legs, for his own use. By1999 the jack sales had skyrocketed so he decided to sell the flight school and focus on the jack business. Today the company is a major player in the aircraft jack and seat belt industry; both domestically and internationally.
Paula has been involved in the business for around 15 years now and enjoys being able to work with people from different backgrounds.
“I get to talk to people all over the world. I like being able to be a part of people’s lives and still being able to keep our family values going,” Paula said.
In September 2013, the Demls and McDonald decided to move the construction and warehouse portion of Alpha Aviation into the same building as Deml Heating in order to more easily run both businesses.
“We would spend an hour and a half driving to St. Paul, build and drive an hour and a half back so with it being here is a lot easier,” Paula said.
The main challenge for the couple has been finding free time to spend with family outside of work.
“We are together a lot so you have to have good communication and patience. It is finding that balance between home and work. Sometimes Brian and I are out here until 10 p.m. trying to get things done so it wears on you,” Paula said.
Brian added, “After both Paula and I have spent 100 plus hours a week into both businesses we are pretty fried. A lot of times it is hard to go home at the end of the day and unplug.”
Even though running the two businesses is hectic, Brian says that is what keeps it interesting.
Paula’s hope for the future for both businesses is “success and longevity and to continue growing.” Brian’s hope for both businesses is “to continue to stay in the market and do the best job we can for our customers while still maintaining that personal touch.”