We had the good fortune of connecting with Marcela Peterson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marcela, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind the success of FreshAir AC is trust, and that trust is rooted in hard work and integrity. The owner and lead contractor, and most importantly a father, built this company from the ground up as an immigrant with a dream not just for a better life for him and his family, but to actively contribute to the community that gave him a chance. He’s always believed in doing the job right, showing up with pride, and never settling for the bare minimum. That mindset is what shaped our company culture. Not only did he raise his kids to be hard workers, but he made sure that we kept the integrity and perseverance outside of just family goals, and now we have build this family business to prove how the good things also come from being raised with a strong mindset and a dream to succeed. We don’t just fix AC systems—we build relationships. Our clients know they can count on us to be honest and thorough, and to treat their homes like our own. That kind of reputation isn’t built overnight—it’s earned, and we earn it every single day.

What should our readers know about your business?
FreshAir AC is more than just an HVAC company, it’s a family-built dream rooted in hard work, integrity, and community. We specialize in residential & commercial air conditioning and heating services, and refrigeration. What sets us apart is our commitment to honesty and reliability. We show up when we say we will, we explain everything in a way our customers can understand, and we treat every home like it’s our own. We don’t believe in cutting corners or upselling; we believe in doing the right thing every time.

What I’m most proud of is that everything we’ve built has come from our own hands and hearts. This isn’t some big corporate operation—it’s my parents, my brothers, my husband, and me, all working together to create something meaningful. My dad is the foundation, with decades of experience and an unmatched work ethic. My brother Andres brought the vision and engineering brains to elevate our services. I handle operations and administration while also carrying our story into the world. Even my younger brother Diego plays a part by keeping us motivated for the future. And behind it all, my mom and my husband hold us down with unconditional support and love.

Getting to where we are today was not easy. Like many small businesses, we’ve had to learn as we go, face financial uncertainty, deal with slow seasons, and stretch every resource. But what helped us push through was our shared mission—we weren’t just building a business, we were building a legacy. One challenge at a time, we leaned on each other, stayed consistent, and trusted that the work would speak for itself. And it did.

One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned is that people don’t just remember what you fixed, they remember how you made them feel. They remember your honesty, your respect, your effort. That’s what keeps customers coming back and referring us to others.

If there’s one thing, I want the world to know about FreshAir AC, it’s that we are here to do good work and take care of people, simple as that. Our story is still being written, and every day we show up with the same goal: to grow with integrity, honor our roots, and keep earning the trust of our community.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting for the week, I’d make sure they left with full hearts, full stomachs, and a whole new love for Fort Worth and the DFW area! Here’s how the week would go down: Day 1 Hurtado’s BBQ, Day 2 Joe T. Garcia’s Day 3 Dallas Trip on the train to Bishop Arts district Day 4 Botanical Garden! Day 5 Stockayrd’s girls’ night out! Day 6 Dallas Nightclubs and tacos at Fuel City, Day 7 Tacos Dany’s gorditas for lunch!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many people who deserve credit in our story. First and foremost, my dad. He’s the backbone of FreshAir AC. His work ethic, perseverance, and pride in doing honest, high-quality work set the foundation for everything we stand for. As an immigrant, he came to this country with nothing but drive, and he’s built something that not only supports our family but also serves our community.

But if he’s the heart of the company, then my mom is the soul. She’s a full-time engineer, a full-time mom, and somehow still manages to keep our family grounded, safe, and well-fed while we chase this dream. She’s the all-in-one silent partner, home manager, and emotional glue that holds us all together—never asking for credit but always deserving it.

My brother Andres also deserves a huge shoutout. He’s the one who originally had the vision to elevate the company with real strategy and innovation. As a recent UTA mechanical engineering grad, he brought not only fresh ideas but the technical expertise to back them up. He’s the architect behind a lot of the growth we’ve experienced—analytical, precise, and always ten steps ahead. His knowledge is truly a game-changer for us.

Then there’s my younger brother Diego—our heart. He’s still growing, but in many ways, he keeps us grounded. We all want to take care of him and make sure he sees what’s possible. He reminds us of our purpose, of the next generation we’re building this for.

And finally, my husband Jerome—my rock and the backbone of my little family. He’s the provider who holds things down while I run full speed after our dreams. He believes in me, encourages me, and lets me be fearless knowing he’s got us no matter what.

And of course, none of this would be possible without our customers—their early trust and continued support are the reason we’re here. This journey is truly a family effort, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Website: https://freshair-ac.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshair.ac/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560691636414

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/freshair-ac-mansfield?uid=jL4kRqItj58CwGE2xd8S5Q&utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.