On this week's Eye on Veterans podcast, we’re with Navy veteran Matt Thompson, who built an incredible post-military career in the skilled trades … and how his use of TikTok has made his heating and air conditioning business wildly successful in Southern California.
Thompson's story began with a love for engines, which included building a car that ran on airplane fuel. His knack for all things mechanical helped him advance through the ranks in the Navy.
He shared how his military experience and credentials put him on the fast track to getting a contractor’s license in California, but it was his interest in social media that helped his business experience explosive growth. The veteran shared how he used YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok to promote his business through a mix of HVAC-related videos and glimpses into his personal life and hobbies. Thompson also described the videos that became popular, and how today, he receives sales leads and even gets paid by social platforms for his content and HVAC product demos.
However, Thompson is not pushing people to become an “influencer." Rather, he calls for more veterans (and our kids) to consider careers in the skilled trades and use social media to help build a thriving business.
Find Matt Thompson on Tik Tok and other social @Matts_Crafty.
See more of Thompson’s heating and air conditioning business, EMT HVAC here.
Contact Phil Briggs, the host of CBS Eye on Veterans at phil@connectingvets.com.