Family and Business Balance: Lessons from Cheri Sammataro of Samm’s HVAC

Running a family business is no easy feat, especially when that business becomes as successful as Samm’s Heating and Air, which Cheri and Paul Sammataro co-founded in 2005. Cheri recently reflected on the trials, triumphs, and lessons learned from balancing family life with building a thriving HVAC company. Here’s what she had to share about the journey.

The Beginnings of Samm’s Heating and Air

“When we first started Samm’s, our plan was simple: I would drive around with Paul in the car, answering phones, and we would just, “make it work. Our only goal was to make enough money to pay the bills,” Cheri recalls. Starting a business always requires a deep level of commitment, but Cheri and Paul didn’t fully anticipate the rapid growth that lay ahead.

Managing a growing business meant that Cheri was on the phone from early in the morning until well after 5 p.m., sometimes til 9-10pm,handling all the administrative work. Balancing this with household responsibilities was difficult, but she never backed down from the challenge. “It wasn’t easy, but I learned to push through.”

The Heart of Samm’s HVAC

Cheri Sammataro has always been more than just a co-owner at Samm’s Heating and Air; she’s been the heart and soul of the company, creating a family-first culture that makes employees feel at home. Known as “Mom” — and now proudly “Grandma” of Samm’s — Cheri is the one who warmly welcomes new employees, often with a hug and a smile that says they’re part of the family. She makes a point to know the people who work alongside her, greeting employees’ kids with open arms and giving moms a well-deserved break as she fawns over their little ones. Cheri believes that a warm, supportive workplace goes a long way in making Samm’s more than just a business; it’s a community.

Being the backbone of Samm’s HVAC isn’t easy, but Cheri’s perseverance is as legendary as her kind heart. Just like her father, Butch, she’s famously stubborn and determined. If something needs to be done, Cheri will see it through, whether it’s a late-night bookkeeping task or a complex problem in the business. This tenacity, inherited from Butch, has helped her overcome countless challenges and build the strong foundation on which Samm’s continues to grow. Cheri’s mix of warmth and resolve has not only created a thriving business but also a legacy of care, hard work, and family values that defines Samm’s HVAC today.

Managing Family and Business Stress

While Cheri and Paul were dedicated to the success of Samm’s HVAC, balancing work and home life was a challenge. “We didn’t really handle the stress well, to be honest. The early years were tough. I would often work until bedtime, and figuring out the office side of things—like payroll, vendors, and taxes—was a whole other learning curve.” Without the robust internet resources available today, Cheri had to teach herself A LOT along the way. “Sometimes, I wanted it all to just go away, but I knew if I kept pushing, I’d figure it out, and I did.”

Cheri credits her determination and stubbornness, traits she inherited from her father, for helping her through the tough times. “I didn’t quit. There were moments when I had to figure out complex things, and I was determined not to ask for help. In the end, I did it.”

A Team Effort: Cheri and Paul’s Partnership

As Cheri and Paul built the business, it was always a team effort, even if their roles weren’t evenly split. “We knew what each of us had to do, and it all just worked together,” she says. Of course, like any business partnership, there were moments of tension, but they made it work.

Cheri shares a funny memory: “We’d argue back and forth during the day, but once Friday hit and the books were closed, we didn’t talk about work. One day, after a big argument, Paul brought me boxing gloves to lighten the mood. It cracked me up, and now we still have those gloves in the office as a reminder of how far we’ve come.”

The Turning Point

The seven-year mark in any business is critical, and for Samm’s Heating and Air, it was a significant milestone. “If you can make it to seven years, you’re in a good place. Hitting that mark felt amazing. When we made it to 10 years, I knew we had built something incredible.”

Yet, while the business was growing, Cheri often found herself feeling conflicted. “There were times when I’d get frustrated because my family would be enjoying the pool or having BBQs, and I’d be stuck answering the phones.” This tension between work and family life is something many entrepreneurs experience, but Cheri’s commitment to the business never wavered.

Raising a Family While Building a Business

Running a business with three kids in tow wasn’t easy, but Cheri always hoped they would learn valuable lessons from seeing her and Paul’s hard work. “I wanted them to understand that you don’t give up on your dreams, no matter how hard it gets. You just keep going.” This mindset has carried the family through the most challenging times.

As their kids grew older, they became involved in the family business. “All three of our kids have been committed to the business in some way, and I hope that continues,” says Cheri.