Press & Media.
Two decades of media coverage — from Forbes contributor and Wall Street Journal source to Chicago business features. Here’s what the press has said about Michael Mayes and Homestead Service Partners. Michael Mayes has been featured in Forbes, quoted by The Wall Street Journal, and covered by major Chicago and national media outlets. This page collects press coverage, published commentary, awards, and media appearances spanning two decades of building, scaling, and acquiring businesses.
The coverage that matters most.
A brand-new Forbes byline on what actually drives HVAC valuations — plus Wall Street Journal quotes and national broadcast features from 150+ media appearances.
In his latest Forbes byline, Michael breaks down Blackstone’s $2.5B, 18.5× acquisition of Champions Group — and the five things that separate an HVAC business buyers fight over from one that’s really just a job with a logo: recurring revenue, systems that run without the owner, a defined customer experience, a team and culture that retains technicians, and clean financials. His read on why institutional capital is flowing into the trades, written from the buyer’s seat.
Read on Forbes →What the media has covered.
Selected coverage across Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Chicago outlets, and national broadcasts. Each card links to the original source.
Michael contributed M&A strategies to a Forbes Business Council expert panel, covering due diligence, deal structure, and the cultural alignment that separates good acquisitions from bad ones.
A Forbes piece on navigating wage inflation while keeping top talent — a problem every service business operator deals with, whether you run an HVAC company or a consulting firm.
The Wall Street Journal cited Michael as an industry expert on business strategy and market dynamics in heavily regulated industries — environments where operational discipline matters most.
The Tribune profiled Michael’s work building businesses in complex regulatory environments — experience that directly shaped his approach to acquiring and operating service companies today.
Featured as an industry expert on WISN (ABC Milwaukee) discussing the real-world costs and business implications of operating in complex regulatory frameworks.
CBS Chicago featured Michael in a report on entrepreneurship and career creation in regulated industries — the kind of ground-floor company building that defined his early career.
Michael provided expert commentary to Crain’s on navigating complex regulatory environments and building scalable operations — skills he now applies to HVAC acquisitions.
Regional news coverage featuring Michael as a subject matter expert on licensing strategy, market entry, and operator-led growth across multiple states.
Michael’s analysis of McKinsey’s home services report — what it means for HVAC owners, why institutional money is moving into the space, and how independent operators should think about it.
What Michael writes and speaks about.
From HVAC acquisitions to operational strategy to what it takes to build something durable — these are the areas where Michael contributes expert commentary.
Awards & recognition.
National and international recognition for leadership, business impact, and operational excellence — selected by independent peer review.
Press tells the story in headlines. This tells it in Michael’s own words — why he moved from a career of high-stakes deals into buying and operating HVAC businesses, what he looks for in a company, and why the trades matter more than ever.
Common questions.
Quick answers about Michael’s background, what Homestead does, and how to get in touch for media inquiries or business conversations.
Need a quote? Let’s talk.
Michael is available for interviews, expert commentary, and speaking engagements on HVAC industry trends, business acquisitions, the skilled trades, and entrepreneurship. He responds directly — no PR firm, no gatekeepers.
Your business took decades to build. The exit should reflect that.
Whether you’re ready to sell or just exploring what your HVAC business might be worth, the first conversation is always free and confidential.
You can also start with Sell Your HVAC Business, try our free valuation calculator, or learn about our acquisition process.