Meet Sarah Hamond | President

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

Hi Sarah, how do you think about risk?
Risks are part of being an entrepreneur. One of my favorite quotes is: “Life is inherently risky. There is only one big risk you should avoid at all costs, and that is the risk of doing nothing.”– Denis Waitley. COVID 19 has taught us not stay in one place complacently, because you can never control all matters. You have to be able to bend with the strong winds, or you could break. The book “Who Moved My Cheese” reminded me of the COVID shifting because everyone had to find ways to dominate and find their “cheese” in other spaces. We are a service industry, and have added extra services to our company to increase our brand with the customer. Adding those services has created some difficulties, everyone knows, that cash flow from other services had to be used to build up the new service we created. But to grow and expand, we needed to take the risk that the other services would flourish, and they have. Marketing is always a new risk as well, we have SEO, and social medias, and traditional marketing, having to know which dominates and what your market is, and still branding to the generation that you want to service for the next 10 to 20 years, takes risks and learning. I can definitely say that not every risk has paid off, some have failed completely! But you just pick yourself up and try a new way about it, knowing that doing the same thing again and again and expecting change is insanity. My advise to all entrepreneurs, get comfortable falling, failing, and changing, once you remove the emotion and change process and our mindset, the growth is inevitable.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We install, service and repair all Electrical, Air Conditioning and Plumbing issues for commercial or residential homes and businesses. We only service Commercial Refrigeration. However, the thing that makes Atlas special, is that we seek out to do a “free” job for a home. We have installed over 3 free ac systems and a toilet and plumbing issues and even electrical outlets, for those in need in our area. Atlas loves to serve the community and we seek out ways to give back in grand ways to increase awareness about the community and to provide services in the whole RGV. I think what I am most proud of is the humble beginnings my parents came from, their mindset and their standards. They created a business with a vision and I am honored to be able to carry that vision out for them, the whole Atlas team and more so for our community. We have become a company to rely on for great service, and I am very honored. Lessons learned along the way have been many, from having the same goal to expressing and communicating that with the team so that everyone is on the same page and pushing that mission. If not everyone has the clear goals, different hands do different things. All hands needs to be moving in one direction with one goal, and then all other things fall into place. Second learning lesson, is people understand when they connect, you must connect your team to get the by in and the conversations moving, otherwise, one person can create drama that builds into havoc. Atlas is the community service company here to help the RGV build and develop. We hire from within the RGV and we give back to the RGV. Build with us.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
OMG, my friend is coming into town and I want to showcase to them the best places in the RGV, all the hidden gems. For one, I would book them at 3 locations, La Sirena at South Padre Island for the first 3 days, Friday – Sunday – take them on an exquisite trip to the island. Allow them to see the beach and sun, and eat at restaurants like Captain Roy’s and have them eat the Grilled Shrimp Tacos, and the D Pizza joint with their savory pizzas and extras, and Daddy’s, most definitely a meal to remember. I would book a trip with Captain Murphy’s deep sea fishing and ask for Adam and Pickle to take us out an adventure one day. Then we would cook at La Sirena and enjoy the large pool and great bar area. That would be an amazing weekend. After that we would come back to the RGV, and visit the McAllen Performing Arts Center to see what great performance we have for the week so we could sign up for a few great evenings and relaxation. I would book a night or two at the Bungalows on Shary so that we could have the resort feel, with a cute cabana and pool access with amazing drinks and sides. I would also schedule dinner at Salt for the best pork chop and exotic drinks and Santa Fe for the best steak in the RGV and succulent wine. I would also visit Bodega for special dinners with amazing flavors. I would set a brunch meal at Bonhamia, and a photo shoot with the lovely Barbara Delgado, for the best photo’s ever, great way to keep memories alive. I would also set up a Femcity DINNER where all the femsisters could come together and talk and hang out… and discuss business and life changes in a safe loving environment. Shopping is a must, we have one of the highest selling MALLS in the Nation, they must walk the mall and enjoy the RGV experience. I would also do specialty boutiques, such as All Your Bliss, for high end consignment, Spa La Posada for a great pedi and massage and Slay, and Leona’s for amazing clothing. I would have my friend scheduled a great facial at Love and Lemonade, and then do a beauty party at Beautique Med Spa, for the final beauty package. This would be a weekend for the books, and one for my favorites! Come to the RGV and enjoy our familia lifestyle.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I could not start a shoutout unless I dedicated it to the true leaders I have ever known, my parents. Together tirelessly, they showed me what sacrifice, risk and leadership meant. They raised us in a biblical home with guidelines and moral ethical values. They came from being migrant workers, in a field, to owning several businesses and growing a family of 4 kids. My mother, wow, what a power house and the glue that held us together as we were young and growing up. My father, what a hard, amazingly hard worker. Sweat, blood and many tears, they did not give up on any dreams or direction. From this platform, I continued to seek wisdom and constant learning. I strive to get involved in community projects and leadership growth. Some of my favorite reads: The Art of War for WOMEN by Chin-Ning Chu, The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer and No Ego by Cy Wakeman. I also have loved the support in my industry from Women in HVACR – https://www.womeninhvacr.org/ this organization has brought comfort and safety to my discussions in this industry and has increased my passion for the service world. However, I have to say that the leaders within my organization have been remarkable, such as Felipe Balli, Roy Sagredo, Jr., Alex Resendez, Michael Dean Reger. Heraclio Martinez, Reynaldo Delgado and Lori Tijerina. They have shown dedication growth and have helped our community increase in volumes. Without them, Atlas would not be in the position that it is. For that gratitude is immense. More importantly, my husband Marty Hammond, for giving me the support and flexibility and standing by my side every step of the way.

Website: www.atlasrgv.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarah_atlasrgv
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-sagredo-hammond-171228a/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AtlasRGV
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ATLASRGV
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/atlas-electric-and-air-conditioning-alton
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/atlasrgv