No stranger to school, he completed the program with flying colors and in 2011, Brian Hawk, BS RRT started his new career at a local long-term acute care facility. The facility had an entire wing specifically for patients that required ventilation. Brian also worked part time at Wayne Health, a local medical equipment supplier, visiting patients and nursing homes to educate users on CPAP and BIPAP machines and answer questions. He gained hands on experience and saw a variety of conditions such as sleep apnea, COPD, asthma, oxygen therapy, nebulizers, and more. 

When the long-term care facility closed in 2012, Brian worked full time at Wayne Health. The facility was purchased by a larger company a few years later and certain policies were enacted. Brian took a good look at the policies and the services provided to the patients and knew he could do better. Brian opened Fresh Aire CPAP in March of 2016. He knew it wouldn’t be easy, but he was ready to face the challenges head-on. He and his wife, Sara, are no strangers to a challenge. Two years earlier, they adopted their one and half year-old son, Ethan, from China. The couple was still adjusting to the new family dynamic, but the experience gave Brian even more to work for. 

With a clear vision in mind, he began to lay the groundwork for his own business. Brian spent countless hours researching the market, identifying gaps, and understanding the needs of his community. He wanted to create a company that not only provided excellent products and services but also contributed to the well-being of the people around him. This mission became the driving force behind his entrepreneurial journey. The early days were tough. Brian faced numerous obstacles, from establishing relationships with insurance providers to finding the right team members who shared his vision. There were times when he doubted himself and wondered if he had made the right decision, but his determination and passion kept him going. 

Slowly but surely, Brian’s hard work began to pay off. His business started to gain traction, and he outgrew his first location. He moved his office further north on Cleveland Rd before eventually outgrowing the location once more and finding the right office space directly across the road. He focused on building strong relationships with his customers, always putting their needs first. This customer-centric approach became the cornerstone of his company’s success. 

As the business grew, Brian never lost sight of his original mission; to provide patients with a better experience than a larger regional or national corporation. The hands on approach ensures each patient’s individual needs are fully met. Everything is handled on-site to ensure patients receive the perfect fit. All supplies are stocked in-house and any questions are addressed right away. When someone receives their equipment at their doorstep weeks after a doctor’s visit, they miss out on both education and a proper fitting experience. When asked about Fresh Aire’s mission, Brian’s response was simple, “There’s so many people out there that need our help. We just want to be able to serve our community to our very best. Healthcare and insurance can be messy, we want to make it easy.” 

Looking back on his journey, Brian is pleased with what has been accomplished. The road was not easy, but the challenges he faced only made him stronger. He learned that success is not just about running a company; it’s about making a positive impact on the lives of others. If you are interested in Fresh Aire CPAP’s services, have your doctor make a referral or call 330-601-1991 for more information.