“It was awesome to be honored like that,” said Quan. “We had the mayor come with some city commissioners, police officers, Principal Clark, the Eustis High athletic director Matthew Burgess—it was just cool to know that they appreciated me and my donations towards the school and community.”

(Quan Nguyen was honored for his contributions to Eustis High School over the many years.)

A Journey of Resilience and Success

Quan’s story is one of perseverance and generosity. Born to parents who fled Vietnam by boat, his family was part of the group known as the “boat people.” After arriving in the United States, his parents followed friends to New York, where they opened a restaurant and started a family, raising Quan and his brother Minh.

The family later relocated to Eustis, Florida, where they opened a Chinese-American restaurant in a building that now houses the Tractor Supply Company. However, after a decade together, Quan’s mother found herself single with two sons to care for and barely enough money to get by.

(Quan stands with city commissioners including Mayor Michael Holland.)

“During that time, we really grew up a little bit,” Quan recalls. “I was able to pick up odds and ends jobs—mowing grass, picking up weeds, fixing cars—just anything that could keep me busy and bring in a little money.”

At 15, Quan found his calling in the air conditioning field in an unexpected way. “I was trying to spend the night at my friend’s house, and his dad, who owned an A/C business, said, ‘If you want to spend the night, you’re gonna have to go to work with us in the morning.’” That led to Quan getting into HVAC. After years of work, Quan decided to use the money he had saved up to start his own business.

In 2006, Quan launched Duct-Man A/C and Heating as a one-man operation. Since then, he has grown the business into a multi-million-dollar corporation.

“Some people say that you’re either very lucky or very good. I think I’m both,” Quan says with a smile. “My motivation is to wake up every day and put my family first because life is so short.”

(Quan was recently featured in our Business Men of Success. You can read about that here:)

Quan is no stranger to hard-work. He has battled depression, anxiety and ADHD for much of his life. “I want people to know that no matter what, they can be successful if only they get up each day and make it their goal to slay the day. A lot of people, they get depressed, and shrivel up to the fetal position, they stay home, they don’t comb their hair, but with me, I think, ‘If I don’t get up out of this funk and kill this day, like kick this day’s butt, I will never get out of where I’m at, and that’s the biggest thing,” Quan says.

A Legacy of Giving Back

Despite his success, Quan remains focused on making a difference in the lives of others. “For me, it’s not about the money but the people I impact that matters,” he says. “I love Eustis High and our surrounding programs, which is why I continue to give back. I encourage others to do the same.”

Quan’s contributions to local schools and athletes have left a lasting impact on the community. His generosity and dedication to uplifting others are an inspiration, and his recognition at the Eustis High football game was a testament to the lives he has touched.

Through his work and philanthropy, Quan Nguyen exemplifies the power of resilience, hard work, and a giving spirit, proving that true success is measured not by wealth but by the positive change one creates in the world.