The air you breathe right now might not be as clean as you think. In 2004, Steve Levine noticed what others overlooked – indoor air quality. After selling his security alarm company of twenty years, Levine searched for his next chapter. “I wanted to be in something that helps people,” he says. “I really wanted to either be in water quality, air quality, or energy savings.”

He chose air quality for a simple reason: “You really need so much air to breathe to live, you need so much water to drink to live. These are necessities.” But in 2004, few people thought about the air inside buildings. That oversight would become his opportunity.

Starting with Data

“We started as an air testing company,” Levine explains. “We would go into environments – commercial buildings, hospitals, schools, stadiums, arenas – and we would measure the air quality.”

His team conducted extensive testing of available solutions. “When looking for solutions that would create better indoor air quality, we looked at filters, UV lights, and electronic air cleaners,” Levine says. “We were not satisfied as these technologies all filter the air very well, but they are all passive.”

Their search led them to a bi-polar ionization technology in Sweden. “When we found the bi-polar ionization technology in Sweden, we saw how an active technology will complement a passive filter,” explains Levine. “To date, I haven’t found a better technology to improve indoor air quality to the way our patented bi-polar ionization systems do.”

The development process demanded patience and precision. “It took up close to two years until we were satisfied with the first working prototype after acquiring the technology,” Levine recalls. “We have made many modifications, and we continue to improve the technology by complementing it with real-time monitoring to validate and verify its performance.”

From the beginning, Levine established an R&D department focused on continuous advancement. “Today, we are focused on monitoring and data analysis,” he notes. The technology itself works by having ions in the air attach to particles and odors, either making them heavy enough to fall away or breaking them down into harmless components like carbon dioxide and water vapor.

Building Through Relationships

Levine structured his company around what he knew mattered most. “Nothing happens until something is sold,” he notes, “and everything sold has to be installed, serviced, and the customer has to be very satisfied.” This influenced his first hires – bringing on sales operations and CFO talent to complement his background in sales and marketing.

Instead of traditional advertising, Levine focused on personal connections. “Our marketing was word of mouth – no advertising, only setting up advisory boards with influential people to help in all areas of the business but mostly to introduce us to the right people in the right sectors to help us introduce our technology to those sectors.”

The company organized educational presentations and lunch-and-learn sessions with architects, engineers, and property managers. They measured success through concrete results. “When those lunch learn sessions ended, if we were being specified by the engineers after,” Levine explains, they knew their approach worked.

His pricing strategy drew from years of business experience. “Past history in business – market feedback and goal of 20 percent profit after everything,” Levine says about setting initial prices. This balanced approach supported sustainable growth while maintaining quality service.

The initial breakthrough came through sports. “I got introduced to the Dallas Cowboys head trainer, Jim Mauer,” Levine recalls. Mauer’s response showed practical skepticism: “It sounds good, but everybody tries to sell me something. But if we put it in this one area, and I can tell the difference, that would be a good start.”

That single test area expanded throughout the Cowboys’ training center. Word spread through NFL training staff, then to colleges, schools, and eventually homes. Today, AtmosAir Solutions systems operate in about 12,000 locations, with 60 employees supporting installations from the Crypto.com Arena to elementary school classrooms.

Each installation solved specific problems. UBS wanted to help traders maintain focus without odor distractions. Schools tracked reduced student absences, which directly improved their funding. These results opened doors to new opportunities.

Lessons Learned

Levine attributes his success to lessons learned from his father’s “A, B, C, D, and E’s of selling”:

• Attitude
• Belief in your product
• Commitment
• Discipline to see it through
• Enthusiasm

“There are always challenges in business,” Levine reflects, “and those challenges you handle day by day. We can’t control the economy and the way people think and act. Our business continues to develop by helping people breathe cleaner air and measuring and monitoring our systems’ performance. As long as you service your existing customers and maintain a 24/7 sense of urgency attitude, you will be able to react to the challenges of normal business that we face daily.”

The company discovered their system could reduce the need for outside air ventilation, cutting energy costs by 20-40%. This combination of health benefits and cost savings resonated with clients across industries.

Today, AtmosAir Solutions continues its work in air quality improvement, with increased emphasis on monitoring and data analysis. They’ve added real-time monitoring systems to measure performance, showing their dedication to measurable results.

Levine’s story demonstrates how recognizing an overlooked need and persistently working to address it can create a lasting impact. By prioritizing customer satisfaction, ongoing improvement, and strong relationships, he built an organization that contributes to people’s well-being.

Learn more > https://atmosair.com