When you work for a big business, you get security and you lose freedom.
That is how it works, when another person pays you, you are beholden to that person and have to follow their rules.
I did that kind of work for a few years, and just got fed up with it. At that point I had enough hands-on experience to go out on my own, and start picking up freelance jobs. I still worked for a lot of the same contractors I already knew, but now I got to pick and choose my jobs, so I had more freedom. For a few years it was touch and go, but now that my HVAC brand has achieved a lot of local recognition, I have more jobs than I care for. I actually have a network of other independent local HVAC techs who I subcontract with, and only keep the gigs that appeal to me. Do you know how subcontracting works? Let’s say a person has a faulty air conditioner, and they call me up to come have a look at it. Except that day I have another HVAC job, and then I want to take the afternoon off to go shopping with my kids. I reach out to one of the other HVAC techs I know and I offer them the job, for a small finder’s fee of course. They make money, I make a little money, and the air conditioner gets fixed so everyone is happy. I still work a lot, but it’s great knowing I never HAVE to work.