Ronald Longley, President of CO2 Monitoring LLC and creator of Aerosphere®, has dedicated his career to revolutionizing carbon dioxide detection.

From an early age, Ronald Longley was surrounded by entrepreneurial family members. It simply felt right to him to pursue a career as an entrepreneur. His aspirations for success were shaped by his exposure to high-caliber projects and experiences that took him across the country and even internationally.

Despite growing up in a small rural town in Minnesota with his dog, he always envisioned something much bigger for himself. As a child, he would set up a pretend office in the woods, already imagining the business he would one day create—one that would leave a lasting impact.

The Unexpected Origin of CO2 Monitoring, LLC

CO2 Monitoring, LLC was born out of necessity. During his time in the contracting industry, Ronald faced a recurring challenge—finding reliable and flexible CO2 monitors for commercial projects. The frustration of not having access to proper equipment led him to create his own in his kitchen, unknowingly laying the foundation for what would become his company.

The biggest challenge he faced in the early days was simply taking the first step. Sitting in fear and uncertainty, he had to push himself to transform a big dream into action. He firmly believes in the idea that "you don’t have to see the whole staircase, just the next step." Over time, he learned that the full plan would never be visible from the start, but as long as he continued moving forward, the next steps would reveal themselves. There is no elevator to success—just a continuous climb, one step at a time.

Ronald Longley’s Philosophy on Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship is never without setbacks, and Ronald has encountered his fair share while expanding his business and the industry itself. His dream continues to evolve, but staying motivated through challenges has required personal growth. One of his biggest struggles has been letting go and delegating responsibilities to other—an essential skill he had to develop. He learned to recognize the value in people, understanding that a successful company is built on a strong team. By seeing his employees’ skills, providing them with the right resources, and fostering a culture where they feel appreciated and empowered to thrive, he has been able to scale his business across two Nevada offices and technicians that service nationwide. He lives by the philosophy that "you’re only as good as your team."

Entrepreneur Is Not a Label, but a Title That Is Earned 

One of the most common misconceptions about entrepreneurship is that it’s a glamorous title, when in reality, success is built on honesty and relentless hard work. Many people aspire to the status and recognition that come with being an entrepreneur but overlook the sacrifices required to earn it. Ronald never set out to become an entrepreneur—he simply had an idea and the courage to pursue it. The journey demanded immense sacrifice, but through perseverance, he built something meaningful.

To him, entrepreneurship is not just a label—it’s an achievement, one that must be earned.