My journey in the plumbing and mechanical industry began with a challenge—a former employer once told me, “You won’t make it in this business.” That moment became the catalyst for a lifelong pursuit of excellence. Fueled by determination and a desire to prove the naysayers wrong, I didn’t just make it—I thrived.
 

Early in my career, I had immersed myself in Plumbing And Mechanical magazine and sought out mentorship from industry legends like Al Levi and Frank Blau. One quote from Al Levi became my guiding principle:
“You need to make good vanilla before you make good anything else.”

This simple yet powerful idea—mastering the fundamentals before moving on to more complex endeavors—shaped the foundation of my career and business philosophy. Over the next 28 years, I built a reputation for excellence. Through relentless learning, hard-won experience, and a commitment to doing things the right way, I grew my business into a high-performing, closely held company—one I eventually exited successfully for an 8-figure sum.

Today, my mission is to share what I've learned with the next generation of business owners. I believe that mistakes aren’t to be avoided—they’re to be embraced. They’re the key to growth. Through my writing, mentorship, and speaking, I offer insight not just into building a business, but into building a legacy.
 

I encourage aspiring entrepreneurs and tradespeople to find mentors who genuinely want them to succeed, to seek out their own path, and above all—make really good vanilla.