Clearwater Plumbers

Jeff is a hard worker and loves to learn. He started Clearwater Plumbers in 2001 and built it to a $2 million dollar company – employing 17 people. He is on track to make $3 million in 2016. In fact, Jeff has grown the company 40 – 50% since 2012. Jeff started with his brother and Dad working in the construction industry; but realized his passion was in plumbing. Jeff has had to overcome several challenges. Some initial challenges included working with family and losing family. Later, Jeff came to a realization that he needed to know his costs and other business aspects or . . . get out of the business. This motivation is what led him to the Tarrant Small Business Development Center.

Jeff first learned about the Tarrant SBDC from his Mother as she was an “article clipper” and gave him various business articles. In addition, he learned about the Tarrant SBDC from Tarrant County College. He enrolled in the FastTrac Growth Venture program being offered by Tarrant Small Business Development Center and taught by Sam Emmerson and Cynthia Harnest. The FastTrac Growth Venture program is an intensive, 10-week program designed to educate business owners on topics such as Marketing, Operations and Finance. As he says, “The class helped me look at my business as an entrepreneur instead of a technician working in the business. The Tarrant SBDC helped me start a foundation to build upon.” He created his first mission statement at the SBDC and continues to tweak it today. In addition, he has sought counseling assistance for sales and marketing and has been to various classes at the Tarrant SBDC such as: Government Contracting, Website Design Made Easy, Intro to Google Adwords, and Google Extreme. “Today, the best part about the Tarrant SBDC is the relationship I have there. I know it is a valuable resource that I can always use. I can call Cynthia and I know she has my back.” When asked what he attributes his success to, he believes persistence and being a lifelong student.