Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Juarez.
Hi Eric, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I spent nearly eight years in the car business. On paper, things were fine, but at home it felt like I was always running on empty. I had a young family, and I knew my real responsibility was to be present for them, not just financially, but in every way that matters. Over time, I started to feel like I was losing that balance, and even a sense of purpose.
I’ve always wanted to work with my hands and build something that meant more than a paycheck, something I could be proud to pass on to my kids one day. The idea of starting over at 26, with a family depending on me, honestly felt overwhelming and not very practical. Thankfully, my wife believed in me even during the moments I doubted myself. She encouraged me to take the leap into plumbing, knowing it would require sacrifice in the beginning, and that support gave me the confidence to go all in.
We adjusted our lifestyle, lived more simply, and focused on what really mattered, spending time together as a family. I started over as an apprentice plumber, and to a lot of people it probably looked like I was starting from the bottom. But I was fully committed to learning the trade. I became a sponge, soaking up everything I could from the master plumber I worked under and from anyone willing to teach me.
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work in both residential and commercial plumbing, building a strong foundation of knowledge and experience. Looking back, what started as a career change became something much deeper. Plumbing isn’t just a job for me, it’s something that gave me direction, purpose, and a path to build a legacy for my family. That vision and commitment to doing honest, quality work is what led to NexDrain Plumbing, a company built on hard work, integrity, and the commitment to serve people.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest challenge, without question, was financial. I went from earning a six-figure income in the car business to an entry-level position as an apprentice plumber. It wasn’t just a pay cut, it changed the way we lived day to day. Every decision felt heavier, every dollar mattered more. There were moments that really tested me. I won’t pretend it was easy, or that I was always confident in the choice I made. There were plenty of nights I laid awake questioning everything, wondering if I had made the wrong call, especially knowing I had a family depending on me. The fear of letting them down was real, and it sat with me more often than I’d like to admit. I had to confront my pride, push through uncertainty, and accept what it meant to start over in a completely new industry, while it felt like everyone else my age was moving ahead. That’s a hard place to be, but what kept me going was holding onto the belief that there was a bigger plan, even when I couldn’t fully see it. My faith carried me through those moments. I trusted that God had purpose in the transition, even when it felt uncomfortable, even when it didn’t make sense. Looking back now, I can see those struggles differently. They weren’t setbacks, they were part of the foundation. They stretched me, humbled me, and taught me how to stay committed when quitting would’ve been easier.
In those moments of doubt, I held onto this:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” — Jeremiah 29:11
And over time, I started to understand it wasn’t just a verse, it was a promise I was walking through.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
NexDrain Plumbing started with a simple standard I’ve carried with me from the beginning, do the job right the first time, even when no one is around to see it.
Based in the DFW area, we specialize in residential and commercial plumbing with a focus on sewer, water, and gas systems. The work we do often involves the kinds of problems that truly disrupt daily life, leaks, sewer backups, gas line concerns, and full system repairs. But fixing the issue is only part of the job. We believe homeowners deserve to understand what’s happening in their homes. Too often, people are left with vague explanations or quick, temporary fixes. We take the time to communicate clearly and provide solutions designed to last.
What sets NexDrain apart is the standard we hold ourselves to on every job. We don’t treat our work like a transaction or rush from one call to the next. Every home matters. Whether it’s a small repair or a full sewer line replacement, our expectation is the same: clean workmanship, proper installation, and thorough testing before we leave. Just as important, we want every customer to feel confident in their decision to trust us with their home.
I’m most proud of the reputation NexDrain has built, a name people associate with honesty, reliability, and doing things the right way. In this industry, trust is everything. We never take lightly that customers invite us into their homes during stressful and often urgent situations.
As we grow, our goal isn’t just to get bigger, it’s to stay consistent. We’re committed to expanding without compromising the level of care and integrity that got us here. At the end of the day, we want NexDrain to be a company people are proud to recommend, because they know we’ll show up, do the job right, and stand behind our work every time.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Growth doesn’t always feel like progress. Some days you feel stuck, some days you feel behind, and some days you question the path altogether. What matters is staying committed through those seasons. For me, that also meant trusting God and believing there was purpose in the process, even when I couldn’t fully see it yet.
Stay teachable and stay humble. In this trade, mistakes are part of learning, not something to be ashamed of. No matter how much experience you gain, there’s always something new to learn. The moment you think you know everything is the moment you stop growing.
One thing I understand now that I didn’t back then is that sometimes you have to step backward before you can truly move forward. In the moment, it can feel frustrating, especially when pride and pressure are involved, but those seasons are often what build the foundation you’ll stand on later.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nexdrainplumbing.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nexdrainplumbing
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588603737703
- Other: https://share.google/cBD1LcuoskFxkAcp6
