Meet Roger Wakefield, LEED AP of Texas Green Plumbing in Richardson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Roger Wakefield, LEED AP.

Roger, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Texas Green Plumbing started in a fast food restaurant in Garland, Texas in 1980. At least that’s when and where the seed was planted for me to become a plumber. At the age of 17, while managing a fast food restaurant, my best friend asked me if I was going to do that forever. He then went on to tell me about his father and 3 older brothers who were all plumbers. I knew them and respected them. I just didn’t know they were all plumbers. I started plumbing there shortly after. I love it as much now as I did then.

I began in commercial work in Dallas. The Wells Fargo addition in Lakewood was my first plumbing job. Later, I worked in Garland building apartments and condominiums during the big building boom along I-30. After that, I worked as a residential service plumber and I really enjoyed the analytical side of plumbing. I found out that locating and solving plumbing problems was fun and rewarding. This early experience of both construction and service gave me a well-rounded education.

I left plumbing for a little while and became a hair stylist and a massage therapist. I really enjoyed the work, but I always felt drawn back to plumbing. So, I gave up the scissors and tables, for pipe wrenches and manometers. I was excited about getting back into plumbing.

My life changed in 1997 when I joined the United Association of Plumbers, Fitters, Welders, & Service Techs. I had heard of the union but I never thought that I would be a union plumber. When I say my life changed, I mean my knowledge level changed. The education and experience I gained from the UA changed my life. I actually, started studying plumbing and became a Master Plumber. I also got my Master license in Medical Gas, Water Supply Protection Specialist, Multipurpose Residential Fire Protection Sprinkler Specialist, and Responsible Master Plumber. One day, a friend pointed out to me that if our society kept going the way we were going, my grand-daughters wouldn’t have water available like we do now. That statement led me to learn more about water conservation. Our population is growing at a staggering rate and yet we still have the same amount of water we had a million years ago. The population will one day be bigger than the water sources. That’s when I decided became a LEED AP. Through studying Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and becoming a certified Green Plumber through Green Plumbers USA, I started looking at plumbing in a different way.

I joined the union as a journeyman plumber and advanced through the years. I worked as a Foreman, Superintendent, Quality Control Manager, and Director of Operations. I opened Texas Green Plumbing in 2013, working evenings and weekends. In 2015, while working as Director of Operations for a mechanical contracting company, I realized I wanted to put all of my experience and passion into Texas Green Company. It was somewhat of a calling. After spending 25 years in the construction industry, I felt the need to branch off on my own and pursue the mission of educating consumers about plumbing, water conservation, and to bring honor back into the plumbing industry. So, in April 2015 I started working Texas Green Plumbing full time.

I wanted to open a plumbing company that would always strive to do better. One that would always do what was right. One that would attract the best plumbing minds in town. That’s what we have done up to this point. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that I still have much to learn. Now I am learning how to be an entrepreneur and business owner. I have hired Michael Gerber as a business coach. After reading his E-Myth books, I knew that he needed to be my coach. If I want to be the best, I need to surround myself with the best. I have other mentors that that are also helping me along the way. It has been fun.

American Standard recently announced that I was chosen as their “Next Expert Plumber” through their “Plumber Know How Contest”. This recognition is a great honor to me. I have always wanted to be knowledgeable about my trade. I have studied to try to become an expert at plumbing. Now, Texas Green Plumbing is known for its quality and value. Today, we have 8 trucks and are continuing to grow. We are hiring the best plumbers in town. We are a union plumbing company. That means we pay more to our plumbing professionals, we provide an amazing benefits package, and we provide a more rigorous training program through the UA. That helps us hire the people that we want. We want to take care of our people. We are a family.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It was a little difficult starting out. We started Texas Green Plumbing without much operating capital. I remember in the beginning, one week payroll was tight. I had hired my first plumber and my wife called to tell me there wasn’t enough money in the bank to cover payroll, that was due that day. I asked her to grab my coin jar and go cash it in at the store. Then, take that money to the bank and deposit it so his check wouldn’t bounce. She said that wouldn’t be enough but it was, thank God.

There haven’t been many challenges on the plumbing side of it. We have hired some of the best plumbers in Dallas and that helps. As for the business end that’s been a little different. There are so many bad people in business these days. Multiple website companies have not done what they say, that’s been my most expensive lesson. They take your money and tell you they are doing something they never do. We went through 4 different website companies before we found one that did it right. And then there are customers that sit in front of their computers and call and say, “if you don’t give me a discount I will give you a bad review”. I just asked her to make sure she spelled my name right.

Starting a business without and money in the bank is a tough way to go. But, if you work hard and reinvest in the business it can work out great.

Please tell us about Texas Green Plumbing.
Texas Green Company is a full-service plumbing company in Richardson. We specialize in Leak Detection, Slab Leaks, Water Treatment and we always emphasize water conservation. We believe that the best way to show our customers the value we offer is by educating them about plumbing. We don’t just fix a problem. We explain what caused the problem and offer options for repair and prevention. I am a former instructor for the Local 100 Joint Apprentice Training Center in Garland as well as a continuing education instructor. During those three years, I discovered how much I love talking about and teaching plumbing. Now, I go to real estate firms and teach realtors about plumbing. My classes emphasize key plumbing problems, their causes, and how to spot potential “deal breakers” when negotiating a sale.

Recently, I was chosen by American Standard as “Next Expert Plumber”. I am honored to have received that designation. There are many great plumbers in this country. Being part of the United Association I have had the privilege of meeting many of them and it honors me to have been selected for that position. But, I am also proud of the fact that we are building Texas Green Plumbing on three pillars: Honesty, Integrity, and Reliability. The culture of Texas Green Plumbing stands on not only continuing to educate ourselves and our clients about plumbing, but also on honoring the standards of quality and character.

We believe our people set us apart from any other plumbing company. I truthfully think I work with some of the best people around. We get excited talking about “plumbing”, and about issues we have encountered. However, our customers are why we do what we do and they drive the way we do it. Our plumbers are expected to treat each customer’s home like it was their grand-mother’s or mother’s house. When I walk in a house, it’s personal to me. I feel a connection with my customers. They are like family to me. We try to be that caring with every customer. We feel that with our “Customer Satisfaction Fulfillment System” we take customer service to a whole new level.

We are a member of the Chamber of Commerce and really enjoy being involved.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Starting over and knowing what I know now? I would read all of the Michael Gerber E-Myth books before starting the company. I started listening to one on the way to Austin a few months back. Since then I have read 5 of his books, gone to one of his Dreaming Room courses and joined his program for coaching. He is an amazing business coach.

The other thing is watch out who you do business with. Not everyone is honest and sincere. That can cost you a lot of money!

Contact Info:

• Address: 1300 E. Arapaho Road,
  #101, Richardson, Texas 75081
• Website: www.TexasGreenPlumbing.com
• Phone: 972 442-4101
• Email: roger@txgpc.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/texasgreenplumbingcompany/
• Twitter: @TexasGreenPlumb
• Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/texasgreenplumbing/

Image Credit:
Savannah Dunn

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