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Home renovations surged during the COVID-19 pandemic as people spent more time in their homes. This has increased demand for plumbing services, with kitchens and bathrooms becoming focal points for upgrades. Seeing this growth, one entrepreneur seized this opportunity and made his name in the market.
Michael Lanphear, founder of AYS Plumbing & Rooter, built his company from the ground up in 2022. Starting operations solo, with him using his entire savings to buy the first van, Lanphear’s venture has since grown into a multi million-dollar business. When asked about the secrets behind his company’s success, Lanphear credits it to his craftsmanship and new approaches to delivering reliable service.
Reliability at the core
As a family man, Lanphear understands the frustration and urgency of plumbing issues at home. He mentions, “Dealing with sudden leaks, clogged drains, and malfunctioning water heaters is chaos. I cannot imagine the hassle these problems could cause.”
Lanphear’s vision has been establishing AYS Plumbing & Rooter as a reliable and go-to plumbing service in Southern California. He adds, “My goal is to create a company that homeowners could trust to promptly address any plumbing concerns, alleviating the stress and inconvenience that these issues often bring.”
However, for Lanphear, reliability means more than just showing up on time—it is about providing a comprehensive, effective solution from start to finish. He ensures that his team is equipped to handle urgent plumbing issues swiftly, minimizing damage and restoring functionality as quickly as possible.
Focus on strategic investments
Though new to the business, Lanphear knows where to invest his time and resources best to drive success—his team. He believes creating an environment where employees can thrive is essential to delivering exceptional service. At AYS Plumbing and Rooter, he creates a positive and optimal work environment, offers competitive compensation, and allows his team’s professional expertise to grow in different client scenarios.
Lanphear says, “Happy employees mean happy clients. By offering a pleasing work environment, we attract top talent and motivate the team to deliver outstanding service. This directly translates into company loyalty and positive customer experience.”
With this best team comes also the investment in top-of-the-line equipment. Lanphear explains, “Through a positive work environment with our best tools available, we ensure that our employees are capable and enthusiastic about their work. For us, this means better service, maintaining loyal customers, and attracting new clients.”
A client-first mindset
In plumbing issues; he aims to elevate the traditional customer service approach. He does this by prioritizing clear communication and price transparency from diagnosis to resolution.
He says, “We understand the need to set clear expectations. So, we set guidelines on how we can avoid surprises when it comes to costs or procedures. Through this approach, we build confidence and trust within our clients, making them feel valued and understood while truthfully relaying what needs to be done.”
In addition to fixing plumbing issues, Lanphear educates his clients on best practices and preventative measures. The founder emphasizes the importance of maintaining a clean and well-cared-for home and guides how to prevent common plumbing problems.
He teaches homeowners about proper maintenance and early warning signs of potential issues, empowering them to take proactive steps to secure their plumbing systems and avoid future problems. This is beneficial as most professionals and workers welcome the new dynamics of a work-from-home setup, and students also adapt to a hybrid educational system.
More than an entrepreneur
Lanphear’s vision for AYS Plumbing & Rooter is to lead the plumbing industry into new approaches. He begins by taking the industry online, using modern marketing strategies, and maintaining a robust online presence.
This digital shift allows AYS Plumbing & Rooter to tap more potential customers, learn more about diverse plumbing issues, and inform them how their services can help solve these. “Plumbing issues are diverse, and some need immediate attention. By making reliable plumbing advice accessible online, we help homeowners solve the issue independently or easily connect with us for more accurate solutions.”
Lanphear also actively involves AYS Plumbing & Rooter in local initiatives and outreach programs in the Southern California community. This decision reflects his values as an entrepreneur and a responsible citizen aiming to make a positive impact.
Lanphear’s future outlook
Building a business from the ground up is difficult, but Lanphear has successfully led AYS Plumbing & Rooter to success and growth. His strategy hinges on three core principles: ensuring service reliability, investing in human capital, and embracing innovative approaches within the industry.
Despite these achievements, Lanphear recognizes that much work still needs to be done. With plans to expand service offerings to more states and integrate green technologies, his leadership is set to meet changing market demands. This strengthens AYS Plumbing & Rooter’s reputation and solidifies Lanphear’s leadership in the plumbing industry.
