We had the good fortune of connecting with Gabriel Ginn and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Gabriel, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I started plumbing in 2015. The day I started I knew I was going to own a plumbing business. I immediately fell in love with everything that comes with the job. The customers, the jobs, the feeling of accomplishment, the support from my friends and family. All of it.
My wife and I have owned multiple businesses in the past. Some did good and some failed. Plumbing was the only one that we both felt in our soul was our calling. The rest was just details.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
In 2015 we owned a mercantile in our town, Wahl Street Mercantile. It was amazing. We had talented artists, craft shows, and a farmers market. It was a dream come true. When the property owner died, the land was sold off and our lease was not renewed. We had to shut everything down. We cried for days. It was heartbreaking.
A friend of mine owned a plumbing company in town and offered me a job. He knew what had happened and wanted to help. That was the beginning of this adventure. It took almost 7 years to get where we are at today. Lots of tears and time spent away from the family. It was not easy. Still is not easy.
My family got over these challenges by keeping the faith. We knew that one day all of this was going to pay off. That one day we would own our own successful plumbing company. We just had to wait.
We are the only plumbing company, that we know of, that has over 11k followers, No other plumbing company out has the social presence like we do. With over 11 million views on our posts, we are leading the way of making changing how the public views plumbing.
Some of the things that we have learned along the way are to focus on the intangibles. Focus on attitude, integrity, honesty, and loyalty. To remain teachable and coachable. To believe in yourself, but check you ego at the door. That is who we are. That is our brand. That is what our customers see.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We love being outdoors. We love food and hanging out, but our best memories are us being together outdoors. Texas has the most diverse landscapes around. Don’t get me wrong. Houston leads in entertainment. Our museums and restaurants are second to none. We do our best to combine the two.
If it was a week long trip, then this is what we would do: Drive from Houston to Big Bend National Park. On the way there we would stay at the Cowboys and Angels bnb. Grill our own dinner and have a bonfire. Next stop, Big Bend.
We would then stay in Terlingua. Terlingua has the best mexican restaurant around. There is a historic graveyard nearby that we would go walk at night for a thrill. In the morning, we would head off to the NP. Once inside we would visit the dinosaur exhibit.
Around lunchtime we would head to the visitors center where there is also fine dining. Eat lunch, buy some souvenirs, get dinner to go, and head off to the Santa Elena Trail. It takes over an hour to get all the way to the trailhead.
Upon arrival, we would get our wet gear on and go swim in the Rio Grande. After a few hours we would eat dinner in the canyon, and hike the trail to finish off the day. We would head back home after that.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First, God. Our faith has kept us afloat in times that used to take us down. Second, my wife. The best day of my life was marrying her. She, Andria Flowers-Ginn, just recently won Citizen of the Year. Her support is all I need. Third, our kids. They love to work and help out when they can. They never complain of when I have to work late and are proud of us. Fourth, our parents. My parents and my in-laws. Both have been nothing but supportive in this endeavor. Fifth, our customers. We honestly have the best customers out there. They reflect who we are and what we believe in. Our customers are not hurdles we try to overcome, but partners in our success.
Website: www.republic-plumbing.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/republicplumbing/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/republicplumbing
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHstWlXBpH1mL7WBtrfi7Wg