You know what grinds my gears? When small businesses and startups become successful because they are incredibly good, and then that quality disappears as their success grows. American-made Craftsman tools were replaced with cheap, foreign knockoffs. The incredible Pyrex cookware now fractures or explodes (true story — I almost killed my prom date with Pyrex glass shards). ESPN is basically just MTV now, but for sports. And MTV hasn’t shown music videos for years!

Before I shake my fist at the sky and scream at kids to get off my lawn, let me tell you that we don’t have to go back in time to find quality companies. We have some great ones right now, right here in Idaho. Just look at Express Plumbing Service, who’s had great success and just keeps getting better as they grow.

Express Plumbing Service (EPS) is owned by Brad Jordan and Ben Davis. I love these guys, as they are hard-working and honest. They like to get their hands dirty, take great care of employees, and even better care of customers. What started as a one-man operation in 2006 has grown to the biggest plumbing operation in Idaho, all without any compromises in quality.

I talk to business owners every day and I can tell you what makes EPS different. One of the first things Ben said about building their business was “The most important thing is to be honest.” Karma is the energy of life, and if you surround yourself with good people and do good things, good things will follow for you.

Also important: Take care of the people that take care of you. That philosophy doesn’t just apply to EPS customers, but also their employees. They offer very competitive pay and benefits, providing books, training, and continuing education for employees as well. Consider this brain nugget: EPS — a plumbing service — is rated as one of the Top 10 Places to Work in Idaho!

Ben appreciates his plumbers because he IS one. He leads his team of service technicians by example and from the front. Brad is the Leonidas of plumbing, but instead of a sword he wields a wrench, and instead of hordes of angry Persians, his foe is a clogged sink drain!

It’s my belief that plumbing is one of the most under-rated professions out there. We live very well and fail to appreciate our modern amenities until they stop working, which always seems to be at the worst possible time. But EPS understands and they don’t hold it against us. They’re available for those inconvenient emergencies 24/7 and they boast a 60-minute response time, like the DoorDash of toilets! They work so hard because, as Ben says, “We want to be that hero for the customer.”

So the next time you’re on the john and reminiscing about when History Channel actually had shows about history, you can thank a plumber if it all goes well. And if it doesn’t go well, call Express Plumbing Service (or a gastroenterologist, whichever seems right for your situation).