We had the good fortune of connecting with Bruce Fortenberry and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Bruce, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I have learned that business, like everything else is about relationships. Building relationships has been huge for us. This does not come easy for me but have been able to improve over time. I understand that calling a plumber is not an exciting event and it can make people feel vulnerable. At times I have found myself feeling more like a counselor or therapist than a plumber.
I learned that if someone trust you, they will never forget you. It is normal for a homeowner to have their guard up when meeting a plumber for the first time. We have all heard about the contractor that took the money and never came back. Once a customer realizes that that I have their best interest in mind, they usually ask me to look at more plumbing problems.
I have had the chance to help the elderly, cancer patients, widows and those with special needs. The one thing they all have in common is they want you to listen to them. Attention is the most valuable thing you can give anyone.
Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am excited that our clients continue to call and refer us to their friends and family members. This has been a big part of our success, and I couldn’t be more grateful to our awesome customer base. Some clients show appreciation more than others, but I know we are doing something right when new client refferals are coming in every week.
What sets us apart from other plumbing companies is that we truly care about people and their stories. There are other companies that care, there are just not enough to serve everyone. We communicate clearly and operate with honesty and integrity on every service call. We don’t push high ticket sales or use scare tactics to get a job. Our team is trained to provide options and let the decision maker choose what is best for them. Our clients appreciate this approach and I believe it has helped us tremendously.
I have been given the opportunity to learn many lessons in my short time as a business owner. Too many to list here but one big one comes to mind. It is very important to know your worth and not take on jobs just to stay busy. It takes a while to learn this. Not everyone is your customer and that’s ok.
Water damage inside your home is frustrating and expensive. This is why we strive daily to help our clients avoid these unpleasant experiences. The valuable services we provide fill the gap between the plumbers that built your home and your local handyman. We are experienced professionals that take pride in helping you protect your home and minimize plumbing emergencies.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take my friend out to a nice restaurant or something like that, but a lot of our time would be spent in the outdoors.
Outdoors
– Fishing at any private pond or lake I can access
-Riding four-wheelers on trails and backroads
-Cheaha State Park in Alabama
-Tubing in Helen, Ga
-Cochran Mill Park
Restaurants
-Meat and Greet Newnan, Ga
-Super Chix Peachtree City and Dunwoody, Ga
-Vortex Atlanta, Ga
Movies
-Movie Tavern Tucker and Roswell
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a shout out to my amazing wife, Keri.
Her kind nature and unwavering support have helped me tremendously through the years. Life is not easy, and she is determined as I am to push forward. A small business is a big commitment, and she has been there every step of the way ready to help. I’m sure she gets tired of talking about plumbing, but I can’t tell.
Keri has a servant’s heart and puts everyone else first. Not sure that I deserve her, but I am blessed to call her my wife.
This November we will celebrate being married 25 years! We are a power couple living the dream. I’m very excited to see where the coming years take us.
Website: https://plumbready.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PlumbReadyServicePlumbing/