|
He latched onto a master
plumber, who brought him on board reluctantly, as an
apprentice for four years for “virtually no pay.” However,
getting registered as an apprentice enabled him to study for
his journeyman’s license after that period of study and
work.
As a journeyman, Robert,
Sr. studied for another four years working with various
companies before taking the exam to become a master plumber
– “I almost slept with my book,” he says.
Then came the financial
challenges of getting his own shop opened, in addition to
his lack of business acumen in those days, but he wanted to
have something for his family.
Now, as a master plumber
and business owner, Robert, Sr. has the whole family
involved. – Robert, Jr. is a journeyman who can work on jobs
unsupervised and Derek is an apprentice. They will
eventually have control of the business according to father
Robert’s plan.
“Don’t give up, put in the
time,” advises Robert, Sr. for others who would go off on
their own. |
