Working multiple jobs while studying engineering wasn’t Patrick Fee’s idea of a perfect life. Bills piled up, and his packed schedule left little room for sleep. When a friend suggested picking up plumbing work for its flexible hours, Fee saw it as nothing more than a temporary solution.

That “temporary” job showed Fee a new direction. As he worked in plumbing, he discovered his engineering mind helped him solve complex problems. After 25 years of helping other companies grow from $10 million to $100 million in revenue, one thought kept returning: “If this were my business, I’d do this instead.”

Fee’s engineering background proved valuable in plumbing management. His technical skills helped him understand systems, improve operations, and fix infrastructure issues that others missed. “Engineers love to take stuff apart, see why things work the way they do and then make improvements,” Fee explains. “It’s a backwards way to look at things and allows for some unique perspectives that others might miss.”

The combination of engineering principles and hands-on plumbing experience set him apart. Fee applies the “3C’s” of engineering – Curiosity, Connections, and Creating Value – to solve problems in unique ways. Over 25 years, he moved from field technician to management, helping companies multiply their revenue. His experience in the local area for almost 30 years built his understanding of the territory, people, and resources.

His colleague Greg Bray brought the catalyst for change. “I say ‘asked,’ but it was more like ‘insisted,'” Fee remembers about Bray’s business proposal. With savings between $10,000 and $50,000, they launched Mr. Drain Plumbing in 2024, splitting the investment 50/50.

The partners spent two weeks in detailed planning. “This may not sound like much time,” Fee notes, “but it was probably about a week more than needed. We had the next 8 years of business broken down monthly.” They partnered with an analytics group to study marketing data and demographics, calculating their potential market reach and returns for five years ahead.

Creating Systems

The first month brought practical challenges. “Just being patient,” Fee says about their biggest hurdle. “When setting up a business, there’s a lot of paperwork and documents that need to be approved by an agency or government department.”

They invested heavily in equipment within their first 30 days:

• A sewer inspection camera
• A tow-behind hydro-jetter
• Multiple service vans
• Comprehensive software systems

Their marketing strategy started producing results within two weeks. “We have always practiced having a variety of marketing verticals,” Fee explains. “Some take time to gain traction, so in the first two weeks, we relied heavily on Pay Per Lead marketing and referrals.”

Fee’s professional network brought significant results. His connections with real estate professionals generated $250,000 in initial revenue, showing the value of long-term relationship building. Their research revealed a clear opportunity: 78% of American homes are over 20 years old – when plumbing typically needs repairs.

Their success came from understanding the local market. “There are plenty of other home service companies in our area with a deep history,” Fee notes. They built their reputation on 24/7 availability and quick response times. “While many of our competitors do this well, only we do it GREAT.”

Fee and Bray divided roles based on their strengths. “Our focuses are completely opposite to each other, and that is our strength,” Fee explains. “We each bring something very different to the table.” Greg manages sales and field operations, while Fee oversees marketing and business operations.

Their pricing combines three methods to ensure consistency. They start with a pricing calculator, which helps them determine base costs. They also use a pre-made price book that came with their customer relationship management (CRM) software – this lists standard prices for common services. For specialized work, they use a simple math formula: they add up their hard costs (like materials and labor) and multiply that number by 3.5 to 5 to reach the final price.

Business Growth

The partners prioritized business growth over personal income. They waited six months before taking more than minimal salaries, reinvesting profits back into the company. “We were great at making money, but we had limited experience of what to do with the money once it was earned,” Fee admits.

“We were very fortunate to have some great mentors connect us with amazing smart financial advisors,” Fee shares. “This was probably the most exciting part of the first year for us as we both love learning new things.” Their financial discipline helped them plan years ahead, creating investment strategies for future growth.

Fee maintains his learning mindset through daily practices. He reads industry publications and participates in networking events with other business owners. “I still know so very little, even after a lifetime of doing this,” he admits.

He focuses on three core relationships:

• Customers receive constant availability and personal service
• Employees get training and growth opportunities
• Network partners receive regular communication

When trying new business approaches, Fee tests quickly and measures results. “I’m quick to try things and quick to stop what doesn’t work,” he explains. This method minimizes losses while maximizing learning opportunities.

Each growth phase presents new challenges. What works for a small operation often needs adjustment as the business expands. Fee prepares his team for these transitions by setting specific goals and timelines. “You are not a master from day 1,” Fee notes. His previous management experience helped him learn without personal financial risk.

His path from engineering student to business owner shows how technical knowledge and relationship building create success. His advice remains practical: build professional relationships, test ideas quickly, and value your customers, employees, and network. “Never stop doing more for these groups. Always find a way to give more to them and genuinely make them the most important person.”

For information about Mr. Drain Plumbing, visit mrdrainplumbers.com