The contractor profiles this month remind me about the importance of family in keeping many pumping businesses chugging along. These contractors exemplify what a family businesses is all about … teaching the next generation the trade, the boundless enthusiasm and new ideas of the younger people coming up, and continuing the thread of responsible business practices through the generations.
It’s that cohesive bond of a multi-generational family business that leads to the dedicated workforce and loyal customer base that big corporations can only dream about. You’ll not have any trouble finding someone to pitch in and help during a crisis when the next worker down the line is your son or daughter. They might complain a bit, but you can count on your flesh and blood coming in over the weekend when there’s a backlog of work to be done.
So we celebrate those contractors lucky enough to have the support of mothers and fathers, sisters or brothers, sons or daughters. I enjoyed reading about the two families featured in this issue, and I hope they inspire you as well.
THE ROLLING STONES
James Stone, the eldest son of Jay Stone of Stone Excavating in Plymouth, Ind., is grateful that he grew up taking lessons from Dad.
“My father did an excellent job teaching us that your word is your bond,” James told writer Scottie Dayton in our cover story. “Even if you have to take a loss on something, it’s better than tarnishing your honor. That philosophy has been very important to the success of our business and will remain so.”
Jay Stone started the business in 1977, following in his father, Harold’s, footsteps. Both men were an inspiration to the younger generation, which is taking on a stronger role in the business today.
“They worked hard for everything, and raised us with the same work ethic and to do our best,” James says. “That kind of training makes a big difference in how we do business. It’s not just about doing the job correctly and making a profit. It’s about caring for people. If you’re too busy to help them, then you’ve grown too big.”
IT’S MILLER TIME
The story is a little different for Dave Miller of Miller’s Septic Service in Mauston, Wis. In business for 25 years, Miller was thinking about hanging up his hose when he became re-energized working with Jason Graves, the boyfriend of his 22-year-old daughter, Kristin. This past summer, the enthusiastic Graves took the wheel of one of Miller’s septic rigs.
Just when Miller thought he wouldn’t have a chance to pass along his industry knowledge to a family member, it looks like Graves might take over one day.
“Jason always says he’s pumped, which gets me excited, too,” Miller tells writer Ken Wysocky in our second profile (“A Youthful Outlook’’). “It gives you a blast of energy again when someone’s interested in what you’re doing.
“As for down the road, who knows?” Miller says. “I don’t want to put any pressure on him. Ideally, he’ll take over the business. He really wants to run his own business. This business has provided a wonderful living for my family, and it just might do the same for him, too.”
