My first issue as the editor of Pumper magazine was one year ago with the November 2024 publication.

When I took on this role, I was filled with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. I knew what this publication means to the industry and what the industry means to this magazine. I was at the helm, responsible for its direction and its voice. It was a daunting task, but one that I embraced. Now I am a full year in and in a month dedicated to giving thanks, I can truthfully say I’m grateful for the opportunity.

The year went by fast. But at the same time, when I think back to the conversations I’ve had and the people I’ve met, it seems like forever ago that I launched my first issue. Since then, I have learned a lot. 

Better than good

In the limited experience I had prior to being editor, I knew this industry was filled with good people. Now I know it’s packed with great people. From the pumpers we’ve profiled and interviewed in every column to the representatives and owners of companies that manufacture products for the industry, I have been welcomed and shown so much respect.  

Thank you all for that. 

Pumper pride

Another thing I’ve learned is that you all are a proud group, and rightly so. So far one of my favorite parts of the job is the excitement I see from contractors in an email or phone call immediately following a sent request to be featured in the magazine.  

I love chatting with a contractor that’s thrilled and honored to share the work they do, the business they’ve built, or the role they play in a rising company. It makes me proud to be the editor of a platform that people are excited to put their names in.

Industry insights

The amount of industry knowledge I’ve gained from reading your stories is more than I can jot down in this article. It’s fascinating how different people can be in their approach to business and how so many different strategies still result in a successful company. 

The biggest thing I’ve come to understand in the past year though is just how much more I want and need to learn. 

In my first editorial column, I promised to carry on the standards that every article and every issue is published with the question of how it can best help the reader in mind, and that is something I continue to take seriously. I will once again ask for your help with this.

Don’t wait

For many, business slows down in the next few months and during that time I urge you to reach out to me. Whether you’re a long-time industry veteran, or only a few years into a new venture, I want to hear from you.  

People will often respond that they need more time to get experience or that they don’t think their small business is worthy of being featured, and while I respect the modesty, I believe that everyone has something to learn from anyone. Please do not hesitate to have a conversation with me about where you are in your business and be proud of what you’ve achieved thus far.

Beyond business happenings, please call 715-350-8459 or email me just to chat. The more I hear from you, the more I learn and the better I can do my job. Tell me about things you observe in the magazine, problems you see in the current state of the industry or projections of concern for the future. Talk about what’s good, what’s bad, what needs to change and, more important, what we can do to see those changes happen.  

Thank you for reading this month’s issue and I hope to hear from you soon!