Brandon St. Onge: American Plumber Stories
How did you get started in the plumbing trade?
Started about 8 years ago after leaving a career in the firearms industry, realizing that the trades were a great opportunity for me to have a stable career and also get to work with my hands everyday. Working a desk job wasn't for me, yet I never thought being a plumber would be either. Like most, I had a bad idea of what being a plumber was, until I tried out an apprenticeship opportunity with a local company. Ended up realizing that plumbing was rewarding and much more in depth than I would have realized. There are so many different avenues you can take in the industry which made me really enjoy it. I worked at a few different companies during my 8 year stretch, doing mostly residential plumbing, heating and cooling. When I got my Master's license I knew I wanted to start my own company and started focusing on what to do to get there. In October '22 I started St. Onge Plumbing and Heating out of Weare, NH, with the help of my wife and family and their support. I have been running strong for almost a year now and I couldn't imagine ever doing anything else. Never in a million years would I have imagined myself running a plumbing company one day, but if I could go back and do it all over again, I wouldn't change a thing. Choosing to become a plumber has a stigma to it. We need more people understanding how good of a career opportunity it really is.
What do you like most about your work as a plumber?
I really enjoy getting to help out my community and neighboring towns, meeting new people and having the freedom to work at my own pace, as well as the actual plumbing work.
What advice do you have for the younger generation entering the plumbing trade?
Give it a shot. Whether you're just coming out of highs chool, or you're 35 and wanting a career change, I couldn't stress enough that if you like to do something different everyday and working with your hands and also helping people solve a problem, give it a try. A lot of companies will even allow ride-alongs so you can dip your toe in the water and see if it's a yay or nay without the commitment.
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