What began with an old van, a modest supply of plumbing stock and a leap of faith has grown into one of St. Stephen’s most familiar local businesses.
Briggs Plumbing is celebrating its 25th anniversary this month. Owner Ian Briggs launched the company from his home in Brockway in 2001, after completing a one-year program at NBCC in Fredericton.
“I bought an old van at the auction and put a cheap paint job on it,” Briggs recalled. “I bought $1,500 worth of stock and I had some tools, so away I went. And I did a lot of praying.”
Briggs was also raising a young family at the time, with a son who was about a year old. Starting the business was both exciting and intimidating.
“There was no plan B,” he said. “It was jump in with both feet, and I had to make it work.”
As his customer base grew, Briggs opened a store on King Street in St. Stephen. Today, Briggs Plumbing employs four plumbers, a full-time office manager and one part-time office employee.
Briggs credits much of the company’s longevity to its customers, employees and the established businesspeople who encouraged him during the early years.
“I was basically just a little guy trying to start a business, and all these wonderful, important people were so good to me,” he said. “It still humbles me to think that they would give me the generosity of trying to help me with advice over the years.”
That community support is something Briggs has tried to return. He was recently recognized with the Chamber of Commerce’s Community Ambassador Award, an honour he described as completely unexpected.
The company’s building has also become a colourful local landmark, thanks to its botanical mural depicting flowers, insects and other natural elements, created by local artists Geoff Slater and his daughter, Jannique. The cheerful mural has since become a popular backdrop for photographs and selfies.
For Briggs, however, the heart of the business remains the people of Charlotte County.
“One of my goals was to just treat people the way I want to be treated,” he said. “I’ve had such great employees that I consider friends, and many of my customers I consider friends.”
Briggs Plumbing is thanking the community with an anniversary BBQ celebration featuring hot dogs, cake, refreshments and prize draws on Friday, August 28, from 11am to 1pm.
“It’s just to show a little bit of appreciation to Charlotte County,” Briggs said, “and let them know that we appreciate them.”
