When he is not performing wildcats on his snowboard or running ollies on his skateboard, Nick Parlet @plumbingsk8r keeps busy with his residential service plumbing company, Tidy Pipes Plumbing, Webster, N.Y.

 As a third-generation union plumber, Parlet’s dad and his grandfather encouraged him to join and learn the trade, so at the age of 22, Nick joined the local plumbing union. Nick began doing two years of pre-apprentice work and then started his five-year apprenticeship. After five years of schooling, Nick became a journeyman and worked commercial new build construction. Parlet eventually ended up working in the commercial plumbing service, and after doing that for many years—as well as doing side jobs for family and friends—he decided to open his own residential plumbing company, Tidy Pipes Plumbing.

“To be honest, I didn’t know if there was ever a time that I was certain about going on my own; however, with growing on social media with Plumbingsk8r and meeting a ton of great people in the industry, it was clear that there was more money to be made owning your own. My wife and I—spur of the moment—bought a truck on a random Tuesday, and the rest was history,” says Parlet.

Being on his own with the new company came a new wave of excitement knowing that each call Parlet received would grow his business further. “Interacting with my own customers was really exciting; I felt a greater sense of accomplishment and purpose for each job that I went to,” says Parlet.

Joining the union proved beneficial for Parlet. “There are many benefits as a union member, especially for those going into the trades young. They offer coverage for health and dental insurance, as well as retirement options and pension plans. There is also the perk of having your education and schooling provided for you if you go through the full apprenticeship program. It’s just nice knowing there is a group of people keeping your best interest in mind when you are first coming into the trade,” says Parlet.

For those interested in getting started in the trades, “Go for it!” says Parlet. “Consider the benefits for your future and remember that the trades pay. It is knowledge that will never go out of style. Tradesmen will always be import in the future and AI can’t take your job.”

So how does this translate to how we as an industry getting more people interested in the trades? “If there was more focus on the money to be made, I think there would be a lot more interest. There are always jokes about plumbers, and they have this stigma surrounding them that they are low paying job, but in reality you can make the same amount and in many cases more than someone who is 3-5 years out of college,” says Parlet.

The Balance

Believing in the notion that stress is a killer, Parlet is trying to stay level headed about keeping the right work life balance. First and foremost, Nick loves spending time with his wife and kids, and he knows full well that he does not want to shave a few years off his short time on earth just to make a few extra bucks. “Starting my company has been very challenging for balancing everything because I want to please all of my customers, and that sometimes means working late and working weekends, but I am confident that this is just part of the start-up process,” says Parlet.

Social Connections

As time went on, the confidence grew. And, once Nick started growing on social media and was asked to be part of the Oatey ambassador program, he says he met so many great people, good friends to this day that all became mentors.

Nick (r) with Evan Berns at Oatey

“My buddy Thomas Young, aka TYCustoms, Nick from Cheddars Plumbing Co, Jake from MotherFlushers, and Roger Wakefield all instilled a lot of confidence in me and really made me realize that I was capable of owning my own company as well. I hope to be a role model in showing the younger generation that there are other options besides college and that the trades are always growing and need workers,” says Parlet.

“Huge shout out to everyone at Oatey, by the way! Amanda, Alyssa, Katherine, and Tyler, you guys are awesome! They have really helped to push me further into the spotlight of the plumbing social media community and for that I am very thankful. Because of Oatey I was able to meet some of my best friends today.”

Speaking on the importance of social media, “About a year and a half ago, my good friend Brian was constantly sending me TikTok plumbing videos through text messages,” recalls Parlet. “After a few times of clicking the links, I was locked out of watching the TikTok videos unless I downloaded the app. So, I downloaded the app and without putting any thought into the name so I created @plumbingsk8r.

The Hub’s Tim Ward (l) and John Mesenbrink (r) share a laugh at the RIDGID afterparty during PHCC Connect in Cleveland.

“At that time, I was really only posting on my personal Instagram page. One day I was bored, I posted what I did at work to my Instagram story. I was shocked at the response I got from my friends that were not in the trades. My friends were actually interested in what I did for a living and would often ask me for help with their own plumbing issues. I started putting a little more though into filming my plumbing videos and edits. One night, Brian told me I should post one of my videos to the TikTok and I was a little hesitant at first but I eventually did. The next morning, I woke up at my video had 75,000 views. I was shocked. I posted another one and it didn’t do so good. I posted one more and that one took off as well.

“Every day, I would post what I did at work and I started to gain a little following. I reached out to other plumbing content creators and ended up building some good friendships. We would talk a lot about content creating but also about being a business owner. A lot of them sparked the idea of opening my own company at that time. I enjoy everything about plumbing, including meeting other people who are more knowledgeable about the trade than me. Social media has become a tool I’ve been able to use to learn more than I ever thought I could about the plumbing and the business side of things.

“There have been so many times I’m on a job and think to myself. ‘I bet TY would know the answer to why this is doing that.’ So, I call up my buddy that lives on the other side of the country and sure enough he knows exactly what I’m talking about.

“As for the time I put into my videos today, I try to post at least once a day. I try to film jobs that at different such as pouring a lead joint because you do see that very often. The filming process does not take much extra time but the editing and cross posting process can take anywhere from 30 mins to five hours per video. If I don’t feel creatively motivated, I will not edit or post that day. In a sense, social media has become a 2nd job for me but it’s a job that I can do when I feel like it so there is no pressure. I’m just having fun with it and meeting as many people as I can,” says Parlet.

In conclusion, when Nick started his plumbing career in commercial new construction, he felt as if he was not challenged enough. “I learned a lot about installation but not as much about what I was actually installing. In order to be a good service plumber, you need to know how everything works in order to properly diagnose and fix the problem. “Every service call that I go on has its own challenges and when I find the solution to the problem, fix the issue and put a smile on my customers face, that is the rewarding part.”

Oh, and that name @plumbngsk8r? “I have been skateboarding since I was 10 years old and I still really enjoy skating and filming with my friends,” says Parlet.

You’ll see Nick if you attend the 2024 WWETT Show, KBIS in Vegas, “and I was recently picked to attend the RIDGID Experience, which I am extremely excited about, and I’m hoping to get to the ‘holy grail’ of power tools event, the Milwaukee Pipeline.

Career Training to Members of Detroit’s Gun Violence Reduction Program

Interplay Learning, the leading provider of immersive skilled trades training, announces a transformative partnership with C.H.O.I.C.E.S (Choosing Honorable Options Increasing Chances to Establish Success), a community-based violence intervention program dedicated to reducing gun violence in Detroit as part of Mayor Mike Duggan’s “Detroit at Work” program. C.H.O.I.C.E.S is using Interplay Learning’s virtual reality and simulation-based training to empower at-risk youth and individuals affected by gun violence. Interplay’s innovative training equips them with valuable skills that open doors to a brighter future through sustainable employment in high-demand fields like HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical, Multifamily Maintenance, and Facilities Maintenance.

Aligning with C.H.O.I.C.E.S’ mission to empower violence-affected and/or justice involved individuals with practical job-ready skills, Interplay’s experiential videos, interactive 3D simulations, and immersive virtual reality courses complement the program’s existing in-person residential construction classes. Participants can now tailor their learning experience to align with their specific needs, schedules, and interests by taking the C.H.O.I.C.E.S in-person residential construction classes and/or Interplay’s online skilled trades courses. Using Interplay, learners can access 400+ hours of courses and hands-on simulations so they can practice their skills in a safe, realistic environment. They can leverage Interplay’s courses for as long as needed to prepare for industry certifications, secure meaningful employment with local employers, and ensure long-term success on their journey to self-sufficiency.

“We absolutely love Interplay,” said Stephanie Nixon, Chief Program Officer at Detroit at Work. “It complements our in-person learning well, and their team is great to work with. Our program participants are totally engaged; they’re having fun while learning, they’re competing with one another to complete courses, and all the while, it’s changing the trajectory of their lives.”

A critical feature of the training platform is the administrator reporting tools that enable program coordinators to identify participants who need help and provide timely support and intervention to those individuals. This proactive approach ensures participants stay on course with their training paths, bringing them closer to their ultimate goal of gaining employment and contributing positively to their communities.

“Our mission is to help institutions build better training, better careers, and better lives,” said Doug Donovan, founder and CEO of Interplay Learning. “C.H.O.I.C.E.S is making significant strides in reducing gun violence in Detroit and empowering individuals to lead fulfilling lives. We’re proud to partner with them to support the at-risk and underserved community with an innovative strategy that builds flexible pathways to meaningful trades careers.”

RIDGID® Experience Goes Global: European Guests Visit Elyria, Ohio Headquarters—Participants from eight countries received a behind-the-scenes tour during the three-day trip to Elyria, Ohio.

RIDGID®, a part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, recently hosted the first RIDGID Experience Europe Edition 2023, an all-expenses-paid, three-day VIP trip to the company headquarters in Elyria, Ohio. The event welcomed a total of nine trade professionals from France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Norway, Poland, Romania, and the United Kingdom.

RIDGID Experience Europe included exclusive opportunities and team building events that highlighted the brand’s commitment to the trades. Hands-on experiences included a factory tour that invited each guest to build their own iconic RIDGID customized pipe wrench, and time in the research test lab working with innovations in the product development pipeline. “Our guests got a sneak peek at what’s coming from RIDGID, and we loved hearing their opinions on how these tools can help them maximize their time on jobsites,” said Michael Lucas, marketing manager RIDGID Europe. “Getting this global perspective is so important and hearing it in person is really special to our teams.”

The trip was modeled after the North American RIDGID Experience now heading into its seventh year in2024.RIDGID selected attendees from a pool of hundreds of professional tradespeople.

“Our annual RIDGID Experience event is a highlight of our year, and being able to bring some of Europe’s biggest RIDGID fans to our headquarters for a similar experience was a thrill for us,” said Becky Brotherton, director of brand and engagement marketing, RIDGID for Emerson. “RIDGID tools are used on jobsites around the world, but there’s something special about stepping on the manufacturing floor and talking with the people who make them. Our guests are always impressed with how much pride goes into manufacturing the tools they use every day.”

Emerson’s professional tools business, which includes RIDGID as well as the Greenlee® and Klauke® brands, provides the industry’s broadest portfolio of advanced, reliable tools and technologies for the mechanical, electrical and plumbing trades globally.

Visit www.emerson.com/professionaltools for more information. RIDGID®, Greenlee® and Klauke® are trademarks of Emerson or its subsidiaries. All other trademarks belong to their respective holders.

This past October, a select group of social media influencers that represent small or mid-sized, light commercial plumbing contractors attended a Watts two-day “Social Media Summit” at the company’s North Andover, Mass. and Franklin, N.H. locations. Guests included Mechanical Hub’s very own Eric Aune @mechanicalhub; Paige Knowles @plumber_paige; Travis Abaire @t.a.p.plumbingandheating; Matt Fleming @allstarplumbinginc; Evan Berns; and Chris Sbrocco @chris_sbrocco.

The Watts and social media crew

The purpose of the summit was to develop Watts’ own “rolodex” of online influencers who could help build Watts product excitement and awareness. Hosting a social media influencer summit provided the potential to deepen Watts’ social media influencer connections, assist in digital marketing, and gain contractor-level voice of customer. “Watts welcomed the group plumbers to discuss how social media can play a role in learning and collaborating within the plumbing and piping industry,” said Aune.

Guests were initially greeted to a hearty welcome from Watts CEO, President, and Chairperson of the Board, Bob Pagano. “We were greeted warmly by members of the Watts social media and marketing team, and heard a message from CEO Pagano about his vision for what’s coming next at Watts,” said Berns.

Watts CEO Bob Pagano

Following the opening remarks from Pagano, by an open dialogue on influencer benefits was held hosted by Ryan Kiscaden, Manager, Sales Enablement, with a quick breakdown of the Watts family of products from Shashwat Nath of the Watts Product Team. “After touring their state-of-the-art facility, we were able to ask questions and get our hands on products in their training room,” said Berns.

Abaire continued, “I’ve always liked the products that Watts put out, but to see firsthand the level of care, precision, and pride that actually goes into making their products gave me a whole new level of respect and trust in the Watts brand.”

Director of Training, Greg Gyorda, gives the group a tour of a working Watts mechanical room.

In the afternoon of that first day, the group toured the mechanical rooms and learning center and met with Greg Gyorda, Director of Training, and members of the Watts training team, including Kari Stocks, Training Campaign Manager. “Watts has built a world-class training facility at their headquarters where hands-on technical training is a main focus,” said Aune.

The gang at the Sam Adams brewery

Moreover, “I was impressed with the training facility, as I didn’t realize how many brands are under the Watts umbrella. They had a bit of everything at the training facility to check out and with which to get hands-on,” said Fleming.

Day one concluded with some authentic Boston flavor. “The Watts team showed us some of what Boston has to offer with a tour of Sam Adams brewery and a Boston Bruins game,” said Berns.

On the second day, the group took a one-hour trip to Watts’ Franklin Manufacturing Facility in Franklin, N.H. This facility is a center of excellence in manufacturing Watts’ specialty products that require some level of fabrication. This includes Watts-branded plumbing flow control products. The products that are manufactured at this state-of-the-art, lean facility are used worldwide in various residential and commercial applications. “We were able to tour their incredible manufacturing facilities, and got a look at the many steps that the Watts products go through before we see them on the shelf. It was great to see some of the smiling faces behind the products that we all know and love,” said Berns.

The Hub’s Eric Aune talks with Franklin Manufacturing Facility tour guide Pete Bertagna.

Tour guide Pete Bertagna captivated the group with some of the foundry’s processes, including how the world-renowned backflow preventers are made. “The Franklin factory tour gave us the opportunity to assemble our own backflow preventer from the parts manufactured on site; it was so cool to see the whole process from start to finish,” said Aune.

Fleming assembles his very own backflow preventer.

Fleming concurred, “The factory was also cool seeing all the backflow preventers that I’ve installed for years actually come to life.”

There is a need to continue to simplify plumbing systems and experiences over time. Online social media influencers are a “cog in the wheel” to positively influence the next generation and change perceptions. The Social Media Summit and those content creators that participated are cogs on the Watts messaging wheel. There is a growing need for training programs and education and Watts is taking training very seriously and believe it is key to its success.

The social media crew from l to r: Chris Sbrocco, Eric Aune, Matt Fleming, Travis Abaire, Paige Knowles, and Evan Berns

Overall impressions from the Social Media Summit:

• Eric Aune @mechanicalhub:

“Watts has been present in the industry for decades longer than my 25-year plumbing and heating career. Connecting with people who make, design and distribute the products was a special experience of which I’m thankful to have taken part.”

• Matt Fleming @ allstarplumbinginc:

“At the end of the day, it was great to get to hang out with all my plumbing peers from across the country. I definitely value the friendships I’ve made through social media, and I always look for to an opportunity to hang with everyone.”

• Evan Berns @re.plumb

“The trip was a great opportunity to connect with some of the plumbing and heating industries leading professionals. Overall, it was a great event for Watts to get more involved with the online community and develop their social media presence.”

• Travis Abaire @t.a.p.plumbingandheating

“It was really a great and educational experience, and I’m thrilled I was asked to be a part of it.”

• Paige Knowles @plumber_paige

“I learned a lot about their environment and training opportunities. Seeing how backflow preventers were made, and being able to make one, was awesome!”