Episode Overview
As a teenager in Dublin, Irish native Alan O’Neill thought more about soccer than a career.
Flash forward: He moved to Houston, Texas, got a job as a plumber, met the right people, became an executive and a business owner, sold the company at the right time and is now a consultant with The Wrench Group.
Consider it luck, or just good advice, but O’Neill’s father told him early on: “Just get a trade and you’ll never be idle.”
Pairing a little luck and an impeccable work ethic, O’Neill rose in the ranks. In 2024, his company, Abacus Plumbing, is due to bring in just north of $100 million in revenue.
Even as the bottom line became bigger and bigger, O’Neill refused to think or act like a corporate shark.
For O’Neill, relationships matter. Standing by his word is important. And he genuinely cares about the people around him.
“I never considered it an expense to take great care of my people,” he says. “I considered it an investment.”
He aims to be loyal to everyone–up until the point anyone might betray his trust.
“Value loyalty,” O’Neill says. “Because we're going to be as loyal to you as you are to us.”
That same belief goes double for employees. Because it’s the right thing to do, he believes, and it’s good business sense.
“When people don't feel safe in employment, they're going to take flight,” O’Neill says.
As he looks back on both a successful career and a good life, O’Neill adds just a little bit to his father’s advice: “Get yourself a trade, learn it well, be responsible and show up to work every day.”
Because, more often than not, luck happens to people who are prepared for it.
Alan O’Neill recently joined ServiceTitan’s Jackie Aubel on the “Toolbox for the Trades” podcast, which included O’Neill’s thoughts on:
[7:13] O’Neill’s incredible testament to the American Dream
[15:48] Why Hiring a CFO was one of his best business moves
[20:41] The importance of loyalty in a business
[26:57] Why you should take control of your own destiny
[38:05] Advice for business owners planning to sell or partner with private equity firms
To hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, or anywhere you get podcasts.
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