By Rory Macnamara

Plumbing Africa chatted to Terry Smith of Legacy Plumbing Services about life, plumbing and hard graft.

Terry attended trade school, when South Africa still had such important schools, and was exposed to many trades. This proved to him that a trade was for him – he loved working with his hands.

After school, he joined his father in his building business, until the building sector began its decline, whereafter he sought alternative work which he found in a chemical company supplying products to the print industry. This started the climb up his career ladder. After that he worked for a few printing companies gaining experience in the sales, client liaison, HR areas, and rising to operations director – eventually running a staff complement of 110 people.


Terry Smith, owner of Legacy Plumbing. Photo by Terry Smith


Having completed a full career run in the printing industry, Terry felt it was time to move into the plumbing sector, and get back to ‘working with his hands’ and his attraction to all things water. Learning and having gained experience from his print career, he had identified himself as a problem solver, so the fit was perfect.

The first couple of years was juggling work and classes at PCD College which resulted in late nights. Again, an example of a tough time and dedication to keep up the pace of each day. When he finally resigned his day job and with some healthy experience behind him, he purchased his first bakkie, had it branded and started working on small plumbing jobs. “I took to the work easily and would check in with my college teachers whenever I had questions and needed to check technical requirements against the actual on-site challenges. They were an amazing support throughout the entire learning process. After three intense years I finally received both local and international City & Guilds qualifications.”

Legacy Plumbing Services was born late 2015 offering both maintenance and construction plumbing. It was here that Terry learnt that running a business was not an easy task. An own business brings with it admin, HR, legal requirements and ensuring money is in the bank and then doing the actual work that brings in the money. Terry realised that it was essential to network and learn from others and, indeed, share of his experiences. So, he joined Business Network International (NBI), which he describes as “one of my best decisions!”

As with all businesses, what is it without staff who believe in one’s own values and what the company is about. Terry acknowledges his team and attributes this to the success of the company. “Our company builds long-term relationships with clients and suppliers. This is fundamental to who I am and how I like the company to operate. While we serve specific areas in the North of Johannesburg, we will never turn business away no matter how small as that client may one day want a major refurb.”

Being a well-rounded (not physically) fellow, Terry spends his weekends in the sun and being involved in water sports. “I play and coach ice hockey for the ‘Forest Rats’ Ice Hockey Club. It is here where I put my water skills to the test, running on frozen water with 3mm thick blades on my shoes and pitting myself against some of the fastest ice warriors in town.”

On a personal note, he concludes, “I am blessed with an incredible wife, and two wonderful teenage sons, who constantly push known boundaries and make me super proud to be their Dad.”

On the business side he concludes: For those wanting to go out on their own thinking it is easy, I believe that there is a time and place for everything that we do. And when we are well prepared mentally, we can tackle and overcome anything standing in our way.

If you plan on starting your own business, you need to be confident in your plumbing knowledge and skills and you ideally need to get working experience – be ‘teachable’ by starting at the bottom and working your way up so that you understand every facet of how a plumbing business works. Being on site, reading plans, dealing with clients, learning to quote, and helping your immediate supervisor will push you forward. Watch business basics videos and read locally-published books and blogs that talk to business ownership. It will include information from registration to insurance for a business and all things in between.

Most importantly you need to understand yourself – what are your strengths and weaknesses? How is your ability to handle stress, complaints, and difficult jobs? Can you control your money and the cashflow in your business? Manage your weaknesses by learning more or get help, for example by hiring a bookkeeper for a couple of hours a month. Know your strengths and use them to your advantage! Trust yourself, and when the time is right to open your business, jump in and do it!

What does Terry have to say about the future of the Industry? The PIRB and IOPSA have a huge task in regulating the industry but are nonetheless doing a fantastic job in getting the plumbing industry under control. The reality is that the plumbing industry bodies need support for high standards and work ethic to provide water security and to distribute water safely and efficiently to the millions of people in our country. We must work together to build a strong community of plumbers and transform our industry into something that we can be immensely proud of and which elevates our contribution and significance to society.

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