Today we’d like to introduce you to Zach Mecom.
Hi Zach, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My name is Zachariah Mecom, and I’m the owner of We Plumb LLC in Austin, Texas.
I grew up on the north side of Austin and was exposed to construction early through my father, who owned a custom woodworking business called Mecom Mantles. He built fireplace mantles and cabinets, and some of my earliest memories are working in his shop with him. He taught me the value of working with your hands and taking pride in building things the right way.
I remember the first time he handed me a belt sander when I was about eight years old. The thing nearly ran away with me and I accidentally gouged a dip into the mantle we were building. I thought I was going to be in serious trouble, but instead he smiled and said, “I’ll show you how to fix that.” He grabbed some wood putty, filled the mistake, and showed me how to sand it back down smooth. That moment stuck with me because it taught me that mistakes happen, but what matters is knowing how to fix them.
Unfortunately, I lost both of my parents at a young age. After that I spent several years figuring life out on my own and went through some difficult periods growing up, including a time where I experienced homelessness. Those experiences forced me to grow up quickly and develop a strong work ethic.
Eventually I got back on my feet and moved to East Texas where my sister lived. During that time I worked multiple jobs for several years while rebuilding my life. Later, after starting a family with my wife, we decided to move back to Austin.
My entry into plumbing happened somewhat unexpectedly. At the time I was digging tunnels under homes for plumbing repairs and was offered the opportunity to start learning the plumbing side of the work as well. I took that opportunity seriously and committed myself to learning the trade.
Over the years I worked for several plumbing companies around the Austin area and gained experience in many different areas of the industry. I’ve been fortunate enough to work on high-rise buildings, schools, commercial projects, residential construction, remodels, and service plumbing. Working for many different companies exposed me to a wide variety of methods and systems, which ultimately gave me a broader understanding of the trade than many plumbers get during their careers.
In March of 2023, after being laid off from a plumbing job, I decided it was time to take the leap and start my own company. A friend loaned me a work truck for a short period of time, and I had about a week to earn enough money to put a down payment on my own vehicle. I worked nonstop during that time taking emergency calls and whatever work I could find, and that’s how We Plumb LLC really began.
The first year was a grind. I was working day and night, answering calls at all hours, doing the plumbing work myself while also learning how to run a business. Plumbing was the part I knew well — the business side, like taxes, systems, and operations, took some time to figure out. But with persistence and long hours, things started coming together.
Today We Plumb LLC is still a small, owner-operated company, but our experience and work ethic allow us to handle a high volume of service calls and projects. We focus on doing quality work, responding quickly to customers, and solving problems the right way.
My goal has never really been to build the biggest plumbing company in Austin. I would like to grow some, but in a controlled way. I have five kids, and like most parents, I want to build a successful business while still having time to be present for my family. Right now I work a lot of long hours, and my kids understand that their dad works hard to provide for them, but one of my long-term goals is to build a strong team that allows for a little more balance.
One of the biggest challenges in the plumbing industry today is finding skilled and trustworthy people. Plumbing requires experience and attention to detail, especially when you’re working inside someone’s home. Many companies today are very compartmentalized, where workers only learn one part of the job. Because of that, there can be a gap in the broader knowledge needed to truly understand plumbing systems.
At We Plumb, when I bring someone on, I try to teach them the entire trade rather than just one piece of it. It can be overwhelming at first because there is so much information to learn, but eventually something clicks and everything starts to make sense. Once that happens, a plumber becomes far more confident and capable in the field.
For me, building a small, highly skilled team that takes pride in their work is more important than simply growing as fast as possible. At the end of the day, my goal is to continue building a company based on hard work, honesty, and craftsmanship while creating something my family and community can be proud of.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Learning the business side of things finding customers
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At We Plumb LLC, we primarily specialize in residential plumbing service, repairs, and diagnosing complex plumbing problems. Much of our work involves repairing water and sewer systems, installing fixtures and water heaters, and solving issues that require a full understanding of how plumbing systems work.
Because I’ve worked on a wide range of projects throughout my career—including high-rise buildings, schools, commercial construction, residential builds, remodels, and service plumbing—I’m able to approach problems from multiple angles and find effective solutions. We also take on occasional residential and commercial new construction projects when the opportunity is the right fit.
What sets us apart is our focus on understanding the entire plumbing system and doing clean, reliable work that is built to last. If you read our customer reviews, you’ll also see that we’re known for being honest, fair-priced, and knowledgeable. Much of our work comes from repeat clients and referrals, which is something I’m very proud of.
What are your plans for the future?
Looking ahead, my goal is to continue growing We Plumb LLC in a steady and responsible way. I’m not necessarily trying to build the biggest company in the industry, but I would like to grow enough to build a small, highly skilled team that takes pride in their work.
One of the things I’m most focused on is training people the right way and helping them understand the entire plumbing system, not just one small part of the trade. I believe that approach leads to better plumbers and better service for customers.
I’m also looking forward to continuing to build our reputation in the Austin area as a company known for honesty, quality work, and reliability. At the end of the day, my goal is to keep improving the business while also creating more balance so I can spend time with my family and my five kids.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.weplumbatx.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/weplumbllc
- Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/we-plumb-austin-2?osq=We+Plumb
