Today we’d like to introduce you to Devin Stephenson.
Hi Devin, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Two years ago, we started Honest abe Plumbing because we saw a shift happening in the service industry — companies were becoming more focused on sales quotas than actually serving people. That didn’t sit right with us. We’re plumbers. We’re not salesmen.
We built this company on a simple belief: when we walk into someone’s home, our job is to solve the problem — not create one. We will never tell a customer something is wrong just to make a sale. If we see something out of place or potentially concerning, of course we’ll educate the homeowner. But transparency always comes first.
One of the ways we protect that integrity is through how we pay our team. Our technicians are on a full salary, so there’s no pressure to upsell or push unnecessary work. They’re there to diagnose and fix — not to hit a number. For larger, more labor-intensive jobs, they do earn commission — because let’s be honest, that work is tough and they deserve to be rewarded for it.
At the end of the day, our goal is simple: earn trust, provide real solutions, and leave every home better than we found it. If we do that consistently, the business takes care of itself.
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?
One of the biggest challenges we faced in the beginning was simply getting started. We launched with basic plumbing tools and one truck — no marketing budget, no advertising, no fancy branding. We knew from day one that if this company was going to succeed, it would have to be built on reputation alone.
For the first six months, it was all hustle and word-of-mouth. We focused on doing solid work, being transparent, and treating people right. Then things took off faster than we expected. Within six months, we hired our first employee and purchased our first van. About six months after that, we brought on two more team members. To this day, our growth has been entirely organic — no ads, no gimmicks — just referrals and repeat customers.
As we’ve grown, one of our biggest ongoing challenges has been hiring. A lot of technicians coming out of other companies were trained in sales-driven environments. They’re used to quotas and upselling, and many are looking for commission-heavy roles. That can make it difficult because our model is different. We prioritize service over sales, and shifting someone out of that sales mindset into a service mindset takes time and intentional leadership.
But we see that challenge as part of protecting our culture. We’re committed to building a team that values integrity, transparency, and craftsmanship — and sometimes that means being patient and selective in who we bring on.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m the co-owner of Honest abe Plumbing alongside my husband, Donavan. In our company, I oversee all of the operations on the office side — scheduling, dispatching technicians, ordering parts, and making sure every job runs smoothly from start to finish. But I don’t just stay behind a desk. From time to time, I go out in the field with our guys because I genuinely want to understand their day-to-day experience.
Our technicians are the heart of Honesty Plumbing. By seeing what they face firsthand, I can make better decisions in the office — making sure their schedules are realistic, they’re not overloaded, and they have everything they need to do their jobs well. That connection helps our entire company run better.
As a company, we focus strictly on plumbing. We handle everything from leak detection, sewer line diagnostics, and water heater repairs to full fixture installations — toilets, showers, sinks — the essentials that keep a home running. We also specialize in gas line work and Rinnai tankless water heater systems, which require precision and expertise.
What sets us apart is simple: we are service-driven, not sales-driven. We’re known for honesty, transparency, and doing exactly what needs to be done — nothing more, nothing less. We’ve built this company entirely on word-of-mouth because people trust us.
What I’m most proud of is the culture we’ve created. We’ve built a company where our team feels supported, our customers feel respected, and integrity isn’t just something we say — it’s how we operate every single day.
Any big plans?
Our plans for the future are actually very simple — and very intentional. What we’re doing today isn’t going to change.
We have no plans to sell to private equity or turn this into a large, corporate operation. Staying locally owned and operated is extremely important to us. We built this company on relationships and trust within our community, and that’s something we’re committed to protecting.
As we grow, we do plan to expand our team and bring on more employees. But growth for us isn’t about getting as big as possible — it’s about growing the right way. We want to add quality people who align with our values and continue delivering the level of service our customers have come to expect.
And one day, if the time ever comes for us to step back, we’ll make sure the reins are handed to someone we trust — someone who will protect the culture, the integrity, and the customers who helped build this company.
For us, the future isn’t about changing who we are. It’s about strengthening it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://honestabeplumbingsc.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/honest_abe_plumbing/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61554699627066/
