Last Friday our Silver Creek Area CEO students traded desks and dress clothes for dirt piles and jeans at Alexander Plumbing and Remodeling LLC, owned by James Alexander and Josh Davis.

Like many great businesses, this one started with timing and vision.

James was transitioning from another company and planning to start his own plumbing business. Around that same time, Josh was helping local trades professionals generate leads through digital marketing. When the two connected, they saw the opportunity to build something bigger than a marketing relationship. They partnered together to launch a plumbing company in O’Fallon because they believed they could build something great.

As they shared with our students, “It’s been a blast ever since.”

James also shared how he got started in plumbing after being asked to help dig sewers one summer. What started as a job became a career that has blessed his family and allowed him to build something of his own.

We talked about why the trades are such a strong market. When asked what makes plumbing such a solid industry to go into, Timothy answered it best:

“Everybody needs a toilet.”

Simple. True. And exactly the kind of market thinking we talk about in class. When plumbing goes out, it is not optional. It becomes an emergency.

Another important part of our conversation was when James talked about being certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise. He explained that for him, being “disadvantaged” was not about the color of his skin. It was about green. He grew up poor. That is what shaped his story. Certifications may open doors, but you still have to be competitive, build relationships, and earn the work.

James also emphasized how critical strong supplier partnerships are to their success. It immediately connected our students back to our September visit to WinSupply. Seeing both sides of that business to business relationship helped them better understand how companies rely on one another, how trust is built, and how long term partnerships fuel growth.

Then we headed outside.

Students learned about hydro excavation, the safest way to dig around underground utilities, and several of them got to climb up into the excavator and see how it works up close. Eli was completely in his element. He not only jumped in confidently, but helped every student who wanted to try to understand how it worked. Watching him naturally step into that leadership role was one of my favorite moments of the day.

James mentioned that one of the reasons he loves the trades is because every single day is different. You are not sitting at the same desk doing the same thing.

And I could not help but smile because that is one of the things our students say they love most about the Silver Creek Area CEO program.

Every day is different.
Every experience stretches them.
Every visit builds confidence.

James and Josh, thank you for your transparency, your time, and for giving our students a real look at an industry that truly keeps the world running.

And just like the trades, last Friday looked different than the days before it, and that is exactly the point.