Ohio PHC Contractor Volume 2019 Issue 2

PHCC FEATURED MEMBER
KEVIN ZILKE
Kevin Zilke came into the plumbing industry in an
unusual way – as an English major at Allegheny
College. “It’s not the normal way to start a plumbing
career,” he acknowledged. “I was going to be an
English teacher but after three years, I decided it
wasn’t for me.”
Zilke wasn’t sure what his career path would be, so he continued
to work his college side job as a bouncer at a local pub. One of
the regulars was an office manager for a plumbing company.
“We always had a good rapport and when he heard I wasn’t
interested in my career pursuit any longer, he suggested I explore
opportunities at his company.”
Zilke pursued the tip and was hired
as a laborer, spending his first
weeks swinging a sledgehammer
breaking cast iron out of a building
being rehabbed. “I think they were
testing me to see if I would keep
coming to work every day,” he said.
If that was a test, Zilke passed it,
despite a piece of cast iron hitting
him on the forehead. “I had to get
stitches but I still came back the
next day and never missed a day
after.”
Zilke credits the owner of that
company for sticking with him despite his lack of experience
or training. “The owner took me in. It’s not everybody who has
patience to work with someone who doesn’t know what they are
doing. But he was a good influence on me and taught me basics
that I needed.”
After a couple of years, Zilke moved from Pennsylvania back to
his home state of Ohio and started working with Roto-Rooter and
then with WF Hann & Sons for 18 years, becoming manager of
his division. But after so many years in the office, Zilke missed his
passion of hands-on work.
“I was more of a business person and less of a plumber and I
really missed plumbing,” he said. “I had gained a lot of knowledge
about running a business, so I decided it was time to start my
own and get back in the field again.”
In August 2018, Zilke opened up shop as Plumbers Ink in
Madison, a decision he has not regretted. “It’s been great,” he
said. It’s been very busy and very fruitful. I’ve been fortunate to
have a lot of referrals and word of mouth business. I have my
niche and I take my time to keep customers fully satisfied.”
He is a one-man shop for now, but acknowledges his next
challenge is to grow. “I want to hire guys that are ambitious,
want to work hard, come to work every day, and want to learn
something new. I want to be able to be a teacher/mentor and
build them into something they can be proud of versus just
trying to poach a good plumber from somebody else.”
The PHCC Way
Zilke noted that cooperation
with other plumbing
companies is more the norm
than competition. “There is so
much work out there and such
Kevin Zilke
a shortage of trade people that
instead of being fierce competitors, we are cooperative allies,
which is really what PHCC is all about. We are resources for each
other,” he said.
“For me as a new and small business owner, the PHCC has
brought me much insight and assistance and how to start,
organize, and efficiently run a new business. Furthermore, one of
the most valuable things that have come from the organization is
the camaraderie, fellowship and willingness to help by my fellow
members and colleagues. I’ve been befriended and mentored
by so many veterans in my industry in this organization, both
locally and statewide.
My fellow members have gone even a step further in referring
me to customers that are in my service area and outside of their
own, helping me to grow my business and gain new clientele. I
am extremely proud to be a part of the association and always
plan to be.
Back to Teaching – other Tradesmen
Zilke also has found a niche teaching others. He ran several
classes for a large construction firm in Cleveland on how to shut
off water in an emergency using different tools. They liked my
presentation so they hired me to go to Cincinnati and Columbus
to do the same thing. It looks like it will lead to more opportunity
to share my knowledge and passion for plumbing and to help
other people so they can be better and safer in their jobs too.
That’s pretty exciting for me as well,” he said. “I did find some
avenue for education in my field after all.”
Off-hours
Zilke acknowledges that days off are few and far between, but
when he gets a chance, he loves to golf and occasionally ride his
motorcycle. To spend more time with his wife and their blended
family of six children, Zilke joined a marina close to Madison.
“Having a boat is something we can do as a family,” he said. “It’s
a mini-vacation close to home, but away from home.”
Zilke also finds time to serve the local PHCC Association. He
is the former president of Northeast Ohio PHCC and currently
serves as secretary.
“I got into this career by accident but I have never been sorry,” he
said. “I love my job and I love being a plumber.”
Plumbers Ink, serving all of Lake County, Central and Eastern
Cuyahoga County, specializes in residential and commercial
plumbing service, installation, drain work and backflow
prevention. To contact Kevin Zilke, phone (440) 251-8713 or email
kzilke@plumbers-ink.com.
12 OHIO PHC CONTRACTOR • VOLUME 2019, ISSUE 2