Joseph Lambert went from a Sandy Springs teen doing lawns and construction to building a premium junk-removal company by learning fast from failures, studying proven models, and executing better—scaling from rented trucks to ~$2.8–2.9M revenue with 8 trucks and 30–35 staff. He sold the business in early 2024 with a team-first deal that gave employees life-changing bonuses, later left his VP role in Oct 2024, and now invests in manufactured housing while exploring waste-industry opportunities—his mantra: take imperfect action and keep moving.
The 100-Year-Old Home Specialist Who Refuses to Rush His Craft
Sims Hatcher, owner of Hatcher Plumbing in Huntsville, Alabama has built his plumbing business on hard work and attention to detail. His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to do what you say you're going to do! Sims isn't really focused on growth -the headaches of managing employees isn't something he wants to wrestle with but his business is steady and built on solid ground.

About the Guest
Sims Hatcher
Owner of Hatcher Plumbing
Sims Hatcher is the founder of Hatcher Plumbing in Huntsville, Alabama, specializing in high-end residential remodels. A former musician and chef who entered plumbing in 2003 to "make real money without working weekends," Sims spent 21 years mastering every plumbing discipline before launching his company in 2019. Operating intentionally solo with five-star Google reviews, he focuses on historic home renovations, charges by fixture (not hourly), and demands payment upon completion-prioritizing quality craftsmanship and freedom over aggressive growth.
Connect
Company: Hatcher Plumbing
Location: Huntsville, Alabama (greater Huntsville area)
Services: High-end residential plumbing remodels, complete home replumbing, old home plumbing updates, fixture installations, water heater replacements, bathroom and kitchen remodels, collaboration with builders and homeowners
Company Overview
Hatcher Plumbing specializes in high-quality residential plumbing remodels throughout the greater Huntsville, Alabama area. Services include:
Services
- Complete home remodels (gutting and replumbing)
- Old home plumbing updates and modernization
- Bathroom and kitchen remodels
- Fixture installations and replacements
- Water heater changeouts
- Rough-in plumbing for renovations
- Collaboration with builders, contractors, and homeowners
- High-end residential plumbing projects
- Permitting and licensed master plumber services
Core Mission
Delivering exceptional quality plumbing work with meticulous attention to detail, working primarily with passionate homeowners and trusted builders on projects where craftsmanship matters more than speed.
Business Model
Fixture-based pricing (not hourly) for builder comfort and transparency. Payment upon completion (not net-30/60/90). Selective client relationships with builders who respect quality work and pay promptly. Intentionally small operation prioritizing freedom, family time, and work-life balance over aggressive growth and employee management headaches. "Five-star Google reviews" positioning as quality differentiator in market.
Episode Summary
Sims Hatcher, owner of Hatcher Plumbing in Huntsville, Alabama has built his plumbing business on hard work and attention to detail. His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to do what you say you're going to do! Sims isn't really focused on growth -the headaches of managing employees isn't something he wants to wrestle with but his business is steady and built on solid ground.
On His Career Journey
"I was a chef, went to culinary school, had a small catering business, got drug into plumbing to make extra money. Then had a kid and realized I've got to make real money and not work every weekend, every night, and holidays. I like to tell people: I fed them, now I'm cleaning it up."
On The Opportunity in Trades
"The money's so good and the consistency of work is always there. Nobody wants to do this-most people don't want to do this work. The market is not saturated and I don't see it ever being saturated. There's always opportunity."
On The Growth Trap
"I had 10 projects going all the time early on. Honestly, I made less money and had way more of a headache. I'm happy with what I got. I don't necessarily need 20 employees and to take over the world."
On His Business Foundation
"Hard work and attention to detail, and do what you say you're gonna do. Customers get so frustrated with people-then guys like you get all the business."
Client Selection Philosophy
- Prefer homeowners over corporate clients
- Homeowners have "passion and excitement" about remodels
- Corporate: "How much money can we save, how cheap can we do this?"
- Work with builders who respect quality and pay promptly
- The artist/musician in Sims connects with passionate homeowners
- Choose clients who value craftsmanship over speed
The Iron Triangle: Pick Two
- Quality, Speed, or Price-pick two
- Sims chose: Quality and Price
- "Speed never created a good end product"
- Rushing $25K project on 100-year-old home = crappy product
- Goal: people saying "Holy sh*t, did you see the job Hatcher Plumbing did?"
- Reputation built on quality, not volume
Employee Reality Check
- "The worst part of this industry is employees"
- Drug testing: "I can't tell you how many times guys would give them cup and they just walk out"
- "Some of the best damn rough-in plumbers were on meth"-but not dependable
- $10K equipment liability with unreliable employees
- Sims' son was "best employee I had"-family can work but has complications
- Consider working solo if employee headaches outweigh growth benefits
Side Work as Testing Ground
- Started with Craigslist/Facebook ads for side work
- Fixture changeouts, water heater replacements for extra cash
- "The more I did it, the more builders called me for full jobs"
- Started doing full jobs on weekends while employed
- Realized: "I can make more money working less with my own business"
- Side work proves concept before full commitment
Work-Life Balance as Priority
- Had kid, realized: "Got to make real money and not work every weekend, every night, holidays"
- Freedom to be with family and kids, go on trips
- Not filling out paperwork or doing "stupid meetings"
- Quality of life drove business decision as much as money
- Plumbing allows this better than restaurant/catering industry
Marketing Through Reputation
- "Nothing but five-star reviews on Google"
- Word of mouth drives business
- Goal: clients saying "Did you see the job Hatcher Plumbing did?"
- Quality work markets itself in specialized niche
- Especially rare for plumbers-"guys like you can command whatever you want"
- Reviews matter more than advertising in trades
Hard Work and Attention to Detail
- Sims' final advice: the foundation of everything
- Quality work separates you from shoddy competitors
- "Stories from homeowners and builders of shoddy work and shady dealings"
- Attention to detail on 100-year-old homes requires patience
- Hard work isn't glamorous but it's profitable and consistent
The History Nerd Advantage
- Finding 100-year-old Schlitz cans, medicine bottles in crawl spaces
- Appreciation for history connects with old home restoration
- "I'm a bit of a nerd when it comes to history"
- Passion for work beyond paycheck makes it sustainable
- Find what makes the hard parts interesting
Technology: Keep It Simple
- Uses "Invoice Simple" program for invoicing
- Auto-generates numbers and invoices
- Emails or texts directly to clients
- Jobs aren't large enough to need complex bidding software
- Does estimates "old school way"
- Don't over-complicate if simple systems work
The Anti-Growth Philosophy
Sims' experience running 10 simultaneous projects while making less money with more headaches challenges the narrative that bigger is always better. His intentional choice to work solo, prioritizing freedom and family time over empire-building, proves that strategic smallness can be wisdom rather than lack of ambition.
Quality Over Speed as Brand
In an industry known for rushed work and corner-cutting, Sims explicitly rejects speed from his Iron Triangle-choosing quality and price instead. Working on $25K projects in 100-year-old homes, his goal is customers saying "Holy sh*t, did you see the job Hatcher Plumbing did?" not "that was fast."
Payment Terms as Business Model
Sims' non-negotiable stance on payment upon completion-rather than industry-standard net-30/60/90-creates sustainable cash flow despite feast-or-famine realities. His approach: "This is how I get paid or we're not working together" works because quality specialists can demand terms.
Creative Background as Trade Advantage
The journey from musician and chef to master plumber shows how artistic sensibility and attention to detail from creative fields translate into craftsmanship commanding premium pricing. Sims connects emotionally with passionate homeowners remodeling century-old homes in ways purely technical plumbers cannot.
More Episodes
Swivl Sessions
Interviews, tips, and insights from field service entrepreneurs.
The “American Dream” can sometimes be an over-used and tired cliche. But Adriano Redante, co-owner of Limpia Cleaning Services in Philadelphia, PA, has dusted off and rewritten his own incredible “American Success Story.” After coming to the U.S. from Brazil with just $200 in his pocket and no English, he worked his way up from first the restaurant industry to owning a thriving million-dollar cleaning company. The “key ingredient” to the recipe of that growth was his wife, Carolina, who started Limpia Cleaning as a side-hustle to help support their family. Together, that side hustle has grown into a 14-employee operation built on hard work, resilience, and above all else, family values. The takeaway from this amazing episode of Swivl Sessions is that, sometimes, it isn’t always about where you start in life….but how far are you willing to go?
Fear can be crippling, especially for someone wanting to start a business. But for Peters Pierre-Louis, owner of AP Haulers in Philadelphia, PA — fear was the fuel to help him start a moving and junk removal company built on hustle, adaptability, and a priority on customer service. From being a private chef in New York to managing real estate and eventually hauling full-time, Peters embodies the entrepreneurial spirit. He shares how he turned a side hustle into a growing business, why fear kills more dreams than failure, and how staying consistent, managing expectations, and finding creative ways to pivot have been key to his success. In this episode of Swivl Sessions, his message is simple but powerful: just start, and keep getting better every day.
They always say “the second time around” is never better than the first. But Pablo Chavez, of Deer Park Garage Door, Houston, Texas, is proving that age-old adage wonderfully wrong. Pablo shares how his father started the business in 1999 and how he’s now leading it into a new era—embracing technology, digital marketing, and modern service practices. From late-night calls to fix stuck doors to managing a growing team, Pablo talks about the real-life challenges and rewards of running a family business. In this episode of Swivl Sessions, he discusses how staying compassionate, modernizing operations, and keeping community and care at the heart of the business, will keep the Deer Park legacy alive for future generations.
One of the hardest truths business owners deal with in entrepreneurship today is this: you can’t do it alone. Mark Hummel, of Inspector Empire Builders in Friendswood, Texas, understands that all too well. As a seasoned business coach who specializes in helping inspection companies and service based businesses grow, Mark highlights the critical importance of why having a “life vision” is paramount in personal and business growth. From setting a “#1 priority right now”, to the importance of daily huddles keeping everyone focused, he reminds us all that business growth isn’t about “grinding harder”, it’s about finding mentors and coaches and proven systems that can pave the way to success. This episode of SWIVL SESSIONS is a must-listen for any owner who’s ready to stop running in circles, and start building a business that truly serves their life.
There are two distinct types of contractors in the field service world of today. There are the client focused contractors, who align closely with what a clients vision is, prioritize his requests and specifications, no matter how trendy or predictable they may be. And they are very, very compliant. And then, there is Simon Beames, of the BRITISH REMODELER and GLASS ACT MOSAICS in Colorado Springs, CO, who doesn’t do trendy AT ALL. Or predictable. What he does instead is prioritize that which is different, exciting, and above all else, unique. In this episode of SWIVL SESSIONS, Simon explains why he refuses to chase “Instagram moments,” instead focusing on creating work that is elegant, durable, and deeply personal for each client. From the fulfillment of doing things his way, to hearing about his latest venture, Glass Act Mosaics, where he’s reviving ancient artistry with a modern twist, his advice to future entrepreneurs is simple but powerful: “Don’t be afraid to make the jump.
Reginald Lowe, owner of Apex Residential Solutions in Atlanta, Georgia, shares how being laid off opened the door to an unexpected journey in the HVAC industry. What began as an opportunity to support himself quickly grew into a thriving business built on customer service, persistence, and adaptability. Reginald opens up about the challenges of finding quality help, why building a strong customer base is crucial, and how hiring salespeople transformed his company’s growth. In this episode of SWIVL SESSIONS, dives into the role of business knowledge in scaling an HVAC company, reflects on the impact of AI on the trades, and outlines his vision for Apex’s future, emphasizing just how passion and commitment are essential to entrepreneurship.
Sarah Kasamanian, owner of Golden Notary, in Montgomery, Alabama, certainly has her priorities straight. Driven by a need for better mental health and a desire for independence, she created a successful Home Services niche for herself, running a mobile notary and process serving company. From the hard work and 24/7 availability to the unique experiences of meeting clients in hospitals, jails, and urgent situations, Sarah emphasizes the importance of customer service, financial planning, and staying resilient when facing setbacks. The conversation highlights the role of mentorship, leadership, and above all else, FAMILY in her business, with Sarah even introducing her daughter, Kaylani, as part of her entrepreneurial journey. This episode of SWIVL SESSIONS is full of insight, honesty, and encouragement for anyone considering the leap into business ownership.
If you had to describe Stephanie and John Williams, founders of Air Duct Dynasty in Kingman, Arizona, in one word..it would have to be FEARLESS. You have to be when you start an incredible entrepreneurial journey like theirs with only twenty cents in their bank account! From those humble beginnings, they have built a thriving business centered on the belief that clean air changes lives. In this episode of SWIVL SESSIONS, they discuss how drawing inspiration from the Duck Dynasty brand, they carved their own path in the air duct cleaning industry by focusing on quality service, customer relationships, and community engagement. Their story highlights how small businesses can thrive when they build their own rules, engage with their community, and stay committed to delivering lasting value.
All new business owners have different expectations. For Lucas Lorenzo, of AFFORDABLE JUNK REMOVAL EXPERTS, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, it was about helping families in need. With just $20 and a rented U-Haul, Lucas shares how he launched his business determined to create something not just for himself, but for the community. During the recent flooding that hit Milwaukee, Lucas and his team stepped up in a big way. For him, it wasn’t just about running a business—it was about being there for his community when they needed it most. Reputation, consistency, and community support remain at the heart of everything he does. In this episode of SWIVL SESSIONS, Lucas talks about the realities of “entrepreneurship”, the importance of community outreach, and how nothing of substance in life can begin until “you stop thinking about…and GET STARTED!”
Join 1,000+ home service businesses growing with Swivl
Start your 21-day free trial today.










