December 25, 2025 • 41 mins
Buddy Persons, owner of Persons Services Corp., joins Trent and Patrick to share the story behind the company’s growth—from its beginnings as a plumbing business founded in Mobile, Alabama in 1978 to a global operation spanning construction, infrastructure, industrial work, and disaster recovery. Buddy also discusses their current disaster relief efforts in North Carolina and the people-first mindset driving everything they do.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to that Home with Roby.
Speaker 2 (00:01):
This is Patrick pick Isaac from Roby Commercial in Services
along with Trent Hoaston from the Roby Family of Companies.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
We are your hosts. Trent, we're rolling into podcast number
two of the day. Yeah, I'm gonna give him a
shout out. That food we just had was dynamite.
Speaker 3 (00:14):
Man.
Speaker 1 (00:15):
We had flower Child. That's flower Child. I didn't even know,
but it was a.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Good confused with flower Shop, which is also super good.
Speaker 4 (00:23):
I asked Kylie, who is the podcast boss lady? I
got a bunch of boss's lady and she does pretty good.
I think she's I think she's taking more of my weight,
helping me out do stuff, making me look good.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
Thank you, Kyllie.
Speaker 4 (00:41):
So I said, hey, Buddy Persons is our guests and
he's in town surprisingly from Alabama, which is awesome time
to come through. I said, get something local and good,
and that's what she came up with.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Do you know where that is this? I'll well, I'm
gonna put a bowler on this for you, flower Child.
Is that the old Fat Brito location?
Speaker 3 (01:02):
Oh? Yeah, yeah, that's it used to be.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
I haven't been in there either. Everybody talks about how
wonderful is now we know that frequent that place for.
Speaker 3 (01:12):
I was with Michael Cox this week.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
There you go, there you go.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
I'll bet you he was he kind of like your
assistant with the watching the boys or.
Speaker 4 (01:23):
No, he wasn't. He was preoccupied with his family. Uh
but I saw him. I got with him a little.
He's my next door neighbor. If you've listened to the
Fat Burritos show. Uh but yeah, we had Michael Van
Wingerton Wingerton Wingerton, Yeah, I get that correct. Greenhouse is
(01:45):
what a family business story. That was a lot of fun.
We talked a lot about, uh daddy daycare in these days.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Well, dude, I'll tell you what, I'm six one, maybe
one and a half. If you're being generous and you
get next to that dude and Jeff Naper, you I
felt pretty infusued.
Speaker 4 (02:03):
You're just starting to feel like the big guys like
you hang out together to intimidate the little man.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
Well, we saw the same thing. I saw. There was
a Charlotte tallman. I did see that.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
And there's a guy in e oh's six' ten and
he showed me a picture of, that AND i mean
there was like seven of those. Jokers all standing next
to each. Other you imagine being that. Thing, NO i
would be really. Intimidated we would not be a place
of fun for. ME i would be scared actually checking
out my gray, hair.
Speaker 3 (02:35):
My no.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
Hair, well THEN i Got THEN i got one other
question for. You we didn't talk about slash, show and
you might not be in tuned to this YET i
might hit you with Some there's a lot of controversy
in the college football. Ward you, KNOW i have to
throw a sports zinger in here every now and. Again
Notre dame got left out of the of the of
the playoff and then now they're not going to play
(02:55):
a bowl. Game how do you feel about?
Speaker 4 (02:57):
That, well if they hit them in the in the
hip pocket next year for for not showing, up they
might change their ways in. Time you got to hit
them where it. Hurts my, OPINION i had not heard.
Speaker 3 (03:11):
THAT i.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
DON'T i just, just, man it kind of rubs me.
WRONG i just what kind of message are you sending
to your team to take.
Speaker 1 (03:18):
To, quit to these, kids take your toys and go.
Speaker 2 (03:21):
Home and to younger, kids are they just want to
see The golden domers one more?
Speaker 1 (03:25):
Time?
Speaker 2 (03:25):
MAN i, mean what if you're a senior on that.
TEAM i just there's sending things that are going on
THAT i have questions. About i'm sure it's all come.
Out he maybe could educate us as it, progresses being
that you, know you are the sports person out of
the foursome.
Speaker 4 (03:38):
Here, sorry, no for, sure it's been a.
Speaker 5 (03:48):
MESS i mean everybody's asking so many different. Questions you
look at the rankings and everything's going. Crazy, yeah jam
used number twenty five getting a Big you're gonna get a. Thousand, no,
Exactly like there's a lack of competition and, like you,
know straight the schedule matters is what we always talk,
about you, know going back even before.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
It was a college, playoff right.
Speaker 4 (04:05):
Education, yeah, man it's when before that was a college,
playoff there was two teams or what, happened and they're like,
always should have been four, Teams it should have been,
eighteen should have been twelve. Teams well now there's that,
many so number is. THIRTEEN i.
Speaker 1 (04:18):
Guess, yeah their feelings.
Speaker 5 (04:20):
HURT i mean listen last year when it was Like
Boise state and Like Boise state said incredible year and
a gent like yeah, great but Like i'm not looking at,
This jammy or two lane team and being, like oh, yeah,
no they're gonna Upset.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
Oregon, yeah Kew lane had played Ole miss? Earlier was
it Too lane that played all this and got beat
like by? Five there's levels to, this you. Know it's
if you're playing two lane plays in the same conference
AS Unc. Charlotte, like let's not you, know let's not
get crazy. Here we gotta we, gotta we gotta be
realistic for a. Second hold on why we got why
we got? You we want to have one other sports
thing to talk?
Speaker 1 (04:50):
About is he got The. Panthers The panthers are tied
technical AND i think they've been who holds a tie?
Breaker right? There?
Speaker 3 (04:57):
Panthers right, Now.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
Panthers The panthers are first play in THE Nfc. South
how do you feel about?
Speaker 1 (05:01):
THAT i think it's pretty.
Speaker 3 (05:02):
COOL i Mean bryce.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
SHOWING i THINK i can hang out in a hike
club With bryce.
Speaker 5 (05:08):
Showing he's a VERY i was gonna, say, like he
might you might give him a run for.
Speaker 4 (05:13):
Them looking at his pupils told me he might have
a boosters in this.
Speaker 3 (05:19):
Field he might have like, whatever.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
You, know every time he, wins he gets, in he
gets an inch.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
Taller oh So, god because at this he'll be like
six four by the end of the. Season that's, Great
i'll take it. Seriously if you can see over his offensive,
line that's a.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
W love love. It so we got, educated you got
a little sports.
Speaker 3 (05:37):
Talk, okay so, uh that was.
Speaker 4 (05:39):
GOOD i may like to mix it, up especially When clemson's,
good but they're not So.
Speaker 2 (05:45):
Playing in The Pinstripe bowl On december twenty seventh at,
NOON i think there's gonna be thirteen people there, well
and that'll probably match the temperature for the, day about thirteen.
Speaker 4 (05:53):
DEGREES i was about to, say we it seems that
winner has arrived a little early in in the late
twenty twenty. Five Every almanac reader predictor THAT i That
i've seen says the cold blast Is darctic blast.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
Is going to come down and get wedged in the.
Speaker 4 (06:12):
MAINLAND, us AND i think that kind of loops over
to the east eastern. SEABOARD i thought it was going
to try to stay sort of west of The Appalachian.
Speaker 1 (06:22):
Mountains but maybe Maybe i'm. Wrong you might sound like
a parent.
Speaker 3 (06:26):
Medi a little set in the kids ball.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
Court i'm with, you. Good already talked on the last.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
SHOW i already had a call out and see him
as but he's in these.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
KIDS i, called.
Speaker 4 (06:36):
Uh Ricky robinson's birthday was late last week AND i was,
traveling SO i called. Him he's been with us since
twenty twenty. ONE i mean one o, one excuse, me
fifteen twenty five and a, half twenty four and a half.
YEARS i got to reflect on. That BUT i mean
he's like my. Brother i'm, like, hey, Man he's, like,
(06:57):
hey what. DAY i always say you can't make no
money in the. Rain he, SAID i heard. THAT i
mean it was just so so trip down memory. Lane
you know the relation to people you know at various
junctures of your, life and how you know them and
the relationships that you had around.
Speaker 2 (07:18):
Them i'll tell you, what the Old Ricky robinson command
some respect out there that.
Speaker 4 (07:21):
He can build something custom on the residential. SIDE i
don't know if i'd give him a, medal a medal
two by. Four he likes the wood One, ricky he
could handle. It and then, Today, hey today's Boss. Lady
Jody brickley's birthday is. TODAY i talked To jody on
the way here the twenty Ninth Birthday, center text her
she is a boss, lady and it is her twenty. Ninth,
NO i just, OH i was about to say good
(07:43):
every woman's.
Speaker 3 (07:43):
BIRTHDAY i am getting really.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
Old you say happy twenty. Ninth that's what you.
Speaker 4 (07:47):
Say that's the standard protocol seems to be working. Out patronize.
FEMALES i don't ask him how.
Speaker 3 (07:53):
Old every female you says.
Speaker 1 (07:56):
They're younger than twenty. Nine, well, listen don't patronize me that.
Speaker 3 (07:58):
Way i'm gonna be in my ford.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Again so you'd be happy forty night in my.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
Forties ish ish you can get away with a lot
with a dish at the.
Speaker 4 (08:10):
End but, Man i've been feeling good the holiday. Season you,
know you got all These christmas parties and. Stuff you
got to go to my MY ypo, party my forum,
party and Then reagan's forum spouse forum. Party. Uh they're
fun and they're, awesome but it puts hanks in your
belly when you're looking at your week. Ahead two weeks
(08:30):
of he, oh and it's hunting, season a lot of duck,
hunting quail. Hunting so, anyway we're gonna get through it
with a. Smile that's what we got to. Do we
gotta make sure we're giving grace to. People, well you can.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
Do every around Every, Thanksgiving, alex, Wellman i'll share it with.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
YOU i THINK i.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
Have it's been a long, time but it's not it
challenged you to. Say AND i know you've heard this,
before but she's does a really nice job of putting this.
Together she sends it out to The roby commercial team
and IT'S i get to NOT i have, to like you,
know you think about these all these different obligations we
have during the, holidays and it is a. Lot, man
it's every single night on most up Until. Christmas but
(09:09):
like some people don't get to do.
Speaker 3 (09:10):
THIS i, mean we're very.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
Fortunate i'm, saying you just got to be aware and.
Reflect you.
Speaker 4 (09:16):
Go third, PERSON i mean our guests, here buddy persons
Ye haling For Mobile alabama AND Ypo southern seven buddy of,
mine real good, buddy and we got so many. Connections
we can tell stories on our friends and talk about
which is what makes it go around in the construction.
Industry can't wait to see.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
It BUT.
Speaker 4 (09:39):
I did not even pay attention through all my texts
That i'm attached to with you And kylie that you
were coming physically going to be here today and about
an hour and a half AGO i realized.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
THAT i was, like, dang SO i got to.
Speaker 4 (09:55):
Come early and have. Lunch and it's just a. Blessing
we get get to visit you. Know So uh when
we come, back, Buddy person's with Persons Uh services corp
on the At home With roby show and don't.
Speaker 2 (10:10):
Forget Roby services is your one stop source for all
your electrical, heating, cooling plumbing and handyman. Needs keep it
easy and get it all done by. One roby servicesnow dot.
Com That's Roby services now dot. Com welcome back to
At home With. Roby patrickcaac From Roby commercial And, services
along With Trent hasten from The Roby family Of. Companies
we are your hosts because your buddy Buddy, pierson my
(10:34):
buddy buddy From Pierce's services like.
Speaker 5 (10:37):
THAT i.
Speaker 1 (10:37):
LIKE i like how you said. That what's up?
Speaker 3 (10:40):
Man i'm doing? Good? Man how are you? Doing i'm really?
Speaker 4 (10:43):
Good domight want to get a little closer to the. Microphone,
uh it's kind of like. You it's like a like
a close talk, here get to.
Speaker 3 (10:50):
It how COME i don't have the, Screen LIKE i
don't know.
Speaker 1 (10:53):
Your breath might smell. Better it de rednecks.
Speaker 2 (10:55):
Us it's a redneck Screen and so are you talking
To avis's?
Speaker 1 (10:58):
Now is that what that? Is he's From? Alabama you
might need, one. Bro i've never known that because we
talked too. Loud maybe is that what it? Is is? It,
Likemember we'll keep Going Wherever i'm going here is not
going to be a good.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
Spot but, buddy welcome you are you're a trooper in person,
guests but you don't live. Here you live in a Mobile.
Alabama so that's awesome that you. Came we always. Love
it's so much. Easier we love doing, calls but it's
a it's a little easier to when when you can
gage somebody's look and body language when they're in.
Speaker 1 (11:32):
Here said we appreciate.
Speaker 3 (11:33):
That, well thank you for having.
Speaker 1 (11:35):
Me.
Speaker 4 (11:36):
Yeah, well, uh you said you had some other business
to meet In charlotte area and then you might go
up To. Ashville so what uh give? Us give us
the lowdown on what's you up?
Speaker 3 (11:47):
Here don't. So part of one of our businesses is
what we call Our Disaster, group and we. Build we
rebuild a lot of homes after. Disasters that's funded by
it's funded by the government flows down to the, states
and so we're here on The Rebuild North carolina program
for after A Hurricane. Helena so we've begun rebuilding homes
(12:12):
and replacing mobile homes and renovating homes Throughout asheville and
the surrounding. Areas so between a group of meetings and
being able to visit our team members, here it worked.
Out just find. Us that's, Great come spend a little
bit of our time here In.
Speaker 4 (12:27):
Charlotte, yeah, well thank, YOU i mean thank you for
helping our state. Recover all the good people in Western North. Carolina,
man it's. Rough we went and got Our christmas tree up,
there trying to give. Back spend some. Time oh very,
cool visit a, winery you, know put do our Thing
Western North. CAROLINA i spend a lot of the summer
(12:47):
up there In, manorrelt maybe playing a little.
Speaker 2 (12:50):
Golf that we have an office up, there you, know
to you talk about that storm AND i never can.
Forget we Had Jim rhoads with he was Representing regroup
but With Wayne, brothers and he was telling us about
growing up there and they had that one factory that
there was a line from where the last major, flood
WHICH i think was like nineteen oh.
Speaker 1 (13:09):
Seven i'm probably getting that.
Speaker 2 (13:10):
Wrong and he would remember driving by this thing as
a kid all the time and then, like no way
the water would ever get above.
Speaker 1 (13:16):
That that's just it's. Unfathomable and it.
Speaker 2 (13:19):
Did like way above, it way above, it, yeah which
is like he, says a, kid it just you couldn't
even wrap your mind around that it could possibly do.
That and, so, yeah what you're, Doing i'm sure you
see this all the, time not just In North, carolina
BUT i think your travels take you other places as
well where you're probably seeing some of the worst worst of,
things no for.
Speaker 3 (13:39):
Sure and it seems like you always hear one hundred year,
storm five hundred year. Storm, yeah that seems to happen
every other. Year, now it's kind of interesting if you
dig in real. Deep but it's it's a terrible disaster,
there and but they're terrible. Everywhere we live In, america
where we respond and do things to help people in,
(14:01):
need which is which is pretty. Special you. Know i've
worked all over the world and a lot in The
caribbean And South, america And i've been to lots of
countries where, yeah there is no help, real, yeah you
have that view. Viewpoint AND i can tell you a quick.
STORY i was we were we were chasing some work
In columbia In South, america and so The Magdalena river
(14:26):
had flooded and gone all through all through these areas
area called Baron. KILA i Think i'm not going to
pronounce that, Right but so we had rented a helicopter
with some of the officials there and were flying the
river and seeing the villages and the damaged. Areas and
this is ten days after horrific floods. There you, KNOW
(14:49):
i don't know how many people died in that that,
uh that, event but there were still people standing on
the roofs of their, houses water up to the up
to the, roofs waving for us to come in and.
Help and we were just doing damage. Assessments AND i
remember looking and turning to one person and, saying what's going?
On why have there been at least emergency? Services and they're,
(15:10):
like it's not the way it works, Here they'll they'll
get to it when they get. There AND i was
completely shocked after after being here where people are are
rescued and taking care of really. Quickly so proud to
be An. American, huh, yes it. Was it was quite
eye opening to see that and quite damaging to your thought.
Speaker 4 (15:32):
Process so, yeah so a, division a big portion of
your business is obviously disaster. Relief tell us about tell
us about your upbringing and how you got got persons uh,
services and got into the construction.
Speaker 3 (15:48):
Business just walk us back a little bit The Uh,
Well i'm From, Mobile, alabama and that's where my family's. From, father,
mother you, know, brother, sister wonderful, parents hard working, parents
showed up every, day you, know definitely taught work ethic and.
Consistency so WE i, mean we had a great fun, upbringing.
Speaker 1 (16:14):
You.
Speaker 3 (16:14):
Know and another one of those those. Things my people ask,
like what would you learn growing up and? Stuff AND
i was, like, WELL i also learned, that you, know
everybody had their version of what what rich used to,
be what they wanted rich to, be and it's different
for every. Person and growing, up my my mom was
so thrifty, that you, know back when everybody was getting
(16:36):
a north face. Jacket my brother AND i would be, Like,
mom we want a north face. Jacket we're a north.
Face she's, like we're not getting that sun it's too.
Expensive i'm gonna get you this South face jacket.
Speaker 1 (16:45):
HERE i would grow up AN Rc cola, TOO i hear,
you she.
Speaker 3 (16:49):
Would, Go CAN i remember going WHEN i grow? Up
IF i can buy any JACKET i want and go
to dinner anywhere THAT i want to. Eat that was your,
goal and that is all. RELATIVE i say that joking
because my parents are wonderful and fantastic people and great
grandparents to my three, children And Sealy worth And. Aidan
(17:11):
they're all teenagers and they're a huge help to me
BECAUSE i raise them by myself and they, participated you,
know the entire. Time so they're. Wonderful so that is.
Speaker 4 (17:24):
Your person. Services Court vest looks very north. Faces let
me just say.
Speaker 2 (17:29):
That's definitely after all that you'll get the.
Speaker 1 (17:34):
Tag that's definitely not south.
Speaker 4 (17:35):
Face, well you, KNOW i always said all we ever
had was a big old box Of Carolina, blue they,
Said angelo being round carpenter pencils that we would pencil
fight with and get in trouble break a couple of dance.
Pencils BUT i always wanted My remember a C hvac
company had.
Speaker 1 (17:55):
Beach towels and we had.
Speaker 4 (17:56):
ONE i was, saying man IF i could just have
some OLD t shirts over they were ten years old
because you wear them and you had, them, no for,
sure and that was, uh that was kind of our.
Speaker 1 (18:06):
Goal there a lot of.
Speaker 3 (18:07):
The marketing in that's for. Sure maybe that came from
that as. Well, okay so what your what were your
your parents? Industry so so my Dad mom's story is
dad was a plumber's helper back in the sixties and
seventies and they Started person's plumbing. Company H i remember
(18:28):
them telling me with five hundred, dollars and my dad,
said my mom would always take five dollars when she
had to stop by the bank and put it in
the savings. Accounts they saved up five hundred bucks and
then they started a plumbing. Company and dad worked with
a helper for years and then built them a plumbing
(18:49):
company over those, years and so my brother AND i
would work with them from time to, time but we
also had our own side hustles doing cutting grass and
powerwash and, yeah buying and selling. Stuff we were always
trying to find a way to maximize our profit so
we could go play really hard and have. Fun so
(19:10):
that was.
Speaker 1 (19:10):
It you wanted to play really, hard certainly in those young.
Speaker 2 (19:13):
Days we were saving up buying car stereo, equipment And.
Speaker 4 (19:17):
Patrick business with his. BROTHER i was cutting, grass washing.
CARS i worked every day for the. COMPANY i didn't
have school. WITH i was squeezing in loans AND i
did baseball card.
Speaker 3 (19:28):
Shows it was.
Speaker 4 (19:29):
Hustling hustling is the, word that's the that's A roby theme.
Word and some people are, like oh, no, no this
just means you're honest and you work hard and trying
to rub something together to see if it creates a little.
Speaker 1 (19:41):
Heat that is pretty dagone.
Speaker 3 (19:43):
Cool so really plumbing, Company patrick runs our plumbing. Company
we BOUGHT W.
Speaker 1 (19:48):
H hobbs originally is nineteen twenty.
Speaker 2 (19:51):
Nine you got to watch out for those guys that
grew up around purple primer and the green can Of
ODIE pbc, glue say the.
Speaker 3 (20:00):
Four rules of.
Speaker 4 (20:01):
Plumbing hot, on hot on the, left colt on the,
right payday On, friday and boss man's a son on.
Speaker 3 (20:07):
Me so.
Speaker 1 (20:10):
It goes? Downhill oh oh hoop runs.
Speaker 3 (20:13):
Downhill another funny story with that one summer when the
freshman year of college came home AND i was working
and we were at a hotel on the on the
interstate down there working and had the whole lobby dug,
up and so they had kept telling the hotel to
stop using the toilets because we had the main it
was a break in the lobby and so it's it's it's,
(20:34):
open and we had the whole thing dug. Up and It's,
thursday and all my friends are going to the, beach
and you, know all the girls are going down, there
and everybody keeps, going we'd get the pipe, uncovered get
ready to tie it, in somebody use the. Bathroom, oh
it would fill up with pee and, crap trying to,
speak it would Fill that happened multiple, times AND i
(20:55):
kept looking at my, watch GOING i got to go
to the. BEACH i got to get out of. Here
and people are, Like i'm not touching. It and FIVE
i just bent, down stuck my hands down in, it you,
know ratcheted up the deal and just sort of just
blocked it. Out AND i did it all AND i
took my hands out of the crap AND i just,
went all, right you, guys finished this. Job i'm going
to the.
Speaker 2 (21:12):
Beach you know that that story just reminded me of
the other unwritten plumbing.
Speaker 1 (21:17):
Rule don't chew your, nails.
Speaker 3 (21:22):
It would be a good.
Speaker 2 (21:23):
Idea, yeah and plumbers are.
Speaker 1 (21:26):
Awesome i've been around plumbers my whole whole.
Speaker 3 (21:28):
Career the then then you went went to school At
Saint Paul's Episcopal school in high. School wonderful. School my
kids go there as. Well then went To auburn studied studied,
economics and then later switched to building. Science finished in
(21:49):
that almost switched to computer, science BUT i figured OUT
i could stay at school another two years IF i
added all those Hard when did you graduate From auburn
into ninety? Eight so so you were.
Speaker 1 (21:59):
There at the same. Time is my brother he graduated
in two.
Speaker 3 (22:01):
Thousand, yeah so ended up doing building. Science and then
everybody was getting the highest. Offers so what is at
the beginning of nineteen ninety nine going into the work
world that had ever been? SEEN i think the average
pay was fifty five thousand and sixty, thousand which was unbelievable.
(22:23):
Money that's how much demand there was in. CONSTRUCTION i
took a job with a small disaster and international Company
amobile CALLED drc for twenty five thousand dollars when they
were getting those. Numbers BUT i had no interest in
going to work for the big you, know fantastic companies
like Brass field And gory And harvard and all these
(22:44):
wonderful companies that we learn a lot from and do
a great. Job BUT i just want to do different.
Things AND i seeked out the owner of that company
and asked for an interview and went to work for.
Speaker 4 (22:55):
Them and.
Speaker 3 (22:58):
So that's HOW i sort of came out of school
and go to work In. January two weeks, later he,
SAID i need you go To Puerto. Rico where do
we have a landfill down? There SO i go TO
i go To Puerto rico working on one, Day i'm
taking tickets in the. Landfill one, Day i'm bidding. Jobs
(23:19):
one Day i'm meeting with government officials trying to find
an interpreter to help me get. Around SO i did
everything from manual labor to meet with, politicians you, know
all in the first month of getting out of your.
Career so you, know it was the funny thing WAS
i took the lowest pay of anybody in our, class
(23:41):
and THEN i ended up making over one hundred thousand
the first. Year so in your first year.
Speaker 1 (23:47):
Too.
Speaker 4 (23:47):
Wow so it that's investing in. YOURSELF i think you.
ARE i, MEAN i like.
Speaker 3 (23:57):
It WHEN i got out of, COLLEGE.
Speaker 4 (23:58):
I had worked in our business and, graduated And I'm
dad's first office in the upstairs at the. House AND i,
said how much WILL i? Make he, said he did
the mass of fifteen dollars an hour times forty hours
a week is six hundred. Dollars he, Said i'm gonna
pay you his salary times times fifty two is thirty,
thousand six hundred. Dollars he did the math AND i.
(24:20):
Said he, said that's gonna work seventy hours a. Week
AND i, said, well how DO i get a? Raise he, said,
oh triple What i'm. MAKING i give you a, Raise,
son you must go sell Some stuff's, hey that's. Awesome
and you know we've done, well did well pretty. Soon
maybe not ON i, mean ALL i ever made for
the first nine years was six hundred dollars a week
(24:43):
on the weekly. Basis but you, know we had some
some pretty good times for a young person at the.
Time AND i was in the same period these economic
guys coming out Of Chapel.
Speaker 3 (24:52):
Hill we're talking about going interviewing In.
Speaker 4 (24:54):
Texas for fifty five sixty thousand dollars And i'm, going
Man i'm go to.
Speaker 1 (24:59):
This family business was what this.
Speaker 3 (25:01):
Is but it was.
Speaker 4 (25:03):
GOOD i DIDN'T i just wanted to be able to
buy a pair Of Michael jordan's sneakers one day THAT
i had.
Speaker 3 (25:10):
Some so you went to work for that company and
it was a gentleman by the name Of Bob Isaacs
Some i'm still friends with him, today and he was
a very driven entrepreneurial. Guy you. Know he put me
into situations that most people at that early age wouldn't you,
know wouldn't get the opportunity to. Do so it was
(25:32):
a great. Education so from from there go back To.
MOBILE a month later he, says, HEY i need you
to go To. Albania AND i was still living at
home with my.
Speaker 1 (25:47):
Parents from what part Of alabama is that?
Speaker 3 (25:49):
In that was when that was in that ninety nine
when was it slogan On melosovich And yugoslavia Attacked kosovo
and so we went over there to just do whatever
we could do to you, know to make big money
SUPPORTING nato AND Us army and their force and other
(26:11):
people that had just been. Attacked, yeah so they had
attacked KOs Of oh that was when that ethnic clensing
was going on and, so you, know so the next
DAY i get on a plane find a a war
zone there In, albania and the you, know it's pretty
nuts landing in the war. Zone there's always people out.
(26:31):
There and ALL i had was a bunch of money
that brought with me in cash to bring over. There
And i'm tipping all the kids five dollars every time
they they bring my bags. Around and next thing you,
KNOW i had an army of people following me and they're,
like you're giving away a month's. Aory AND i had
no idea as an, idiot you, know to too, young
but to be doing. That so we go. There you,
(26:52):
know we're building man, camps workforce housing and stuff for you,
know different armed forces and, things and lay down yards
and helicopter. Pads anything we can do to you, know
support the support the effort and and and turn a
dollar and back to that. Deal my old, Boss, bob he,
says you're the accountant on. This we formed a new company,
(27:14):
there SO i was, like, WOW i did really crappy in,
accounting but uh figured out how to do. That but
those little things that kind of taught you how you
could do anything at an early, age especially it's not
like getting around With. Spanish you, know they're speaking these
different dialects Of, albanian which is NOT i had to
find somebody to help me get around to find a
(27:37):
pencil or a paper to, buy which was. Interesting you
can do so much more than you think you can
do when when you have to do, it when you
have to do, it you, know and then you you
get in those situations where they, said, hey we want
you to be the photographer in the helicopter to these
areas that we were looking to build a. Camp we're flying,
into Into kosovo And macedonia and all these. Places and
(28:00):
So i'm sitting there leaning out of an old junkie.
Helicopter but WHEN i walk up to, it Said albanian,
helicopter and there's a guy fiddling around with the oil
stick on it and dumping oil in, it AND i
was like, this this can't be. Good it's. Crazy we'd
land in a warzone there in some refugee, camps and
then we're leaving and it gets pretty pretty surreal when
(28:24):
all the kids are running after trying to jump on
the helicopter if they want to get out of these.
Areas so that's. Crazy so some of this, stuff it's
just by a. CIRCUMSTANCE i was in a, place you,
know to get a lot of experiences before you, know
you ever would in a million. Years so it was
a lot of. Fun but you know a lot of
things a lot of people you know wouldn't. Do The
(28:44):
i've told this story. Before the the other funny story
was not really. Surreal but we're In. Albania it had
been communist in nineteen ninety, two so this is nineteen ninety,
nine so, everybody you, know freedom is. Everywhere people are starting,
businesses taking over public. Land. Uh they opened up the first,
(29:05):
gym public gym in our building there that had been
there in forever or. Ever SO i get a date
with the robics instructor and we go to The Miss
albania pageant In, albania which is nothing but a bikini,
show uh In Eastern europe, there and we get invited
(29:26):
to the after party and it's on a rooftop of this.
Building and here we are dancing on this rooftop listening
To Britney spears in the middle of a war zone
WITH f sixteen's flying over, us going to Bombyo slavia
AND i remember just almost going this is the weirdest.
THING i just like a. Movie couldn't it literally is a.
Speaker 1 (29:49):
Movie it.
Speaker 3 (29:51):
Was so it was very very, funny not, funny but
interesting and funny to be in that. Situation is how
tall was this? Building probably a twelve story. Building so, like.
Speaker 2 (30:02):
If you're, like, like is that a good idea to
be up there during the middle of war?
Speaker 3 (30:06):
Zone you, know that's the weird thing that people don't.
Realize normal life goes on every day in a war.
Zone people are still going to.
Speaker 4 (30:12):
WORK i, mean, Fortunately i've never had to live Through
i've never won a, homeland BUT i pondered at a
lot When i'm watching news reports and.
Speaker 1 (30:21):
Stuff these people got to go about their.
Speaker 3 (30:23):
Business they, do AND, i you, KNOW i think that's
more of, that you, know that, privilege and that we
that we yet being here In america and not understanding
the way the world. Works so WHEN i hear WHEN
i hear all this complaining and unfair and you, know
all these new ideologies, today sometimes it's a little bit
(30:44):
disturbing if you've been often seen other places in the. World,
Right so that was that was early or early part
of those, years and we did the company D. Rc
WHEN i started, there we it, was you, know twenty
thirty million dollar. Company we were, fortunate got into a
lot of big deals and you, know we're three hundred
(31:05):
million dollar company by two thousand and five or, SIX i.
Believe and maybe awesome those, years but cleaning up hurricanes From, Virginia, Florida, Texas,
louisiana you, know and LIKE i, said we worked In, Columbia, Honduras, Haiti, Iraq,
afghanistan all over the. Places so it was very. Interesting
(31:30):
SO i got to you, know climb the ladder a
little faster than normal because of the you, know good
fortune opportunity of the company and our good teammates and
that we worked. Around and you, know a cool story
is some friends of mine have actually bought the R
c and they're out of they're out Of texas now
and they've turned it into a conglomerate of you, know
(31:51):
a bunch of companies added together with six billion in.
Revenue and so hats off to those those. Guys they
go well with, it and it's cool to see how
far they've taken that and the other businesses they've. Done.
Speaker 4 (32:04):
Wow so so when you joined in a ninety eight
twenty to thirty million in top line revenue and now six.
Speaker 3 (32:09):
Billion, yeah well it's a. LOT i mean said they
took the, mother holed up a lot of companies and.
Stuff but you know they're still a primary disaster part
is part of the old company With so when did
person services? Start, so so dad founded the plumbing company
in seventy, eight so not too far from getting to
(32:29):
fifty years. Now and then so WHEN i came along
and was, WORKING i was fortunate to do. Well. EARLY
i bought in with my dad to the. Company didn't
really work, there but then over time sort of backed
out of some of the other. Things, god it's some different.
Speaker 2 (32:50):
You're still plumbing, TODAY i mean you still have a Plumbing.
Speaker 3 (32:52):
So plumbing Is plumbing is one portion of in our
industrial mechanical group that we. Do the company is made
up of of of six other six companies under the
umbrella now which is which is our industrial mechanical which is, plumbing,
piping H, vac, fabrication heavy industrial, use.
Speaker 1 (33:14):
Use victallic in that that business.
Speaker 3 (33:17):
In some, things not a whole, lot a little bit
on the fireside of. Things the we have a general construction.
Groups our construction, group we have a disaster group as
we spoke spoke about, earlier and an infrastructure group with
an office In, Houston. Texas and an equipment group that
(33:38):
owns all of our. Equipment and then an office in
The Virgin, islands which is A Person's, caribbean which is
In Saint, Croix Virgin. Islands, really so we're six companies
under the, umbrella as well as a development, company a
person's development theremobile that that owns and operates and develops
(34:00):
a little bit on the.
Speaker 4 (34:00):
Side AND i hear you all contractors do a little
bit of something on the. Side you, know this kind
of comes with our how we were. Raised but, DUDE
i have never HEARD i, mean we've been doing this
for nine. Years you never know exactly what nuggets that
that we can hang out all the time we want
(34:22):
on these trips and and stuff and joke about all.
Experiences but what a wonderful story toalming, about Tom. By
how cool it is that you just got thrown out
there meeting with foreign governments week one post college.
Speaker 1 (34:42):
On the rooftop with you in the war.
Speaker 4 (34:45):
Zone so, awesome and it's so cool to see now
what you've taken with your family business and being able
to get in there and and somewhat similar to our.
Story we're not, industrial but we were Andrew obi custom
residential seventy five years and then we Started Roby electric
and now it's me ep Mchannal Roby services is.
Speaker 3 (35:09):
What it is so. Similar we do a lot of.
Speaker 4 (35:12):
Residential we're doing some commercial on her all three areas,
now doing a great job trying to build out that.
Platform it's so cool to hear You Niche two. Things number,
one how can people look up person? Services give yourself
a plug BECAUSE i think it's so. Cool i'm going
to dive in and learn a little more So i'll
be able to talk to you next. Time and then
(35:35):
what's one thing that you live by did you carry
with you in business and? Life that kind of ties
everything together of what Buddy person's rolling will.
Speaker 3 (35:44):
WELL i THINK i think that the way you treat
people is a big. Deal AND i see people in
business with all they care about is the profit in
the bottom, line AND i think that's a huge. Problem
think think that you focus on your, people your, team
(36:05):
and if you're, focused if you're focused on the, money
it's it's it's not going to work right it'll all
come at the end of the. Day but LIKE i,
think you've got to treat people. Right we want to
see the construction industry, change and we can do it
just one percent of a time. Better everybody knows the
stigmatism of the you, know the stories of, construction a
lot of, yelling custom the way they treat, people and
(36:26):
these young kids coming up and working their their treatment
partners or. Subcontractors we want to change. That we want
we want it to be a place where an industry
that people want to come to work and that they're
they're bringing these young kids up in the business and
they have an opportunity to make money and raise a
family on it and they go home happy and their work environment's.
(36:48):
Happy so that is our you, know that's our vision to.
Do we want a business that outlast. Us and you
know the thing is if the money will come if
you do the right, things and so that's our that's
what we live by or we, perfect absolutely, not but
if we can get, it you, know LIKE i, said
one percent better each, time hopefully we'll leave something a
(37:11):
whole lot better and where we.
Speaker 4 (37:13):
Came, amen what a cool. Story and this is about
to be your fifty year anniversary seventy. Eight you said
a couple of. Years that's. Cool maybe you have to
get you nineteen seventy eight hat like the nineteen fifty
hat we.
Speaker 2 (37:25):
Gave, ALSO i knew what you were coming up towards the,
end BUT i love what you just said right. There
one of our main core values is, family and that
goes for not just The roby family and the employees
associates that worked along us within our business At, ruby
but it also goes to the, subcontractors the, vendors the,
suppliers the, architects the, engineers anybody that has something to
(37:46):
do with any of our projects is really needs to
be treated like, family with respect and.
Speaker 4 (37:51):
Dignity but it's about having A it isn't all about.
Money money will follow and you'll be able to pay
your bills if you have faith in what you're, Building
but it's about having a better life and being able
to spend an extra couple of minutes with your family
smiling a little. More.
Speaker 3 (38:06):
Sure that's, alute and working smarter. Too we're old, contractors
but well that's. Right and, look it's the way we,
manage and our managers. Manage if they're not. Concerned if
they're not always thinking about other, people then they're not
staying organized and keeping their crews, organized which makes them,
(38:27):
disorganized which throws off their family life and their. Time so,
ultimately the collective part of that makes your jobs, better more,
efficient more, quality and gives them a better equality of.
Life BUT i THINK i do want to tell this
one story about. That so we were cleaning up a
hurricane In louisiana two thousand and seven or, so And
(38:48):
i'm in charge of about one hundred and twenty million dollar.
PROJECT i was a senior project manager on. It, Well
i'm in a, hotel there's no power in. IT i
have all these contract or subcontractors coming around trolling the.
Map So i'm pretty much could dictate whether you do
ten twenty million in sales five. Million AND i had
this this, guy what is called Him. John he leans
(39:10):
over and he, Says, buddy fifty thousand for section, seven
fifty thousand for section eight in, there AND i just
sort of held my hand up AND i kept doing my.
Map you're in a, rush you have start the. Cruise
the next, DAY i gave him the worst section in
the whole, thing AND i walked back over to him
AND i, Said, john don't ever offer me that kind
(39:32):
of money, again or any kind of. Bribe that's not my.
Deal THAT i still gave you some. Work you're LUCKY i.
Didn't he was a good old. Boy, yeah he just
he he didn't know any. Badge it's at their. Work
he traveled so AND i would have done that. Anyway
the result of that was big time multiplying for. Me
so in the disaster, business it's a fast moving. Business
(39:53):
word gets. Around. Well the word spread between all of
the contractors and subcontractors around the country that buddy doesn't take. Right,
yeah it doesn't play and he treats his subcontractors. Right.
Well that was such a huge advantage to. ME i
had all the deals coming to me as a young
person because of, honesty which i'd have done. Anyway, Right
(40:14):
because they go out and they scout these storms and they're, like,
hey there's, work and if you get the, information you're
the one that can go and get the. Deals so
people were, like how do you get so much? Success and,
yeah they were like how did you get so much?
Sense treated? RIGHT i treated people. Right so the word,
spread so all the deals came to me AND i
looked like a hero and ALL i did was act with.
Speaker 4 (40:34):
Until how similar is his philosophies to our Thak and
it's the, Same like straight. Up we grew our business
on vendor relationships because people would come in and say
who SHOULD i? Use they give them the standard thirty,
referrals and Then i'd, say then ask them who they
should really use if they had, one and if they,
don't say, us don't give us the. Job AND i,
(40:54):
said the reason why was because we treated them. Right
and it wasn't always, rosie but this is, beautiful you
know What i'm. Saying so, man, word it's so refreshing
to hear you say. That word travels just as. Fast
don't short change yourself when you tell the truth and
do it.
Speaker 3 (41:12):
Right it really. Does what a.
Speaker 1 (41:15):
Great segue for WHAT i. THINK i know you're about to.
Speaker 4 (41:17):
Say well take, that and you started with it is
how you let off on your philosophy is treat others
the way you want to be. Treated go do the golden. Rule,
Buddy thank you for being. Here so fun to spend
time with, you and you get to meet my Partner
patrick And e Easy e got to talk to some
sports talk early on, Today so carry a smile around
(41:40):
on your face because you never know when you're letting
somebody through a door what it might do to them
for their day and their.
Speaker 1 (41:46):
Brightness thanks for listening To At home With ruby
Welcome to that Home with Roby.
Speaker 2 (00:01):
This is Patrick pick Isaac from Roby Commercial in Services
along with Trent Hoaston from the Roby Family of Companies.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
We are your hosts. Trent, we're rolling into podcast number
two of the day. Yeah, I'm gonna give him a
shout out. That food we just had was dynamite.
Speaker 3 (00:14):
Man.
Speaker 1 (00:15):
We had flower Child. That's flower Child. I didn't even know,
but it was a.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Good confused with flower Shop, which is also super good.
Speaker 4 (00:23):
I asked Kylie, who is the podcast boss lady? I
got a bunch of boss's lady and she does pretty good.
I think she's I think she's taking more of my weight,
helping me out do stuff, making me look good.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
Thank you, Kyllie.
Speaker 4 (00:41):
So I said, hey, Buddy Persons is our guests and
he's in town surprisingly from Alabama, which is awesome time
to come through. I said, get something local and good,
and that's what she came up with.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Do you know where that is this? I'll well, I'm
gonna put a bowler on this for you, flower Child.
Is that the old Fat Brito location?
Speaker 3 (01:02):
Oh? Yeah, yeah, that's it used to be.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
I haven't been in there either. Everybody talks about how
wonderful is now we know that frequent that place for.
Speaker 3 (01:12):
I was with Michael Cox this week.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
There you go, there you go.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
I'll bet you he was he kind of like your
assistant with the watching the boys or.
Speaker 4 (01:23):
No, he wasn't. He was preoccupied with his family. Uh
but I saw him. I got with him a little.
He's my next door neighbor. If you've listened to the
Fat Burritos show. Uh but yeah, we had Michael Van
Wingerton Wingerton Wingerton, Yeah, I get that correct. Greenhouse is
(01:45):
what a family business story. That was a lot of fun.
We talked a lot about, uh daddy daycare in these days.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Well, dude, I'll tell you what, I'm six one, maybe
one and a half. If you're being generous and you
get next to that dude and Jeff Naper, you I
felt pretty infusued.
Speaker 4 (02:03):
You're just starting to feel like the big guys like
you hang out together to intimidate the little man.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
Well, we saw the same thing. I saw. There was
a Charlotte tallman. I did see that.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
And there's a guy in e oh's six' ten and
he showed me a picture of, that AND i mean
there was like seven of those. Jokers all standing next
to each. Other you imagine being that. Thing, NO i
would be really. Intimidated we would not be a place
of fun for. ME i would be scared actually checking
out my gray, hair.
Speaker 3 (02:35):
My no.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
Hair, well THEN i Got THEN i got one other
question for. You we didn't talk about slash, show and
you might not be in tuned to this YET i
might hit you with Some there's a lot of controversy
in the college football. Ward you, KNOW i have to
throw a sports zinger in here every now and. Again
Notre dame got left out of the of the of
the playoff and then now they're not going to play
(02:55):
a bowl. Game how do you feel about?
Speaker 4 (02:57):
That, well if they hit them in the in the
hip pocket next year for for not showing, up they
might change their ways in. Time you got to hit
them where it. Hurts my, OPINION i had not heard.
Speaker 3 (03:11):
THAT i.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
DON'T i just, just, man it kind of rubs me.
WRONG i just what kind of message are you sending
to your team to take.
Speaker 1 (03:18):
To, quit to these, kids take your toys and go.
Speaker 2 (03:21):
Home and to younger, kids are they just want to
see The golden domers one more?
Speaker 1 (03:25):
Time?
Speaker 2 (03:25):
MAN i, mean what if you're a senior on that.
TEAM i just there's sending things that are going on
THAT i have questions. About i'm sure it's all come.
Out he maybe could educate us as it, progresses being
that you, know you are the sports person out of
the foursome.
Speaker 4 (03:38):
Here, sorry, no for, sure it's been a.
Speaker 5 (03:48):
MESS i mean everybody's asking so many different. Questions you
look at the rankings and everything's going. Crazy, yeah jam
used number twenty five getting a Big you're gonna get a. Thousand, no,
Exactly like there's a lack of competition and, like you,
know straight the schedule matters is what we always talk,
about you, know going back even before.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
It was a college, playoff right.
Speaker 4 (04:05):
Education, yeah, man it's when before that was a college,
playoff there was two teams or what, happened and they're like,
always should have been four, Teams it should have been,
eighteen should have been twelve. Teams well now there's that,
many so number is. THIRTEEN i.
Speaker 1 (04:18):
Guess, yeah their feelings.
Speaker 5 (04:20):
HURT i mean listen last year when it was Like
Boise state and Like Boise state said incredible year and
a gent like yeah, great but Like i'm not looking at,
This jammy or two lane team and being, like oh, yeah,
no they're gonna Upset.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
Oregon, yeah Kew lane had played Ole miss? Earlier was
it Too lane that played all this and got beat
like by? Five there's levels to, this you. Know it's
if you're playing two lane plays in the same conference
AS Unc. Charlotte, like let's not you, know let's not
get crazy. Here we gotta we, gotta we gotta be
realistic for a. Second hold on why we got why
we got? You we want to have one other sports
thing to talk?
Speaker 1 (04:50):
About is he got The. Panthers The panthers are tied
technical AND i think they've been who holds a tie?
Breaker right? There?
Speaker 3 (04:57):
Panthers right, Now.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
Panthers The panthers are first play in THE Nfc. South
how do you feel about?
Speaker 1 (05:01):
THAT i think it's pretty.
Speaker 3 (05:02):
COOL i Mean bryce.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
SHOWING i THINK i can hang out in a hike
club With bryce.
Speaker 5 (05:08):
Showing he's a VERY i was gonna, say, like he
might you might give him a run for.
Speaker 4 (05:13):
Them looking at his pupils told me he might have
a boosters in this.
Speaker 3 (05:19):
Field he might have like, whatever.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
You, know every time he, wins he gets, in he
gets an inch.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
Taller oh So, god because at this he'll be like
six four by the end of the. Season that's, Great
i'll take it. Seriously if you can see over his offensive,
line that's a.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
W love love. It so we got, educated you got
a little sports.
Speaker 3 (05:37):
Talk, okay so, uh that was.
Speaker 4 (05:39):
GOOD i may like to mix it, up especially When clemson's,
good but they're not So.
Speaker 2 (05:45):
Playing in The Pinstripe bowl On december twenty seventh at,
NOON i think there's gonna be thirteen people there, well
and that'll probably match the temperature for the, day about thirteen.
Speaker 4 (05:53):
DEGREES i was about to, say we it seems that
winner has arrived a little early in in the late
twenty twenty. Five Every almanac reader predictor THAT i That
i've seen says the cold blast Is darctic blast.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
Is going to come down and get wedged in the.
Speaker 4 (06:12):
MAINLAND, us AND i think that kind of loops over
to the east eastern. SEABOARD i thought it was going
to try to stay sort of west of The Appalachian.
Speaker 1 (06:22):
Mountains but maybe Maybe i'm. Wrong you might sound like
a parent.
Speaker 3 (06:26):
Medi a little set in the kids ball.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
Court i'm with, you. Good already talked on the last.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
SHOW i already had a call out and see him
as but he's in these.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
KIDS i, called.
Speaker 4 (06:36):
Uh Ricky robinson's birthday was late last week AND i was,
traveling SO i called. Him he's been with us since
twenty twenty. ONE i mean one o, one excuse, me
fifteen twenty five and a, half twenty four and a half.
YEARS i got to reflect on. That BUT i mean
he's like my. Brother i'm, like, hey, Man he's, like,
(06:57):
hey what. DAY i always say you can't make no
money in the. Rain he, SAID i heard. THAT i
mean it was just so so trip down memory. Lane
you know the relation to people you know at various
junctures of your, life and how you know them and
the relationships that you had around.
Speaker 2 (07:18):
Them i'll tell you, what the Old Ricky robinson command
some respect out there that.
Speaker 4 (07:21):
He can build something custom on the residential. SIDE i
don't know if i'd give him a, medal a medal
two by. Four he likes the wood One, ricky he
could handle. It and then, Today, hey today's Boss. Lady
Jody brickley's birthday is. TODAY i talked To jody on
the way here the twenty Ninth Birthday, center text her
she is a boss, lady and it is her twenty. Ninth,
NO i just, OH i was about to say good
(07:43):
every woman's.
Speaker 3 (07:43):
BIRTHDAY i am getting really.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
Old you say happy twenty. Ninth that's what you.
Speaker 4 (07:47):
Say that's the standard protocol seems to be working. Out patronize.
FEMALES i don't ask him how.
Speaker 3 (07:53):
Old every female you says.
Speaker 1 (07:56):
They're younger than twenty. Nine, well, listen don't patronize me that.
Speaker 3 (07:58):
Way i'm gonna be in my ford.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Again so you'd be happy forty night in my.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
Forties ish ish you can get away with a lot
with a dish at the.
Speaker 4 (08:10):
End but, Man i've been feeling good the holiday. Season you,
know you got all These christmas parties and. Stuff you
got to go to my MY ypo, party my forum,
party and Then reagan's forum spouse forum. Party. Uh they're
fun and they're, awesome but it puts hanks in your
belly when you're looking at your week. Ahead two weeks
(08:30):
of he, oh and it's hunting, season a lot of duck,
hunting quail. Hunting so, anyway we're gonna get through it
with a. Smile that's what we got to. Do we
gotta make sure we're giving grace to. People, well you can.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
Do every around Every, Thanksgiving, alex, Wellman i'll share it with.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
YOU i THINK i.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
Have it's been a long, time but it's not it
challenged you to. Say AND i know you've heard this,
before but she's does a really nice job of putting this.
Together she sends it out to The roby commercial team
and IT'S i get to NOT i have, to like you,
know you think about these all these different obligations we
have during the, holidays and it is a. Lot, man
it's every single night on most up Until. Christmas but
(09:09):
like some people don't get to do.
Speaker 3 (09:10):
THIS i, mean we're very.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
Fortunate i'm, saying you just got to be aware and.
Reflect you.
Speaker 4 (09:16):
Go third, PERSON i mean our guests, here buddy persons
Ye haling For Mobile alabama AND Ypo southern seven buddy of,
mine real good, buddy and we got so many. Connections
we can tell stories on our friends and talk about
which is what makes it go around in the construction.
Industry can't wait to see.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
It BUT.
Speaker 4 (09:39):
I did not even pay attention through all my texts
That i'm attached to with you And kylie that you
were coming physically going to be here today and about
an hour and a half AGO i realized.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
THAT i was, like, dang SO i got to.
Speaker 4 (09:55):
Come early and have. Lunch and it's just a. Blessing
we get get to visit you. Know So uh when
we come, back, Buddy person's with Persons Uh services corp
on the At home With roby show and don't.
Speaker 2 (10:10):
Forget Roby services is your one stop source for all
your electrical, heating, cooling plumbing and handyman. Needs keep it
easy and get it all done by. One roby servicesnow dot.
Com That's Roby services now dot. Com welcome back to
At home With. Roby patrickcaac From Roby commercial And, services
along With Trent hasten from The Roby family Of. Companies
we are your hosts because your buddy Buddy, pierson my
(10:34):
buddy buddy From Pierce's services like.
Speaker 5 (10:37):
THAT i.
Speaker 1 (10:37):
LIKE i like how you said. That what's up?
Speaker 3 (10:40):
Man i'm doing? Good? Man how are you? Doing i'm really?
Speaker 4 (10:43):
Good domight want to get a little closer to the. Microphone,
uh it's kind of like. You it's like a like
a close talk, here get to.
Speaker 3 (10:50):
It how COME i don't have the, Screen LIKE i
don't know.
Speaker 1 (10:53):
Your breath might smell. Better it de rednecks.
Speaker 2 (10:55):
Us it's a redneck Screen and so are you talking
To avis's?
Speaker 1 (10:58):
Now is that what that? Is he's From? Alabama you
might need, one. Bro i've never known that because we
talked too. Loud maybe is that what it? Is is? It,
Likemember we'll keep Going Wherever i'm going here is not
going to be a good.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
Spot but, buddy welcome you are you're a trooper in person,
guests but you don't live. Here you live in a Mobile.
Alabama so that's awesome that you. Came we always. Love
it's so much. Easier we love doing, calls but it's
a it's a little easier to when when you can
gage somebody's look and body language when they're in.
Speaker 1 (11:32):
Here said we appreciate.
Speaker 3 (11:33):
That, well thank you for having.
Speaker 1 (11:35):
Me.
Speaker 4 (11:36):
Yeah, well, uh you said you had some other business
to meet In charlotte area and then you might go
up To. Ashville so what uh give? Us give us
the lowdown on what's you up?
Speaker 3 (11:47):
Here don't. So part of one of our businesses is
what we call Our Disaster, group and we. Build we
rebuild a lot of homes after. Disasters that's funded by
it's funded by the government flows down to the, states
and so we're here on The Rebuild North carolina program
for after A Hurricane. Helena so we've begun rebuilding homes
(12:12):
and replacing mobile homes and renovating homes Throughout asheville and
the surrounding. Areas so between a group of meetings and
being able to visit our team members, here it worked.
Out just find. Us that's, Great come spend a little
bit of our time here In.
Speaker 4 (12:27):
Charlotte, yeah, well thank, YOU i mean thank you for
helping our state. Recover all the good people in Western North. Carolina,
man it's. Rough we went and got Our christmas tree up,
there trying to give. Back spend some. Time oh very,
cool visit a, winery you, know put do our Thing
Western North. CAROLINA i spend a lot of the summer
(12:47):
up there In, manorrelt maybe playing a little.
Speaker 2 (12:50):
Golf that we have an office up, there you, know
to you talk about that storm AND i never can.
Forget we Had Jim rhoads with he was Representing regroup
but With Wayne, brothers and he was telling us about
growing up there and they had that one factory that
there was a line from where the last major, flood
WHICH i think was like nineteen oh.
Speaker 1 (13:09):
Seven i'm probably getting that.
Speaker 2 (13:10):
Wrong and he would remember driving by this thing as
a kid all the time and then, like no way
the water would ever get above.
Speaker 1 (13:16):
That that's just it's. Unfathomable and it.
Speaker 2 (13:19):
Did like way above, it way above, it, yeah which
is like he, says a, kid it just you couldn't
even wrap your mind around that it could possibly do.
That and, so, yeah what you're, Doing i'm sure you
see this all the, time not just In North, carolina
BUT i think your travels take you other places as
well where you're probably seeing some of the worst worst of,
things no for.
Speaker 3 (13:39):
Sure and it seems like you always hear one hundred year,
storm five hundred year. Storm, yeah that seems to happen
every other. Year, now it's kind of interesting if you
dig in real. Deep but it's it's a terrible disaster,
there and but they're terrible. Everywhere we live In, america
where we respond and do things to help people in,
(14:01):
need which is which is pretty. Special you. Know i've
worked all over the world and a lot in The
caribbean And South, america And i've been to lots of
countries where, yeah there is no help, real, yeah you
have that view. Viewpoint AND i can tell you a quick.
STORY i was we were we were chasing some work
In columbia In South, america and so The Magdalena river
(14:26):
had flooded and gone all through all through these areas
area called Baron. KILA i Think i'm not going to
pronounce that, Right but so we had rented a helicopter
with some of the officials there and were flying the
river and seeing the villages and the damaged. Areas and
this is ten days after horrific floods. There you, KNOW
(14:49):
i don't know how many people died in that that,
uh that, event but there were still people standing on
the roofs of their, houses water up to the up
to the, roofs waving for us to come in and.
Help and we were just doing damage. Assessments AND i
remember looking and turning to one person and, saying what's going?
On why have there been at least emergency? Services and they're,
(15:10):
like it's not the way it works, Here they'll they'll
get to it when they get. There AND i was
completely shocked after after being here where people are are
rescued and taking care of really. Quickly so proud to
be An. American, huh, yes it. Was it was quite
eye opening to see that and quite damaging to your thought.
Speaker 4 (15:32):
Process so, yeah so a, division a big portion of
your business is obviously disaster. Relief tell us about tell
us about your upbringing and how you got got persons uh,
services and got into the construction.
Speaker 3 (15:48):
Business just walk us back a little bit The Uh,
Well i'm From, Mobile, alabama and that's where my family's. From, father,
mother you, know, brother, sister wonderful, parents hard working, parents
showed up every, day you, know definitely taught work ethic and.
Consistency so WE i, mean we had a great fun, upbringing.
Speaker 1 (16:14):
You.
Speaker 3 (16:14):
Know and another one of those those. Things my people ask,
like what would you learn growing up and? Stuff AND
i was, like, WELL i also learned, that you, know
everybody had their version of what what rich used to,
be what they wanted rich to, be and it's different
for every. Person and growing, up my my mom was
so thrifty, that you, know back when everybody was getting
(16:36):
a north face. Jacket my brother AND i would be, Like,
mom we want a north face. Jacket we're a north.
Face she's, like we're not getting that sun it's too.
Expensive i'm gonna get you this South face jacket.
Speaker 1 (16:45):
HERE i would grow up AN Rc cola, TOO i hear,
you she.
Speaker 3 (16:49):
Would, Go CAN i remember going WHEN i grow? Up
IF i can buy any JACKET i want and go
to dinner anywhere THAT i want to. Eat that was your,
goal and that is all. RELATIVE i say that joking
because my parents are wonderful and fantastic people and great
grandparents to my three, children And Sealy worth And. Aidan
(17:11):
they're all teenagers and they're a huge help to me
BECAUSE i raise them by myself and they, participated you,
know the entire. Time so they're. Wonderful so that is.
Speaker 4 (17:24):
Your person. Services Court vest looks very north. Faces let
me just say.
Speaker 2 (17:29):
That's definitely after all that you'll get the.
Speaker 1 (17:34):
Tag that's definitely not south.
Speaker 4 (17:35):
Face, well you, KNOW i always said all we ever
had was a big old box Of Carolina, blue they,
Said angelo being round carpenter pencils that we would pencil
fight with and get in trouble break a couple of dance.
Pencils BUT i always wanted My remember a C hvac
company had.
Speaker 1 (17:55):
Beach towels and we had.
Speaker 4 (17:56):
ONE i was, saying man IF i could just have
some OLD t shirts over they were ten years old
because you wear them and you had, them, no for,
sure and that was, uh that was kind of our.
Speaker 1 (18:06):
Goal there a lot of.
Speaker 3 (18:07):
The marketing in that's for. Sure maybe that came from
that as. Well, okay so what your what were your
your parents? Industry so so my Dad mom's story is
dad was a plumber's helper back in the sixties and
seventies and they Started person's plumbing. Company H i remember
(18:28):
them telling me with five hundred, dollars and my dad,
said my mom would always take five dollars when she
had to stop by the bank and put it in
the savings. Accounts they saved up five hundred bucks and
then they started a plumbing. Company and dad worked with
a helper for years and then built them a plumbing
(18:49):
company over those, years and so my brother AND i
would work with them from time to, time but we
also had our own side hustles doing cutting grass and
powerwash and, yeah buying and selling. Stuff we were always
trying to find a way to maximize our profit so
we could go play really hard and have. Fun so
(19:10):
that was.
Speaker 1 (19:10):
It you wanted to play really, hard certainly in those young.
Speaker 2 (19:13):
Days we were saving up buying car stereo, equipment And.
Speaker 4 (19:17):
Patrick business with his. BROTHER i was cutting, grass washing.
CARS i worked every day for the. COMPANY i didn't
have school. WITH i was squeezing in loans AND i
did baseball card.
Speaker 3 (19:28):
Shows it was.
Speaker 4 (19:29):
Hustling hustling is the, word that's the that's A roby theme.
Word and some people are, like oh, no, no this
just means you're honest and you work hard and trying
to rub something together to see if it creates a little.
Speaker 1 (19:41):
Heat that is pretty dagone.
Speaker 3 (19:43):
Cool so really plumbing, Company patrick runs our plumbing. Company
we BOUGHT W.
Speaker 1 (19:48):
H hobbs originally is nineteen twenty.
Speaker 2 (19:51):
Nine you got to watch out for those guys that
grew up around purple primer and the green can Of
ODIE pbc, glue say the.
Speaker 3 (20:00):
Four rules of.
Speaker 4 (20:01):
Plumbing hot, on hot on the, left colt on the,
right payday On, friday and boss man's a son on.
Speaker 3 (20:07):
Me so.
Speaker 1 (20:10):
It goes? Downhill oh oh hoop runs.
Speaker 3 (20:13):
Downhill another funny story with that one summer when the
freshman year of college came home AND i was working
and we were at a hotel on the on the
interstate down there working and had the whole lobby dug,
up and so they had kept telling the hotel to
stop using the toilets because we had the main it
was a break in the lobby and so it's it's it's,
(20:34):
open and we had the whole thing dug. Up and It's,
thursday and all my friends are going to the, beach
and you, know all the girls are going down, there
and everybody keeps, going we'd get the pipe, uncovered get
ready to tie it, in somebody use the. Bathroom, oh
it would fill up with pee and, crap trying to,
speak it would Fill that happened multiple, times AND i
(20:55):
kept looking at my, watch GOING i got to go
to the. BEACH i got to get out of. Here
and people are, Like i'm not touching. It and FIVE
i just bent, down stuck my hands down in, it you,
know ratcheted up the deal and just sort of just
blocked it. Out AND i did it all AND i
took my hands out of the crap AND i just,
went all, right you, guys finished this. Job i'm going
to the.
Speaker 2 (21:12):
Beach you know that that story just reminded me of
the other unwritten plumbing.
Speaker 1 (21:17):
Rule don't chew your, nails.
Speaker 3 (21:22):
It would be a good.
Speaker 2 (21:23):
Idea, yeah and plumbers are.
Speaker 1 (21:26):
Awesome i've been around plumbers my whole whole.
Speaker 3 (21:28):
Career the then then you went went to school At
Saint Paul's Episcopal school in high. School wonderful. School my
kids go there as. Well then went To auburn studied studied,
economics and then later switched to building. Science finished in
(21:49):
that almost switched to computer, science BUT i figured OUT
i could stay at school another two years IF i
added all those Hard when did you graduate From auburn
into ninety? Eight so so you were.
Speaker 1 (21:59):
There at the same. Time is my brother he graduated
in two.
Speaker 3 (22:01):
Thousand, yeah so ended up doing building. Science and then
everybody was getting the highest. Offers so what is at
the beginning of nineteen ninety nine going into the work
world that had ever been? SEEN i think the average
pay was fifty five thousand and sixty, thousand which was unbelievable.
(22:23):
Money that's how much demand there was in. CONSTRUCTION i
took a job with a small disaster and international Company
amobile CALLED drc for twenty five thousand dollars when they
were getting those. Numbers BUT i had no interest in
going to work for the big you, know fantastic companies
like Brass field And gory And harvard and all these
(22:44):
wonderful companies that we learn a lot from and do
a great. Job BUT i just want to do different.
Things AND i seeked out the owner of that company
and asked for an interview and went to work for.
Speaker 4 (22:55):
Them and.
Speaker 3 (22:58):
So that's HOW i sort of came out of school
and go to work In. January two weeks, later he,
SAID i need you go To Puerto. Rico where do
we have a landfill down? There SO i go TO
i go To Puerto rico working on one, Day i'm
taking tickets in the. Landfill one, Day i'm bidding. Jobs
(23:19):
one Day i'm meeting with government officials trying to find
an interpreter to help me get. Around SO i did
everything from manual labor to meet with, politicians you, know
all in the first month of getting out of your.
Career so you, know it was the funny thing WAS
i took the lowest pay of anybody in our, class
(23:41):
and THEN i ended up making over one hundred thousand
the first. Year so in your first year.
Speaker 1 (23:47):
Too.
Speaker 4 (23:47):
Wow so it that's investing in. YOURSELF i think you.
ARE i, MEAN i like.
Speaker 3 (23:57):
It WHEN i got out of, COLLEGE.
Speaker 4 (23:58):
I had worked in our business and, graduated And I'm
dad's first office in the upstairs at the. House AND i,
said how much WILL i? Make he, said he did
the mass of fifteen dollars an hour times forty hours
a week is six hundred. Dollars he, Said i'm gonna
pay you his salary times times fifty two is thirty,
thousand six hundred. Dollars he did the math AND i.
(24:20):
Said he, said that's gonna work seventy hours a. Week
AND i, said, well how DO i get a? Raise he, said,
oh triple What i'm. MAKING i give you a, Raise,
son you must go sell Some stuff's, hey that's. Awesome
and you know we've done, well did well pretty. Soon
maybe not ON i, mean ALL i ever made for
the first nine years was six hundred dollars a week
(24:43):
on the weekly. Basis but you, know we had some
some pretty good times for a young person at the.
Time AND i was in the same period these economic
guys coming out Of Chapel.
Speaker 3 (24:52):
Hill we're talking about going interviewing In.
Speaker 4 (24:54):
Texas for fifty five sixty thousand dollars And i'm, going
Man i'm go to.
Speaker 1 (24:59):
This family business was what this.
Speaker 3 (25:01):
Is but it was.
Speaker 4 (25:03):
GOOD i DIDN'T i just wanted to be able to
buy a pair Of Michael jordan's sneakers one day THAT
i had.
Speaker 3 (25:10):
Some so you went to work for that company and
it was a gentleman by the name Of Bob Isaacs
Some i'm still friends with him, today and he was
a very driven entrepreneurial. Guy you. Know he put me
into situations that most people at that early age wouldn't you,
know wouldn't get the opportunity to. Do so it was
(25:32):
a great. Education so from from there go back To.
MOBILE a month later he, says, HEY i need you
to go To. Albania AND i was still living at
home with my.
Speaker 1 (25:47):
Parents from what part Of alabama is that?
Speaker 3 (25:49):
In that was when that was in that ninety nine
when was it slogan On melosovich And yugoslavia Attacked kosovo
and so we went over there to just do whatever
we could do to you, know to make big money
SUPPORTING nato AND Us army and their force and other
(26:11):
people that had just been. Attacked, yeah so they had
attacked KOs Of oh that was when that ethnic clensing
was going on and, so you, know so the next
DAY i get on a plane find a a war
zone there In, albania and the you, know it's pretty
nuts landing in the war. Zone there's always people out.
(26:31):
There and ALL i had was a bunch of money
that brought with me in cash to bring over. There
And i'm tipping all the kids five dollars every time
they they bring my bags. Around and next thing you,
KNOW i had an army of people following me and they're,
like you're giving away a month's. Aory AND i had
no idea as an, idiot you, know to too, young
but to be doing. That so we go. There you,
(26:52):
know we're building man, camps workforce housing and stuff for you,
know different armed forces and, things and lay down yards
and helicopter. Pads anything we can do to you, know
support the support the effort and and and turn a
dollar and back to that. Deal my old, Boss, bob he,
says you're the accountant on. This we formed a new company,
(27:14):
there SO i was, like, WOW i did really crappy in,
accounting but uh figured out how to do. That but
those little things that kind of taught you how you
could do anything at an early, age especially it's not
like getting around With. Spanish you, know they're speaking these
different dialects Of, albanian which is NOT i had to
find somebody to help me get around to find a
(27:37):
pencil or a paper to, buy which was. Interesting you
can do so much more than you think you can
do when when you have to do, it when you
have to do, it you, know and then you you
get in those situations where they, said, hey we want
you to be the photographer in the helicopter to these
areas that we were looking to build a. Camp we're flying,
into Into kosovo And macedonia and all these. Places and
(28:00):
So i'm sitting there leaning out of an old junkie.
Helicopter but WHEN i walk up to, it Said albanian,
helicopter and there's a guy fiddling around with the oil
stick on it and dumping oil in, it AND i
was like, this this can't be. Good it's. Crazy we'd
land in a warzone there in some refugee, camps and
then we're leaving and it gets pretty pretty surreal when
(28:24):
all the kids are running after trying to jump on
the helicopter if they want to get out of these.
Areas so that's. Crazy so some of this, stuff it's
just by a. CIRCUMSTANCE i was in a, place you,
know to get a lot of experiences before you, know
you ever would in a million. Years so it was
a lot of. Fun but you know a lot of
things a lot of people you know wouldn't. Do The
(28:44):
i've told this story. Before the the other funny story
was not really. Surreal but we're In. Albania it had
been communist in nineteen ninety, two so this is nineteen ninety,
nine so, everybody you, know freedom is. Everywhere people are starting,
businesses taking over public. Land. Uh they opened up the first,
(29:05):
gym public gym in our building there that had been
there in forever or. Ever SO i get a date
with the robics instructor and we go to The Miss
albania pageant In, albania which is nothing but a bikini,
show uh In Eastern europe, there and we get invited
(29:26):
to the after party and it's on a rooftop of this.
Building and here we are dancing on this rooftop listening
To Britney spears in the middle of a war zone
WITH f sixteen's flying over, us going to Bombyo slavia
AND i remember just almost going this is the weirdest.
THING i just like a. Movie couldn't it literally is a.
Speaker 1 (29:49):
Movie it.
Speaker 3 (29:51):
Was so it was very very, funny not, funny but
interesting and funny to be in that. Situation is how
tall was this? Building probably a twelve story. Building so, like.
Speaker 2 (30:02):
If you're, like, like is that a good idea to
be up there during the middle of war?
Speaker 3 (30:06):
Zone you, know that's the weird thing that people don't.
Realize normal life goes on every day in a war.
Zone people are still going to.
Speaker 4 (30:12):
WORK i, mean, Fortunately i've never had to live Through
i've never won a, homeland BUT i pondered at a
lot When i'm watching news reports and.
Speaker 1 (30:21):
Stuff these people got to go about their.
Speaker 3 (30:23):
Business they, do AND, i you, KNOW i think that's
more of, that you, know that, privilege and that we
that we yet being here In america and not understanding
the way the world. Works so WHEN i hear WHEN
i hear all this complaining and unfair and you, know
all these new ideologies, today sometimes it's a little bit
(30:44):
disturbing if you've been often seen other places in the. World,
Right so that was that was early or early part
of those, years and we did the company D. Rc
WHEN i started, there we it, was you, know twenty
thirty million dollar. Company we were, fortunate got into a
lot of big deals and you, know we're three hundred
(31:05):
million dollar company by two thousand and five or, SIX i.
Believe and maybe awesome those, years but cleaning up hurricanes From, Virginia, Florida, Texas,
louisiana you, know and LIKE i, said we worked In, Columbia, Honduras, Haiti, Iraq,
afghanistan all over the. Places so it was very. Interesting
(31:30):
SO i got to you, know climb the ladder a
little faster than normal because of the you, know good
fortune opportunity of the company and our good teammates and
that we worked. Around and you, know a cool story
is some friends of mine have actually bought the R
c and they're out of they're out Of texas now
and they've turned it into a conglomerate of you, know
(31:51):
a bunch of companies added together with six billion in.
Revenue and so hats off to those those. Guys they
go well with, it and it's cool to see how
far they've taken that and the other businesses they've. Done.
Speaker 4 (32:04):
Wow so so when you joined in a ninety eight
twenty to thirty million in top line revenue and now six.
Speaker 3 (32:09):
Billion, yeah well it's a. LOT i mean said they
took the, mother holed up a lot of companies and.
Stuff but you know they're still a primary disaster part
is part of the old company With so when did
person services? Start, so so dad founded the plumbing company
in seventy, eight so not too far from getting to
(32:29):
fifty years. Now and then so WHEN i came along
and was, WORKING i was fortunate to do. Well. EARLY
i bought in with my dad to the. Company didn't
really work, there but then over time sort of backed
out of some of the other. Things, god it's some different.
Speaker 2 (32:50):
You're still plumbing, TODAY i mean you still have a Plumbing.
Speaker 3 (32:52):
So plumbing Is plumbing is one portion of in our
industrial mechanical group that we. Do the company is made
up of of of six other six companies under the
umbrella now which is which is our industrial mechanical which is, plumbing,
piping H, vac, fabrication heavy industrial, use.
Speaker 1 (33:14):
Use victallic in that that business.
Speaker 3 (33:17):
In some, things not a whole, lot a little bit
on the fireside of. Things the we have a general construction.
Groups our construction, group we have a disaster group as
we spoke spoke about, earlier and an infrastructure group with
an office In, Houston. Texas and an equipment group that
(33:38):
owns all of our. Equipment and then an office in
The Virgin, islands which is A Person's, caribbean which is
In Saint, Croix Virgin. Islands, really so we're six companies
under the, umbrella as well as a development, company a
person's development theremobile that that owns and operates and develops
(34:00):
a little bit on the.
Speaker 4 (34:00):
Side AND i hear you all contractors do a little
bit of something on the. Side you, know this kind
of comes with our how we were. Raised but, DUDE
i have never HEARD i, mean we've been doing this
for nine. Years you never know exactly what nuggets that
that we can hang out all the time we want
(34:22):
on these trips and and stuff and joke about all.
Experiences but what a wonderful story toalming, about Tom. By
how cool it is that you just got thrown out
there meeting with foreign governments week one post college.
Speaker 1 (34:42):
On the rooftop with you in the war.
Speaker 4 (34:45):
Zone so, awesome and it's so cool to see now
what you've taken with your family business and being able
to get in there and and somewhat similar to our.
Story we're not, industrial but we were Andrew obi custom
residential seventy five years and then we Started Roby electric
and now it's me ep Mchannal Roby services is.
Speaker 3 (35:09):
What it is so. Similar we do a lot of.
Speaker 4 (35:12):
Residential we're doing some commercial on her all three areas,
now doing a great job trying to build out that.
Platform it's so cool to hear You Niche two. Things number,
one how can people look up person? Services give yourself
a plug BECAUSE i think it's so. Cool i'm going
to dive in and learn a little more So i'll
be able to talk to you next. Time and then
(35:35):
what's one thing that you live by did you carry
with you in business and? Life that kind of ties
everything together of what Buddy person's rolling will.
Speaker 3 (35:44):
WELL i THINK i think that the way you treat
people is a big. Deal AND i see people in
business with all they care about is the profit in
the bottom, line AND i think that's a huge. Problem
think think that you focus on your, people your, team
(36:05):
and if you're, focused if you're focused on the, money
it's it's it's not going to work right it'll all
come at the end of the. Day but LIKE i,
think you've got to treat people. Right we want to
see the construction industry, change and we can do it
just one percent of a time. Better everybody knows the
stigmatism of the you, know the stories of, construction a
lot of, yelling custom the way they treat, people and
(36:26):
these young kids coming up and working their their treatment
partners or. Subcontractors we want to change. That we want
we want it to be a place where an industry
that people want to come to work and that they're
they're bringing these young kids up in the business and
they have an opportunity to make money and raise a
family on it and they go home happy and their work environment's.
(36:48):
Happy so that is our you, know that's our vision to.
Do we want a business that outlast. Us and you
know the thing is if the money will come if
you do the right, things and so that's our that's
what we live by or we, perfect absolutely, not but
if we can get, it you, know LIKE i, said
one percent better each, time hopefully we'll leave something a
(37:11):
whole lot better and where we.
Speaker 4 (37:13):
Came, amen what a cool. Story and this is about
to be your fifty year anniversary seventy. Eight you said
a couple of. Years that's. Cool maybe you have to
get you nineteen seventy eight hat like the nineteen fifty
hat we.
Speaker 2 (37:25):
Gave, ALSO i knew what you were coming up towards the,
end BUT i love what you just said right. There
one of our main core values is, family and that
goes for not just The roby family and the employees
associates that worked along us within our business At, ruby
but it also goes to the, subcontractors the, vendors the,
suppliers the, architects the, engineers anybody that has something to
(37:46):
do with any of our projects is really needs to
be treated like, family with respect and.
Speaker 4 (37:51):
Dignity but it's about having A it isn't all about.
Money money will follow and you'll be able to pay
your bills if you have faith in what you're, Building
but it's about having a better life and being able
to spend an extra couple of minutes with your family
smiling a little. More.
Speaker 3 (38:06):
Sure that's, alute and working smarter. Too we're old, contractors
but well that's. Right and, look it's the way we,
manage and our managers. Manage if they're not. Concerned if
they're not always thinking about other, people then they're not
staying organized and keeping their crews, organized which makes them,
(38:27):
disorganized which throws off their family life and their. Time so,
ultimately the collective part of that makes your jobs, better more,
efficient more, quality and gives them a better equality of.
Life BUT i THINK i do want to tell this
one story about. That so we were cleaning up a
hurricane In louisiana two thousand and seven or, so And
(38:48):
i'm in charge of about one hundred and twenty million dollar.
PROJECT i was a senior project manager on. It, Well
i'm in a, hotel there's no power in. IT i
have all these contract or subcontractors coming around trolling the.
Map So i'm pretty much could dictate whether you do
ten twenty million in sales five. Million AND i had
this this, guy what is called Him. John he leans
(39:10):
over and he, Says, buddy fifty thousand for section, seven
fifty thousand for section eight in, there AND i just
sort of held my hand up AND i kept doing my.
Map you're in a, rush you have start the. Cruise
the next, DAY i gave him the worst section in
the whole, thing AND i walked back over to him
AND i, Said, john don't ever offer me that kind
(39:32):
of money, again or any kind of. Bribe that's not my.
Deal THAT i still gave you some. Work you're LUCKY i.
Didn't he was a good old. Boy, yeah he just
he he didn't know any. Badge it's at their. Work
he traveled so AND i would have done that. Anyway
the result of that was big time multiplying for. Me
so in the disaster, business it's a fast moving. Business
(39:53):
word gets. Around. Well the word spread between all of
the contractors and subcontractors around the country that buddy doesn't take. Right,
yeah it doesn't play and he treats his subcontractors. Right.
Well that was such a huge advantage to. ME i
had all the deals coming to me as a young
person because of, honesty which i'd have done. Anyway, Right
(40:14):
because they go out and they scout these storms and they're, like,
hey there's, work and if you get the, information you're
the one that can go and get the. Deals so
people were, like how do you get so much? Success and,
yeah they were like how did you get so much?
Sense treated? RIGHT i treated people. Right so the word,
spread so all the deals came to me AND i
looked like a hero and ALL i did was act with.
Speaker 4 (40:34):
Until how similar is his philosophies to our Thak and
it's the, Same like straight. Up we grew our business
on vendor relationships because people would come in and say
who SHOULD i? Use they give them the standard thirty,
referrals and Then i'd, say then ask them who they
should really use if they had, one and if they,
don't say, us don't give us the. Job AND i,
(40:54):
said the reason why was because we treated them. Right
and it wasn't always, rosie but this is, beautiful you
know What i'm. Saying so, man, word it's so refreshing
to hear you say. That word travels just as. Fast
don't short change yourself when you tell the truth and
do it.
Speaker 3 (41:12):
Right it really. Does what a.
Speaker 1 (41:15):
Great segue for WHAT i. THINK i know you're about to.
Speaker 4 (41:17):
Say well take, that and you started with it is
how you let off on your philosophy is treat others
the way you want to be. Treated go do the golden. Rule,
Buddy thank you for being. Here so fun to spend
time with, you and you get to meet my Partner
patrick And e Easy e got to talk to some
sports talk early on, Today so carry a smile around
(41:40):
on your face because you never know when you're letting
somebody through a door what it might do to them
for their day and their.
Speaker 1 (41:46):
Brightness thanks for listening To At home With ruby
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