Show Information
Episode Number: 126
Date: January 05, 2026
Duration: 26:00
Host Contact Information
Host: Justin Deese
Website: JustinDeese.com
Contact: podcast@JustinDeese.com
Guest Contact Information
Guest: Michael De Silva
Company: Plumbing Plus
Location: San Diego, California
PHCC San Diego Trades Expo- https://www.phccsd.org/trades-expo
January 31, 2026- Del Mar Fairgrounds- Bing Crosby Hall
Summary
What if answering a simple help-wanted ad changed the entire trajectory of your life?
In this episode of the Freedom Blueprint Podcast, Justin Deese sits down with Michael De Silva, owner of Plumbing Plus in San Diego, to unpack an incredible journey — from teenage apprentice to owner of a $3M residential plumbing company.
Michael shares how he entered the trades at just 19 years old, purchased the business at 28, and navigated the challenge of leading technicians old enough to be his parents. Together, they dive into leadership growth, technology adoption, industry community, and why staying put instead of chasing an extra dollar an hour changed everything.
If you’re a home service business owner — or someone considering the trades — this episode is packed with real-world insight, humility, and hard-earned wisdom.
Takeaways
- How long-term loyalty can outperform short-term pay increases
- The mindset shift required to move from technician to owner
- Why PHCC and industry communities accelerate growth
- Lessons learned leading experienced technicians as a young owner
- How ServiceTitan and AI improved both customer and technician experience
- Why community involvement still beats “just running Google ads”
- What aspiring tradespeople should look for in a company
- Why the trades offer one of the strongest career paths today
Chapters
00:00 – Welcome to the Freedom Blueprint Podcast
01:00 – Michael’s start as a teenage apprentice
02:45 – Buying the business at 28 years old
04:30 – Standing out in a competitive San Diego market
06:00 – Transitioning from tech to owner
08:00 – Embracing ServiceTitan and new technology
11:00 – The power of PHCC and industry relationships
14:30 – What to expect at the PHCC San Diego Trade Show
17:00 – How AI is impacting the trades
19:30 – Advice for young professionals entering the trades
22:30 – Why staying loyal changed everything
Keywords
#FreedomBlueprintPodcast #PlumbingBusiness #TradesEntrepreneur #ServiceTitan #PHCC #HomeServiceBusiness #PlumbingLife #TradeSuccess #BlueCollarSuccess #ApprenticeToOwner #SanDiegoPlumber #ResidentialService #TradeLeadership #SkilledTrades #SmallBusinessGrowth