Exploring Life & Business with Charity Tovar of Charity’s Plumbing Solutions

Today we’d like to introduce you to Charity Tovar.

Hi Charity, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Over the past three years, I had the opportunity to work remotely in my corporate job. Being at home allowed me to schedule tradespeople to come in for repairs, and during that time, I noticed some alarming trends. It was the norm for tradespeople not to show up or even bother to call when you requested a service for your home. My new home builder representative summed it up perfectly by saying, “Trades come when they want; that’s just how it is now.” When I purchased my new home, I had numerous repairs that needed to be done, and I was there to receive the tradespeople. However, a frustrating 80% of the time, they didn’t show up, and there was no way for me to contact them directly to find out when they would come. I wasted multiple afternoons for nothing. And to add to the frustration, even when tradespeople did show up, they often didn’t have the necessary materials or equipment to complete the job, resulting in an average of three return visits.

Meanwhile, my husband Rigo has been working as a plumber for nearly 20 years, and he would come home with ridiculous stories about the business practices he was expected to follow. It wasn’t about the customers but rather the practices within the industry itself. Rigo ended up switching between several companies in the last three years due to these practices that were imposed on him.

Then, in January 2023, I received a 90-day notice that my corporate job was being eliminated. It was a significant turning point for me. I looked at Rigo and said, “I want to open a residential plumbing business.” He was taken aback but supportive, saying, “Okay, you’ve got this. Let’s do it.”

On April 22, 2023, Charity’s Plumbing Solutions was officially launched, driven by a steadfast commitment to reintroduce ethical, affordable, and customer-centric plumbing services and solutions. Our core mission is to underscore the potential for improved business practices within this industry. At the heart of our endeavor is the unwavering aim to furnish customers with dependable and trustworthy services that consistently prioritize their needs. Notably, as of 2022, women constituted less than 5% of the plumbing workforce, as outlined in a study conducted by Zippia.com. Concurrently, a significant revelation emerged from an analysis featured in a Forbes article, revealing that single women own approximately 2.64 million more homes than their single male counterparts across the 50 states.

Charity’s Plumbing Solutions proudly stands as both woman-owned and minority-owned, symbolizing our dedication to inclusivity and diversity in this industry. We ardently wish to inform the substantial population of female homeowners that they possess options when selecting service providers for their homes. Charity herself, the driving force behind our company, was a single mother homeowner for an extensive duration, intimately comprehending the concerns of single mothers and single female homeowners alike.

It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Initiating a business venture is inherently challenging, and a significant hurdle in Google verification marked our journey. Achieving verification on Google Maps proved to be a protracted and intricate process. Although we officially launched our business in April 2023, the confirmation of our Google verification was realized in June 2023. Throughout this period, we leaned heavily on the support of our local community, friends, and professional networking connections to secure bookings and foster growth. This collaborative effort enabled us to establish a foothold in the market while awaiting Google’s verification. With our Google verification successfully obtained, our business has gained increased visibility within and beyond our designated service area. This recognition has facilitated our ability to reach and serve a broader clientele, marking a significant milestone in our business journey.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us more about your business.
Charity’s Plumbing Solutions takes great pride in being a minority woman-owned business. Women often have a unique perspective on work done in their homes, emphasizing functionality and aesthetics. Charity possesses a keen eye for detail and collaborates closely with homeowners to address plumbing issues while maintaining a clean, orderly, and visually pleasing outcome.

Our reputation is built on providing ethical plumbing solutions, prioritizing integrity over salesmanship. A recent example illustrates our commitment to honesty and customer welfare. We were called by a customer who had been advised by two other plumbing companies that she had an under-slab leak necessitating a costly whole-home repipe. Upon thorough inspection and a 100% confirmation from a leak location service, we determined that no such slab leak existed. Our truthful assessment saved her over $10,000 in unnecessary plumbing repairs. At Charity’s Plumbing Solutions, we firmly believe in not taking advantage of people in vulnerable situations.

Community engagement holds a special place in our company’s ethos. We are proud community partners with Betty H. Fairfax High School, offering sponsorship to several student service clubs and scholarships. Additionally, we extend scholarships to support the Laveen Community Council. Our active involvement in the community is a testament to our commitment to making a positive impact. Furthermore, we are members of the South Mountain and Laveen Chambers of Commerce and the Laveen Coalition, further solidifying our dedication to the communities we serve. We are delighted to inform you that we have been bestowed with the Nextdoor Favorites Award for the year 2023, and we are proud to share that we have attained accreditation from the Better Business Bureau as well.

Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Charity has a cherished childhood memory rooted in her Arizona upbringing – visiting the State Fair. Born and raised in the state, she eagerly anticipated this annual tradition, where her family would come together to enjoy the festivities and attractions. The State Fair holds a special place in her heart, representing not only a fun outing but also the warmth of family togetherness and the vibrant spirit of Arizona.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.charitysplumbingsolutions.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charitysplumbingsolutions/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charitysplumbingsolutions/