We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ashley Mullen a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Ashley, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s jump right into the heart of things. Outsiders often think businesses or industries have much larger profit margins than they actually do – the reason is that outsiders are often unaware of the biggest challenges to profitability in various industries – what’s the biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?

One of the biggest challenges to profitability in the plumbing industry is balancing rising overhead costs with customer expectations around pricing. Many people assume plumbing is a high-margin business, but what they often don’t see are the behind-the-scenes expenses that eat into those margins—insurance, licensing, training, equipment, vehicle maintenance, and especially payroll. Skilled plumbers are in high demand, and rightly so—they deserve to be well-compensated. But attracting and keeping good talent while staying competitive on pricing is a tough line to walk.

Another major challenge is the unpredictability of jobs. No two plumbing calls are the same, and sometimes a simple fix turns into a major project once we get behind the walls. That makes estimating difficult and can lead to unexpected costs for both the company and the customer. We’ve had jobs where a clogged drain turned into a full sewer line replacement, which required permits, digging, city inspections—you name it. The customer sees a huge bill, but they don’t always see the hours of labor, the specialized equipment, or the compliance hurdles that go into doing it right.

At the end of the day, we take pride in doing high-quality, honest work—but profitability often means constantly adjusting to rising costs, labor shortages, and the pressure to deliver fast, affordable service. It’s a rewarding business, but it definitely comes with its own set of financial tightropes.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Ashley Mullen, and I’m the proud co-owner of Mullen Plumbing. We’re a family-run plumbing company that’s been serving our community for nearly a decade. What started as a small operation with a single truck and a big dream has grown into a trusted local business built on integrity, craftsmanship, and a genuine commitment to helping people.

I didn’t always picture myself in the plumbing industry, but I’ve always been drawn to work that has a real impact. My husband and I saw a need for reliable, honest plumbing services in our area—people who show up when they say they will, do quality work, and treat customers with respect. We decided to build that kind of company from the ground up, and we haven’t looked back since.

At Mullen Plumbing, we provide a wide range of residential and light commercial plumbing services—from routine repairs and drain cleaning to full re-pipes, water heater installations, and emergency service. But beyond the services, what we really offer is peace of mind. We solve problems that disrupt people’s lives—leaks, clogs, cold showers, damaged pipes—and we do it with care, transparency, and professionalism. We treat every home like it’s our own and every customer like family.

What sets us apart isn’t just the quality of our work, but the way we do it. We believe communication, kindness, and follow-through are just as important as technical skill. We show up on time, we explain things clearly, we clean up after ourselves, and we stand by our work. That may sound simple, but it’s surprisingly rare—and it’s why so many of our clients call us again and again.

I’m most proud of the trust we’ve built with our community. We’ve grown largely through word of mouth and referrals, which tells me we’re doing things right. Our team genuinely cares, and that shows in everything from the way we answer the phone to the way we handle the tough jobs.

For anyone considering working with us, I want you to know: we’re not just here to fix plumbing issues—we’re here to build lasting relationships, support our neighbors, and deliver service you can count on. We love what we do, and we’re honored every time someone invites us into their home to help.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

met my cofounder—and husband—back in 2002, in marine biology class at Wilson High School. We were just teenagers then, sitting a few seats apart, probably more focused on passing notes and dodging pop quizzes than on anything too serious. But something clicked. What started as a classroom connection turned into a friendship, and eventually, a partnership in life and in business.

Fast forward a few years, and that high school spark evolved into a strong, grounded relationship. We’ve built a life, a family, and a business together—side by side. Starting Mullen Plumbing wasn’t something we dreamed up back in that classroom, but looking back, it makes sense that we ended up working together. We’ve always been a team.

Building a business with someone you trust completely makes all the difference. We know each other’s strengths, we balance each other out, and we both bring heart into the work we do. And while plumbing has nothing to do with marine biology (unless you count the occasional leak!), that class at Wilson High will always be the place where our story really began.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Resilience has always been part of who I am, shaped by a strong work ethic and an unwavering determination. As a former career woman in fashion turned stay-at-home mom, I never fully realized my inner strength until I stepped away from my career to raise my children. Being a stay-at-home mom was, without a doubt, the hardest job I’ve ever had—it challenged me in ways no professional role ever could.

When my husband started Mullen Plumbing in 2016, just three months after the birth of our first son, our lives were completely turned upside down. We went from being two career-driven individuals to having to make a difficult decision: which one of us would stay home to raise our children? For me, it wasn’t really a choice—I either had to take on that role or pay someone else to do it. That moment was the beginning of my resilience journey.

For five years, I stayed home, while we struggled to make ends meet. My husband worked seven days a week, often 12-14 hours a day, to support our family. It was a constant grind, but we persevered. Eventually, I realized that this wasn’t sustainable. With both kids entering school, it was time for me to step in and help grow the business, so my husband could be present for his children.

Today, I work full-time at Mullen Plumbing, managing a team of our employees while still being a mom. Balancing work and motherhood is a constant challenge. I’ve learned there is no perfect balance—you simply show up and do what needs to be done. My resilience comes from motherhood itself. As parents, we don’t get the luxury of giving up. We handle what’s in front of us—because we have to. And through that, we become stronger than we ever imagined.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Mullenplumbinglbc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mullenplumbing/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tmullenplumbing
• Yelp: https://yelp.to/nlbm_e34rW

Image Credits

Maria waller