CENTERVILLE —
When Vern Graham decided to start his own plumbing, heating and cooling business, he knew the decades spent working in the community would be an asset.
He did not anticipate, however, the outpouring of support he received from business leaders.
“That was so overwhelming and encouraging,” he said.
Graham always planned to own his own business someday, he said. After two decades of working for Pettit Plumbing & Heating, he decided the time was right to strike out on his own and create Graham Mechanical.
Before he even announced he was starting a business, the word got out and he started getting calls.
“Before I was even really ready I had several local business people call and say, ‘Hey, we’d sure like you to help us with this project,’” Graham said.
Graham said another way the business community supported him was when he applied for and received a small business loan from the Appanoose Economic Development Corporation’s Revolving Loan Fund in May.
“I didn’t even know it existed,” he said.
After he learned about the RLF program from other small business owners who had been involved in it, Graham made an appointment with AEDC Director Tod Faris to start the process.
He got even more out of it than he expected when several RLF review committee members spent time counseling him on the financial aspects of small businesses.
“It impressed me that those people would take their time and financial resources and put it back into the community,” Graham said.
He used the loan to purchase required specialty equipment.
“I was working really hard, but I kept dumping the money back in the company. After a time, that ties up your personal finances,” Graham said. “The loan enabled me to buy those required specialty tools and really give me a stronghold to start showing better profit margins.”
When temperatures rose the week of June 18, Graham found himself working 12 to 14 hours a day responding to cooling-related calls. He prioritized households with small children or the elderly and hired temporary help to get to all the customers.
“You’re just happy to be able to help when it’s hot like that,” he said.
Though Graham relies on temporary help now, he said as soon as he is able he hopes to hire a crew of employees.
Graham has been living in the community for about 25 years. His wife, Lori, was born and raised in this area, and they moved here after they got married. They have two sons, Chris Graham, a software engineer and recent graduate of the University of Iowa, and Cody Graham, a senior at the University of Iowa.
Graham has a master’s license in plumbing and heating from the state. He said he spends most of his day repairing and maintaining previously installed equipment, but he is also able to purchase and install equipment. He offers a 10 percent discount on work for non-profit organizations like schools and churches.
He also offers 24-hour emergency service and can be reached at (641) 895-2852.
Graham said he is committed to being available when his customers need him.
“In all of my ads I put in there that we’re honest, fair and dependable, and that’s not just words,” he said. “If there is going to be any long-term success, you have to abide by that.”
Business
Related Photos
-
Vern Graham started the plumbing, heating and cooling business Graham Mechanical in January 2012. Photo by Brooke Sherrard
Share your thoughts!
Graham Mechanical offers new option for heating and cooling
- Business
-
-
IMA to honor Community 1st Credit Union mortgage originator
Community 1st Mortgage Originator Rick Comer has been named by the IMA to the Winner’s Circle for his efforts as a home loan originator.
-
Moratorium on utility disconnects ends for this season
Interstate Power and Light Company, an Alliant Energy company, encourages Iowa customers who are not current on their utility bills to take action now.
-
Fareway named 2013 national top workplace
Fareway Stores, Inc. has been named one of America's Top Workplaces by WorkplaceDynamics. Fareway was ranked No. 110 nationwide among organizations with more than 1,000 employees that participated in regional top workplaces programs.
-
50 years in business
On Sunday, March 17, Joe's Quick Shop in Centerville celebrated 50 years in business.
-
Iowa Trust and Savings Bank donates to CVRHTF
Iowa Trust and Savings Bank, presents a $3,000 check to Jennifer Appler, middle, director of Chariton Valley Regional Housing Trust Fund.
-
Appanoose Economic Development Corporation report for February 2013 by Tod Faris, executive director
Tod Faris issued this update of activities for February.
-
Hall joins Mercy Home Care and Hospice as new director
Mercy Home Care and Hospice has been providing excellence in care in the community since 1994.
-
Ambassadors visit Centerville Cleaners
The Centerville-Rathbun Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors visited Centerville Cleaners after the business' recent relocation.
- Norris Asphalt, Ottumwa, national asphalt paving award finalist
- DNR to hold listening session on fall hunting and trapping regulations
-
Nurse practitioners join Wayne County Hospital medical staff
-
Hillphoenix, Inc. awards $15,000 to Van Buren County Hospital's Community Service Center
-
Centerville Fareway has a new grocery manager
Doug Cosgrove, right, Centerville Fareway grocery manager for 13 years, hands the keys to the store to the new grocery manager, Keith Voss.
- Mediacom doubles its broadband speeds; 105-meg Internet available throughout southeast Iowa
-
Long time Centerville custom commercial cabinet business changes ownership
The new owners say they plan to grow the commercial cabinet business and eventually mix in residential cabinets, something they have been doing for 12 years.
- More Business Headlines
-
IMA to honor Community 1st Credit Union mortgage originator
