Technology is changing the future so quickly how can you prepare your students for tomorrow’s workplace?  It is a challenge.  But the first step is to understand the opportunities available to your students.  Should all of your students go to college?  Are there other opportunities that can afford them a quality lifestyle?  Can they earn scholarships?  Do they have money to pay for college?  Is college the best alternative for them?  Will a four year degree open employment opportunities that would not otherwise exist?  Given their interests are there alternatives for employment that might afford them their desired lifestyle?  In this post we will learn about an entrepreneur who built a company that provides great opportunities for anyone who is committed to working hard and being a lifelong learner – Kimbel Mechanical Systems.

Kimbel Mechanical was founded in 2001 when Rob Kimbel bought his father’s plumbing company.  Rob, an architecture major at the University of Arkansas, took a break from college to work with his dad.  His father, Miles, really encouraged Rob, who was reluctant, to buy the company which had three employees.  Rob recognized the growth potential and took on the challenge. He analyzed and created processes and procedures to make the company more efficient – which resulted in increased profits.  In 2002 Kimbel had revenues of 2.5 million.  The revenues doubled year after year until they were 15 million by 2005.  As they improved their plumbing services and provided quality and reliability, builders started asking them to also install HVAC – Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning.  With the addition of HVAC in 2006 their revenues increased to 20 M. During the housing market crash of 2007 they only worked on five homes during December compared to 400 new homes in 2005.  Rob saw three choices: shrink, file bankruptcy or expand geographically. So he chose to develop new markets.

Kimbel now has two divisions:commercial housing and market housing.  Commercial housing includes apartments, military housing and nursing homes.  Market housing includes working in big subdivisions for large scale builders.  These markets developed as project managers changed companies and asked Kimbel to provide the plumbing, electrical and HVAC needed for their new companies and projects because of their reputation for quality and efficiency.  For growth Kimbel developed a 2-2-2 plan: two men, two hours away for two years.  The expaned to Little Rock, then Memphis and then Nashville.  Or to Tulsa and then to Oklahoma City or from Joplin to Kansas City.  They went from Cheyenne, Wyoming to Loveland, Colarado to Colorado Springs and then to Denver.  This year the Colorado revenue will outpace the Arkansas revenue.  All of their growth has been through word-of-mouth becasue they are dependable and if they make a mistake, they make it right.  They have helped their bottom line by scaling projects and materials.  They now have a distribution center in Fayetteville with 50 M in materials and fleet of 190 trailers that are used to organize and deliver materials to the job sites.  Procurement of materials helps to avoid cost overruns.  They added electrical services in 2013.

In reflection Rob recognizes that in high school classes taught by Kathy Denzer, business teacher in Elkins, that he loved the business side of things. This is where he found his passion – problem solving and processes needed to grow Kimbel Mechanical. From a shoe box full of receipts given to him when purchasing the company, Rob taught himself accounting and then continued to learn.  He reads 50 books a year. After learning the numbers side of the business he moved to leadership and then to information technology and on to human resources.  Some of his management team have degrees some have worked up through the company.  But all must continually learn.

With over 800 employees, Kimbel Mechanical offers assorted opportunities for those willing to work and learn.  Managers can make over $100,000 a year.  For plumbing skill development, there is a four year program that offers apprenticeship and on site schooling.  They are the only company in Arkansas with an accredited plumbing school and they have a 98% first time pass rate.  Classes are delivered in person,  remotely or online.  HVAC has on the job training since the installation it is not as technical.  Kimbel sends managers to schools across the country to learn to design the installations. Out of high school workers start at $13 an hour but they can quickly learn and advance.  One employee who is five years out of high school makes $130,000 a year.   Females are welcome but not many apply.  Minority and rural students can find employment and growth opportunities at Kimbel. They will teach the skills needed if they have a good work ethic; are responsible; and want to continual improve and move up in the company.  Kimbel benefits include health care and 401K matches. 

Kimbel is very intentional about their culture.  Their goal, as stated on their mission statement, is to be a highly trusted value driven compelling force in the construction industry.  According to Rob, people who are humble, hungry and smart will thrive on their team.  They are a family oriented and like to have fun. Managers fly in for meetings each January. Additionally, they have a crayfish boil and varied activities in each market area.  They send teams on mission trips.  Last year they packed 34,000 meals with Pack Shack, an Arkansas non-profit based in Lowell, AR.

I have spent some time now reading about characteristics of entrepreneurs.  We have activities that ask students to consider which characteristics are important.  The correct answer is still debated with each source listing slightly different characteristics.  But after many years or reading I have found one that I feel is across the board!  ALL the entrepreneurs I have interviewed learned about love to learn?  They ask questions and solve problems.  They do this by learning — researching, questioning, trial and error.  Some fail, but even then they learn what not to do.  But over and over and over again I find they are lifelong learners!  As an educator, this makes my heart sing!  So the question becomes, how do we encourage your students to ask why and to search for solutions?  Today’s world makes it so very easy to learn — using books, videos, podcasts, blogs or even conversations or classes!  I challenge you, as educators to help your students find the path to life long learning.  Let’s empower some of your students to find market opportunities, build companies with integrity, develop our communities, and continue to learn!