Spartan Industry Heroes:
Head's Plumbing

In the heart of Southwest Atlanta lies a legacy that spans four generations—a legacy of determination, resilience, and community. I had the privilege of having a Zoom interview with Khadija J Head, the CEO of Head's Plumbing. She said their company proudly began in 1981 when her dad decided to carve his own path after the closure of his previous company. Instead of becoming an employee again, he took the bold step of establishing his own plumbing company. This decision laid the foundation for where they currently stand today, as Georgia’s oldest Black-owned plumbing company. They are on their fourth generation of employing individuals with the last name of Head and serving as a symbol of pride for their community.

Khadija, alongside her brother, Odari, who serves as Vice President and Master Plumber, leads the charge in offering a range of services, including residential service, repair, and drain cleaning, as well as light commercial projects. Head's Plumbing is more than just a plumbing business—it's a testament to breaking barriers and defying odds. In an industry where diversity is lacking, with only 8% of plumbers being Black, and only 3% of family-owned businesses making it to the third generation, Khadija and her team are on a mission to change the narrative. Through their work and presence in the community, they aim to inspire young Black and brown individuals to consider careers in the trades, showcasing that it's not only a viable, lucrative option but also a path to building a legacy for their families.

"If you are never exposed to a female, a Black or brown plumber, you as a young person, doesn’t know that is an option for you. You have a perception of what a plumber looks like, and that you don’t fit the mold.” - Khadija Head

Khadija explains in the sixties and seventies there was a barrier to entry, that her grandfather was the neighborhood plumber/handyman, but African Americans couldn’t sit for the plumbing license at that time. “Then there came a point in history where we started to see a shift, and the shift was, if you have X amount of experience, we will grandfather you in to having your plumbing license. My grandfather went through that track, and he went to fill out his application. And before he went out the door, he saw his plumbing application balled up and tossed in the trash.” She said that was the driving force for her father and brother to both attain their master plumber license.“About 15 years ago, we had a proclamation signed by our house representative to acknowledge that my grandfather is and will always be a master plumber, based on his years of experience.” After barrier to entry, she said, “People go into professions and industries where they see someone like them doing it. If you are never exposed to a female, a Black or brown plumber, you as a young person, doesn’t know that is an option for you. You have a perception of what a plumber looks like, and that you don’t fit the mold.”

"It is an honorable profession. It's a proud profession. It is a profession that has no limitation and has no ceiling, whatever the ceiling is, is one that you determine for yourself." - Khadija Head

This is exactly why Khadija emphasizes the importance of storytelling and social media. “I know there is a young man or a young woman right now that has no idea that this is a lucrative industry; that they can provide for their family by being a successful productive plumber. And it's also the reason I highlight our office staff because being a plumber goes well beyond just being in a truck, there are a ton of different professions within the plumbing trade where it's inclusive to all.”

By highlighting the diverse backgrounds and experiences of their team members, they also connect with customers on a deeper level, making them feel like they're welcoming familiar faces into their home when they need service. Technology plays a pivotal role in Head's Plumbing's commitment to their customers. "Our equipment gives us a heightened level of visibility with our customer base," Khadija explains. "We can bring the homeowner literally into their pipe to see the issue and understand the why behind the estimate." She said their Spartan Tool cameras have been very handy for those situations. They currently have the Spartan Tool Sentinel, Explorer L200, and Traveler. Other Spartan Tool equipment they use is the Model 300 and Model 1065.

Looking ahead, Khadija envisions Head's Plumbing playing a pivotal role in reshaping perceptions about the trades. By amplifying the importance of plumbing as a profession, they hope to attract more young people to the industry and bridge the gap in the labor shortage. She said for every four plumbers retiring, only one is taking their place. She stated she wants “people to understand that when I say we are built by the trade, that is something to be proud of. It is an honorable profession. It's a proud profession. It is a profession that has no limitation and has no ceiling, whatever the ceiling is, is one that you determine for yourself. You don't have to be in student loan debt. You don’t have to have Dr. or another acronym in front or behind your name. You can be a technician, you can be a CEO, you can have all your hopes, wishes, dreams and top aspirations achieved by being in the trade.”

Through their dedication to excellence and their unwavering commitment to their community, Khadija, Odari, and the entire team at Head's Plumbing are not just fixing pipes—they're building a brighter future for generations to come.

Make sure to follow along on their journey - @Heads-Plumbing

Khadija's book recommendations:

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

The Four Agreements by Don Ruiz

Khadija & Odari's social media follow suggestions:

Drain Mob

Maui Plumbing

American Plumber Stories

LRS Plumbers

Universal Plumbing Inc

Mr. Brown Plumbing Tech