Scoop USA Media relies on our community of readers and our advertisers, previous, longstanding, and new; without them, Scoop wouldn’t be what it is today. August is National Black Business Month, and Scoop would like to pay homage to one of our longest-running advertisers, Kirk Caldwell.
Ten years ago, Kirk Caldwell, owner of Do It Right Drains and Plumbing, completed a service job for the Scoop’s previous owner, the late Sonny Driver; he placed his first ad in the paper following that job and has advertised ever since.
Caldwell is incredibly dedicated to his profession. Do It Right’s slogan, “We do It Right, The FIRST time,” has proven to be just that–landing him a positive reputation in both Philadelphia and Delaware County, as noted in the hundreds of reviews that have garnered a 4.8-star rating on Google. “I try not to pay attention to that because it can affect your performance, but it feels good to know that so many people are satisfied with the work our company does,” Caldwell said. “Meeting people is the best part of my job. The reviews just solidify that I was meant to do this.”
Though Caldwell began his business in 2008, he’s worked in plumbing well before then, leading to a more than 30-year career. He said he doesn’t think of doing his job as working because of how much he enjoys it. “I’ve said several times that I believe I was born to do this job; here I am more than 30 years later, and I still wake up every day happy about what I do. I’m not moaning and groaning about having to go to work.”
Caldwell said though some days get the best of him, like anyone else, he continues to push forward because of his love for the profession. He has even employed some of his children, some of whom have started their own companies in the contracting industry.
When Caldwell isn’t wearing his plumber’s hat or a family man’s hat, he’s serving his community as a Pastor. If you ask about Caldwell in the community, there are only good things to be said about him. Caldwell has a reputation for being down-to-earth, steadfast, and patient. In addition to introducing his children to plumbing, he has also mentored young people, formerly incarcerated individuals, and others in the plumbing trade.
He has given food to needy families, assisted with housing for homeless individuals, and counseled many couples. Caldwell and his wife, Sharron, have raised seven children with many more implants, so patience and mentoring young people came easy to him. In the last eight years, the family has grown with the addition of two sons-in-law, one daughter-in-law, and one soon- to-be daughter-in-law. The Caldwells have 21 grandchildren and are expecting another one in December.
Caldwell has always had a strong fighting spirit, full of resiliency and perseverance; with any trial, he has always relied on his faith in God to get him through. “I’ve learned over the years to trust God, no matter what,” Caldwell said. “With my family, my business, and the church, I’ve learned to trust God and let him guide me through. Because of this, I have been truly favored and successful in everything I’ve put my hands to.”
In April 2021, Caldwell and some family members suffered a devastating fire at his private residence that left them with nothing but the clothes on their backs. In spite of it all, Caldwell continued working for his company, supporting the community, and preaching the Gospel.
“The goodness of God” is what kept Caldwell moti- vated to continue, he said, adding that if he “had given up on God over this one issue, after all, He’s done for me through the years, what kind of believer does that make me?”
Caldwell often intertwines his faith with his work, but said he wants people to know that Do It Right Drains and Plumbing is one of the best decisions he’s ever made, and he wishes there were more opportunities for young people.
“If there were more opportunities for school students to get acclimated to the trades, we’d have more young men and women building generational wealth than the number of young people committing crimes and sitting in jail today,” Caldwell said. “This job is hard, but it is well worth it.”
If you would like to contact Do It Right Drains and Plumbing, their phone number is 267-586-2809, and they are open 24 hours a day.
