Ricardo Lopez: A Rewarding Career
By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter
RICHMOND — Ricardo Lopez was initially drawn to the plumbing trade by the pay, but it wasn’t long before he discovered the true rewards his career provided. “I was told that plumbers made good money, so I decided to start an apprenticeship with a local company,” he remembers. “The pay was good, but what I really liked about the job was the opportunity to help people, especially elderly customers who are vulnerable to being taken advantage of. It felt very rewarding to be able to take care of people and provide an honest service. After five years working in the field, I decided to found my own business in 2002.”
Today, as owner of Superior Plumbing & Drain Cleaning Services, Ricardo says his first priority is providing top-notch customer service. “I personally train each of our employees in the way we present ourselves and serve our customers. To me, the most important thing is making sure every customer is satisfied, both with the work itself and the professionalism of our technicians.”
Originally from El Salvador, Ricardo resides today in Antioch with his wife, Fatima, and their two children. Outside of work, he spends his free time engaged in a variety of active pastimes. “My kids like the water, so we do a lot of swimming and boating at local lakes,” he says. “We also like to play basketball and soccer.” Additionally, Ricardo and his family make a point of traveling two to three times each year. “We regularly vacation at places like Cancun and Belize. Also, since my wife is from Mexico, we go to Guadalajara every January to see her family and take part in the holiday festivities.”
In regard to his professional career, Ricardo espouses the importance of taking care of people. “In addition to taking care of our clients, I believe in taking care of our employees,” he explains. “I try to make sure everyone who works for me is well-compensated and happy in their job. After all, when your employees are happy, they’re more likely to pass that on to customers in the form of good service, so it’s a great investment all in all.”
When asked the first thing he’d do if he were to retire tomorrow, Ricardo says he’d take an extended vacation. “I would take a month-long trip with my family, maybe to Cancun or my home country of El Salvador. It’d be nice to just take some time to relax and recuperate by the beach.”
Ask Me Anything!
Q: What’s your favorite sports team?
A: The San Francisco Giants.
Q: Are you an early bird or a night owl?
A: An early bird.
Q: Do you collect anything?
A: CDs and digital music.
Q: What kinds of music do you like?
A: I like all kinds, especially upbeat music because I’m a happy person.
Q: What’s your favorite snack?
A: Granola bars.
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