At Blackbird Café, that sweet little place tucked downtown Valpo, I met Jack Hines, owner or Hines Plumbing, Inc. You may know of him from the “Ask Jack” column the Q&A series on ValpoLife.com where he shares his expertise with readers by answering their plumbing questions. Or you may know him because he and his team have remodeled your bathroom or fixed your water line. You may even know him as “that friendly guy at Blackbird”. However you know Jack Hines, you will learn more about him here as he is this week’s Valpo Life in the Spotlight.
Hines was born and raised here in Valpo. He made his way through the Valpo school system, playing baseball as an enjoyable extra curricular, and after graduation, he went to Purdue North Central. After that, Hines decided to a trade school for plumbing. He attended classes provided by Plumb Tech and became a licensed plumber soon after.
“Out of high school I installed water softeners which included plumbing,” Hines explained. “So I figured installing water softeners wasn’t much of a career so I stuck with plumbing… I’ve done heating, electrical as well as plumbing, those three trades, but I kept plumbing as my main trade.”
Hines Plumbing, Inc. came to fruition after years of working for other companies. He wanted to blaze a trail and do things his own way.
“I decided to make things happen for myself and in 2000 I started Hines Plumbing, Inc. and we’ve been open ever since.” Hines said with a smile. “We do all phases of plumbing from a leaking pipe to digging up your front or back yard; every bit of plumbing inside and out.”
Hines Plumbing, Inc is a family-oriented business. He has four people working for him and they have a combined 50 years of experience between them. All of their work is done in Porter and La Porte County. Hines likes the area that his company is in and has no plans to expand because he believes that quality should reign over quantity.
“We want to keep it local and we want to keep our customers here happy. There a lot of repeat customers,” Hines gestured to some individuals enjoying their breakfast at a nearby table. “There are two or three of them right here.”
Hines knows that good work means more than just completing a project correctly and in a timely manner. He makes sure to be as genuine and personable to each of his customers, taking the time to talk to each one and get to know them. This is the type of guy who doesn’t think of his job as “work”.
And as that smart guy Mark Twain said, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
Hines enjoys not only the people that he works for and with, the actual work that he is licensed in is quite interesting to him.
“Plumbing is mechanical. It’s challenging. Every job is different,” Hines stated. “There are a lot of different ways to fix something and it keeps you on your toes. And it’s that sense of helping people out…it’s nice to know that when you go take care of something for a customer you can feel good about it afterward because you were helping them. I like what I do. I like the hands-on side so I can be in the field and be more personable to everybody and create that relationship.”
What makes Hines Plumbing, Inc. unique to other plumbing companies are the people themselves. Each person that Hines has working for him was born and raised here in Valpo.
“We know everyone around here. We are trusted and we definitely stand behind what we do,” Hines said. “We try to do the right thing every time, our trucks are clean and well-kept, and we have very competitive pricing. There are a lot of choices out there, but I say stay local and buy local.”
Hines also is the owner of Sticky Fingers Candy Company which is that colorful little shop located right across the street from Central Park Plaza, and he is the owner of Chase Select Homes which is a company that builds affordable, entry level homes as well as additions and remodels. Before Sticky Fingers opened, Hines took the time to remodel and restore that part of the building to its original condition. The restoration that he did was so well-done and well-received that it gained him a Community Improvement Award in 2010.
Hines is on the board for the Porter County Memorial Opera House, he plays on a co-ed softball league when time allows, and he is very involved in the lives of his two kids, Chase and Addison, both of whom attend the local schools.
Valpo is a great place in Hines opinion because it’s what he’s known and loved all his life.
“I love the change of seasons…the small town atmosphere. Everybody knows everybody, good or bad,” Hines stated.
And as far as wisdom for the readers, Hines as a few pieces that he shared with me.
“It all boils down to doing the right thing and being happy with yourself,” Hines said in his matter-of-fact way. “And take things one step at a time; baby steps. That’s how I’ve done it. Also, always do what you say you’re going to do because if you don’t it will blow up in your face ten-fold.”
Through out my time interviewing Jack Hines, friends and clients of his came up to lend a kind word, shake his hand or toss friendly banter his way. He conversed with each of them easily with a genuine smile and interest that added to the already welcoming environment of Blackbird Café. He makes the people around them feel good and feel like they matter, which is why he is a Valpo Life in the Spotlight.