Meet Charity Tovar | Founder & CEO

We had the good fortune of connecting with Charity Tovar and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Charity, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?

Over the past three years, I had the opportunity to work remotely in my corporate job. Being at home allowed me to schedule tradespeople to come in for repairs, and during that time, I noticed some alarming trends. It seemed to be the norm for tradespeople to not show up or even bother to call when you requested a service for your home. I remember my new home builder representative summed it up perfectly by saying, “Trades come when they want, that’s just how it is now.”

When I purchased my new home, I had numerous repairs that needed to be done, and I was there to receive the tradespeople. However, a frustrating 80% of the time, they simply didn’t show up, and there was no way for me to contact them directly to find out when they would come. I wasted multiple afternoons for nothing. And to add to the frustration, even when tradespeople did show up, they often didn’t have the necessary materials or equipment to complete the job, resulting in an average of three return visits.

Meanwhile, my husband Rigo has been working as a plumber for nearly 20 years, and he would come home with ridiculous stories about the business practices he was expected to follow. It wasn’t about the customers, but rather the practices within the industry itself. Rigo ended up switching between several companies in the last three years due to these practices that were imposed on him.

Then, in January 2023, I received a 90-day notice that my corporate job was being eliminated. It was a significant turning point for me. I looked at Rigo and said, “I want to open a residential plumbing business.” He was taken aback but supportive, saying, “Okay, you’ve got this. Let’s do it.”

And so, on April 22, 2023, Charity’s Plumbing Solutions officially launched with the mission to bring back ethical, affordable, and customer-centric plumbing services and solutions. We want to remind people that there are better ways to conduct business in this industry. Our goal is to provide a reliable and trustworthy service that puts customers’ needs first.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

What sets Charity’s Plumbing Solutions apart from others is not only our woman-owned status, but also our unwavering commitment to providing customer-centric services. While many organizations may claim to be customer-focused, we take it a step further by striving to understand our customers’ unique needs and behaviors throughout their homeownership journey. We believe in triaging and offering tailored solutions that align with their long-term plans and budgetary considerations.

In the realm of plumbing care, homeowners face a multitude of choices. At Charity’s Plumbing Solutions, we take the time to truly comprehend our customers’ situations, allowing us to deliver solutions that precisely fit their requirements at an affordable price. Whether it’s addressing an urgent issue like a clogged toilet or providing in-demand services, we are dedicated to promptly resolving problems and meeting our customers’ immediate needs.

What truly fills us with pride and excitement is the overwhelming support we have received from our community. When we initially announced the establishment of Charity’s Plumbing Solutions, the response from our friends, family, and the community was heartwarming. While we are currently working on obtaining Google verification, a crucial step for validation and accessibility, our customers have discovered us through word of mouth and social media, keeping us busy and in business with their plumbing needs.

We want people to be aware that they have affordable options when it comes to plumbing services, and they can rely on us to show up and get the job done right the first time. Our commitment to our customers and the support of our community drive us to continuously improve and deliver exceptional plumbing solutions.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

When my best friend visits town, we make it a week of indulging in wine tours. Sonoita, AZ holds a special place in my heart, and one winery that I absolutely adore is RUNE Winery. Every time I visit, I make sure to bring back a few cases of their exceptional wines. After spending about three days there, we venture up to Cornville for a delightful three-day retreat on Page Springs Road. The wineries in that area are truly remarkable, surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Among them, DA Ranch stands out as my favorite spot to savor wine in northern AZ.

At the northern end of Page Springs Road, there is a wonderful restaurant called Up the Creek. Owned by Jim and Mario, it offers an incredible wine list accompanied by fascinating tales of their worldly travels and experiences, perfectly paired with the wines they serve. Whenever I’m in Cornville, I simply cannot resist having both lunch and dinner at Up the Creek. The experience is nothing short of extraordinary.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

In my early years, I formed a deep and meaningful connection with an incredible female business owner named Lisa Graffiti. This mentorship began when I was just 15 years old and continued for over 25 years. Lisa was not only the owner of a successful printing business, but she was also highly involved in her community, especially in youth outreach programs. Her influence played a pivotal role in shaping my character and values.

It’s difficult to express the true impact Lisa had on me. From a young age, she instilled in me a passion for volunteering and a strong commitment to serving others. Whether it was supporting the Arizona Lost Boys Center or participating in the Arizona Adopt a Greyhound program, Lisa’s dedication to philanthropy was truly extraordinary. Her home became a safe haven, welcoming and caring for those in need, including children, adults, and animals. The breadth of Lisa’s influence and the magnitude of her contributions are truly beyond words.

Sadly, in February 2023, I experienced the profound loss of my mentor, Lisa. However, this tragic event has only fueled my determination to carry on her legacy. In honor of Lisa’s remarkable life, I have established the Lisa Graffiti Scholarship. This scholarship serves not only as a tribute to Lisa’s enduring impact but also as a means to uphold her unwavering commitment to education, community engagement, and service.

Through the Lisa Graffiti Scholarship, my aim is to ensure that Lisa’s values and spirit continue to thrive. This scholarship will empower deserving individuals to pursue their educational dreams while inspiring them to actively contribute to their communities. Through this initiative, I seek to preserve the memory of my beloved mentor and perpetuate Lisa’s legacy of compassion, generosity, and unwavering dedication.

Website: www.charitysplumbingsolutions.com

Instagram: Charitysplumbingsolutions

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charitysplumbingsolutions/

Yelp: Charity’s Plumbing Solutions

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