Leon Garrett doesn’t believe in doing things halfway. When he started his career in the trades in 2018, he didn’t just take a job—he took an opportunity to reinvent himself. Starting with zero prior experience, Leon dove headfirst into a high-stakes apprenticeship with EJC Engineers out of Nashua, New Hampshire, installing complex commercial plumbing and mechanical systems across New England.
He jumped into the trade with a “sink or swim” mentality, refusing to let anything or anyone stop his progress. That relentless drive to succeed fueled his transition from a newcomer to a dual-licensed expert. Today, Leon is a licensed Master Plumber and Master Gas Fitter, representing the highest standard of technical skill and safety in the state of New Hampshire.
Now, as co-owner of Kenco Plumbing and Drains, Leon brings that same “never-back-down” attitude to the Seacoast community. He leverages his background in large-scale mechanical systems to provide top-tier residential and commercial service to his neighbors. When you hire Kenco, you are getting the expertise of a Master tradesman who built his career and team on hard work, technical precision, and a refusal to fail.
Garrett actually got started in this industry by chance—and by grace. Back in 2018, he was at a crossroads, working a dead-end job, bringing home about $300 a week, and he had a baby on the way. “I knew I needed a radical change. As someone in long-term recovery, I spent much of my time at recovery centers and sober homes, sharing the steps that helped me change my life,” says Garrett.
“One of the men I had the honor of walking through that process with was Zachary Emond,” says Garrett. At the time, Emond was working on a large-scale project for EJC Engineers—a mix of multi-residential and business suites. “He saw my drive and gave me the opportunity to join the team,” says Garrett.
Emond has since gone on to co-own PlumbCo Solutions in Oklahoma, and they’re still close friends today. That one opportunity, born out of a shared journey in recovery, was the spark that led Garrett to become a Master Plumber and eventually start Kenco. “In 2023, I did what I’ve always done—I jumped out the window with no sense of direction and figured it out on the way down. I guess I’ve always had to learn the hard way. When my fiancé Paige and I first started Kenco Plumbing and Drains, I thought we were going to be a new construction outfit. But after two years of grinding, I realized that wasn’t the direction for us at this stage,” says Garrett.
The biggest challenge for Garrett has been that constant evolution of the vision. “Paige and I have worked tirelessly to pivot, focusing our marketing and our energy on the service side—plumbing, heating, and drains—right here in our local Seacoast communities. Finding that ‘true north’ for the business while managing the daily operations has been an uphill battle, but it’s one we are winning together,” says Garrett.
The rewards, however, make every late night and every pivot worth it.
The most rewarding part of this job isn’t the technical side of the plumbing—it’s the pride in his children’s eyes. Seeing them light up when they spot one of our Kenco vans on the road, or having them join us for events, is a feeling Garrett can’t describe. They see us on social media and they see the brand we are building, and it makes them proud.
What they don’t fully comprehend yet is the financial security this business provides for them. “Because of the hard work we put in today, I’m able to do things with my kids that I once only dreamed of. Providing a life for my family that I never thought was possible is the ultimate ‘paycheck.’ At the end of the day, Kenco isn’t just a plumbing company; it’s the foundation for my family’s future,” says Garrett.
Past is Paradox
For Garrett, his past is a paradox. “Before I found recovery, my actions took everything meaningful from me—nearly including my own life. But in a strange way, that same struggle gave me everything worthwhile I have today,” says Garrett.
It forged a “by-any-means” mentality in Garrett. When he started his apprenticeship, he didn’t just want to learn a trade; he had to succeed. There was no Plan B. That “sink-or-swim” drive that once fueled my addiction became my greatest asset in the field. It’s what pushed me to master commercial systems and eventually earn my Master Plumber and Master Gas Fitter licenses.
Garrett often calls his past his superpower. “In this industry, we deal with high-stress situations—leaking pipes, complex codes, and tight deadlines,” says Garrett. “But to me, those aren’t ‘problems’ in the way most people see them. I’ve experienced a level of pain and desperation that makes a difficult job site feel like a privilege.”
In addition, most people don’t know that Leon was abandoned by his mother as an infant. When his father finally found him, he was being held under the name Benjamin Lavine. “For years, that name represented a period of loss,” says Garrett. “When Paige and I had our first son, we reclaimed it and named him Benjamin Lavine Garrett. It was my way of coming full circle—taking a name associated with being left behind and turning it into a name defined by love, family, and a future.”
There are moments, even now, where Garrett catches himself tearing up just realizing that he’s here—actually living, breathing, and contributing to his community. That gratitude is the foundation of his work ethic. “If I can overcome what I’ve been through, there isn’t a plumbing system or a business challenge in New Hampshire that can stop me. My past reminds me every day that I’m not just working for a paycheck; I’m working because I was given a second chance at life, and I’m going to make it count,” says Garrett.
Looking Up
According to Garrett, no one becomes a Master alone. He says that he is the product of men who took the time to answer the phone and the time to teach him the tools. “First and foremost, I have to honor Rogers. Early on, he was my North Star for personal development. He helped me navigate the messy parts of life and my relationships, ultimately bringing me closer to God. He never gave me ‘textbook’ advice; he gave me real answers based on his own life experience. I miss him every day, but I carry his wisdom into every decision I make as a business owner.
“Professionally, my journey was shaped by Jesse Gerstman, owner of SD&P Mechanical. Jesse is a seasoned pro who comes from a long lineage of elite plumbers, and he took me under his wing during my apprenticeship. He didn’t just show me how to do the work; he gave me big opportunities in the field and trusted me with high-level commercial systems. Today, Jesse is like a big brother to me. We talk almost daily, and I still have the privilege of working alongside him from time to time,” says Garrett.
Cheers to Health
Garrett recognizes that his physical health needs more attention, and that ties directly back into his personal development and how much he values his life today. “I never want to go back to the way I used to live—I’d truly rather die than lose the life I’ve built,” says Garrett.
To keep himself on the right path, God is always first. Beyond that, Garrett has found that the best cure for mental or spiritual despair is service. “Getting outside of myself to help others—whether it’s in the recovery community or the trades—will always straighten me out. Giving back is what saved me, and it’s what keeps me healthy today. If I’m not physically and mentally right, I can’t be the leader my family and my company deserve,” says Garrett.
‘Bring Back the Trades’
This year, Kenco stepped up as a Platinum Sponsor at the Bring Back the Trades expo held at Gillette Stadium. Through an incredible partnership with Bradford White Water Heaters and with tool donations from Milwaukee Tool for our giveaways, Kenco was able to show up in a big way. For the Kenco family, Bring Back the Trades isn’t just a non-profit we support—it’s sacred to them. “This mission hits close to home because my fiancé Paige’s grandfather helped host the very first trades expo at his own auto body shop in Portsmouth, N.H,” says Garrett.
The turnout was tremendous, with more than 3,000 guests and visitors. “With the help of our friends, family and employees, we spent the day sharing our experiences and showing young people why the trades are a ‘cheat code’ for a successful life. Being at Gillette, surrounded by the next generation of plumbers, electricians, and builders, was a full-circle moment for me. It’s proof that when you invest in the trades, the trades invest back in you,” says Garrett.
Watching the founder, Steve Turner, take a vision from his mind and grow it into the powerhouse organization it is today has been a true inspiration. According to Garrett, Steve is a man of immense character, and he is highly respected by everyone on the team.
Kenco was proud to be a major supporter of this non-profit because their core mission—providing scholarships for the younger generation to enter the trades—aligns perfectly with Kenco’s values. “We’ve participated as vendors twice now, but our most recent involvement was a massive milestone for us,” says Garrett.
Social Sphere
Garrett says that social media has quite literally changed his life. When he first started @kencoplumbingnh, he just wanted a place to list the business. But after seeing other creators, Garrett bought a tripod and started recording his work. As the videos went viral, the momentum completely shifted.
“It opened doors I never expected—specifically, the opportunity to work as an ambassador for brands I’ve used my entire career. That’s been a dream come true. Beyond the business, the ‘back end’ of social media has been the most rewarding. It has allowed me to travel and build deep, genuine relationships with people across the industry. These are people I call true friends—mentors and peers who are there when I need them and vice versa. It turned the trade from a solo grind into a massive, supportive community,” says Garrett.
Workforce Development
Garrett believes that we are finally on the right track. “We are the ‘New Generation’ of the trades, and thanks to great creators on social media, the industry is looking more attractive than it has in decades. However, it is our responsibility to keep that momentum going by sharing our stories and showing the ‘fruits’ of this career—the high-quality life and the personal freedom that come from mastering a craft,” says Garrett.
But to truly fix the labor shortage, we have to address the culture on the job site.
“From my own experience, I’ve seen a pattern of ‘bullying’ from older generations toward the ‘new guy.’ I believe this is a toxic approach to introducing our future into the trades. I’ll be the first to say this isn’t an easy career—dealing with high-pressure situations and difficult personalities was one of my biggest challenges starting out, and it still is today. But the ‘old school’ excuse of ‘This is how I was treated, so this is how I’ll treat you’ has to stop. I see it like a cycle of trauma. It’s a weak excuse to pass down disrespect just because you experienced it yourself. To me, that’s not leadership—it’s a deterrent,” says Garrett.
As the next generation of owners and masters, let’s change the narrative, emphasizes Garrett. Let’s make the trades a place where people don’t just come to work, but where they come to grow, feel respected, and build a life they are proud of.
In the end, Garrett says for anyone looking at his story and wondering if the trades are for them, here is the truth: “This was my cheat code. It wasn’t a shortcut—nothing in plumbing is easy—but entering a professional trade was the key that allowed me to set goals, achieve them, and rebuild my life while developing as a man. If you are in recovery, or if you feel stuck in a life that isn’t going anywhere, the trades offer a path to a future you didn’t think was possible. But you have to earn it,” says Garrett.
If you’re just starting out, here is his advice:
• Find Your ‘Jesse’: You need a mentor. Find a seasoned pro who knows more than you and has the character you want to emulate. Once you find them, be a sponge. Listen more than you talk and watch every move they make.
• Surround Yourself with Winners: If you hang out with the guys who complain on the job site, you’ll become one of them. Find the “winners”—the guys who take pride in their work—and stay in their circle.
• Outwork Everyone: This is where you separate yourself. Take every hour of overtime. Go above and beyond your job title. Do the tasks no one else wants to do. If you outwork the person next to you, you will be lightyears ahead of every other apprentice at your level within a year.
• Reap the Benefits: This career isn’t easy. It’s hard on your body and it demands your best every day. But if you do what you need to do, the rewards—the financial freedom, the pride of mastery, and the ability to provide for your family—are beyond anything you can imagine.
“The trades saved my life because I gave the trades everything I had. If you’re willing to do the same, the door is wide open,” says Garrett.
For more info on Kenco Plumbing & Drains, https://www.kenconh.com
To sign up for the Mechanical Hub weekly newsletter, https://mechanical-hub.com/enewsletter/
