From Cybersecurity to Pipe Wrenches: How John Moskola and His Brother Are Reinventing a Plumbing Business
In episode 21 of The Entrepreneur’s Journey, Michael sat down with John Moskola, co-owner of Watson & Sons Plumbing in Western Pennsylvania.
John’s surprising career path—from government cybersecurity analyst to successful plumbing business owner—is a powerful example of the courage and creativity it takes to make a major professional pivot.
From the Pentagon to Pipe Fittings
Before joining the trades, John Moskola spent over a decade in the high-stakes world of cybersecurity, working for the Pentagon and other government agencies. While it was intellectually demanding work, the desk-bound lifestyle didn’t align with his people-focused personality. When the opportunity arose to partner with his brother and acquire a local plumbing company, he took a leap into the unknown.
Watson & Sons had been around for over twenty years, and the previous owners wanted to pass the business to someone who would preserve its legacy and carry it forward. John and his brother didn’t have a lump sum of cash ready to go, but with the help of a strong support team—including a strategic lawyer, accountant, and financing partner—they structured a creative deal using SBA loans, seller financing, a 401(k) loan, and a home equity line of credit.
The acquisition closed a year ahead of schedule.
Strategic Growth and Complementary Strengths
Since the acquisition nearly three years ago, Watson & Sons has expanded significantly. The team has grown from four to 12 employees, a second location was opened, and a new service line has been added. Much of that success comes from the brothers’ complementary roles. John focuses on administration, finance, and long-term strategy, while his brother leads operations and client service in the field.
Their working relationship mirrors the structure outlined in the book Rocket Fuel, by Gino Wickman and Mark C. Winters. One (John) of them serves as the visionary and the other (his brother) as the integrator, allowing each to focus on their strengths without overlap. Their shared approach to decision-making and planning has helped them scale responsibly without burning out their team or sacrificing service quality.
Reinvesting in People
A key part of Watson & Sons’ growth strategy has been investing in their workforce. While many small trades businesses don’t offer employee benefits, John and his brother made them a priority. Today, their team has access to healthcare, dental, and a 401(k)—benefits that have helped them attract and retain top talent, even in a competitive labor market.
John noted that the younger workforce is increasingly looking for security and long-term value—not just wages. By providing retirement plans and quality coverage, the company is staying ahead of the curve in an industry that is only now catching up to modern employment expectations.
Beyond the Plumbing Business
Moskola’s entrepreneurial spirit extends well beyond plumbing. In addition to growing Watson & Sons, he manages a personal real estate portfolio that includes rental condos, a townhouse, and investments in multi-family syndications. The building that houses their original plumbing location even came with a post office tenant—making the federal government one of their current renters.
John’s financial mindset has played a critical role in managing both business expansion and personal investing. He credits his experience reviewing P&Ls in the real estate world with helping him better evaluate and run his plumbing business.
Finding Balance in a Demanding Life
Running a growing business, managing real estate, and raising four children under the age of 14 might seem like an impossible balancing act, but John credits his ability to manage it all to discipline and intentionality. He works with a high-performance coach and has learned to be fully present with his family—often putting his phone in another room when the workday ends. Former habits from his cybersecurity days, where phones were locked away and work couldn’t come home, have carried over and helped him maintain mental boundaries.
He also emphasized the importance of self-care—nutrition, exercise, and sleep—as crucial for keeping up with the pace of his life.
Looking Ahead
What’s next for John and his brother? Continued expansion. They’re eyeing additional services like HVAC and excavation, as well as potential acquisitions of other trades businesses from retiring owners. The goal is to create a one-stop service provider in the region, combining plumbing with other complementary offerings.
When asked what advice he’d give to his younger self, John said, “Trust the process—but make sure you have a process to begin with.” That mindset, along with surrounding himself with a reliable team, has been foundational to his entrepreneurial success.
102 WEST HIGH STREET, SUITE 200
GLASSBORO, NJ 08028
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