Running a business is not an easy undertaking, but for Ryan, he knows his training and experience give him the right qualities to be successful and help his team.

In 2003, Ryan was marketing a plumbing company. Although he felt it was just a job, it led him to realize he wanted a career in the plumbing field. Ryan worked with the company to return to CVTC, and he enrolled in the journeyman plumbing apprenticeship. He said the first semesters were difficult getting back into the rhythm of school, but it all started to come together once they got into more hands-on work that he could apply at his job. He is thankful for the opportunity to learn and gain experience while still earning money to support his family.

After passing his master’s exam and becoming certified, he saw a busy industry and felt it was a good time to strike out independently. In 2017, Ryan started Larson Plumbing Services and now specializes in service work, remodels, new construction, and septic systems.

Now he is helping his employees find a similar experience. Recently he sent one of his team members through the journeyman plumber apprenticeship at CVTC. Ryan says he is proud of his accomplishments and enjoys the flexibility that owning his own company provides to spend time with family. He says he needed the program to show him how things are done, and that it was the right choice to create an honest living.