By Abby Luciano | North Shore News
Curtis Thomas felt an adrenaline rush when he heard the name of his business called out at the North Vancouver Chamber’s Business Excellence Awards in late November.
Warrior Plumbing won the Excellence in Equity Award at the Nov. 26 ceremony, an award that recognizes a company that demonstrates leadership and commitment to equitable practices and initiatives in building an inclusive workplace.
“I’m really proud of the small business we’ve grown, and the people that we brought in to be part of it,” said Thomas, the founder and president of Warrior Plumbing. The plumbing and gas fitting company is Indigenous owned and operated, and focuses on new installs of mechanical systems in condos, townhomes and other buildings.
Thomas is a member from the səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), where the company collaborates on Indigenous-led projects to build sustainable, eco-friendly homes.
But the success of Warrior Plumbing hasn’t come without challenges. The handyman started the company in 2010 out of necessity.
After Thomas got laid off in December 2009, he was doing small plumbing jobs to fill in the gaps. When his friend offered him a job to do some work in Haida Gwaii, there was one condition – Thomas had to start his own business.
He remembers his friend saying, “you’ve been doing some small projects for me already, so you’re already doing it. What are you waiting for?”
With that push spurring Thomas on, Warrior Plumbing was born. Since then, the company has grown from a one-man show to the 30-employee operation it is now.
Warrior Plumbing is an inclusive employer, with a focus on creating opportunities for youth who are looking to start a trades career, their website states. Thomas said he emphasizes creating a positive work environment by trying to build a company where people feel respected and seen, have a voice and feel safe.
“We want any person that comes into our company to feel like they’re part of a family, and that we can all do some good work together and celebrate the wins and work through the hard times,” Thomas said.
This is the company’s second major award. Warrior Plumbing won Business of the Year (11+ Person Enterprise) at the BC Indigenous Business Awards in 2022.
Reflecting on the awards and the progress his company has made makes Thomas feel like life has come full circle, as he has taken a lot of inspiration and thanks from his uncle. After talking to an acquaintance who was a plumber, Thomas realized this was the career he wanted to pursue. Shortly after, his uncle, who was the director of economic development for the nation at the time, helped him get an interview with Ocean Park Mechanical, and Thomas went on to work there for six years.
When Thomas completed his two-year apprenticeship at the company, he remembers his uncle full of pride and telling him he will one day give opportunities to other people in the Tsleil-Waututh community.
“Now I’m in this position to create opportunities for other people and encourage them to get a well-paying career,” Thomas said. “That’s really what gets me out of bed every day. It’s come full circle.”
The other winners of the Business Excellence Awards will be posted on the North Vancouver Chamber website.
Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News.
