Some people inherit comfort. Others build it with their hands, their sweat, and the kind of pride that doesn't come easy. Rob Jr, owner of Professional Drain Services of Southern New England, grew up watching his father maintain rental properties and fix whatever needed fixing. That early exposure planted the idea, but Rob originally had other plans. After high school, he headed to college to study business. A serious back injury forced him to step away, and during recovery, he began to see the true value in the work his father had done all along. That’s when he found his path in the trades.

           
Rob’s first year as an apprentice was back in 2011. He had two mentors who couldn’t have been more different. One was calm, patient, and supportive. The other held high standards and didn’t let mistakes slide. That contrast gave Rob something invaluable: the discipline to work clean, precise, and with pride. It showed him that the difference between average and excellent was in the details, and there’s no room for shortcuts.

Rob carried that mindset with him as he built Professional Drain Services. He’s not just putting in the hours to grow a business; He’s building a life for his wife and two kids, with the long-term goal of giving them more than he had. He saw the sacrifices his father made and took that same sense of responsibility to heart.

Rob’s approach to the trade comes down to pride, professionalism, and paying it forward. He isn’t chasing shortcuts. He’s focused on building something solid that will outlast him. Whether he’s investing in his team, supporting others in the industry, or paving the way for his own kids, Rob is laying the kind of foundation that turns hard work into lasting impact. That spirit and grit is exactly what makes him this month’s Drain Invader.