Paul C. Scott and Sons Plumbing Some family businesses begin with a formal business plan. Others begin with grit, faith, and a single truck. In 1988, Paul Scott launched his plumbing business out of the basement of his Royal Oak home. With one employee and one truck, the goal was simple, provide honest, dependable service to the community. As demand grew, the business moved into a small building in Madison Heights, steadily adding trucks, team members, and a reputation for professionalism that customers came to trust. When Paul’s wife, Christine Scott, joined the business in 1999, the company entered its next phase of growth. Together, they expanded operations while remaining grounded in Paul’s original vision, to build a company defined not by scale, but by reliability and integrity. That vision was tested in 2016, when Paul passed away. Rather than stepping away, his family stepped forward. Determined to carry on both the business and the people who depended on it, Christine made the decision to continue the company alongside their three sons. During Paul’s treatments, she earned both her Plumbing Journeyman License and Contractor License credentials required to legally operate the business. Soon after, their son Gilbert Cotter obtained his Master Plumber License, completing all city and state requirements and ensuring the company could continue serving customers without interruption. In the years that followed, Brian Scott and Greg Scott also earned their Master Plumber Licenses, further strengthening the company’s leadership and technical expertise while continuing the family’s legacy of professionalism and excellence It was a transition built on resolve, sacrifice, and a deep sense of responsibility, not only to their family, but to their employees and longtime customers. In 2015, the company made its permanent home in Troy, a city the family had long admired. They purchased a former body shop and transformed it into a fully functional warehouse, office, utility area, and training center for their plumbing tradesmen. Working as a family brings both rewards and challenges. There is pride in sharing successes and sacrifices, and a closeness that extends beyond the workplace into family gatherings and everyday life. At the same time, strong bonds can blur boundaries, and frustrations sometimes spill over, even when unintended. Still, the family agrees the ability to work together toward a shared purpose far outweighs the challenges. For them, supporting family-owned businesses means more than making a purchase, it means preserving traditions, creating local jobs, and strengthening communities. Family businesses often move faster, adapt more easily, and operate without the layers of bureaucracy found in large chains or franchises, allowing them to respond quickly and personally to their customers’ needs. Running a family business, they say, requires real sacrifice. But the rewards — for their team, their neighbors, and their family — make it worthwhile. They see family-owned businesses as the quiet engines powering towns like Troy, keeping communities rooted in tradition while building toward the future. Christine Scott, Gil Cotter, Greg Scott, and Brian Scott Greg Scott, Chris Scott, Gil Cotter, Paul Scott, and Brian Scott The Paul C. Scott & Sons Plumbing, Inc. Staff EXPERIENCE TROY | 19
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