Tanner and Desiree Lindstrom are the dynamic duo at the helm of Kennewick-based Columbia River Plumbing. Together, they bring a perfect blend of diverse and complementary skills to their business: Tanner is a seasoned plumber with over 29 years of experience and Desiree has a background in banking and mortgages.

Forging a Path
In 2009, already well into his plumbing career, Tanner made the decision to strike out on his own. He figured his hands-on, customer-focused approach had given him plenty of insights that would help him build a successful business. And with Desiree’s solid understanding of business and finance, the two were set to begin their new adventure.

The Sweet Spot
With newfound success and a growing business through referrals, Tanner and Desiree were able to expand their team to 18 employees. They focused on balance: growing the business organically while maintaining the small business mindset and dedication to customer service. In the process, they discovered that hiring the right people made it easier to keep their teams happy and enthusiastic.

Profitability with Purpose
By keeping their business at a manageable size, Tanner and Desiree are able to stay responsive to customers’ needs and ensure they’re supporting their team’s goals along the way. This has led Columbia River Plumbing to work with programs like Comfort Ready Home to make energy-efficient upgrades and utility rebates more accessible for their customers. For the Lindstroms, it’s about building a business that serves the community and values the people who make that service possible.