We planned to talk to Valerie Butler earlier in the day when we headed to see her at P.I.P.E. Inc., a contractor specializing in commercial plumbing and fire protection in the Indianapolis market and where she’s worked since 2020.

There is an age-old question that every business owner has to contemplate: Should I grow my business? 

In 2011, I moved to North Carolina, unaware of the ticking time bomb hidden behind my walls. Like many transplants, I knew very little about the unique quirks of local homes and infrastructure.

In October, a contractor walked into a supply branch holding a competitor’s quote.

Terms that I see everywhere today are influencer and thought leader. I do not purport to be one, but in reflecting on my long industry career, I certainly benefited from many of them.

Shaw Supply, a wholesale plumbing and mechanical distributor that opened its doors in Long Island City, New York, in August 2025, is a brand-new independent in an industry where that’s become a rarity.

The McNeeley View: As we self-perceived small guys whine about competing for talent, let’s pause the pity party for a moment. 

No one knows when the war with Iran will end or what the outcome may be. As of this writing, President Donald Trump has paused a massive military strike against Iran in response to requests from several Persian Gulf states.

Artificial intelligence (AI)is no longer a topic reserved for technology conferences and trade press speculation.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in a Delaware medical malpractice action with particularly important ramifications for all professional malpractice actions brought in federal court.