Q&A talks with Scott Allen, owner of Water-Flo Inc.
Can you describe your business?
Water-Flo provides water treatment installation and services, as well as well pump and tank installation. The company’s Radon Solutions of CT division provides radon testing and mitigation.
Our targeted customer base is residential and commercial clientele located in New Haven, Middlesex and New London counties.
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How did you get into this business?
I purchased Water-Flo at the end of 2019 from the previous owner. I had worked as an employee of Water-Flo for 5.5 years prior to purchasing the business. Brigid Allen has been employed as Water-Flo’s office manager since 2016.
How has your business grown in the past year?
At the time of purchase in 2019, Water-Flo’s revenues were approximately $1 million. There were no retained earnings held in the business and a total of four employees.
Since buying the company, we have focused on improving efficiency, profitability, employee development and retention, and growing our commercial service offerings. At the end of 2023, we achieved our total revenue goal of $1.75 million, with a total of eight employees.
What’s a major challenge your business has overcome in the past year?
In 2023, we faced increased operating costs, which challenged our goals of continuing to invest in the business and capital improvements. We continue to focus on profitability, by minimizing expenses and optimizing our processes.
Last year, we upgraded our technology and fleet, which has helped to make our team more efficient and allowed us to maintain our high service standards for our clients reliably.
What major strategic plans do you have in the next few years?
We plan on moving from our current leased space to a new location nearby, where we have recently purchased property.
Our goal is to have a headquarters that will support our growth and improve our services. The location is ideal for our employees and equipment. We were recently certified for radon testing and mitigation for schools, and plan to expand radon services to that customer base and also reach more residential customers.
We will also pursue an operator’s license to be able to broaden our commercial services. Our focus remains on developing a strong team that meets our high customer service standards; we want to be an employer of choice.