Phil DePaul is a home-services entrepreneur and the CEO of Boom Zell Enterprises, which includes United Water Restoration Group of Long Island and 1-Tom-Plumber Long Island. Raised in a blue-collar household with a father who was a plumber, Phil spent more than a decade helping scale a family-owned plumbing wholesale business before leaving to build companies of his own. Today, he focuses on restoration, plumbing, and related services, with a leadership philosophy centered on action, accountability, and restoring people before properties.

Make sure to download our free guide, 7 Questions Every Passive Investor Should Ask, here.

Key Takeaways

Understand why restoration is about restoring people before repairing property
Learn how action and momentum matter more than perfect planning in entrepreneurship
See why plumbing is the leading cause of water damage in multifamily properties
Recognize the importance of proactive vendor relationships for property managers

Topics

From Blue-Collar Roots to Entrepreneurship

Grew up with a plumber father but pursued a different path early on
Spent 14 years helping scale a plumbing wholesale business
Hit a ceiling and chose to leave to build something of his own

Becoming a "Visionary With No Vision"

Entered entrepreneurship without a clear end goal
Learned by taking action rather than over-planning
Emphasized momentum, adaptability, and execution

What Restoration Really Means

Restoration addresses sudden, accidental property damage
Common causes include water, fire, smoke, and mold
Mitigation focuses on reducing damage before it spreads

Restoring the Person First

Homeowners are often panicked and overwhelmed during a loss
Effective restoration starts with empathy and trust
The goal is to restore peace of mind before rebuilding property

Multifamily Complexity and Stakeholder Management

Multifamily losses involve tenants, owners, and property managers
Conflicting priorities create tension during emergencies
Restoration providers must balance empathy with business realities

Why Proactivity Matters in Multifamily

Plumbing failures are the leading cause of water damage
Preventative maintenance reduces catastrophic losses
Strong vendor relationships help property managers respond faster

📢 Announcement: Learn about our Apartment Investing Mastermind here.

Round of Insights

Failure that set Phil up for success: Chasing too many opportunities at once. Phil learned that trying to climb multiple mountains simultaneously slowed progress and reinforced the importance of prioritization and focus.

Digital or mobile resource recommended: Audible for audiobooks, Blinkist for condensed book summaries, and Alex Hormozi's business content for practical frameworks.

Book recommended most in the last year: 100 Million Dollar Money Models for building scalable businesses, along with Think and Grow Rich for mindset and perspective.

Daily habit that keeps him focused: Practicing stillness in the morning, even when it feels uncomfortable, to regain clarity and presence.

#1 insight for running multiple businesses: Get one business fully stabilized before launching another, and let it mature before expanding further.

Favorite restaurant in Long Island: A local gourmet deli and bagel shop near his home, valued for convenience and quality.

Next Steps

Check out Phil's company, BoomZeal
Evaluate emergency preparedness plans for your multifamily properties
Build proactive relationships with restoration and plumbing partners
Review preventative maintenance strategies to reduce water damage risk
Prioritize empathy and communication during tenant emergencies

Thank you for joining us for another great episode! If you're enjoying the show, please LEAVE A RATING OR REVIEW, and be sure to hit that subscribe button so you don't miss an episode.

The #1 Cause of Water Damage in Multifamily (And How to Prevent It) with Phil DePaul, Ep. 777