Founder shares lessons on customer trust, steady growth, and taking care of his team
CHICAGO, IL, November 5, 2026: Jason Hamburg, founder and owner of MJP Chicagoland Plumbing, was recently featured in an Authority Magazine interview series on what it takes to build a highly successful business. The interview, published October 15, 2026, covers his path from apprentice plumber to company owner and the principles behind MJP’s growth.
Hamburg is a licensed journeyman plumber with more than 25 years in the trade. He started at age 20 on high-rise construction projects in downtown Chicago, then spent about a decade working directly with homeowners, where he learned that customer experience matters as much as the plumbing itself. In 2019 he founded MJP with a single van and a simple goal of booking one job per day. Today MJP is a team of licensed professionals serving residential and commercial customers across Northwest Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.
In the interview, Hamburg shares five lessons for founders and business leaders:
- Look at the business from the customer’s standpoint. Clear communication and education come first.
- Don’t grow too fast. Hiring ahead of demand can force painful decisions later.
- Know your numbers. Profit is far more than the job charge minus materials, and overhead rises as the company grows.
- Take care of your team. Loyalty has to be earned, and it runs both ways.
- Protect your reputation. It takes years to build and very little time to damage.
A quick spring plumbing check can help homeowners identify early warning signs (like slow drains, small leaks, or sump pump issues) before they turn into larger and more expensive repairs.
“Without a good reputation, you won’t have a good business,” said Hamburg.
He also discussed how MJP’s purpose has changed as the company has grown. What began as a way to provide for his family now includes responsibility for the employees and families who depend on the company. On the commercial side, MJP has built a niche in restaurant projects, working with national brands including Qdoba Mexican Eats, Scooters Coffee, and Dunkin’. Its residential service business, including water heater and faucet replacements, continues to grow.
Hamburg also called for more young people to consider careers in the skilled trades, citing strong demand for plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians.
Read the full interview: Jason Hamburg On The 5 Things You Need To Know To Create A Highly Successful Shopify Business, Authority Magazine
About MJP Chicagoland Plumbing
MJP Chicagoland Plumbing is a full-service plumbing company serving Northwest Chicago and its surrounding suburbs. Founded in 2019 by licensed journeyman plumber Jason Hamburg, MJP provides residential and commercial plumbing services built on quality workmanship and strong customer relationships. Learn more at mjpchicago.com.
About Authority Magazine
Authority Magazine is a Medium publication that runs in-depth interviews with leaders in business, pop culture, wellness, social impact, and tech. Its interviews aim to draw out stories that are both empowering and actionable.