From North Hollywood to Running a Trade Business
Some leaders start with a plan. Ignacio Duron started with the work.
He grew up in North Hollywood, where sports and family shaped his early mindset. Basketball and football taught him discipline. Showing up mattered. Effort mattered.
“If you missed practice, it showed right away,” Duron says. “Same thing at work. If you’re not prepared, the whole team feels it.”
That lesson stayed with him. It later became part of how he runs his company.
Today, Duron is the CEO of Most Valuable Plumber, a family-run business serving Los Angeles County. But before the title, he spent years learning the trade firsthand.
How Ignacio Duron Learned the Plumbing Trade
Why Hands-On Experience Came First
Duron began his career working directly in plumbing. No shortcuts. No management role at the start.
He handled repairs, installations, and emergency calls. Each job required focus and problem-solving.
“I remember opening a wall thinking it was a simple leak,” he says. “It turned into a full pipe replacement because the damage had spread. That changes everything on the spot.”
Moments like that shaped his thinking. Plans can change quickly. Conditions are not always clear.
That experience gave him a realistic view of the work.
“You can’t lead a job if you don’t understand what’s happening on it,” he says.
Starting Most Valuable Plumber With Family
Building a Business Step by Step
Duron co-founded Most Valuable Plumber with his siblings and brother-in-law. The company started small.
They handled everything themselves. Calls, scheduling, repairs.
“At the beginning, we were doing every part of the job,” he says. “You see where things slow down and where mistakes happen.”
There was no fast growth strategy. The focus was simple. Do the work right.
Customers began to call back. Referrals increased.
“If someone calls you again, it means they trust the work,” Duron says.
The company expanded across Los Angeles County, including Santa Monica and Beverly Hills.
How the Business Operates Today
Duron now oversees operations as CEO. He manages crews, schedules, and service quality.
But he stays close to the field.
“If a job runs into a problem, I want to understand it myself,” he says. “That’s how you fix the system, not just the issue.”
This approach keeps decisions practical. It also improves communication between leadership and technicians.
He also focuses on hiring carefully.
“We made mistakes early by hiring too fast,” he says. “Some people had skills but didn’t work well with the team.”
That changed his approach.
“Now I look for reliability first. Skills can be trained.”
Education and Business Growth
Why Learning Continued Alongside Work
While running the company, Duron continued his education. He earned an associate’s degree in Business Administration and Economics.
He is now pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Business Law at Arizona State University.
Education supports his decision-making.
“The field shows you what happens,” he says. “School helps you understand why it happens.”
This helps with contracts, planning, and long-term growth.
Why Skilled Trades Still Matter
Duron believes the skilled trades are often overlooked.
“People don’t think about plumbing until something breaks,” he says. “But it’s always working in the background.”
Demand for trade workers continues to grow. Infrastructure is aging. Systems need maintenance.
Duron sees this as a long-term need.
“There’s always going to be a need for people who understand how things work,” he says.
Coaching Youth Sports and Leadership
How Coaching Connects to Business
Outside of work, Duron coaches youth football, flag football, and basketball. He coaches his sons and other kids in the community.
Coaching reinforces his leadership approach.
“You can’t rush development,” he says. “You show them, you repeat it, and they improve over time.”
He sees the same pattern in business.
“Teams work the same way. You need patience and clear direction.”
Lessons From the Journey
Duron’s career did not grow from one big idea. It grew from small decisions made consistently.
Learning the trade. Building trust. Improving systems.
“Most progress comes from doing the basics well every day,” he says.
From North Hollywood to running a growing business, each step built on the last.
His leadership reflects that path. Practical. Steady. Grounded in real work.
In an industry where results matter, that approach continues to stand out.
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