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Joey McDaniel: Making it Count

By Caitlyn Stair, Diamond Certified Research Reporter

Joey McDaniel believes a meaningful life isn’t measured by how long it lasts, but by what you put into the time you’re given. It’s a perspective shaped by family and loss, and today, it influences everything from how he approaches his work to how he spends his time outside of it.

Joey’s connection to the plumbing industry began with his father, who has worked in the trade for more than 25 years. Starting in his early teenage years, Joey occasionally tagged along with him during the summer and helped with manual labor. Ironically, his father initially hoped the experience would steer him away from the trade. “He was like, ‘You don’t want to do this for the rest of your life [because] it’s really difficult,’” he laughs.

Years later, however, his father joined Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Sonoma County, and the experience completely changed his perspective. This time, he encouraged his son to give plumbing a try, and in 2013, Joey took the leap and joined the company himself.

Today, as general manager of Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Sonoma County, Joey finds satisfaction in helping people through situations they never expected to face. “A plumbing emergency can quickly turn into an overwhelming experience for a homeowner, so I know my responsibility goes beyond just fixing what’s broken,” he says. “I make sure our customers know we’re taking care of their problem, which they appreciate. It always comes down to communication.”

Family is also a big part of Joey’s life at Mr. Rooter—his wife, Saunda, owns the company, while his stepdaughter, Grace, works as its marketing manager. “Everybody in my family has been heavily involved with the company, so it’s pretty neat being part of it,” he says.

A lifelong resident of Sonoma County, Joey spends most of his free time doing outdoor activities like skiing, cycling and riding motorcycles. “My dad rides dirt bikes as well, so we like to go trail riding together,” he adds. “Anything on two wheels brings me a lot of joy.”

In terms of a guiding philosophy, Joey points to a life lesson that he learned as a young man. In high school, one of his closest friends lived with an underdeveloped left ventricle and was awaiting a heart transplant. Despite knowing that his life could be cut short, Joey remembers him as one of the happiest and most positive people he knew. His friend died from heart complications shortly after high school, but something he used to say stayed with Joey: “It’s not the amount of years in your life, it’s thes amount of life in your years.”

Decades later, Joey still carries those words with him. They serve as a reminder to stay connected to the people he loves, embrace new experiences and appreciate the time he has rather than simply counting it. “This whole thing is a short ride, so you have to make the most of it,” he offers.

Ask Me Anything!

Q: What’s your favorite kind of music?
A: I listen to a little bit of everything, but I gravitate toward country and blues. I really like Chris Stapleton and the Red Clay Strays.

Q: Would you rather be somewhere hot or somewhere cold?
A: Somewhere cold. You can always put on a jacket when it’s cold, but when it’s hot, there are only so many things you can do to cool yourself down.

Q: If you could immediately travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: I’d probably spend a lot of time in national forests where I could ride my dirt bike and visit some lakes.

Q: What’s your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?
A: My wife usually wants me to relax, but I’m not very good at that. I’d rather cruise around, grab some coffee, and find a cozy restaurant with an enclosed outdoor area and a fire.