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SIX LAKES, MI — You don’t want to hear the words “sepsis” and “surprise” in the same sentence. But somehow his two small businesses in West Michigan proved that wrong.
Tony Pant, owner of Six Lakes Septic, said: “The first rule is don’t have anything dripping on your head. So master that and you’re good to go.” .
The grueling dirty work is treated like a secret.
“Originally, grandpa and dad just pumped septic tanks, but we expanded that into a portable toilet business and continue to branch out into different directions,” he said.
However, Tony is trying to uncover the truth.
“I can’t tell you how many weekends and stuff we sacrifice to build a business. We’re really passionate about it,” he said, his voice breaking.
Tony stands where his father and his father’s father used to be. Except now it’s on rubble.
“Someone once said it takes one generation to start a company, another generation to get it off the ground, and then three generations to completely burn it down,” Tony said.
“It was something of a joke at the time, but it was certainly painfully accurate.”
The best day of a father’s life turns into the worst.
“It was my twins’ birthday,” Tony said. “They turned 16 that morning.” “I got a call. I think it was about 5:30 in the morning. The building was on fire.”
When Tony pulled up on the drive to his office, all he saw was orange.
“My parents’ house is around the corner, so they came over,” he said. “For about three generations, we watched everything go up in flames.”
It used to belong to Tony’s family, but now the business is empty.
“We just got a new truck that wasn’t even licensed. It was like my pride and joy, and it’s gone,” he said.
Tony said he walked around in a daze for several days after the fire. He wondered what would happen next.
Many people may never understand that feeling, but
Allie Plummer said, “I can’t imagine. There’s mouths to feed. It’s been a tough winter just for this industry.”
Allie and her husband John own Plummer’s Septic and Sewer in Wyoming. Plummer’s is a company that has been passed down from John’s grandfather to his father and then to John. They were both happy to take over.
To Tony, Allie and John are strangers and competitors. But they soon turned further.
“We’re business partners, but we’re married. So you were scrolling through your phone at night? Check out the day’s news. I found it on the Grand Rapids Scanner page. And John said, “Hey, what do you think about this?” And I said, “Yeah, that’s easy,” Allie said.
“John and Allie messaged me and said they had a truck and wanted me to hold it for a month until they were up and running,” Tony said.
Amidst the ashes of the land that was once Tony’s livelihood, something gleams and stands brand new.
This is a brand new truck with the Plummers logo on the side.
“In most industries, you don’t expect your competitors to step up and help you,” Tony says. “I see, that’s a big deal.”
The emotional tank that was once empty is now full.
“I cried the most I’ve ever cried this past week because of all the kindness people have shown me,” Tony said.
“We’re just two people trying to do the right thing,” Allie and John laughed.
The trio strengthened their new bond over fire.
“That’s definitely a ray of hope, that’s for sure,” Tony smiled.
Tony wants to rebuild his family business, and the small community of Six Lakes is helping. You can donate to Six Lakes Setic here on his GoFundMe.
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