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.
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Key Takeaways
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Understand why restoration is about restoring people before repairing property
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Learn how action and momentum matter more than perfect planning in entrepreneurship
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See why plumbing is the leading cause of water damage in multifamily properties
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Recognize the importance of proactive vendor relationships for property managers
Topics
From Blue-Collar Roots to Entrepreneurship
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Grew up with a plumber father but pursued a different path early on
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Spent 14 years helping scale a plumbing wholesale business
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Hit a ceiling and chose to leave to build something of his own
Becoming a “Visionary With No Vision”
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Entered entrepreneurship without a clear end goal
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Learned by taking action rather than over-planning
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Emphasized momentum, adaptability, and execution
What Restoration Really Means
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Restoration addresses sudden, accidental property damage
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Common causes include water, fire, smoke, and mold
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Mitigation focuses on reducing damage before it spreads
Restoring the Person First
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Homeowners are often panicked and overwhelmed during a loss
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Effective restoration starts with empathy and trust
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The goal is to restore peace of mind before rebuilding property
Multifamily Complexity and Stakeholder Management
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Multifamily losses involve tenants, owners, and property managers
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Conflicting priorities create tension during emergencies
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Restoration providers must balance empathy with business realities
Why Proactivity Matters in Multifamily
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Plumbing failures are the leading cause of water damage
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Preventative maintenance reduces catastrophic losses
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Strong vendor relationships help property managers respond faster
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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
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Check out Phil’s company, BoomZeal
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Evaluate emergency preparedness plans for your multifamily properties
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Build proactive relationships with restoration and plumbing partners
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Review preventative maintenance strategies to reduce water damage risk
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Prioritize empathy and communication during tenant emergencies
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