My Biz: CEO optimistic about future of family business

By Rbecca Groff, correspondent

The plumbing and remodeling business runs in Heidi Karrs genes.

As a high school sophomore, Karr earned $20 a week cleaning the showroom of Affordable Plumbing and Remodeling, the business her father, Don Karr, started in 1988.

When the 2008 flood hit, the business moved into her sister Tamaras basement until their showroom was rebuilt. The business reopened in December 2008, with Heidi and Tamara taking over operations from their father.

Dad wanted to be involved in flood recovery instead, Heidi explained.

Karr, a proud west-sider, graduated from Jefferson High School before attending Kirkwood Community College, where she earned a degree in interior design.

I did my internship for Kirkwood here at our business, she said. I didnt think I would go into my dads business.

I always thought Id be picking out curtains and helping people decorate their living rooms, but it turned out I really wasnt into that at all.

Karr discovered she had a knack for drafting and working with scaled measurements. When Tamara left the company in 2012, Heidi became CEO and continued rebuilding the business along with three full-time employees including her brother, Donnie, who serves as master plumber.

Heidi Karrs duties include figuring bids and estimates, handling all project management, ordering supplies for her work crew and overseeing payroll and taxes.

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My Biz: CEO optimistic about future of family business