A dream worth building

Built on a dream (literally), a passion for quality materials, and a solid foundation of resilience, Hydra Plumbing Supplies is the definition of a handcrafted success story.

“After the Christchurch earthquakes, everything was wrecked. The house, the business, everything,” recalls Phyllis. “But I woke up in the middle of the night from a dream and said to Michael, ‘We’ve got to make shower roses.’ That’s how we’re going to survive.” Michael, a creative and craftsman by trade, didn’t argue.

“We’ve always listened to our intuition,” he says. So, from the ashes of their vintage hardware business, they began making solid copper shower roses (commonly called shower heads) – and Hydra Plumbing Supplies was born.

Their backgrounds in restoration and antique fittings gave them a deep respect for quality materials. “We used a 70-year-old shower rose as our benchmark,” says Michael. “If we could build something that would last that long, we’d be doing something good.”

 

Crafting a niche in a mass-produced world

Hydra Plumbing doesn’t do your standard plumbing supplies. “We don’t come out and fix boilers,” laughs Michael. “We supply solid copper and brass fittings. They’re built to last, designed to age beautifully, and made to order.”

Their showers, taps and fittings are now loved by island resorts, architects, designers and homeowners looking for something unique. “If the merchants run out of options, they say, ‘Go talk to Michael.’ We custom build to fit exactly what the customer wants,” he explains.

Even their competitors have taken notice. Hydra Plumbing supplies shower roses to other businesses across Australia. And while the price point is premium, it’s still accessible compared to others in the market. “We’re up against companies charging $5,000 for a shower – ours are from $1,200. Still handmade, still solid copper and brass, but much more affordable.”

Powered by passion – and Prospa

Like many seasonal or specialist businesses, Hydra experiences ebbs and flows in cash flow. That’s where Prospa stepped in. “We heard about Prospa through a financial adviser,” says Phyllis. “We’d just come out of COVID and didn’t want to go down the traditional route again. We needed something more flexible.”

They took out a Prospa Business Line of Credit – and it changed everything. “We use it to meet our minimum order quantities with our tapware manufacturer,” Phyllis explains. “When COVID hit, those MOQs (minimum order quantities) skyrocketed. We had to go from ordering 500 pieces to 1,000. That put huge pressure on cash flow.”

The Line of Credit meant they could confidently place large orders, keep their supply chain secure, and repay the line automatically. “I love that Prospa just handles the repayments,” Phyllis says. “It means it’s always getting paid off, and it’s there for the next time we need it.”

Michael agrees. “It gives us freedom. Freedom to bring in what we need, when we need it. That’s getting harder to do out of cash flow alone.”

Building dreams, one tap at a time

Despite being a two-person team, Hydra Plumbing does it all – manufacturing, retail, and wholesale. “We couldn’t survive doing just one,” Michael explains. “We’re niche. We need that full mix.”

And while much of the day to day of the business is about fulfilling orders for beautiful showers and fittings, Phyllis says it’s more than that – it’s about fulfilling customers’ visions. “People send us these incredible photos of what they’ve created,” says Phyllis. “They’re so proud. It’s that wish-fulfilling dream for them. That’s the buzz really.”

Even after 40 years of working together and being married, the couple say they still find joy in the journey. “We’re communicators. We talk through everything, and we’ve always been focused on the same outcome,” Michael says.

What experience has taught them

With so many years of business between them, Michael and Phyllis have weathered more than their fair share of challenges. So, do they have any advice for other small business owners? “Stick to what you know and stick to what is authentically you. That’s where your success will come,” says Phyllis.

“And listen to your customers,” adds Michael. “They are the ones who are going to explain what they would like. And if you just give them lip service, then you’re not going to get the long-term return.”

At the end of the day, for Michael and Phyllis, staying true to their craft, listening to their customers, and rolling with the punches, has been the key to building a business they’re proud of – and now they’re reaping the rewards.