From small beginnings to big impact: J&R Mechanical named Tea Chamber Business of the Year

After nearly a decade of Service with the Tea Chamber, Josh Chapman of J&R Mechanical was recognized as Business of the Year.

Josh Chapman got his first taste of the trade life through his father, a local plumber in Mitchell. 

“My dad had a plumbing and heating business that he wanted my brothers and I to be as passionate about it as he was,” Chapman recalled. 

Fighting fate alongside his brothers, Chapman thought life was going to take him in a different direction. 

“My brothers and I didn’t want anything to do with this kind of work, we thought we were destined to be professional football players. Turns out, I only made it to 5’9’’ and never even played high school football, so we all began to take my dad a little more seriously,” he joked.

One value Chapman learned from his father that he carries with him today is the motivation to see a project through. 

“I have inherited my father’s drive and I took that drive to create my own business, it started off slowly, but the determination I had on day one is still the determination I have today,” Chapman said.

Moving from Mitchell to Sioux Falls for more opportunities, Chapman made small steps towards owning his own business. 

“I started working for a company right when I moved to Sioux Falls and I made my way from there to the local Union 10. After a few years, I knew I had what it took to do this on my own, and J&R Mechanical was born,” he said

Beginning the business with a friend in 2008, Chapman became the sole owner in 2010. 

“Life happened and I ended up with the whole business and what started out as a couple guys in a truck has turned into a team of 35 who keep this operation running smoothly,” Chapman said.

Building his business off reputation alone has helped J&R Mechanical grow over the years. 

“People in the community have put their trust in me, especially when I was a no one, and because of that, I have been able to pay it forward, and do incredible work with the chamber,” he said.

A member since its inception in 2016, Chapman and the Chamber share the same values of giving back to the community they serve.

“Being a member of the Chamber is great because the Chamber works so hard to attract young families. Are you wondering where all the people who once cared in the world went? I can tell you; they all moved to Tea because of everything we have going on,” Chapman said.

Not only does J&R Mechanical bring local jobs to the area, but they also give back to those in need. 

“We are very quiet givers and we always will be, but when we give back, we give back big and with our whole hearts. We are known for making sandwiches for school kids in need. We have quietly paid off the school lunch debts for the whole school three times and Sioux Falls as well,” he said.

In a recent giveaway, a local family was facing a hardship, and the team could not watch them struggle alone. 

“A young family from the area was in desperate need of a furnace. We were able to find each other through members in the community and get to work on the problem right away. The whole office just lights up when they know this is happening and it brings a sense of pride to our work all around. While we were there, we noticed they had no air conditioning too, so we are going to work things out with them to see if we can’t help get that fixed while we are there too,” Chapman said.

For all these reasons and more, J&R Mechanical was named Business of the Year at the Chamber Banquet on Dec. 19, pictured at right. 

“I wasn’t aware I was even nominated for the award and couldn’t believe what was happening in front of my eyes when they called my name. I was absolutely floored when they started talking about J&R Mechanical and all the nice things they had to say about us,” he recalled. 

As J&R Mechanical continues to serve the community, Chapman is committed to sharing Tea’s spirit and generosity. 

“There aren’t a lot of people who are from Tea, we all came here about 20 years ago and it’s our home now. It’s a special place because it is a true melting pot and everyone is always welcome,” Chapman said.