THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 19, 1996 TAG: 9607170100
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
SOURCE: Rebecca Myers Cutchins
LENGTH: 72 lines
If the sight of your bathtub makes Comet cringe and Dow's scrubbing bubbles run the other way, Kenny Campbell can help.
Campbell is the owner of Campbell's Tub Repair, and for a fraction of the cost of a new tub, he gives existing tubs a face lift.
``Instead of the expense of replacing the tub, a restructured bottom can be laid into it,'' he explained.
Campbell, 35, started his business 14 years ago with only $54 worth of materials. Today, he has seven trucks on the road, 13 employees and has expanded into selling whirlpools and plumbing supplies.
The business originally started out as a contractor's company to fix chips in bathtubs and sinks that happen during construction mishaps, Campbell said. In addition to bathroom repairs, the company also works on hot tubs, and services spa packs and filtration systems.
Prior to starting his own company, Campbell worked for a local plumbing wholesaler. He is a 1979 graduate of Cradock High.
The father of three boys - 14, 8 and 4 - Campbell says he and his wife, Lisa, ``live at the (Western Branch baseball) park,'' when they're not at work.
Lisa serves as Campbell's vice president, running ``Hot & Cold,'' the plumbing supply side of the Airline Boulevard business. Prior to joining the family business about four years ago, Lisa worked as an auditor with Signet Bank for 11 years.
If the couple didn't have to work for a living, they know exactly where they would be.
``Playing golf somewhere where it stays warm,'' Campbell said. ``And where my wife can lie on the beach all day!''
Name: Kenneth R. Campbell.
Nickname: Ken.
Neighborhood: Grew up in Cradock.
Number of years in Portsmouth: 35.
Birthplace: Portsmouth.
Birthdate: July 27, 1960.
Occupation: President, Campbell's Tub Repair/Hot & Cold Plumbing Supplies.
What other job than your own would you like? Federal law enforcement.
Marital status: Married 12 years.
Children: Bubba, 14; Chase, 8; and Taylor, 4.
Fondest childhood memory: My first baseball glove.
First concert: Eagles, 1981, Norfolk.
If you won the lottery, what's the very first thing you would buy? A showroom office building.
If you could trade places for just one day with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? Golfer Greg Norman, so I could experience the thrill of playing in the Masters.
Biggest accomplishment: Successfully building a small business from the start without any backers or working capital.
Most embarrassing moment: Asking F.M. Jones permission to marry his daughter.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? More patience.
Perfect way to spend the day: Playing golf.
I can't resist: Fried chicken.
Favorite Portsmouth restaurant: Moseberth's for lunch.
Favorite Portsmouth hangout: City Park Golf Course or Bide-A-Wee Golf Course.
Biggest problem facing Portsmouth: Lack of business development.
If you had three wishes for Portsmouth, what would they be?
Reduce the percentage of unemployed/welfare population.
Attract large manufacturing business for revenues.
To effectively utilize Portsmouth waterfront. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARK MITCHELL by CNB