For a classic American business success story, look no further than Valley Plumbing, Heating & Cooling in Mesilla, New Mexico.
The late Raul Peña, who came from a family of farm laborers, founded the company back in 1963. He was equipped with little more than utilities experience gleaned from a stint in the U.S. Army (which included serving in the Korean War), a mechanical contractor’s license, basic tools and a boundless work ethic.
Peña also had a steadfast partner — his wife, Beatrice, whom he married in 1953 — as well as a strong desire to ply a trade instead of farming.
Nearly
