Michael Elmore, a Harrisburg native, Central Cabarrus High School graduate, and owner of Zocam Plumbing, never imagined he would be where he is today. In March of 2005, with big dreams and high hopes, Zocam Plumbing opened its doors in the business center directly across the street from Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Starting with a small client base developed from friends and family, a year later he is kept busy working for several large residential developers in the region. Somehow, he still finds time for service calls, warranty work and continued requests to move into the commercial sector.

So how did it all start? Elmore studied inLondon, England where he enrolled in The London School for Boys, intent on pursuing a career in medicine. After several months, although still intrigued with medicine, his focus began to shift as he discovered he wanted a profession that was more "hands-on." A member of several sports teams growing up, he could not resist the temptation of being outdoors, and began to think of ways to combine the two.

He came back home to Harrisburg and initially did odd jobs that allowed him to work with his hands and see the instant gratification that comes when a job is complete. While trying to figure out his plan for the future, he took a job at a local plumbing company, as a way to support himself and learn a new trade. Never dreaming it would lead not only to a full-time job, but alsothe start of a new business venture. He successfully completed the rigorous Plumbing Contractor course work and was awarded his license in March 2005.

He gives much of the credit for his initial success to his wife, Shannon Wright Elmore, owner of the graphic design firm Whirlwind Designs Inc. He admits, that while he knows the plumbing business, his marketing skills could use some help. With Michael's direction, she created his famous “Superman-Zocam” logo and produced his first direct mail piece which was sent to developers in Cabarrus County and the rest, as they say “is history.”

Elmore is involved in every aspect of running his company.He stays with each project from the bidding, to the pipe laying, to the installation of fixtures, to finally seeing that first drip out of a faucet, or hearing the sound of the flush of a commode. As the operation continues to grow, he knows that someday he may not be able to be on every job from start to finish, but his number one priority is customer satisfaction. To keep true to that objective, he vows to always devote as much time as possible to all of his clients whether big or small, because, after all, everyone knows “a good plumber is hard to find,” and sometimes even harder to keep!