Brett Philleo has run a plumbing wholesale business in Pewaukee for 12 years. His journey into the industry was unexpected. He originally studied firefighting and EMS, working as a paid on-call firefighter and IV tech for six years. It was through his father-in-law, who owned a plumbing company, that he found his way into plumbing wholesale, and has loved it ever since. The best part of the job is working with professional contractors. Brett claims to have the best customers!
In addition, he also runs Milwaukee Coffee Co., a small-batch coffee company he started in 2018. What began as a hobby has grown into a passion, primarily selling coffee beans online. It keeps Brett busy on nights and weekends, but it’s a fun venture for him.
Outside of work, Brett helps coach his son’s baseball team and enjoys coaching soccer as well. Staying involved in his kids’ activities is important, and he makes an effort to attend all of their sports events. He’s also active in his local church, Spring Creek, where he loves volunteering.
To stay balanced, he prioritizes working out, running, and reading. As a family, they love vacationing, with Sarasota, Hilton Head, and Disney being some of their favorite spots. Above all, he’s a family man, and his time with them is what is cherish most.
About Brett Philleo
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I’ve been married to my beautiful wife Abby for 13 years. We have two children—our daughter Piper, who’s 10 and plays soccer, and our son Gus, who’s 8 and stays busy with baseball, soccer, basketball, and wrestling. We live in Pewaukee and have a family dog named Bear.
Q: What do you love most about what you do?
What I love most about what I do, whether it’s in the plumbing wholesale business or with Milwaukee Coffee Co., is the relationships I get to build. In the plumbing industry, I enjoy working with contractors, helping them find the right solutions to keep their projects moving smoothly. With the coffee business, I get to connect with people in a different way, sharing a product I’m passionate about. In both roles, it’s all about building trust, supporting others, and constantly learning. The variety keeps me engaged, and the people I meet make it truly rewarding.
Q: What was the most difficult challenge in getting to where you are now or in your life?
I’d say time management, with a full schedule and being pulled in many different directions every day whether that work or family related. It’s been crucial for me to protect my time for what matters most and just stay consistent everyday.
Q: What is the most rewarding part?
The most rewarding part for me is knowing that I can make a positive impact on others. Whether it’s helping people accomplish their goals or providing something that brings value to their day, it’s incredibly fulfilling to be a part of their success. Seeing the results of my hard work and knowing it makes a difference is what keeps me motivated. It’s all about building connections, supporting others, and feeling like I’m contributing to something meaningful.
Q: What advice would you give to someone interested in doing something similar to what you have done/are doing?
Do something you actually enjoy doing, that will keep you engaged when times get tough. Surround yourself with people you aspire to be like, and give more than you take.
Brett Philleo & Our Community
Q: What is your favorite thing about our community, favorite thing to do, or something unique about our community that you love? (Feel free to share as much as you’d like!)
I love walking to the beach with my family and spending time on the lake.
Q: Do you have a favorite coffee shop, cocktail shop, or restaurant?
Artisan 179 is always a 10 out of 10 experience, so many great options on the menu but I always seem to get the smash burger. Brothers Two Café has the best croissant breakfast sandwiches around.
Q: What 3 words would you use to describe our community?
Engaged, caring, lively.
For Fun
Q: What is your favorite book, TV show, movie, poem, or song? Why?
My favorite book is the Bible. I try my best to read it everyday as my faith is a huge part of life. My favorite TV show is King of Queens, good clean family humor at its best.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My wife and children inspire and motivate me every day!
Q: If you were a drink (can be a coffee drink, alcoholic, non-alcoholic, etc.), what would you be?
I’ll say a double shot of espresso.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Alaskan cruise with my family.
Q: What makes you the happiest?
Spending quality time with my family, seeing my children laugh and have fun is at the top of the list.
Q: Any general life advice you would like to share?
Time is our greatest asset, slow down and be present.
Where to Find Brett Philleo
Nice To Meet You:
I believe in positively impacting my clients and the community I live in, which is why I jumped at the chance to be an ambassador with “The Faces of Lake Country”. It’s a perfect blend of why I enjoy being a Realtor with Shorewest, Realtors, and everything I love about living in Lake Country.
I truly enjoy being a part of this community and helping others along the way. Prior to real estate, I was an Office Supervisor for the City of Waukesha Park & Recreation Department. During this time, I had the opportunity to work with many business owners and serve the general public. It was there that I realized that it really does take a village to make a community great and each and every one of us plays an important role.
Read More
