By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
Knoxfield’s own ‘Lexity Plumbing and Electrical’ has been honored with the prestigious ‘Young Small Business Champion Entrepreneur’ title at the Australian Business Champion Awards 2025. This annual event celebrates Australia’s top small businesses, acknowledging excellence across various sectors such as retail, hospitality, services, and manufacturing.
Kieran O’Brien, the owner and director of Lexity Plumbing and Electrical, expressed his immense pride in receiving this recognition.
“Personally, it’s a great pat on the back for years of hard work,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Professionally, it’s a recognition of our team’s efforts and what we’ve been able to achieve together for our community.”
When COVID-19 hit, Mr O’Brien’s business partner decided it was best to leave Victoria and move interstate, as a result, Mr O’Brien bought out his partner’s share of Lexity Plumbing and Electrical, they had co-founded in 2017.
Despite the adversity, his leadership and determination ensured the business not only survived but grew.
“There’s no easy day being a business owner, but overcoming these challenges has made me a better leader and helped us build an amazing team,” he said.
He praised Lexity’s strong community presence and its continuous drive for innovation as key factors that set it apart from competitors in the industry.
“We’ve been finalists for these awards for five years in a row, we’re always looking for new technology and ways to improve, not just for our business, but for the entire industry,” he said.
The moment Mr O’Brien’s name was called out as the winner at the National Gala Presentation Evening in Sydney was one of pure joy and pride.
“I wasn’t expecting it. It was overwhelming,” he said.
“Having my brother, who’s one of our electricians there with me made it even more special. My business mentor was also at the table, which made the win feel even more rewarding.”
Mr O’Brien believes his success comes down to a mix of leadership qualities, such as empathy, humility, and a clear vision.
“We wouldn’t be where we are today without my team,” he said.
“Building strong connections with them and genuinely caring about both our team and clients is the heart of running a successful small business.”
Mr O’Brien also praised his parents’ legacy as small business owners for inspiring him to pursue his own entrepreneurial journey.
“My parents were small business owners, so growing up I saw how tough it could be – that inspired me to do it myself,” he said.
Looking to the future, the young entrepreneur’s vision for Lexity Plumbing and Electrical is to establish the company as a leader in home plumbing and electrical services across Australia.
“We just want to offer the best customer service and be known as the leaders in our space,” he said.
Mr O’Brien is confident that with their unwavering commitment to community, innovation, and leadership, he and his team at Lexity Plumbing and Electrical are poised to continue their success in the years to come.
