This episode of the Power Women of the Trades podcast features Paige Knowles ("All Trades Paige"), a young HVAC technician, author, and advocate dedicated to promoting trade careers.

Paige shares her unique path into the industry, starting as a straight-A student who chose a high school plumbing program, where a supportive instructor became a crucial mentor. She dives into how she successfully balances her career as a commercial HVAC technician with her primary mission as an advocate. Hear how she leveraged her skills to author and illustrate her own children books (like Let’s Replace a Showerhead) to introduce basic home skills and career awareness to children early.

Are you ready to support the next generation of tradeswomen and men? Listen now to hear Paige's full story, to learn more about her books and advocacy work. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode to help spread the word about the incredible opportunities waiting in the trades!

Interested in purchasing any of Paige's books? Check the links below!

1) https://www.amazon.com/Plumber-Paige-Snake-Drain-Bathroom/dp/B0CP41QXK3/ref=pd_bxgy_d_sccl_1/130-6725520-6356810?pd_rd_w=iHRGy&content-id=amzn1.sym.dcf559c6-d374-405e-a13e-133e852d81e1&pf_rd_p=dcf559c6-d374-405e-a13e-133e852d81e1&pf_rd_r=T4CXE0NG4AVRTZ59XWZR&pd_rd_wg=n8MAB&pd_rd_r=3937627a-0969-42c2-8103-e9680913fc13&pd_rd_i=B0CP41QXK3&psc=1

2)https://www.amazon.com/Plumber-Paige-Running-toilet-Bathroom/dp/B0B7QDFV12/ref=pd_bxgy_d_sccl_1/130-6725520-6356810?pd_rd_w=ypYuo&content-id=amzn1.sym.dcf559c6-d374-405e-a13e-133e852d81e1&pf_rd_p=dcf559c6-d374-405e-a13e-133e852d81e1&pf_rd_r=JPYMW6RSECBX7G9R2MYZ&pd_rd_wg=ZR4ou&pd_rd_r=a85ef599-8e08-4142-a422-002b5685e96e&pd_rd_i=B0B7QDFV12&psc=1

3) https://www.amazon.com/Plumber-Paige-Lets-Replace-Shower/dp/B09BYDSSZJ/ref=pd_bxgy_d_sccl_2/130-6725520-6356810?pd_rd_w=OjV0K&content-id=amzn1.sym.dcf559c6-d374-405e-a13e-133e852d81e1&pf_rd_p=dcf559c6-d374-405e-a13e-133e852d81e1&pf_rd_r=EKGX0AMW2WCPV5GNGAA9&pd_rd_wg=01OTC&pd_rd_r=63c3c400-fa8c-4af6-898e-dc50ff3532ab&pd_rd_i=B09BYDSSZJ&psc=1

In this episode of Power Women of the Trades, hosts Cassie and Heather sit down with Robin Cody, the Director of Marketing and HR for Cody and Sons Plumbing, Heating and Air in Dallas, Texas. Robin shares her unique journey, from joining the family business 11 years ago to helping it grow from 5 to 40 employees. She discusses the challenges of wearing multiple hats and the value of professional networks like the Torch Network for getting honest advice on new software and products. The conversation gets real about the current economic climate. Robin and the hosts agree that this year has been "weird" and challenging for the industry. They discuss how companies must pivot their marketing strategies, moving away from a steady flow of business to more old-school methods like trade shows and lead generation services to keep the board full. Robin also highlights the vital support she's found in women's groups like the Women in HVACR and the Lady Titans, emphasizing the importance of community in the trades. Tune in to hear how one company is navigating market changes with smart marketing and a focus on community.

In this episode of Power Women of the Trades, hosts Cassie and Heather talk with Jean Florea, founder of WorkHers United. Jean shares her unique journey from a teacher to an electrical

company owner, and how she's now dedicated to empowering women in the trades.

She highlights the surprising pay equality in the industry and discusses her mission to change the narrative around trade careers. The conversation touches on her "Pink Is Not a Punishment" campaign and the importance of recruiting the next generation of female workers. This episode is a powerful look at breaking barriers and building a more inclusive future in the trades.

In this episode of Power Women of the Trades, hosts Cassie and Heather chat with Katie Biddle of Call Dad. Katie shares her incredible journey from dropping out of college to becoming the Head of Marketing for a fast-growing HVAC company. The conversation dives into the unique challenges of scaling a business in the trades, including the struggle to delegate and the importance of a diverse marketing strategy. Katie provides an inside look at Dad University, her company's rigorous apprenticeship program, and how a focus on customer experience shapes their entire operation. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in leadership, growth, and building a strong brand in the trade industry.

In this second part, Cassie and Heather continue their conversation with entrepreneur Ismael Valdez. Valdez, who previously sold his company, shares his journey of launching his new smart thermostat company, Nuve. He discusses the initial challenges he faced and his commitment to listening to customer feedback to perfect his product. The discussion highlights Nuve’s core mission: empowering home service contractors. Valdez explains how the custom-branded thermostat and its app give contractors a direct line to customers, reducing their reliance on expensive marketing platforms. He also reveals upcoming features, including a ServiceTitan integration. The episode concludes with a passionate call for integrity within the industry, emphasizing the importance of genuine support and sharing knowledge to help fellow contractors succeed.

Don't miss out on this insightful conversation. Tune in now to hear the rest of Ismael’s story and learn how you can empower your own business.

This episode features a conversation with Ismael Valdez, a successful entrepreneur and founder of NuveHome. He shares his journey from working behind a supply counter to founding his own businesses. The discussion centers on the crucial role of marketing and recruiting for business growth. Ismael argues that for the first few years, a founder's most important jobs are to act as a Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) to get the phones ringing and an HR Manager to attract talent. The episode concludes with advice to study and learn from competitors, as all successful businesses are doing something right, particularly in marketing. Tune in next week for Part 2 of our conversation with Ismael to hear more about his journey!

In this episode of Power Women of the Trades podcast hosts Cassie and Heather are joined by Brianna McAdory Ford, a rising star in the HVAC industry. Brianna shares her journey from dropping out of college to pursue a career in the trades to her current endeavor of launching her own company, All In Heating and Air. Brianna discusses how she got into the industry by chance, starting as a CSR at a small company and helping it grow exponentially. She also reflects on the challenges and advantages of being a woman in the trades, emphasizing the importance of proving her capabilities through action rather than words. The conversation also touches on the problem of unethical gurus in the trades, who prioritize profit over people, and highlights the value of building a strong personal brand and giving back to the community.
Tune in to hear more about Brianna's inspiring journey and her mission to bring integrity back to the trades.

In this episode, Cassie and Heather continue their conversation with Mia Erichson of Wizard of Ads Marketing, delving deeper into the effectiveness of brand-focused marketing. They discuss how mass media, particularly radio, remains a powerful tool for reaching homeowners and building brand recognition, even if the hosts themselves don't listen to it regularly. They share anecdotes of customers who, despite disliking their commercials, had memorized them and were influenced by them, proving the effectiveness of creating a memorable and emotionally connected brand.

Mia explains that "advertising is the tax you pay for not being remarkable," and that a strong, unique brand story, even if it's disliked by some, generates invaluable emotional engagement. She details how she uses her background in psychology and screenwriting to help owners uncover their authentic brand story, which is based on their genuine beliefs and personal characteristics, and cannot be replicated by competitors. The conversation concludes with a heartfelt discussion on the importance of being open to continuous learning, and how the hosts, as women in a male-dominated industry, have pushed themselves outside their comfort zones to share their experiences and empower others.