Kelly Ireland: 4th Generation Plumber + Owner of TPG Mechanical LLC
Episode #88: Welcome to the She Builds Show, I’m your host, Stefanie Olson and we have an incredible guest today, Kelly Ireland, a 4th generation plumber in Philadelphia and owner of TPG Mechanical LLC. Listen in as we talk about being the only woman in her class, her apprenticeship, working in both commercial and residential plumbing and finding balance as a business owner and a Mom.
ABOUT KELLY IRELAND:
Owner TPG Mechanical LLC
Mother of 2, 1 of 10, 4th generation plumber.
Started first 7 years in large-scale commercial plumbing with Philadelphia Plumbers Union Local 690 before getting a masters license and starting a residential service business in 2020.
Kicked off with the help of Covid, I worked to expand my plumbing knowledge and transfer my love of large-scale plumbing jobs towards the intimate journey of helping individuals and families keep their homes sanitary and flowing properly.
CONNECT WITH KELLY:
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075780617774
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tpgmechanical
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tinyplumbergirl
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-ireland-tpg
WAYS TO CONNECT WITH STEFANIE…
• Website: https://shebuildshomes.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shebuildsbetter
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shebuilds.homes
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/shebuildsshow
EPISODE TRANSCRIPT:
0:01 Welcome to the She Builds Show.
0:03 I’m your host, Stefanie Olson, a licensed general contractor who builds new construction, renovates and designs your vision today.
0:12 More than ever, we need raw, authentic women who are willing to rise above society’s norms, break those glass and encourage each other to boldly build the life we were meant to live.
0:24 So, honey, what are you building?
0:27 All right.
0:28 Welcome to the She Builds Show.
0:29 I have an incredible guest today.
0:31 Her name is Kelly Ireland and you are from Pennsylvania, right?
0:35 I am Philadelphia area, Pennsylvania.
0:38 Awesome, welcome to the show.
0:40 Thank you.
0:41 Thanks for having me.
0:42 I’m excited to be here, of course.
0:44 I know you by like your Instagram handle which is tiny plumber girl, right?
0:51 So you’re in the plumbing trade.
0:53 And I’m just like, so curious because I feel like plumbers are kind of like good plumbers or like unicorns.
1:01 Like they just don’t often and like quality plumbers and people who like do what they’re supposed to do.
1:08 And I’m always terrified of anything.
1:12 Like I sub out all my plumbing because I’m just like, I don’t want the liability of something leaking because like, I’ve had houses flood and I thought all things go wrong.
1:21 So how did you get into plumbing?
1:25 How did this come?
1:26 Really?
1:27 It just, I fell into it because I was sick of working in like the restaurant industry.
1:34 We were trying to get my kid’s father in.
1:37 So my father is a retired union plumber.
1:39 So naturally we would get the man to become a plumber if you’re looking for like good stability career for like the family.
1:48 And so that’s what we did.
1:50 And he loves the restaurant industry.
1:53 I hated the restaurant industry.
1:56 He skipped application process and I just went, I was like, well, if you’re not gonna do it, I’m just gonna do it.
2:03 Like I had quit nursing school.
2:06 I’m not going back to nursing school.
2:08 I knew I didn’t want to be a nurse.
2:10 And so I just did it on a whim and ended up loving it.
2:15 Like, really?
2:16 Yeah.
2:17 So, well, obviously you knew like, what your dad did.
2:19 But did you go tell me like a little bit about your journey?
2:22 Did you go to like an apprenticeship program or how did you get in?
2:26 Like, what is the rules there?
2:28 So I actually worked with my dad as like summer help at a mechanical contracting office.
2:35 And I like, copied the blueprints and did like office work.
2:39 And never, not once ever considered that I could like, be a plumber because I just never saw women do it, it wasn’t like that.
2:48 I can’t do it.
2:49 It just was that the visibility, it just wasn’t even an option.
2:53 Like I had considered going into military, which I had no desire to do the things I considered over plumbing.
3:01 It’s crazy.
3:02 But really, it was like a lack of visibility.
3:05 So I started my union apprenticeship in 2012.
3:11 I didn’t start working till 2013.
3:14 I was the last of my class to go out naturally being the only female.
3:18 Were you the only woman in your class?
3:20 Yeah.
3:20 So I was the first woman actually accepted and started my plumbing.
3:26 It, like, started a plumbing apprenticeship in almost like 10 years of the union.
3:32 Like the last female who went through the apprenticeship was 10 years in Holy moly.
3:39 Yeah.
3:39 So it’s not how many men were or just how many people were in that class.
3:45 I was just curious, curious.
3:47 So classes average like 15 to 20.
3:51 It really all depends, you know, who shows up, who passes the drug test?
3:55 Yada yada, the average who passes the drug test, right?
3:59 That’s only, that’s only a lot of people.
4:02 So I think our class started with 17 and I believe we graduated with 15 and I was the only female.
4:10 OK.
4:11 And so how long is the, how long was the class?
4:15 Like, how long does it take to get your apprenticeship done?
4:18 So, in Pennsylvania apprenticeship is 4 to 5 years.
4:23 The union does a full five years.
4:25 And basically we went, it was like the school year we would go every other week and we worked during school.
4:34 So that was nice.
4:35 And that’s the nice thing about apprenticeship is that like, it’s not just like dumping all this money into education without like hands on experience, you get that hands on experience.
4:46 So they start putting people out to work and it really depends on how work is in the city right now.
4:52 Work is starting to boom.
4:53 So they’re taking preapprove jobs before they actually start school.
5:02 Wow.
5:03 And that’s cool.
5:04 Unfortunately, for me, 2012 was not the case.
5:10 No, not the case.
5:11 It was severe unemployment at the time.
5:15 And so apprentices will go out fast, especially younger apprentices because we’re cheap labor.
5:21 But it took me, I guess I started school in September and I didn’t go out to work till January.
5:30 So I was the last one in my class to go out to the work.
5:36 You completed your five years with the union and 2017, 17.
5:45 So, yeah, in 2017, I graduated or, you know, journeyed out.
5:50 So I got my journey’s early before I actually finished my apprenticeship.
5:56 And that’s normal.
5:57 Like most people will test out a year early in my class was a little bit behind.
6:03 So we tested out like a few months early.
6:06 But I passed that.
6:07 I think it was March of 2017 and then we graduated August of 2017.
6:14 So, like going in, did you, like, you will love it?
6:19 I mean, obviously you’re still doing it today.
6:21 But was it, were you just like, yes, this is where I’m supposed to be or were you like, this sucks?
6:25 And it’s really hard and then committed and I’m still gonna do it and I’m gonna find a way like, what was the mindset during that time?
6:31 Because I’m sure it was not easy being obviously the only woman, the last person to be put out for.
6:37 What was the like overall experience like?
6:40 So overall with union work, it was like large commercial construction work.
6:46 So I’m talking like 17 stories up, 50 stories up and they just started giving me power tools and telling me to use them.
6:56 And I’m like, what is this?
6:59 Like, this is bigger than me and I get to like break stuff with it.
7:04 And that was super cool.
7:06 Like even menial things like, you know, everybody hates like, if you’re a plumber, you don’t want a core holes, you don’t want a fire caulk which is like, like penetrations through walls, you don’t want like, you don’t wanna do like organized fittings.
7:22 I mean, everything was so new to me.
7:25 I never really went like working with my dad in the field.
7:29 I did work in the office like summertime to help.
7:34 But that was the really cool thing was I just really was an open book open to anything.
7:41 So I was an open book.
7:44 Excited to learn.
7:45 I’m excited to do everything and I loved it.
7:49 I’ve really loved it.
7:50 My first foreman was like, keep that attitude because anything he told me to do I was like, ok, like which tool do I get to use?
7:58 Which, you know, what do I get to do?
8:00 And so that was fun.
8:02 I can’t say it was always easy.
8:05 They’re definitely, there were so many days where I just felt like the braid hanging out of my hard hat or ponytail was like, I could be in a group of like 50 guys and everyone’s on their cell phone.
8:18 And if I like check the time, it’s like she’s on her phone and I’m like, really, I’m like, well, they’re all playing Candy crush or like looking at porn or something crazy, you know, like, I mean, and seriously, and I was like, you know, I was an apprentice so I had to be on my phone to get break order.
8:38 People would call you because mechanics just like abuse the apprentice, you know, like go get my material, go do this because we have the cell phone, they’re texting you.
8:49 So all the time you’re on your cell phone, it doesn’t matter and turn it off and then you get troubled by your mechanic, like maybe with the foreman but or if the foreman can’t get in touch with you then he’s like, why didn’t you answer my call?
9:03 And it’s like, well, so it was really a tough thing to deal with and I came from food industry, which I mean, it was, like, really laid back in that, not that it maybe necessarily should have been.
9:20 But I just felt like always the breed.
9:23 I’m like, it’s the braid.
9:24 Like, it doesn’t matter.
9:25 I mean, maybe I wore a pink hoodie or something to stand out a little bit.
9:30 But I just felt like I was always a target.
9:33 It didn’t matter what I was doing one time I was carrying material down to a different gang box and I found out that the foreman thought I was stealing copper, like, and just so like, and people would tell me that like, oh, the foreman thinks you’re stealing copper then I feel like, so I’m nervous.
9:53 Yeah.
9:53 Just constantly trying to prove yourself.
9:55 Exactly.
9:56 And it happens with guys too.
9:58 Like I’m not saying guys, you know, if he’s out of his place or whatever, that’s like the rough life of being an apprentice.
10:04 Yeah.
10:04 I think it’s just like you’re the new person and we’re just gonna make your life.
10:08 What was like, one of the most positive things that you experienced during that time?
10:14 Really?
10:15 It was honestly overcoming people’s doubts.
10:19 So there was always like, I’d walk on a job.
10:23 I’d get the look right.
10:25 I call the foreman before I walk on the job and they’re like, who is coming?
10:30 Like, Kelly, a girl, like, and so coming to a job, like a new job.
10:37 My thing was always like, I’m just gonna show them.
10:40 I don’t even really have, have to work hard to show them because I loved what I was doing.
10:45 So it was easy to work hard.
10:47 But when I would watch someone who was skeptical of me and watch that, like, thought process change, that was always the most uplifting for me, especially like the old grumpy guys, the guys that everybody else was like, watch out for old man Pete or watch out for this guy, right?
11:06 And then next thing I know that’s my partner, right?
11:11 So pushing them out, kind of like once they get to know you and know that you’re a person, you’re not trying to like, move anybody out, you’re passionate about it and you want to learn and you want to work hard.
11:21 I feel like you can gain respect as long as you’re not disrespectful.
11:25 Yeah.
11:25 And that was what I found, especially like old man Pete is a real person for me.
11:32 And team did not let me use tools and he would not let me do things.
11:36 And I would, I’m like you were the old man, I’m the young body.
11:41 Your job is to teach me to move like you.
11:44 And I would always say that I’m like, I’m on your team, like give me the tool.
11:49 I’m on your team.
11:50 And when he finally like, he’s like, all right, kid.
11:54 Go do this.
11:55 All right kid.
11:55 He called and he actually called me little Miss.
11:57 He’d be like, little Miss, which I love.
12:00 Right.
12:01 So it was like, very, that was like when I got old man Pete to be like, my best bud people just couldn’t, they’re like, how, why, why do you like, I’m like, well, I work and I give him a break and he’s like, real, like, because he was a hard worker.
12:20 Right?
12:20 It was hard for him to give up that control.
12:23 But once he saw that, like, my dedication was there, I had the skill to do it.
12:27 I did it, well, I did it up to his standard.
12:31 Exactly.
12:32 And that was always my goal, like, is to make my partner feel like we’re a team as opposed to competition because I feel like building trades gets very comp like, playoffs.
12:46 Everybody is just cut throat and it’s like a man’s world.
12:50 Like, it’s like football without the ball.
12:52 Right.
12:53 Like, you know, like everybody’s fighting to be on the winning team even if you’re on the same team.
12:59 Right.
13:00 Right.
13:00 Right.
13:00 Yeah, we’re still enemies.
13:03 Ok.
13:03 So then tell me after you graduated and you got your driving license, what was like the next step after that?
13:10 Did you go, you know, continue working in the union?
13:13 Do you still work in the union?
13:14 What’s your path after that?
13:16 Like, working in the commercial construction, I worked for four contractors.
13:21 Total, two of them being larger contractors and one of them being like a really huge contractor.
13:29 Like, I was on like the highest, high rise, the biggest hospitals.
13:34 And so I did that up until 20 that right before the pandemic, I got laid off.
13:41 So I got laid off right before the pandemic, which was, you know, perfect time for a layoff because you’re not getting a job.
13:48 So the first thing I did when I realized like, and it was before the pandemic.
13:52 So I didn’t have that pandemic, fear of not getting a job at that point.
13:57 But I like was coming to the realization that like, I’m maybe not gonna get a job right away.
14:05 And so I went out and got my master’s license right away because I thought like the more certifications I have, the more appealing I’ll look problem is, is one contractor really only needs one master plumber.
14:19 And if they already have them, they’re not gonna pay for two master plumbers because you only need one person to pull all your permits.
14:26 I found that out fast because getting my master’s license didn’t get me jobs.
14:32 So I get my master’s license, then COVID does hit and I just like, I was already on unemployment.
14:39 So it was fine.
14:40 Went hiking with the kids made arts and crafts, did all that.
14:44 And then people start calling me for drain cleaning.
14:48 And so I bought myself a drain cleaner and just started drain cleaning and I would have, like, little miscellaneous calls just from, like, family friends.
14:57 So, you know, as a commercial plumber, I didn’t really know much about residential.
15:03 I mean, I was drink cleaning.
15:04 I mean, I might as well have been blindfolded.
15:06 I’ve really had no idea.
15:07 I’m like, oh, I got the, in the clog drain drains.
15:12 They call me a week later.
15:13 They’re like, oh, my drain’s clogged again.
15:15 And I’m like, oh, ok.
15:17 Well, what do I do?
15:18 Right.
15:19 So, so then, like I started diving into the Instagram community, sort of like to ask people like, what do I do next?
15:27 And that’s how it sort of developed, went from drain cleaning.
15:30 Then everybody needed a new faucet because their faucet was 10 years old and they went from using it three times a day to using it 50 times a day.
15:39 Thank you COVID, bro.
15:40 And it just really trickled from there.
15:43 So my COVID experience was not that of like the quarantine or, I mean, I had like a month where I was like hiking every day and then it was, how do I turn my jeep into a family car and a work car?
15:57 And how do I fit these tools in here?
15:59 And now my windshield smashed because I shoved a piece of pipe in there and it smashed the windshield.
16:05 Like I just went through and anybody starting on their own, like, they all deal with that.
16:09 I can’t tell you how many plumbers they’re like, I have that same crack in my windshield from the, and that was cool too because honestly, like, I wasn’t alone going into residential, like a lot of guys and guys who had been 20 years in the union, guys who, you know, had been master plumbers for a long time.
16:30 Like guys, I looked up to did the same thing all of a sudden they go into residential and they would actually, they’re like, how much do you charge for this job or what do you do for this?
16:40 And I’m like, I mean, and that was cool, like, because we built a community of people who are building their own business and, you know, some of it didn’t work out and for some people and for me, I locked out like, I’m, you know, I’ve had my own business since 2020.
17:00 Awesome.
17:01 Ok.
17:01 So you’re doing full time on your own, running your plumbing business.
17:06 What’s the name of it?
17:08 So it’s T P G mechanical, tiny plumber girl.
17:11 And that was always because I was like, I just want to leave the option that if I wanna go commercial or wanna go like T P G mechanical obviously sounds more professional in our industry, right?
17:24 Than tiny plumber girl.
17:25 And I was like, and who also if I start hiring guys or girls but like who wants to work for Tiny.
17:32 Like, I’m sorry, you know what I’m saying?
17:34 So I just like, abbreviate, it just like, you know, authors, female authors, abbreviate their first name just like, that’s what we do.
17:43 But yeah, so that’s what it’s so T P G mechanical.
17:47 And yeah, I definitely, like, I had a mentor who, and he reached out me at Instagram, which was awesome and basically told me I was like, well, I’ll just work for you because I had no, I did not want to start a business.
18:00 I’m not, I didn’t go to business school.
18:03 I have no idea how to manage books.
18:05 I have no idea how to manage.
18:07 And, I mean, you know, I’ve worked in offices but like, managing schedules, like, unorganized, you know, but he really, like, got me through all of that.
18:18 Like, I’m like, I can’t figure out which button to push and he’s like, it’s this one and then I’m like, ok, now that excuse is done.
18:26 So what’s my next excuse?
18:28 And he really just didn’t let me get, give those excuses of like, and really the excuse was my hesitation and self doubt.
18:36 And so, and fear and so he just got me over all those humps and real.
18:43 I mean, I always like, I certainly wouldn’t be as far along if it weren’t for him.
18:49 Absolutely.
18:50 I was actually just like, telling that to one of the designers that works for me.
18:55 Well, she has her own business but, you know, I hire her out for various drafting and interior design work and she’s getting to the point where she’s still busy, you know, not just with my work but other people’s work and she’s like, how did you learn all of this stuff?
19:08 You know, and I’m like, well, one books and the attitude of, like, wanting to learn and failing and wanting to figure out.
19:15But I go, the biggest thing that moves you ahead is a coach.
19:17 Like you have, like, you have to have somebody that pushes you to be accountable to things and to not just wallow in your own pity and quit.
19:28 Like, it’s because we want to put every, yeah, I’m like, you’re gonna have somebody that’s like, either, you know, sometimes they act as a therapist just to help you through your personal stuff and some back they just, like, get you through the business struggle that you’re having and what do you need to delegate?
19:46 And how do you need to set up this for that?
19:48 And I’m like, a coach is gonna be somebody that you’re accountable to.
19:51 And she was like, oh my gosh, I just never thought like, I needed that.
19:55 And I’m like, well, how are you gonna grow if you don’t have somebody constantly helping you with?
20:00 It was kind of like a little light bulb went off.
20:02 I’m like, you have to have help.
20:04 Yeah.
20:04 Right.
20:05 And I always tell people because I hear so many people say like, oh, I did every everything I’m like, honestly, like I’m not saying people don’t work like you have to work hard.
20:15 It doesn’t matter.
20:15 You could have 100 coaches, you could have a mom who takes care of your kids, which I was love to have like nobody does it alone.
20:23 Like we’re a communal society and even if it’s the person at Starbucks, who knows your order and has it ready so that you’re not late for your first appointment.
20:33 Like, what sh*t, like every piece, like, I’m like, it’s so important and that really is like, for me, what was important, I had him as like my business and also, like, I had no idea I would open walls and I’m like, oh, shit, I’m like, something’s leaking.
20:51 How do I fix it?
20:53 He, I came from commercial and it’s like if you have water in the line, you’re like, I guess I can’t saw her today.
21:00 Not really, but like I’m just saying, like, you didn’t deal with, like, opening a wall and trying to fix a mess.
21:07 Yeah, exactly.
21:09 From scratch.
21:09 It was always new.
21:10 Yeah.
21:12 And it wasn’t always easy and I’m sure like, I did some renovation and I was like, that was like a different piece.
21:19 But resident, everybody’s plumbing is different.
21:23 Like, commercial.
21:25 You have like, sort of like layout.
21:27 You have blueprints.
21:29 I remember, I would go into people’s houses.
21:30 I’m like, do you have blueprints?
21:33 Like, I’m like, what, how am I to me with even that?
21:39 Like having people to like when you like a phone, a friend,, you know what to do like that, you have the support system be like, hey, yeah, how would you figure this out or what would you do?
21:51 That’s awesome.
21:52 So, tell me, like, is your business now just mainly residential plumbing jobs?
21:59 Are you doing like, remodels, new construction or?
22:01 Just?
22:02 So just, I would say 90% is like, service work every now and then someone is like, flipping their bathroom and wants a plumber.
22:11 Like they have the contractor and I’ll be their plumber.
22:14 But it’s really, and like, I’ll do larger jobs like stack replacements or, you know, I don’t do too many dig ups, but I’ll do dig ups, where I’m changing, people’s like curb traps or like the underground plumbing, but most of it is like, I need a new toilet.
22:32 This is leaking or, you know, and it seems to come in phases and like I said, like, especially with the COVID thing, it was like drain cleaning and then I become this expert drain cleaner.
22:43 And now I have to figure out like the best way to take out corroded faucets because everyone’s getting a new faucet.
22:49 And so it was like a great learning experience for me.
22:53 I’m really like, I can’t say how lucky that this path has been like, first I have my dad that I can phone because he wasn’t a residential plumber.
23:04 But he was always like the church plumber and, you know, helping people out plumber.
23:11 The one not getting paid usually.
23:14 So I always had him to call.
23:16 I had Chris to call, who was my mentor and I would just call him.
23:19 I’m like, I’m on nursing and he’s like, step back.
23:24 He’s like, take a deep breath, eat an apple, take a sip of water and then I would do that.
23:30 And then I’m like, oh, I remember one time I did this and then you just sort of figured things out.
23:36 Yeah.
23:36 So it’s been a really cool journey for me.
23:39 But yeah, all residential.
23:41 I don’t, I don’t even really want to expand just because I don’t like managing or business.
23:48 So the idea of like hiring people, you know?
23:52 Not really.
23:53 Yeah.
23:53 So, but, but I do like, yeah, I like when people know their lane and their boundaries and like, what’s healthy for them and what works for them and what their idea of success is.
24:06 And it’s like, I’m busy, I have enough financial means to live the life I want.
24:11 I’m not stressed out.
24:12 I don’t have to manage people and I so appreciate when people that know where they’re supposed to be, stay where they’re supposed to be and just like, do that.
24:23 Well, like my dad was just an incredible CPA, an accountant and he, like, didn’t want to manage anyone and he just worked really, really hard and he just knew he’s like, that’s not my gift, you know, it’s like, and I just struggle and people quit and, you know, not great at man machine.
24:40 And I’m like, I like of it, you know, like, I love that just are able to stay what’s and do what’s worse for them because, like, success doesn’t have to look like everybody else is like, to me it’s like what it work, what does it look like?
24:53 And what is it defined for you?
24:54 And does that mean like being able to pick your kids up or go on a hike and you know, not work till seven o’clock at night or not, you know, have your own hours.
25:02 Like I think it’s awesome.
25:04 Yeah.
25:04 And I think the cool thing about like one thing I always say is like I stopped saying never because I said I will never own a business.
25:14 I used to say that the guys would be like, you’re a woman minority, you could get the minority stuff, blah, blah, blah.
25:20 And I’m like, I will never, I used to say that I will like just like that like, no, I like to do pipe.
25:28 I like to not worry about liability, which is my biggest hate.
25:34 You know, anybody’s biggest hate, right?
25:36 If you’re a business owner because liability is scar, right?
25:40 And if it on someone else, especially a multimillion dollar company, like, it’s no big deal.
25:46 There’s a leak, but not my problem.
25:47 I’ll fix the leak, but I don’t have that name.
25:53 So that was always, I would say never, never, never.
25:56 And then now I own a business and I’m like, oh, silly me and only, what, three or four years ago, like, it’s not like it’s 10 years and then I started, like, so now I do say like, I don’t want to expand or something, you know, but my kids are in high school and I might get bored when they’re 20.
26:17 Right?
26:17 So maybe I do never see my back hurts too much.
26:21 I can’t do that and then managing a business or for workers becomes more appealing.
26:28 So I definitely like to keep my radar open.
26:33 But I’m not someone who’s like, hungry in the way that I’ll say yes to every job.
26:41 Like, and like you said, like, stay in your lane.
26:43 Like I’m in my lane.
26:45 I feel comfortable.
26:47 I’ll step out here and there, especially like, with guidance, with a mentor with someone who’s done it before.
26:53 And then maybe one day I’ll be, you know, as big as horizon.
26:58 Probably not.
26:59 And that’s ok.
27:00 But like, I don’t want to ever say like, no one ever have other time this season right now works for you.
27:07 And that’s great.
27:08 Ok.
27:09 So one last question, is there any, like I don’t know, advice or wisdom just for women, you know, maybe younger girls out there that didn’t think that some, you know, somebody like you existed.
27:25 Yeah.
27:25 What, what would you?
27:26 And, but like, working with their hands and figuring out because to me, like, plumbing is at least probably the kind of plumbing you’re doing now is like, problem solving and figuring it out.
27:36 And I, you know, when I was doing accounting and before I did construction, it was like, I liked that part of my brain, like critical thinking and problem solving and people just think like, oh my God, it’s just math.
27:47 And I’m like, no, it’s actually problem solving and like, I like to solve problems.
27:51 And now that’s what I do all day long, but I just didn’t know if there was any, if you have this type of personality or you like doing these things like this might be a really good fit for you or any advice that you wanna share.
28:04 I’m always say, I mean, always my biggest piece of advice is that it just, and this is in general, not necessarily specific, it’s not gender specific or, but like to newcomers in the trade, especially because like we already said, like the newcomers gets the brunt of like all of it is that everything’s temporary.
28:28 And this is like my because this is what I have to tell myself like when I’m holding a pipe that’s spraying hot water in my face is like this is temporary, this is temporary.
28:38 There will be a time, I don’t know when or how at the moment, but there will be a time that the hot water will not be spraying my face.
28:47 And and also like, yes, so and but like to mainly take those moments where you really have to remind yourself that it’s temporary.
28:59 And I like to like put myself 10 years later where I’m laughing about that.
29:05 So like I like to put myself there then like in the moment.
29:09 So that way I know like this is gonna be a good story later or this is gonna be the moment that gets me through the next hard moment.
29:18 So that mindset, I love that because I think it’s so easy to quit when things are hard and to just change your mind.
29:27 And I think sometimes maybe a little bit of our news is just like, oh that, that’s resistance or that’s hard work or that wasn’t just like flawlessly easy and it’s like everything is hard.
29:38 Yeah.
29:38 And I’m on Twitter like I want, if I have hot water spraying me in the face, I’m like, I wanna leave like right.
29:47 But you can’t.
29:48 And that is what started getting me through it because honestly like when you don’t have the liability on you, it’s easy to just like walk away from situations.
29:58 But when your names are, you can’t.
30:01 So that’s one thing I, I would say to like, newcomers, especially people who want to like, go in the business side of things is that like, your name is everything.
30:12 So, and then for like women, men, a anyone wanting to work with your hands, there’s like some sense of accomplishment, especially, I mean, for women be only because it’s not visible as visible also where like, people don’t really understand the amount of work it takes to like, run a home for, like, stay at home moms.
30:35 And that’s one thing where, like, it’s really sad that like a stay at home mom has this such a difficult transition into our industry because there’s no experience.
30:47 But like, think about it, like, I bet you a stay at home mom changes her trap more than her husband who works in an office.
30:54 Right?
30:55 Like, or, and she doesn’t even realize she’s doing plumbing.
30:58 She’s just like, it’s full, it’s so that’s like one thing is like, all those skills transfer over and it, it doesn’t matter if you’re a stay at home mom, staying home dad, it’s not a gender thing, but like, it just is more commonly, like, it’s more difficult for women who, like, stay home and have babies to like, get out.
31:19 And that’s another problem like is child care because that’s one thing that I still notice today.
31:25 I always get the call from school.
31:27 It doesn’t matter if it’s like his turn with the kids and it’s his, you know, half of the week, like they call me.
31:35 I’m always the first and I’m like, I, I have hot water spraying me in the face.
31:39 I can’t answer.
31:41 So, I mean, that’s like a society thing that needs to, like, sort of shift.
31:46 But it is doable.
31:48 I mean, that’s where you really need to, like, have good community to, like, step in.
31:53 You know, I have friends who will drive my kids to soccer if they need to go to soccer.
31:59 I mean, but, and now having my own business, I just cater to myself so that I can cater to the kids, which is really nice.
32:06 But yeah, that’s the big thing is like all that stuff transfers over and girls don’t, I mean, you can be the critical thinker and, and problem solve.
32:14 The cool thing for me is I always thought I didn’t like to do that.
32:19 Like, I only want to like mold things and build things and, but like, when I look back I’m like, that’s all I was doing is problem solving.
32:28 So that the cool thing because it takes like the education or schooling type thing out of it.
32:35 Like, where if you’re like, I don’t like school, I don’t like, you’re still really doing all that but you’re doing it like, in a physical.
32:42 Yes.
32:42 And I didn’t get to say like I built that.
32:45 So I’m like, and that’s the best that, you smile.
32:50 That’s the best thing.
32:51 You’re like always, I drive past a house.
32:53 I worked there.
32:54 I did that, I did that.
32:55 I did that and my kids are like we know.
32:58 Yeah, I’m aware.
33:01 Yeah, this is before so I like just like no, I built you as well.
33:05 Yes.
33:06 So Kelly, tell everyone where they can find you.
33:10 Follow, you hire you.
33:12 So mostly like chitchat or if you wanna really like get into my personality is tiny plumber girl on Instagram T P G mechanical on Instagram.
33:24 If you want to see like just, you know, not see the inside of me, you just see the out, you know, my work and I honestly don’t have a website still.
33:33 I’m like all word of mouth.
33:35 So I can’t throw my phone number out there.
33:39 But that’s really, that’s really what it is.
33:41 Like, people just call me and that’s where I’ve lucked out.
33:44 It’s like once you get in a community page, like, and they’re like, this is the plumber, then it, I can’t tell you I work at one place and they’re like, oh, we found you on West Philly house.
33:56 That’s always like a very common one for me.
33:58 And then the next day I have like 15 calls.
34:00 I’m like, oh my God, like they’re like, oh, I’ll advertise, you know, I’m like, I appreciate it.
34:06 And you can, I said, don’t feel obligated all the time.
34:11 It’s like overwhelming like, oh, someone just posted West Philly aspects and now I have like seven calls.
34:17 So which is, which is awesome and speaks to me like, if there’s anything that’s gonna boost my ego, like, that’s something productive.
34:25 But also it keeps me accountable too because if everybody’s talking, like, I can’t, like, you gotta hold that up.
34:33 Like, once you get a bad reputation, it’s hard to come back from.
34:37 So you got to keep it good.
34:39 Absolutely.
34:39 I love that.
34:40 Well, Kelly, it’s been such a pleasure to get to know me and learn about your journey.
34:44 It’s amazing and inspiring and I just so appreciate, you know, taking the time to be able to talk to me today.
34:51 Thank you.
34:51 Yeah.
34:51 No.
34:52 Thank you for inviting me on.
34:54 Of course.
34:55 All right, have an awesome day.
34:57 Thanks for joining me today on the She Builds Show.
35:00 My name is Stefanie Olson.
35:01 My hope is that this episode leaves you feeling empowered and ready to boldly take that step into building the life that you envision one 2×4 at a time.
35:11 And if you can do me a quick favor, please leave me a five star review on iTunes.
35:15 Get you over reading the reviews each week and I will choose one special person to win some She Builds swag.
35:21 Make sure you add your name to the review and I’ll reach out if you’re the winner.
35:25 Thanks again for hanging out.
35:26 Be sure to visit me at theSheBuildsShow.com where you can ask me questions and share with me what you’re building.