A Bench Joiners Story of Skill, Social Media and Generational Trade - Meet Sal
Let me know what you thoughtIn this inspiring episode, we sit down with Sal, a skilled bench joiner from Nottingham, whose passion for woodworking runs deep through generations of family tradition. Sal opens up about her journey into the craft, painting a vivid picture of the artistry behind handmade joinery and the everyday challenges of sourcing quality materials.She shares what it’s like working side by side with her father, offering a heartfelt glimpse into the dynamics of a family-run trade. Sal also champions the push to empower more women in skilled trades, and reveals how social media has become a powerful tool in growing her business and connecting with a wider audience.From preserving a traditional craft in a modern world to celebrating standout projects that make her proud, Sal’s story is full of insight, passion, and purpose. Plus, don’t miss the quickfire round at the end—where we get to know the woman behind the bench with some light-hearted, personal questions.Key TakeawaysSal grew up in a family business, learning joinery from a young age.She emphasizes the importance of handmade craftsmanship in her work.Sourcing materials has become more complex due to local closures.Working with family can be challenging but rewarding.Sal is part of a movement empowering women in trades.Social media has significantly helped grow her business.Traditional skills in joinery are at risk of dying out. She takes pride in notable projects he has completed.Sal enjoys sharing tips and insights through social media.She believes having a trade is a valuable skill for the future.Follow me: Instagram: @lifeofafemaletradie_TikTok: @loaftpodcastFollow Guest: Intsta: @_thebenchjoinersdaughter_Tiktok: @_thebenchjoinersdaughterFacebook: The Bench Joiners Daughter Chapters00:00 Introduction to Sal's Journey02:55 The Art of Handmade Joinery05:57 Family Business Dynamics09:01 Innovative Projects and Custom Requests12:07 Social Media and Business Growth14:55 Challenges in the Trade16:46 Working with Listed Buildings17:55 Personal Insights and Quickfire Round23:30 Future Guests and Social Media Presence25:06 Thanks for listening
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Transform your Health and your Home with Sharon Norton-Marshall - Decorator & Trade Health Coach
Let me know what you thoughtIn this conversation, Sharon Norton-Marshall shares her journey from being a decorator for 25 years to becoming a health coach focused on improving the mental health and well-being of decorators and tradespeople. She discusses her personal struggles with mental health, the importance of active listening, and the need for mind expansion. Sharon emphasizes the significance of nutrition and supplements in maintaining health, particularly for women experiencing hormonal changes. The conversation also touches on the balance between her dual roles as a decorator and health coach, highlighting the importance of self-care and community support. In this engaging conversation, Laura and Sharon discuss the balance between indulgence and achieving health goals, the importance of nurturing clients through their journeys, and the significance of movement and recovery in maintaining physical health. They explore how spraying has revolutionized the decorating trade, allowing for better time management and improved mental health. Along with the evolution of community support among female decorators. Finally, they share quickfire questions that reveal personal preferences and insights into their experiences in the trade.Key TakeawaysSharon has been a decorator for about 25 years.She transitioned to health coaching to help tradespeople improve their lives.Mental health is a significant issue in the trades community.Active listening is crucial for emotional support.Women face unique health challenges, especially during hormonal changes.Nutrition and supplements play a vital role in overall health.Sharon enjoys working with clients on weight loss and health improvements.It's essential to get regular health check-ups and blood tests.Health should be prioritized over appearance in the journey to wellness. It's all about balance when it comes to indulgence and health goals.Nurturing clients can involve psychological coaching.Sugar is highly addictive and can impact weight loss.Small changes can lead to significant health improvements.Spraying can enhance efficiency and mental well-being in decorating.Finding joy in work is crucial for mental health.Sharing experiences can help others in the industry.Time management is essential for decorators to maintain work-life balance.Community support among tradespeople is invaluable. Follow me: Instagram: @lifeofafemaletradie_TikTok: @loaftpodcastFollow Guest: Instagram: @sharontradehealthcoachChapters00:00 Introduction to Decorating and Health Coaching02:13 Mental Health Struggles in the Trade05:22 The Importance of Normalizing Conversations09:03 Active Listening and Emotional Awareness11:47 Women’s Mental Health and Hormonal Changes16:02 Health Coaching: Client Profiles and Approaches24:41 The Role of Supplements in Health36:24 Balancing Decorating and Health Coaching40:33 Cravings and Comfort Foods43:56 Injury Management and Strength Training47:36 The Transformation of Mental Health through Spraying52:38 Finding Balance in Work and Life58:22 Community and Support in the Trade01:04:02 Resilience and Learning from Setbacks01:09:22 Future Aspirations and Trade InsightsHelpful Links if you need to support:https://www.mind.org.uk/https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
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Chisel, Mallet and a killer Mullet: Rosie the Stonemason and Carver
Let me know what you thoughtIn this conversation, Rosie, a skilled stonemason and stone carver, shares her journey into the trade, the skills and tools required, and the importance of patience in her work. She discusses the challenges of working with natural stone, the balance between carving and masonry, and the dynamics of working in a family business. Rosie also touches on the impact of social media on her trade, the unique challenges faced as a female mason, and the significance of family support in managing stress and burnout. Throughout the conversation, she highlights her passion for her craft and the joy of creating bespoke pieces of art from stone. She shares her favorite projects and the excitement of customization in her work, along with insights into the challenges she faces as a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field. Key TakeawaysRosie's journey into stonemasonry began unexpectedly through her father's influence.Patience is essential in stonemasonry, as it is a slow and meticulous process.Each piece of stone has unique characteristics that affect the carving process.Working with natural stone requires understanding its properties and how to adapt to them.Rosie enjoys both carving and masonry, with a preference for carving in the summer.Balancing work and personal life can be challenging in a family business.Social media plays a significant role in promoting her work and connecting with others in the trade.As a female mason, Rosie has faced challenges but feels that mindsets are changing.Pricing for bespoke stonework can be misunderstood by customers.Rosie's favourite projects are those that allow for creative expression and unique designs.Follow me:Instagram: @lifeofafemaletradie_TikTok: @loaftpodcastFollow Guest: Instagram: yorkshire__rosieTikTok: yorkshire__rosieChapters00:00 Introduction to Stonemasonry and Family Legacy03:08 The Art and Skill of Stonemasonry05:59 Working with Natural Stone: Challenges and Techniques08:56 Balancing Work and Personal Life in a Family Business12:01 The Role of Social Media in Modern Stonemasonry14:52 Navigating Gender Dynamics in the Trade17:53 Creating Unique Art Pieces in Stonemasonry24:28 The Art of Stone Carving: A Journey of Trial and Error28:48 Challenges in Large-Scale Projects31:03 Creative Highlights: Favorite Projects and Inspirations33:26 Quickfire Questions: Personal Preferences and Insights
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Beyond The Brush with Joanne Hay Decorating
Let me know what you thoughtIn this episode, Jo shares her journey in the decorating industry, discussing her background, emphasising the importance of social media in building her business, and the challenges she faces as a self-employed decorator. She shares the importance of balancing work and personal life, building trust with clients, and the creative freedom that comes with bold decorating choices. Jo also reflects on the significance of transparency in her work and the evolving nature of decorating techniques, while providing insights into managing time and workload effectively. Overall, the discussion provides insights into the realities of being a self-employed decorator and the skills required to succeed in the trade.Key TakeawaysJo has been a self-employed decorator for 19 years.Building trust with clients is essential for long-term relationships.Jo believes in sharing knowledge to help others in the trade.Transparency in her work helps clients understand the process.Jo emphasizes the importance of work-life balance.Managing time effectively is key to avoiding burnout.The decorating trade is evolving with new techniques and products.Follow me:Instagram: @lifeofafemaletradie_TikTok: @loaftpodcastFollow Guest:Instagram: @Joannehay_decoratingFacebook: Joanne Hay DecoratingYoutube:@JoanneHayDecoratingTikTok: @JoannehaydecoratingChapters:00:00 Introduction to Joanne Hay and Her Journey02:43 The Impact of social media on Decorating05:59 Balancing Work and Personal Life08:54 Favourite and Challenging Jobs in Decorating11:39 Customer Relationships and Quoting Process14:36 Preferred Products and the Importance of Quality17:45 The Joy of Decorating and Personal Preferences27:25 Navigating the Evolving World of Paints32:19 The Challenges of Choosing the Right Products38:09 The Importance of Available Sundries40:42 Building Trust with Clients46:29 The Art of Transparency in Decorating50:36 Social media and Community in the Trade
Life Of A Female TradieReal stories. Real tools. Real women.Welcome to Life Of A Female Tradie — the podcast that gives voice to the women breaking ground in the trades. We share the honest, gritty, and inspiring journeys of female tradies thriving in a male-dominated industry.Each episode features real conversations with women in construction and the skilled trades, tackling topics like apprenticeships, jobsite culture, career progression, mental health, physical demands, tools of the trade, and what it really takes to build a future in the field.Whether you’re already on the tools, just getting started, or curious about what it’s like to be a woman in the trades — this podcast is your crew. We’re building each other up and breaking barriers with every episode.
UK