Jennifer S.
How did you get your start in the skilled trades?
I am currently the vice president and half-owner of Blue Ridge Heating & Cooling, Inc. in Pine Beach, New Jersey, a family-owned business which I grew up in. I always enjoyed helping out and learning about the industry since I was a little girl. I have held several positions at my father’s company through high school, college and during my first career as a teacher. Approximately 20 years ago, when my dad had become ill in the middle of summer and wasn’t expected to return within a timeframe that would support the continuation of a profitable business, I took a leave of absence from my career. In my father’s absence, I understood I needed to learn as much as I could about the trade. That’s when I realized my passion for this industry and this was not just a job anymore, it could become my career. This turning point took the business from my head to my heart.
What did you do to become successful?
As a result of my desire to be successful in the family business, I started taking management, business and marketing classes through Fred Pryor as well as at the local county college. I wanted to learn as much as possible to enhance my knowledge regarding business management and financial profitability. I was also very interested in educating myself regarding the mechanical/technical aspects of the trade. I started reading trade magazines, taking technical classes, and enrolled in the Ocean County Vocational School accredited four-year apprenticeship program for HVACR, a night school program that requires school attendance three hours, twice a week. I graduated from my apprenticeship program top of my class and gave the commencement speech. I received my master HVACR license. I also have my BPI certification for building analyst.
I attend as much training as I can to better myself and learn and to be able to teach and lead my team. The industry is constantly changing and I don’t want to be left behind. Currently, I work six days a week, split between field work and office. My office duties include accounts payable and receivable, human resources, marketing, hiring and firing, disciplining and managing 12 employees. While in the field, I perform service calls, maintenance and estimates, plus check on jobs for inspection quality assurance. Also ride along with new technicians and train them. My biggest goal is to improve our company’s culture and grow the business. I orchestrate weekly meetings and training sessions on customer service, technical training and sales. I developed employee incentive and safety programs, which have grown the company. I continue to learn from my father, teachers, coworkers and peers.
What obstacles have you encountered, and how did you overcome them?
Being a woman in the trade you are going to experience a lot of obstacles! I actually faced resistance from both genders, male and female, in the office and the field. The female employees who worked in my father’s office didn’t want to listen to me because I was younger than them. The male employees in my father’s office didn’t want to listen to me because they thought I didn’t know anything. Even the customers always wanted to speak to a male technician or the boss.
My drive and determination to be the best that I can be helped me earn that respect. I educated myself in every way possible with classes, hands-on training and knowledge. Today I still get pushback from customers, vendors and men in the industry. But I also get a lot of respect. The most rewarding aspect of this industry for me has been being able to help and provide solutions to customers’ problems. In many ways, I’m still a teacher and a student, sharing what I know with employees and customers and learning from my father, teachers, coworkers and peers.
What advice do you have for women wanting to get into the trades?
DON’T GIVE UP and KEEP EDUCATING YOURSELF! Knowledge is power. Self-confidence is key. People everywhere need our products and services. This industry is not dying, it’s growing. Working in the HVACR field has been very liberating and rewarding. There is a lot of money to be made in this field if you are positive, confident, a good listener and a problem-solver. The problem we are faced with now is the lack of younger people going into the trades, especially women. Women have an innate ability to actively listen, connect emotionally, and show empathy and sincerity. Those character traits are hard to teach but work so well in any business. Women have all the skills necessary to be great technicians, customer service representatives and comfort consultants. My best employees are technicians who can connect and communicate with the customer. The rest is a skill set learned through a trade program or on-the-job training.
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