My Story

There is no surprise after thriving in a male-dominated industry for 30 years that my natural drive and focus has earned me the reputation of a little pocket rocket. As a big-hearted Greek woman, always on a mission – whether that’s renovating a home, working on my business, or diving into a community project that creates real change in the world; my ethos is the same:

“driven to live my best possible life, and passionate about supporting others to do the same.”

I’m a big lover of our Mother Earth, and and her connections. I find great pleasure connecting homes with our natural landscape and transforming them into beautiful, unique sanctuaries.

As far as I can remember I was always playing around in the garden of my own childhood home. i grew up working alongside dad the DIY’er, making furniture for Mum in the garage. At 15, I bought my first car even before i got my license rebuilding it from the wheels up, beside the neighbourhood boys and their projects.

After completing my HSC, and inspired by my older sister Anna, an aircraft electrical engineer, I scored my first apprenticeship building cars and hot-rods. A unique place to start, and I can still remember how excited I was. That was the beginning. I always wanted to learn more, and still do now. Diving into horticulture, carpentry and even completing my building & construction Cert iv. Three trades later, and the rest is history, or should we say herstory?!

The empowerment I’ve experienced from being able to repair, renovate, and create my own beautiful environment without relying on anyone else has been life-changing. At a bare minimum, basic DIY skills are something I believe we should all have, for self-sufficiency.

My HerStory

In 1993 my mentor and employer had heart surgery and forced me to find another job. I picked up the yellow pages and rang every single structural metal engineering company…after many tears and lots of stress, I finally landed a job with Hunter Valley Training Company which carved the beginning of my love for the building and construction industry, fabricating and welding structural beams and learning the skills to basically make anything out of metal. A skill i’m still so grateful to have achieved.

In 1995 completed metal fabrication trade.

In 2001 completed Horticulture Cert. II. I dived into my love of the outdoors, partnering up to run a high-end garden maintenance business on outrageously, amazing million dollar properties in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. Looking at such properties daily expanded my own dreams for more.

In 2007 I started my studies in Carpentry Cert III. This is where my passion for renovating began.

In 2010 I decided to start my own business, FEMALE TRADIE.

In 2018 I completed my Building and Construction Cert IV.

In 2019 fuelled by the desire to begin teaching, I completed my training and assessment education (tae) certificate.

Wisdom from a Female Tradie

I’m so excited to take everything I have learnt over the last 30 years, and pass it on to renovators, DIY enthusiasts and those passionate about trade skills. Besides the practical skills, here is just some of what working in a male-dominated industry has taught me:

You’re going to have to focus and work three times harder than the others, both at TAFE and in the workplace to be seen as someone capable. Don’t fold under the pressure of having so many eyes on you. Keep learning!
As a woman, you will always have eyes on you.!!Even now, every time I go to the suppliers, I still have people staring /judging /or in awe. Who knows? I try not to pay attention and keep focused on what I ’m doing. Breathe, you’ve got this, you can do it gracefully and well!!
Try not to worry too much about what people say or think (Yes, this is easier said than done) There will be times where you break down in tears, highly challenged in some way or another and that’s okay. Take that moment, take that time. Then get back up, wipe those boots, and return to what you love doing. Doing what you love!
Trades aren’t for everyone. Many women have come to work for me and not lasted beyond six months. It’s hard work, and it’s not about looking cool with a tool belt! It’s physical and tough, and the only way you’ll get through it is if you’re passionate about the work and know in your heart that this is all you want to do. With that drive behind you, like anything, you can achieve anything.
Stay in your own lane. In other words, learn how to read the crowd. Don’t dive into areas that will get you in trouble. Avoid unnecessary ego-driven conversations. My way of beating the odds, was to prove that I too can do it just as good, and sometimes I worked harder, just to do it better.
There’s always going to be those that judge and have something to say. That’s not just tradie life, but all life. Just keep focus and always remember the bigger picture. The dream of what you are building, and nothing else matters.
Never fight with your words! Always let your skills talk
I was lucky enough to not get bullied or harassed at work, my advice to those experiencing this is their workplace is always contact one of your mentors for advice. If you don’t have one, feel free to contact me. I know how tough it can be, and luckily nowadays, we have a lot more women in trades, and a lot more support.