Have you ever considered the impact that relationships and connections can have on shaping a successful career? As someone who has become very involved in several industry and community organizations, I can testify to the power of building strong professional networks.
At 51, while I don’t consider myself old, I would say I have a wealth of life experience from overcoming past challenges and having a passion for personal and professional growth. When writing in my daily gratitude journal, I realize that my life today is far beyond anything I could have hoped for 20-plus years ago. My journey has been transformative to say the least.
It is truly my hope that through sharing my knowledge, experience, and understanding, I can make a positive difference in my family, our team, and our industry. These past experiences have shaped my life…a life of personal growth, reflection, forgiveness, and unexpected opportunities. I have found that so many others feel this way also and are happy to mentor, support, and encourage others with the willingness to learn and grow.
Finding My Tribe
In what is often thought of as a male-dominated industry, I have found my tribe of both women and men. The inspiration, mentorship, and friendships built is one thing I will be forever grateful for. When starting out, I didn’t know what I didn’t know. I remember attending my first training offered through our supplier. The instructors showed a P&L on the screen, and I remember thinking, “Wow, ours doesn’t look like this.” It was a scary feeling. I felt overwhelmed and lost. How can we ever be successful? What was I thinking, leaving a stable career? I had prayed for stability and peace in my life for so long, and had I just self-sabotaged?
We continued this training with these instructors for 3 more years. We met five times a year for two full days each time. It was a small class of just three contractors, including us, and we all became very close and still are to this day. We were honest, vulnerable, and resilient, but most of all, we were blessed to have the most caring and knowledgeable instructors who sincerely wanted us to succeed. They invested their time and energy into us, which made me feel hopeful and valued, like they actually believed we could do well in this HVAC business and become successful. I needed to borrow their belief in me.
Those trainers were Vicki and John LaPlant. When they announced their retirement from their retirement from their coaching business, they informed us they would continue working with Service Nation. I talked with my husband, and without hesitation, we immediately joined. This decision opened doors to so much more support through networking and training through our years as active members.
Building Relationships
Building relationships has been incredibly significant for my career in so many ways, some not as obvious as you may think. Some relationships that may seem insignificant can develop tremendously over time. I noticed that I was drawn to people who are willing to share their knowledge, who lift others up, and who always seem to be improving. I have met many people who are now some of my closest friends – friends who make me better, who believe in me, and motivate me during challenging times. We encourage and empower each other to achieve goals that originally seemed unreachable.
At times, I have had to “borrow” their belief in me to gain the confidence to say “yes” to opportunities. Each time I have gone outside my comfort zone, I have grown. Speaking and presenting are things I would have struggled tremendously to volunteer for. Being asked if I would like to present by someone I admire was an honor. Through these experiences, I have been able to give back to my team, industry, and community.
Joining Industry Organizations
I have definitely come to love the trades and home services industry! My advice to anyone I meet is to network and get to know other contractors, coaches, vendors, etc. There are no dumb questions, so ask! These organizations and the people involved are there to help. It is their passion. Again, I am so grateful to my husband for including me in his dream of starting an HVAC company all those years ago. Over these years, I have found a better version of myself. Joining organizations in our industry has been essential, and the networking and support I have experienced has been invaluable.
The Power of Mentorship
Growth and confidence often begin when others see something in us, making us consider that maybe we can accomplish our goals. I want you to think of a time when you said “yes” to something that was uncomfortable and stretched you. Was there someone beside you to support you through this? Did someone see your potential and your value before you saw it in yourself? Sometimes, a little guidance and reassurance are all we need to get to the next level.
There are few contractors I have met who haven’t been positively impacted by Vicki and John LaPlant’s teachings and support. I remember the first time another contractor reached out to me because of Vicki’s recommendation. Wow, right! It was very humbling. She believed I could offer help to them. Knowing us since 2013 and witnessing our struggles, she saw growth and believed that I was now in a place where I could help others.
I remember seeing Lori Tschol present her story of her past business experience and her transition into the trades. Coming from a corporate background myself, she was very relatable. Lori had such amazing accomplishments in her career and had now made the decision to enter the trades. I wanted to meet and talk with her. Guess what? She was more than happy to meet with me and share her knowledge. She has been a great mentor and friend.
When you see someone who you feel could help you, don’t hesitate to ask. You may be surprised at how willing they are and how invested they may become in supporting your success. We are all at different levels, and most successful people have endured many struggles to reach where they are today. Most likely, they have had mentors along their journey, also.
Reflecting
As owner and CFO of our company, I became very aware that I can get caught up in the data and financials. Recently, I felt the need to jump in the truck with some of our technicians and plumbers. I knew I needed to spend some one-on-one time with our team and interact with clients in person. This energizes me and has proved to be a great reminder of where our vision, values, and goals align. We are here to “Foster loyalty through exceeding expectations and to provide our clients with a safe, comfortable home to enjoy.” We do this through providing HVAC and plumbing services.
Each of us has a life story that has been shaped by our experiences. We need to consider the influences that we allow to guide us. This industry, through mentors and peers, had taught me the importance of community and support. If we haven’t met, I would love to connect with you! Let’s build relationships that will move us toward success. By building strong networks, participating in industry organizations, learning from mentors, and always reflecting on our journeys, we can create paths to endless possibilities for our futures.