Every skilled professional needs the right tools to succeed → Get the right tool for YOU at SUPPLY HOUSE - Use code SL5 for 5% off! Code applies to purchases under $1,000 and first time buyers.

What if quitting your corporate job to swing a hammer could make you MORE money? Christina, @christina_nomadak, ditched her sales career to become a union carpenter—and now runs her own successful construction business. In this episode, she's breaking down the REAL path from paycheck-to-paycheck to building wealth in the trades, including the cash flow mistakes that almost tanked her business and why unions are the secret weapon nobody talks about.

Check out Christina's company Home Nomadak Builds

What You'll Learn:

• How to transition from ANY career into skilled trades (even with zero experience) The truth about union vs. non-union carpentry work
• Cash flow management secrets for new trade businesses
• Why women are actually BETTER suited for construction than you think
• The biggest mistakes new contractors make (and how to avoid them)
• How to use social media to grow your trade business

What's the biggest AI enhancing trade business using instant video? Check out the tool that improves estimates and customer satisfaction LiveSwitch

www.liveswitch.com

Support the show

Every skilled professional needs the right tools to succeed → Get the right tool for YOU at SUPPLY HOUSE - Use code SL5 for 5% off! Code applies to purchases under $1,000 and first time buyers.

March 2023 marked a turning point for Sparky Life Podcast. In this reflective episode, Lia revisits her conversation with Dustin Stelzer , creator of Electrician U who was a guest on the Sparky Life Podcast show Women In the Trades: Is It Even An Issue, and examines how much has evolved in just two years—both personally and industry-wide. This episode explores why this generation demands better work environments, and what it really takes to retain women in the trades. From proving yourself to building legacy—this is the evolution we need.

Key Topics Covered:

• The evolution of skilled trades culture from 2023 to 2025
• Why retention is about environment, not just wages
• How Gen Z is redefining workplace expectations and escaping "The Man"
• The hidden cost of constantly proving yourself as a woman or apprentice
• Why mentorship transforms survival mode into growth mode
• Finding flow state and purpose in electrical work
• The shift from "tough it out" culture to leadership with integrity

Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Reflecting on the March 2023 conversation with Electrician U
• 02:15 - How Sparky Life Podcast found its voice
• 04:30 - What's changed in skilled trades conversations
• 07:45 - Why this generation refuses toxic work environments
• 11:20 - The exhausting cost of constantly proving yourself
• 15:40 - The power of mentorship and belonging
• 19:10 - Purpose transforms jobs into legacy
• 22:30 - Gratitude to OG listeners

CHECK US OUT ON YOUTUBE @sparkylifeoflia

Support the show

Welcome to The Sparky Life Podcast, where we celebrate careers in skilled trades with your host, Lia Lamela.
This episode is brought to you by SupplyHouse.com, your trusted source for reliable inventory, friendly customer service, and fast shipping from coast to coast. Check out supplyhouse.com/tm today and explore their Trade Masters program, offering free shipping and order discounts.
In this episode, we’re excited to welcome Eduardo Felix Diaz, a Senior Controls Tech at Johnson Controls, with over two decades of experience. Eduardo is known for his sense of humor and ability to spark debate, which was evident when he reacted to one of Lia’s reels. With his extensive background in HVAC controls, Eduardo shares insights about the complexity and specialization of his field, emphasizing the challenges and rewards of working in service roles.
Quotes:

• "Jack of all trades. Master of none, but oftentimes better than just master of one. Yes, and, I get it. But it also means that not everyone, not all of us are going to be this jack of all trades that really are jacks of all trades, just because you get bits and pieces of everything." – Eduardo
• "I didn’t become complacent. If I can't understand how something works, it drives me nuts until I solve the problem." – Lia
• “You might be able to get units back online and get them working, but that doesn't mean you actually know what you're doing in reality, even as a control tech" – Eduardo

Follow Lia Lamela:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparkylifeoflia
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesparkylifepodcast
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqPJrIaE7fL1uXgfdIcBYlw
• Website: https://sparkylifesolutionsllc.com