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

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.

If you're tired of dead-end jobs, paycheck-to-paycheck living, or wondering how to escape poverty without going into massive student debt - this episode is for you.

In this episode hear about:

Poverty Problem Nobody Talks About

Concetta Gets Electrocuted Into Her Career

The Union Advantage - 3 Pensions and Full Benefits

Why Women Belong in Construction

Your escape route from dead-end jobs. Brought to you by SupplyHouse.com - Real inventory. Real humans. Real solutions for trade professionals.

If you would like to hear Concetta's full story you can listen to: Why Skilled Trades Are The Best Careers for Women In 2024?

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 the difference between earning $100K or $500K in the trades had nothing to do with your tools, speed, or skill? In this episode of The Sparky Life, Lia talks with Patricia Oholeguy, a bookkeeping expert who helps contractors and tradespeople turn financial chaos into clarity.
Find Patricia here - www.claritycompassllc.com
From QuickBooks headaches to cashflow mistakes, Patricia reveals how mastering your money is the real secret weapon in growing a sustainable business. Whether you’re an electrician, plumber, HVAC tech, or GC, this episode shows you how to stop winging it and start winning with your numbers.
We talk about:
• Why trades pros avoid bookkeeping (and pay for it later)
• The hidden habits of six-figure and seven-figure contractors
• How to fix your financial foundation without becoming an accountant
• When to delegate and hire a bookkeeper
• The mindset shift from “I hate numbers” to “I run my numbers”
If you want to stop leaving money on the table, this conversation could change your entire career.
⸻
🎧 Listen now to learn how to build a smarter, stronger trade business — and finally take control of your money.
💪 Sponsored by:
SupplyHouse.com — Get 5% off your next order with promo code SL5.

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.

This episode of Tool Time with Lia, I breakdown two essential tools for electricians: the Milwaukee Knockout Tool and the Milwaukee Rotary Hammer. We go over the features, usage, and benefits of each tool, emphasizing the importance of proper technique and safety. I share personal anecdotes and insights on how these tools can enhance efficiency and craftsmanship on the job site, ultimately helping electricians make informed decisions about their tool investments.

Takeaways These two are the tool tools. The Milwaukee Knockout Tool is essential for electricians and the Rotary Hammer is versatile for different tasks. Choosing the right tool can save you money.

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!

When disaster strikes, everyone sees the firefighters and first responders—but what about the invisible guardians who prevent tragedy in the first place?

This episode shines a spotlight on fire alarm electricians: the unsung heroes who make sure alarms sound, exits light up, and lives are protected 24/7. Every school, hospital, and office tower depends on their work—even if nobody realizes it.

What You’ll Discover:

• The Real Impact: How fire alarm electricians quietly save lives and protect entire communities.
• Career Transformation: Why this trade delivers job security, financial growth, and deep personal purpose—all in one.
• A Day in the Life: What it’s really like to be a “hidden guardian” on the job.
• Why This Path is Future-Proof: Never get stuck in a dead-end gig again—this is stability with meaning.

Ready to Trade Up Your Life?

If you want a career where your work matters—and pays—this episode is your blueprint. Discover how to join the ranks of these invisible heroes and finally escape the dead-end job grind.

Action Steps:

• Subscribe for more skilled trades transformation stories
• Comment: What matters most to you—purpose, security, or growth?
• Share your own trade journey or questions below!

Support the show

Welcome back to The Sparky Life! In this episode, we dive deep into the world of solar energy in residential sectors with our special guest, Chessa Trimble. Is solar a scam? Is it truly beneficial for the environment? Join us as we explore the pros and cons of solar panel installation and discuss whether it's a viable career path in the electrical industry.

Chessa shares her insights on the current state of solar technology, the misconceptions surrounding it, and the challenges homeowners face when considering solar panels. We also touch on the impact of solar farms and the importance of understanding the true costs and benefits of solar energy.

Whether you're a homeowner contemplating solar panels or an electrician curious about the industry, this episode is packed with valuable information. We encourage you to do your research and consider all factors before making a decision.

Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more insightful discussions! If you want to hear from solar experts or have questions about solar energy, let us know in the comments below!
Quotes:
1 - "They've sold it under this label of like, green, of course has to be the word because that sounds appealing."
2 - "Just because something's an investment doesn't mean it's a good investment."

Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Introduction
• 00:10 - Meet Chessa Trimble
• 00:54 - The solar energy debate
• 02:12 - Is solar a viable career path?
• 07:01 - The environmental impact of solar panels
• 12:01 - The challenges of solar energy
• 20:11 - The future of solar and electric vehicles
• 29:07 - Conclusion and call to action

Resources Mentioned:

• Matt Farrell's YouTube video: "Are We Getting Scammed With Solar" - https://youtu.be/BD7aCkLwR7U?si=51M7OIqVbinruwSj

✅ Follow Chessa:
💥 Chessa Trimble - @romex_queen
✅ Follow Lia Lamela:
💥 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lia-lamela-820a33155
💥 Website: https://sparkylifesolutionsllc.com
💥 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparkylifeoflia/
💥 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesparkylifepodcast
💥 YouTube: @sparkylifeoflia
Thank you for joining us on this insightful journey through the trades. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you with us in our next episode. 😊😇
Create the sparks in your life!