Power Women of the Trades: Weekly Podcast Empowering Women In the Trades Industry

Welcome to this exciting New Year's episode of the Power Women of the Trades podcast, hosted by Cassie Pound and Heather Bargender-Wavra. As we step into 2025, we celebrate the achievements of women in the skilled trades industry while looking ahead at new possibilities and innovations. Join us as we continue to break barriers, foster empowerment, and inspire transformative change through the stor...

Join the Power Women of the Trades podcast Christmas Episode with hosts Cassie Pound and Heather Bargender-Wavra as they delve into a year-end reflection, sharing insights and laughs about the transformative developments in the podcast and their lives. This episode brings together a rich overview of the past year's triumphs, challenges, and what lies ahead, brilliantly capturing the essence of com...

Explore the inspiring journey of Mandie Rowel Hagen as she joins Cassie Pound and Heather Bargender-Wavra in this insightful episode of Power Women of the Trades. Mandie shares her experiences in running a family-owned business in the septic and drain cleaning industry, recounting how her father's transition from being an electrician to a business owner laid the foundation for their success. With...

In this episode of Power Women of the Trades, Amy O Grady, Executive Director of Women in HVACR, shares her journey from the world of fashion to the HVAC industry. With a strong family background in the HVAC business, Amy utilized her diverse skills in marketing and branding to build a unique career path. Her story emphasizes her commitment to empowering women in trades through education and mento...

Join hosts Cassie Pound and Heather Bargender-Wavra as they chat with Jessica Young, Operations Manager at Young Plumbing Services, about her unexpected journey into the trade industry and the lessons learned along the way. Jessica shares the crucial role of structured processes in enhancing customer interactions and ensuring technician success. Both Jessica and Cassie stress the importance of HR...

Join Cassie Pound and Heather Bargender-Wavra in this compelling episode of Power Women of the Trades as they sit down with Erica Leonor from Good Leap. Erica shares her fascinating journey from being a mother and a passionate collector of Lord of the Rings swords to stepping into the trade industry through cultural studies and travels. Her unique career path highlights how diverse experiences sha...

Join hosts Cassie Pound and Heather Bargender-Wavra as they sit down with Crystal Williams at the Women of HVACR conference in Dallas, Texas. This episode of Power Women of the Trades dives into the dynamic world of women in the trades and key insights from successful female entrepreneurs. Crystal Williams, a board member of the conference and owner of Lemon Seed Marketing, shares her unique journ...

Join this insightful episode of the Power Women of the Trades podcast, co-hosts Cassie Pound and Heather Bargender-Wavra sit down with the inspiring Shauna Brown. They discuss the importance of self-care, prioritizing health, and balancing the demands of running a business. Shauna opens up about her wellness journey, her experiences with a health crisis, and how she managed to integrate personal a...

Join us for an inspiring episode with guest Jen McKee, the founder of Kee Hart Marketing & Events, as she shares her journey and insights into the dynamic world of content creation and personal branding. Hosts Heather Bargender-Wavra and Cassie Pound guide the conversation, examining how MrBeast's content strategy can offer valuable lessons for women in trades. Jen illustrates the challenge of...

Join hosts Cassie Pound and Heather Bargender-Wavra as they welcome back Ashley Lynds, a.k.a. HVAC Ash, to discuss her journey of personal branding and innovation in the HVAC industry. Ashley shares her inspiring story of how she leveraged Instagram during the COVID-19 pandemic to reach her customers, which eventually led her to become one of the original HVAC influencers. Her success demonstrates...

Tune in to this inspiring episode of Power Women of the Trades where hosts Cassie Pound and Heather Bargender-Wavra engage in a stimulating dialogue with guest Rachel Helft, owner of Argent Heating and Cooling. In this episode, discover how Rachel navigated her unexpected journey from private practice in mental health to becoming a trailblazer in the HVAC industry. The conversation reveals her inn...

In this episode of "Power Women of the Trades," hosts Cassie Pound and Heather Ripley engage with Logan Marshall from Bluon, exploring the transformative role of technology in the trades industry. Sponsored by Work With Your Hands, Relentless Digital, and Forrest Perry Digital Marketing, this conversation highlights Logan's 24-year career progression from a family HVAC business to Bluon, emphasizi...

In this insightful episode of Power Women of the Trades, hosts Cassie Pound and Heather Bargender-Wavra sit down with Kailee McCrary, a dynamic force in the trades industry, to explore her remarkable journey as the Director of Marketing at Quality. With an emphasis on cultural fit over experience, Kailee shares her story of transitioning from a college graduate to a pivotal member of her company's...

Tune in to this engaging episode of Power Women of the Trades with hosts Cassie Pound and Heather Bargender-Wavra as they welcome Jessica Woodruff Smith. Jessica shares her remarkable journey from starting in HVAC to becoming a ServiceTitan expert and founder of Lady Titans. They discuss the importance of empowering women in trades, balancing work and personal life, and fostering supportive commun...

Tune in to this inspiring episode of Power Women of the Trades with special guest Lori Tschohl. Hosts Cassie Pound and Heather Bargender-Wavra join Lori, who shares her incredible journey from volunteering with McDonald's Corporation to leading in the HVACR industry. Lori dives into her motivations for community involvement and how her experience in nonprofits has shaped her career.  In this e...

In this engaging episode of Power Women of the Trades, Kailee McCrary introduces the new co-host, Heather Bargender-Wavra. Heather shares her personal journey from growing up in Pittsburgh to moving to the West Coast and ultimately becoming a significant player in the trades industry. With a strong background in accounting and strategic business, Heather brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm...

Tune in to part 2 of this engaging conversation with Kimberly Batham and co-hosts Cassie Pound and Heather Bargender-Wavra. This episode dives deeper into the efforts of getting more women into the trades, featuring firsthand insights from Kim Batham who has been advocating for women in HVACR and plumbing for years. They discuss the challenges and successes of organizations like Women in HVACR and...

Tune in to Part 1 of a 2-part series on the Power Women of the Trades podcast. In this episode, hosts Cassie and Heather are joined by special guest Kim Batham, who brings over 20 years of experience in the trades. Kim, a connections coach at Nexstar Network, shares insights into her journey in the HVAC and association worlds. The hosts discuss the impact of Nexstar, the value of networking, and t...

Tune in to "Power Women of the Trades" as Cassie Pound and Heather Bargender-Wavra dive into an insightful conversation with Carol Longacre, the Director of Affiliate Relations at Service Nation. In this episode, Carol emphasizes the crucial role of mentorship and shares her experiences with role models who have inspired her journey. The hosts and guests discuss the impact of mentorship,...

Tune in to hear Cassie Pound host a conversation with Tasha Roberts, the owner of a commercial door company with operations in Phoenix and North Carolina. They delve into Tasha's journey as she discusses the challenges and triumphs of managing multiple locations, adapting to industry changes, and motivating her team. From dealing with the impact of the economy on new construction to maintainin...

Tune in to Part 2 of Valerie Ryan's conversation with Cassie Pound on Power Women of the Trades. The episode delves into the intricacies of managing a growing trades business, from team dynamics to the challenges of rapid expansion. As Valerie shares her experiences transitioning from a teaching career to co-owning a successful home service company, she provides valuable insights into nurturin...

In this first of a two-part series on the Power Women of the Trades podcast, Cassie Pound interviews Valerie Ryan, co-owner of Jersey Boys Plumbing . Valerie shares her journey from being a mathematics teacher for 17 years to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the trade industry, alongside her husband. Transitioning from teaching to the trades, Valerie's experience and insights shed light o...

Tune in to Lupita Thompson's inspiring story of overcoming challenges and the importance of getting back up after failure on this episode of Power Women of the Trades. Lupita shares her journey of addiction, recovery, and personal growth, shedding light on the struggles and triumphs she experienced along the way. Hosts Leslie Harpole and Cassie Pound express their gratitude for Lupita's op...

In part two of a two-part series of the Power Women of the Trades podcast, hosts Leslie Harpole and Cassie Pound delve into the advantageous insights and valuable discussions with powerhouse in PR, Heather Ripley. The conversation begins as the hosts discuss the strategies and impact of public relations (PR) on business, focusing on how PR can influence company growth and success. Heather Ripley s...

Join us for Part 1 of the Power Women of the Trades podcast featuring special guest Heather Ripley. Heather Ripley, the CEO of Ripley PR, shares her insights and experiences in the trades industry. The episode uncovers the challenges overcome and triumphs celebrated by Heather Ripley, highlighting the value of gender diversity in the trades. The episode also features industry sponsors and their co...