Sparky Life of Lia

After a decade in Medical Aesthetics, as a Skin Care Director, and Aesthetician, I took a risk when meeting my soon- to- be- fiance, and built a Specialty Rod & Rig business for the Commercial Fishing Industry. I invested $10,000 into this business, which produced profits of $75,000 in less than a year. This was living the American Dream; I was about to be married,  and growing a profitable business. But that's all it was; a dream that quickly crumbled into a nightmare. 

I lost everything. My business, my possessions, and with no money, I had to flee, fearing for my life. I ended up in a women's shelter, with my beloved pets, and the clothes on my back. I am a survivor of domestic violence. 

Living in the women's shelter, not only had I lost everything, but worse of all, I had lost myself. Beaten and broken, I needed a way to make money to survive. Working at the local Walmart wasn't going to pay my bills. My Brother-in-Law mentioned he had heard of an all women's trade school, pre-apprenticeship program. They were offering scholarships for those that qualified, so I applied with nothing to lose. To my amazement I was accepted. I was introduced to the skilled trades: Carpentry, Plumbing, Electrical and more.

This was the first step, in the course of my revitalized  life, that changed my trajectory in ways I never could have imagined. I went from pre-apprentice, to apprentice, to journeywoman. 

 I did this in 3 years; it typically takes on average,  4 or 5 years to accomplish this. I lived, breathed, and ate electrical.

In my lifetime, no other career path has opened so many doors. The skilled trades set me up for success, gave me financial freedom, improved my math skills, and  problem solving skills.  Most importantly, it re-built my self-confidence. I now have a successful career in Building Automation and Fire Alarm Systems.

I could not understand why people did not know about the numerous opportunities in the skilled trades. Especially for women. Why was no one talking about this?

Most women have no idea a skilled trades career path is available to them. Additionally, schools and the media's interpretation of working with your hands is all wrong.  I knew this misinformation and misrepresentation about the skilled trades needed to be corrected. Thus, the Sparky Life Podcast was born. Without the skilled trades, the worst of humanity is revealed. I know what it is like to live without running water, and electricity; you are just existing- barely surviving. 

Civilization is created and maintained by the skilled trades. Sparky Life reveals remarkable stories, and shares points of views,  from journeymen and women, who build the things that make our lives work. The lessons learned on the Sparky Life episodes are not only valuable for those engaged in the skilled trades,  but frankly for all of us,  whether we use tools literally or figuratively in our daily lives. On the Sparky Life Podcast, https://sparkylife.buzzsprout.com, I share my electrical journey, experiences, and insights through engaging banter with those I have met along the way.

I am an Electrician and Evangelist for the skilled trades. If we stand together we can build the world we wish to live in.  Sparky Life, Sparky Life's guests, and engaged listeners are all here to "Create the Sparks in Your Life!"