Embracing Equality in the Service Trades

Here’s what I learned about gender equality early in life. Growing up in a small Texas town, God didn't have time to discriminate. Men and women both had to work hard to survive. There simply weren’t enough of us to play favorites. When fields had to be plowed and cows had to be fed, everybody pitched in. As a result, some of the toughest people I knew were women. That kind of respect has stuck with me ever since.

Fast forward, and today the service brands I oversee across Stellar Brands are another wonderful example of putting the equal in opportunity. When it comes to the right man for the job in our industries, there is no glass ceiling under my roof. Half of the people at our headquarters are women -- from the COO of Restoration 1 and the brand president of The Driveway Company and Softroc on down.

The same can be found on the front lines across our franchise networks. More women are jumping in to be the boss as franchisees, and they are bringing outstanding leadership qualities with them. They have a passion for customer service that raises the bar in some of the dirtiest businesses, like plumbing and restoration. They are also true pioneers for changing the face of male-dominated industries and paving the way for others to follow.

?From Fashion and Finance to People and Plumbing

When Michele Deane graduated from Penn State, she headed for the Big Apple and spent years in the fashion industry as a buyer. She later moved into the finance world at Capitol One. And when something needed fixing at home that her husband couldn’t tackle, she was the one scheduling a service call. That’s when she saw the red flags. “They [contractors] were just telling me what they were going to do, not really giving me any options, making a mess of my house and then leaving me with an invoice,” she said in an interview with 93.9 WRWK radio.?

After 29 years in corporate America, she decided to make a change. She started an Ace Handyman business and then, in the middle of a pandemic, she opened a bluefrog Plumbing & Drain franchise in Richmond, Va. A WTVR-TV story said it best: “Michele had no background in the trade industry, but she has a lot of experience in customer service.” Michele credits that knowledge to her business success. “Everybody needs a good plumber that you like and trust, and that’s what bluefrog Plumbing is all about,” she said.

The Dynamic Duo in Des Moines?

Another fine example is Becky Gibson and Claire Smith of Des Moines, Iowa. In December of 2020, they were awarded a Restoration 1 franchise. In an interview with Restoration & Remediation Magazine they spoke with Editor in Chief Michelle Blevins about their desires to grow a business that could invest in its employees and their community. They wanted a solid return on investment and were passionate about establishing a company culture that aligned with their values. They also weren’t afraid to bust a few myths in the process.

“Our approach is to set the example that women are in this business. Women are in this industry,” Claire told RnR. Gibson added that being able to provide steady employment with career development options for the team was a top goal as a boss. Becky and Claire regularly call on fellow franchisees for advice, and the network has embraced them in return. They have a goal to hit $1 million in their first year.?

And if anyone questions a woman's mental and physical toughness to start a business like Restoration 1, just give Becky and Claire a call. They both lost their mothers, and then Becky battled stage 4 colon cancer. She went through chemo right before this dynamic duo jumped into franchising. I will be the first to congratulate them on the bravery that comes with making a life change, a career change, and taking the bull by the horns all at once.

The month of October is dedicated to celebrating women in small business. This is a time to celebrate the numerous accomplishments of our country's female entrepreneurs, as well as the positive impact they are having on jobs and the economy. I am honored to have such an amazing group of women on our team to recognize and celebrate throughout the month. If you know any women who like to take charge, tell them Stellar Brands is looking for them.