A Woman Who Plumbs - Carrying On A Family Tradition, Teaching Moms Home Plumbing Basics, and Inspiring Women To Become Plumbers and Business Owners!

As a 5th Generation Plumber, Susan learned first from her Father, and went on to own her own Plumbing Company. Plumbing remains a profession that is still overwhelmingly male, although Susan is trying to encourage more women to enter this profession. While trying to inspire Girl Scouts, she was approached by the girls' mothers about training them how to understand and repair their own plumbing fixtures at home, leading to the development of Workshops for Women. With many Plumbers owning their own business, this career path often offers independence as well as a need to master being an independent business owner!

2:29 -3:37 - Background of Susan Jacobs Marshalsea

Susan is a fifth-generation master plumber from Jacob's Plumbing, established in Boston in 1895. She is a trailblazer for women in the plumbing industry, where there are few female apprentices, journeymen, or masters in Massachusetts. At a trade show, she saw only one woman among hundreds of newly passed journeymen and masters. Nonetheless, Susan is a highly successful and respected professional in her field.

3:37 - 15:29 - Susan shares experience of overcoming gender bias in male-dominated trade

The speaker worked at a marketing firm phone bank confirming subscribers to trade publications, including a male-dominated plumbing trade publication. Despite being initially told that girls couldn't be plumbers, the speaker later worked with their father as a plumber and has been in the trade for over 38 years.

15:29 - 25:54 - Importance of empowering people with knowledge

How to effectively engage learners by presenting the benefits of a topic rather than just providing information, and the importance of empowering people with knowledge, even if they do not perform a task themselves. The conversation includes a story about a property owner who refused to allow his renters to use anyone other than his preferred plumber, who was found to have installed lead pipes in the house.

25:54 - 34:54 - Women Breaking Barriers in Male-Dominated Water Industry

Discussing the lack of women in water-related fields and efforts to attract more women to these professions. The guests suggest that hands-on classes in middle schools could help introduce girls to these fields early on. They also discuss how women may face harassment and other issues in male-dominated fields.

34:54 - 41:01 - Susan shares her experience of working in a male-dominated industry

The challenges she faces, and the satisfaction she gets from helping people solve their plumbing problems. She talks about the importance of educating homeowners on how to maintain their plumbing systems and avoid costly repairs.

41:01 - 48:37 - Challenges faced by those entering the plumbing trade.

They suggest that business education is essential for new plumbers, as many young people lack the skills to run their own businesses. The speaker also discusses the importance of water conservation and filtration systems and encourages plumbers to take a socially responsible approach to their work.

48:37 - 1:01:26 - Closing Remarks and Next Steps

Susan talks about the challenges and advantages of being a self-employed tradesperson. She shares her experience of managing her own business, including dealing with clients, managing a team, and adapting to remote work during the pandemic. She also discusses the importance of social interaction and the satisfaction that comes from helping people with their plumbing problems.