Off The Job: A Tradesman Podcast

How Painting & Decorating Changed Her Life | Sian Francis

Trade Apps Ltd Season 10 Episode 6

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0:00 | 1:04:05

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What’s it really like being a female decorator in the UK trades industry?

 

This week on Off The Job, Pete and Keiran are joined by Sian Francis - painter, decorator, business owner, mum, and the first female decorator to sit down on the podcast.

 

Sian talks about starting out in painting and decorating at a young age, building her business from Facebook posts, taking on apprentices, working on DIY SOS, and why people seriously underestimate decorators.But this episode goes much deeper than the trade.

 

Sian opens up about domestic abuse, trauma, sobriety, mental health, becoming a mum while running a business, and how she’s rebuilt herself through work, confidence, and taking life one step at a time.

 

In this episode:

  • Life as a female painter and decorator
  • Starting a trade business at 20
  • Being a woman on site
  • Why painting and decorating gets underestimated
  • Taking on apprentices
  • DIY SOS and helping families
  • Sobriety and mental health
  • Domestic abuse and rebuilding confidence
  • Advice for women wanting to get into the trades

 

👇 Let us know in the comments:
 Do decorators get enough respect in the trades?


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⚠️ Warning: Contains adult humour and strong language. Tradesmen banter ahead.

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