 This month, I am excited to introduce you to Matt Blackmon and Billy Stickney of Patriot Chimney Service, LLC out of Blue Ridge, VA. They discuss how they got started with their business and how they are helping fellow veterans and service members transition into our industry.
---- How did you get started in the industry? Matt: I was in college and needed a part time job and came across the opportunity to join the chimney industry. I met my mentor and friend John B. and found the first "job" since being medically retired from the Marine Corps that I truly enjoyed. I quit school, went full time and the rest is history. Billy: As for me, I knew Matt from the Corps and I was a sheriff when I decided to part ways with it and try my luck in this field. Matt convinced me to come aboard, that it was good work and very rewarding. I was utterly surprised at how much I grew to love it. We wanted to contribute to the industry, knew we could do it better, raise awareness, give back to the community and ultimately give back to our veterans; so we ventured off on our own. What do you like to do outside of work? Both: We do a lot of hunting and fishing. We also have been trying to work with the DOD and Department of VA to set up a transition program for service members and veterans interested in this line of work... "Combat Boots 2 Top Hats" Can you tell us a little bit more about that? Matt: I was wounded in Afghanistan where I received the Purple Heart and was also awarded for valor. Billy was shot overseas and received many awards for his service. When I was medically retired from the Marines I fell on hard times and struggled like many combat veterans do. We were always searching for that "thing" that gave us pride and something we enjoyed with a sense of purpose. So along came the chimney industry and the independence of ownership of a company. It's good, hard, rewarding work that keeps you busy and for people like us it's what we need. We always heard the statistic of 22 veterans taking their lives a day. Rarely is it from the actual trauma experienced, but instead the sense of worthlessness and not having an actual purpose. The military helps you when getting out with what path to take but doesn't really help you get there; when you separate it's up to you to figure it out. So with all that said, we wanted to do our part and try to combat the statistics and help veterans either start their own company or have it lead to a valuable career within the industry. Along came Combat Boots 2 Top Hats. The objective behind it is to have either transitioning service members or already separated vets attend the CSIA training school and when completed have hands on training with a certified sweep in their home town or near by to learn even more. This will keep them busy so they don't dwell on the "loss" of that brotherhood they had for years and will lead to them being employable or having the tools to carve their own path in this line of work. What advice do you wish you had received when you were getting started? Both: Learn as much as you possibly can and that building an empire will take a lot of your time. What is the biggest challenge you face on the job? What are your best strategies for overcoming it? Both: It would have to be removing dead animals. There isn't much of a strategy behind it besides just sucking it up and doing it. Who was your most famous customer? Both: We had a customer with a lake house nearby that played in the NBA. What is your proudest accomplishment? Both: Being the most certified company in our region and being voted top chimney service company in our region as well. What is, in your opinion, the most valuable part of being a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild? Both: The technical help available. Running across situations that you're either confused about or never experienced and having an expertise help you a bunch has been the most valuable part to me. --- Thank you for sharing! Know of someone who should be the next Meet a Member? Nominate them (or yourself) to Annemarie Stockton at astockton@ncsg.org or (317) 837-1500!
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 This month, I'd like you all to meet Russell Gardner of Fiddler On The Roof in Van Nuys, California.
--- What is a question you get asked most about being a chimney sweep/chimney sweeping/the industry? You can make a living in Los Angeles at that?!?!?! What advice do you wish you had received when you were getting started? First become a CPA, a lawyer, and a psychologist before becoming a chimney sweep!  I'd like to introduce Blume (that's right... just Blume) as this month's Meet a Member. He owns and operates Blume, The Merry Sweep out of Greenville, South Carolina and has been a continuous member of the NCSG since the early 90s. From US Presidents to some furry friends, he's seen it all...
--- What is a question you get asked most about being a chimney sweep/chimney sweeping/the industry? How long have you been a sweep? Answer: "A while......." What advice do you wish you had received when you were getting started? Discipline and Time Management and you don't have to work for everybody.  John Ceaser of Ceaser Chimney Service, LLC in Manchester, New Hampshire is this month's member to know! Check out his interview below.
--- What advice do you wish you had received when you were getting started? Get as much training and take as many classes as I could. There is so much to learn and so many different ways to get education. Even after almost 10 years in the industry I am still finding out things I didn't know. I try to learn something new every day. I also schedule my work around various on site, off site, and traveling education classes to make sure myself and my technicians are up to date on the latest codes, standards and practices.  Approaching his 10th year of membership with NCSG, Jesse Doucette of Crown Chimney in Hooksett, New Hampshire shares part of his experience as a chimney sweep with us. --- What is a question you get asked most about being a chimney sweep/chimney sweeping? How often should I have my chimney swept? What advice do you wish you had received when you were getting started? I wish I had been given advice on anything! I was kind of thrown into the industry and had to learn from scratch.  Bill Miner of Mountain Home Chimney & Flame in Midway, Arkansas shares some advice from his 34 years of experience...
--- What advice do you wish you had received when you were getting started? If you don’t want a lifelong hobby, go to college and get a career that pays well and stays at the office. Self-employment has its benefits, but you must weigh them over the long term long before you paint yourself in a corner. Short answer is make a reasonable business plan 10 years out and if chimney sweeping makes you happy and provides well, go for it. Learn the business side, you won’t always be a whipper snapper.  Allow me to introduce Mike Schamens of Quality Fireplace Inc. in Waukesha, WI. He keeps it short and to the point as he tells us a little bit about himself and his experience as a chimney sweep...
--- What is a question you get asked most about being a chimney sweep/chimney sweeping? Do you wear a top hat? What advice do you wish you had received when you were getting started? Make a written plan to succeed  Angelo Farruggia from Fire N' Stone in Tilton, NH has some great insights into what it means for him to be a chimney sweep and how he's advancing the industry. And he's seen some pretty cool things along the way...
--- What is a question you get asked most about being a chimney sweep/chimney sweeping? Do you wear a top hat? While it’s a funny question, it highlights that we as an industry need to better educate the public. Our field is highly technical and takes considerable training and knowledge to perform as well as on the job training to perform our duties. Contrary to public belief you can't just wake up one day and do a quick course to do what we do. Its takes years in classroom and in the field to be able to provide a top level of service.  For a lot of our members, running their business is a family affair. And that's no different for Don Oakes of Don's Stove & Chimney in Livermore, Maine who takes on the chimney world with his wife, Teresa, and two sons. Below, Don gives us a glimpse into his 30+ years of experience...
--- What is a question you get asked most about being a chimney sweep/chimney sweeping? Aren't you afraid of heights?? The answer is - I do not like heights, however, I respect gravity and am comfortable being on roofs as long as my feet are touching the surface. I am definitely not the best date for an amusement park.  We asked Lou Curley of Lou Curley's Chimney Service in Pennsylvania to tell us a little bit about himself...
What is a question you get asked most about being a chimney sweep/chimney sweeping? Typical Mary Poppins/top hat nonsense questions. What advice do you wish you had received when you were getting started? When I first started in the industry, I worked for somebody else. I wish I'd had access to training through CSIA (other than just the manual), NFI, and FIRE. I learned more after I started my business than I did working 12 years for somebody else.... |
