Meet David Steward of Copper Ridge Chimney LLC in Claremore, Oklahoma. If you’ve been to convention in the past few years, you’ve probably seen him walking around with his cowboy hat. We were able to sit down with David during Sweeps Week 2019 to talk a little bit more about how David got started in the industry and what he likes to do when he’s not sweeping chimneys.
How did you get started in the industry?
I got started in the industry 15 years ago with the Boy Scouts. I was in the Boy Scouts and dad was sweeping chimneys and needed some help on the side, so I decided to go help him. Anything to make a buck, right? 20 bucks is 20 bucks. So that’s what I did for a little while. Then I joined the military, went away for a long time, got out and came back to it. I worked for another company for a little while. What is a question you get asked most about being a chimney sweep? The question I get asked most is ‘how did I get into being a chimney sweep and why am I a chimney sweep?’ I got into it from Boy Scouts, my love of construction, and enjoying doing a little bit of everything on the house. I really enjoy doing the chimney sweep because it’s an all-trades kind of job. What advice do you wish you had received when you were getting started? That the chimney sweep industry is a giant onion. I wish I would have known that there are so many layers involved with being a chimney sweep. It’s not just sweeping a chimney and running a brush. It’s inspections, it’s fireplace change-outs, it’s masonry skills, it’s a little of electrician, it’s a little bit of tile layer. It’s just a little bit of everything, and even after being a civil engineer and being a chimney sweep and certified and fire certified, everyday almost I peel back another layer of that onion. I don’t know if I’ll ever find the center of it, but I strive to find that daily. What is the biggest challenge you face on the job and what are your strategies for overcoming it? My biggest challenge on the job would be getting the job done on time and right, but not too slow. That fine line between doing it right and getting it done in a timely manner. The way that I go about doing a better job of that is do it more, practice more, get better, and improve upon my deficiencies. Have you ever attended convention, and if so what was your favorite takeaway? I have attended the annual convention for 4 years, and the trade show, and it’s been an absolute blast. My biggest takeaway is being surrounded by all the other sweeps, the brotherhood, that shot of energy and morale that I know when I come home, in lonely Oklahoma, that I know there are other guys everyday fighting the good fight, sweeping the chimneys just like me. What is your proudest accomplishment? My proudest accomplishment would be marrying the love of my life, my wife Seire, and not pissing her off bad enough to where she’s run off yet. Have you ever had to make your own tool to solve a particular problem? Yes, we call that Okie Engineering, and we make our own tools quite often. Generally wrenches, pry bars, things that need to be cut or welded at another angle to get leverage on something. What do you like to do outside of work? I enjoy cattle ranching and fine woodworking. I build my own furniture: cupboards, cabinets, desks and just all kinds of real fine, high-skilled woodworking. What is in your opinion is the most valuable part of being a member of NCSG? Two things are the most valuable parts. On paper, one of the benefits if the TAC line (the Technical Advisory Council call line). That thing has been so amazingly valuable to me. Anytime I’m really hung up in a smoke chamber or liner issue, I can jump on that website, call whoever it is that’s in that specialty, and within an hour I’ve got an answer. I feel like I can really get done what I need to do thanks to the TAC line. Outside of that, things that you can’t really put on there as a bullet is the comradery, the brotherhood, the massive amount of sweeps out there that just want to help each other and help you to do better and grow to be a better sweep and a better person. --- Thanks, David! Do you want to be the next featured member? Send an email to Annemarie Stockton at astockton@ncsg.org to either nominate yourself or someone you know.
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 Meet John Bently with Duct & Chimney Specialists and Duct Cleaners' Supply in New Richland, Minnesota. Many of you have taken his classes, now let's get to know him a little better.What is a question you get asked most about being a chimney sweep/chimney sweeping/the industry?
There are still chimney sweeps? How did you get started in the industry? In the early 80s, we built our house and heated it with wood. I had been doing service and maintenance in a number of fields for many years. When it came to stove maintenance I had gotten the equipment needed and swept and maintained the wood furnace and venting system. While at a home show, I met someone who had a sweeping business and several years later, I saw an ad in the newspaper that they were looking to hire someone. I applied and got the job. At that time, the company had just expanded into air duct cleaning. What advice do you wish you had received when you were getting started? Don't stress, just do your best. If you take your time and treat the customer well you will do well. It takes time to build a business. What is the biggest challenge you face on the job? What are your best strategies for overcoming it? Finding the best way to educate the customer. Everyone is different and grasps information in different ways. If you can pass along relevant information in a way that the customer understands it can make a huge difference in how they view the issues regarding the systems you are working on and their trust in you as a professional in your field. What I find works well is using analogies to common things in everyday life. When the customer says, "that makes sense”, I know I have made a connection. Who was your most famous customer? A singer that most people have heard the songs. Have you ever attended NCSG Annual Convention & Trade Show? If so, what was your favorite takeaway? Many times, though I don't know exactly how many conventions. The "favorite" takeaway is a tough one since there are more than one. First is the people, there are so many awesome people I have met over the years. So much to learn from seminars and people. If you are having a challenge, someone else has been through it also. You can call that the "Lighthouse" or "Beacon" effect. They can give you some information that can help you navigate through the darkness and make it through challenging times. What is your proudest accomplishment? My wife and I raising our three children. They are all thoughtful adults who try to make things in their sphere of influence better by helping those around them. Have you ever had to make your own tool to solve a particular problem? Yes. I have been doing service work for many years/decades. I have always modified or made my own tools. That's where the supply side of our business came in. When we come across a challenge, we do something about it and the result is usually a new tool, product or technique. Weirdest thing you have ever found in a chimney? 30+ Blackbirds filling a woodstove and the stove pipe. What do you like to do outside of work? Fireworks. I am a licensed Pyrotechnician What is, in your opinion, the most valuable part of being a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild? The people and the community. --- Thanks, John! I'm sure we'd all like to have you around on the Fourth of July. If you or someone you know should be featured in the next Meet a Member, shoot me an email at astockton@ncsg.org or call (317) 837-1500!  Meet Jason Ward with FireCrest Chimney Service LLC in Little Rock, Arkansas. He talks a little bit about how he got his introduction to the chimney industry, as well as how he is making some changes to grow his business.What is a question you get asked most about being a chimney sweep/chimney sweeping/the industry? Is this the worst you’ve ever seen? How did you get started in the industry? My Captain at the fire department owned what would become my company. I was assigned to his engine company when I was a rookie. He liked me and asked me if I would start working with his company on our days off. The rest is history.  Meet long-time member Sally McKnight of The Irish Sweep, Inc. in Alameda, California. As a former board member, Sally is someone you've likely seen around throughout the years and is definitely someone with a unique perspective on what it takes to be a successful chimney professional. What is a question you get asked most about being a chimney sweep/chimney sweeping/the industry? How do I know if my chimney is safe to use? Some customers are concerned about fire safety while others are concerned with structural safety and still others are concerned with seismic safety. Most customers tend to overlook the power of wind and rain, which over time causes mortar failure; I like to educate my customers and bring awareness to potential hazards created by our environment. How did you get started in the industry? I was hired by the owner of The Irish Sweep, Jim Halloran, as part time office staff. I could not communicate effectively on the telephone with customers, as I didn't know anything about fireplaces or chimneys. So I was asked to go out into the field and clean some chimneys as a means to further my education. Eventually a partnership was formed and in 1988 I purchased the business from Jim.  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.  This month, I'd like you all to meet Russell Gardner of Fiddler On The Roof in Van Nuys, California. He's been in the industry for a long time and has met some pretty famous people along the way...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. |
