What is a question you get asked most about being a chimney sweep/chimney sweeping/the industry?
How did you get into chimney sweeping?
 
How did you get started in the industry?
In 1978, my uncle Bill Vandusen started a chimney sweep company and it went gangbusters right away. I was 15 at the time and of course was looking to make money doing something as I was looking to get my license. I started that summer and then Saturday’s when I went back to school, working with my uncle. It blossomed from there.  He hired a mason and I went to work with him, tending and learning a lot about masonry. After that mason quit, I took over the masonry work.
 
What advice do you wish you had received when you were getting started?
When I started my business 21 years ago, one of the things I wished I had was a good accountant and an office manager. It took me a few years to hire an accountant and too many more years to hire an office manager.
 
What is the biggest challenge you face on the job? What are your best strategies for overcoming it?
Finding the right employees for me and my company. I stand fast to hire to my core values, and I have found some great employees that way. During this COVID pandemic, I have zoomed in on all but one of the meetings offered by NCSG and CSIA. The way to hire was in one of those zoom meetings, which I know will make it a lot easier than I have been doing in the past. For anyone looking for information, those joint meetings are full of great information.
 
Who was your most famous customer?
Bill Belichick was probably one of the most famous customer we had. Also, Malcolm Forbes out on the Nashaun Island, J. Geils (musician), Rico Petrocelli and Jerry Remy, who played for the Red Sox, and Johnny Bucyk, Tiger Williams and Rick Middleton, who all played for the Boston Bruins.
 
Have you ever attended NCSG Annual Convention & Trade Show? If so, what was your favorite takeaway?
I have been to many conventions and trade shows over the years. What really stands out to me was the year we were in Hershey, Pennsylvania – when the blizzard hit. I went down early, as I saw it coming and did not want to get stuck like a lot of folks did. Ken Robinson was doing a Rumfordize hands-on class, and his helpers did not make it there on time to help him. So I jumped in and volunteered. Because of my work there, Kevin Delucenay offered for me to come help build the twisted chimney project at the Tech Center. That convention was also memorable because of the 5 folks that sat outside in the 4 feet of snow in their bathing suits, smoking cigars to raise money. And when the police showed up, Ashley Eldridge in his mom and baby costume were discussing this with the police.
 
What is your proudest accomplishment?
I will give you this quote by Albert Einstein as an answer, “Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.”  I’ve use this for most of my life because I felt I had to continually prove myself to others. When I realized I do not need to, that is where I really started to grow as a human being.
 
Have you ever had to make your own tool to solve a particular problem?
Have we met? I started back in the 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞 ages. Been making or modifying tools most of my life. I did on a job just the other day. I needed heat shield in one specific place about 4 feet down from the top. I modified my rod and a trowel to work perfectly in getting what I needed done. I believe that most chimney sweeps are this way. We find ways to get stuff done.
 
Weirdest thing you have ever found in a chimney?
I have found so many things over the years… all the different animals you can think of. But the weirdest: panties.
 
What do you like to do outside of work?
Playing poker and smoking cigars are a couple of them. I have played golf, which I like but it doesn’t like me. I like to go fishing, though not often enough. I like to help people. I do a lot of that in so many different ways.
 
What is, in your opinion, the most valuable part of being a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild?
There are just so many things here. One of the most valuable to me is the great people in our industry who will help you out. I can call just about any one of them and I get the help I need. The friendships I have gathered over the years are immeasurable. This is one of the reasons I wanted to be on the TAC committee, which now I am the chair. I want to give back to any one in our industry who needs it.
 
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Thank you, Steven! Make sure to check out his article on how technology within the industry has evolved in the Tech Q & A in the October 2020 edition of Sweeping magazine.

As always, make sure to submit your nominations for the next Meet a Member to Annemarie Stockton at astockton@ncsg.org.

What is a question you get asked most about being a chimney sweep/chimney sweeping/the industry?
People always ask if I can go inside the chimney. Then I explain to them how it all works
 
How did you get started in the industry?
An ad in the Chicago paper. They were hiring chimney sweeps through a telemarketing company.  I was a carpenter for years, and every fall it would slow down. I saw the ad in the paper to become a chimney sweep.  I was their first chimney sweep, and once I began, I never looked back.
 
What advice do you wish you had received when you were getting started?
I got that advice four months after I began sweeping.  I met Terry Dearborn, and he told me I need to get certified. So I got certified.  That was a big game changer for me.
 
What is the biggest challenge you face on the job? What are your best strategies for overcoming it?
Paperwork, paperwork and more paperwork.  I would much rather do the physical labor than paperwork.  The best strategy for overcoming this is getting the paperwork done right away and not putting it off.  If I put it off then it probably doesn't get done or it takes me forever. 
 
Who was your most famous customer?
I have two.  One is Christie Hefner, who was the CEO of Playboy, and Mike Ditka, who was the coach of the Chicago Bears.
 
Have you ever attended NCSG Annual Convention & Trade Show? If so, what was your favorite takeaway?
I have been to many chimney sweep conventions. I love most everything about the conventions.  I love the education and the trade show.  Mostly, I love seeing the others in the industry and getting to know new people while seeing those I've known and called friends for years.
 
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Marrying my wonderful wife, Tammy.
 
Have you ever had to make your own tool to solve a particular problem?
All the time! I created an adjustable grinder on a pole to cut out mortared in place flue tiles.  I also created a portable ovalizer for on the job site.  It ovalizes stainless steel liners.
 
Weirdest thing you have ever found in a chimney?
Over the years I have found 2 nail guns in a chimney.
 
What do you like to do outside of work?
I like to travel and see new things.  I also like to go to hockey games or just watch hockey.
 
What is, in your opinion, the most valuable part of being a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild?
Being able to call other members to ask their advice.  I love the family that the NCSG is and I love being a part of that.
 
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Thank you, Bill! Meet a Member is one of our absolute favorite features – we love to highlight all of our fantastic members and the wonderful things they are doing! If you or someone you know should be featured next, please send Annemarie Stockton an email with your nomination at astockton@ncsg.org! 

What is a question you get asked most about being a chimney sweep/chimney sweeping/the industry?
"That must be a dirty job." My answer, “Tell me about it, I started out as a white guy."
 
How did you get started in the industry?
My mom worked for a chimney company and in 2001 I started working summers as a chimney mason laborer at the ripe old age of 13. I worked my way up, then took the plunge into business ownership 10 years ago.
 
What advice do you wish you had received when you were getting started?
Take this seriously because there's some serious opportunity in this industry (not that my 13 year old brain would have taken that advice).
 
What is the biggest challenge you face on the job? What are your best strategies for overcoming it?
Keeping customers happy. I've always worked on the idea of treating customers the way I would my grandparents. Every time I want to get frustrated and tell them how I really feel, I think about what my grandma would say if I did that! Works every time.
 
Who was your most famous customer?
J.J. Watt and his parents the year he was drafted. He was an amazing guy, and his family was great to work with.
 
Have you ever attended NCSG Annual Convention & Trade Show? If so, what was your favorite takeaway?
Every year I find that my best takeaways are from the meals I have with people. The seminars are great, but what I learn from my peers that I invite out to breakfast, lunch, or dinner have been the most valuable. If I could give advice to a first time attendee, it would be to try and never eat alone. You will always get your money’s worth out of the conventions.
 
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Creating a great company. It’s not anywhere near perfect, but I have a great staff and a customer base that loves us.
 
Have you ever had to make your own tool to solve a particular problem?
If any has answered no to this then they don't really work in our industry!
 
Weirdest thing you have ever found in a chimney?
I pulled 32 frogs, in various stages of decomposition, off of a smoke shelf once.
 
What do you like to do outside of work?
There's such a thing as outside of work!?! I spend most of my time doing whatever my 4 daughters and wife want to do.
 
What is, in your opinion, the most valuable part of being a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild?
The conventions, for sure!

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Thank you, Corey! If you or someone you know should be the next NCSG Meet a Member, please send an email with your nomination to Annemarie Stockton at astockton@ncsg.org. 

What is a question you get asked most about being a chimney sweep/chimney sweeping/the industry?
How did you get into the chimney service business in Florida?
 
How did you get started in the industry?
I worked for another company called All Service Industries. One of their services was chimney sweeping.
 
What advice do you wish you had received when you were getting started?
Hire someone for the office.  I tried to do it all myself for the first 10 years.

What is a question you get asked most about being a chimney sweep/chimney sweeping/the industry?
Are you scared of heights? The answer is no, but in my younger days I took some risks that were unnecessary. Thankfully we have had a lot of really good training like the CSIA Rope Access class. We understand, and are prepared to handle the difficult jobs safely without doing something risky! We say every day that there has never, is not, and will never be a chimney that is worth dying over. We break our morning meeting with the same saying," At the end of the day, everyone goes home."
 
How did you get started in the industry?
I was a career firefighter for the Franklin Fire Department, and like every other fireman I needed a side job. I had done a lot of different things, but I wanted to parlay my experiences from the fire department into a side job. It was ingrained in us at the fire department that "fire prevention starts with education." I wanted be a part of that process on my days off. What better way to continue that creed than in the chimney and venting industry? Every day I get to educate people about fire safety. You never know how many fires you can prevent simply by being educated and educating those around you.
 
What advice do you wish you had received when you were getting started?
I wish I would've started going to conventions and getting involved earlier. You hear it all of the time, but this is a very giving industry. People really want to help. Making connections with others that have given me advice or helped me correct or avoid mistakes has been so valuable.
 
What is the biggest challenge you face on the job? What are your best strategies for overcoming it?
For us it’s saying no. We want to help people and fix their problems, but sometimes you don't have the time, manpower or whatever. This is usually when you get yourself in a bind. We want to fix everyone’s problems and make them happy. As I have gotten older the saying "under promise and over deliver" becomes more and more real. Sometimes I think I have learned my lesson, but then you catch yourself falling into the same trap!
The thing that has been most effective for us has been establishing systems for everything. How we schedule appointments, how we sweep chimneys, how we raise ladders and so on. Stick to your system and remember there are reasons why you do business the way you do business. Thankfully, my wife is a genius and she is so good at stuff like this. The troubles start when we don't follow these guidelines. Establish the way you want your business to run, teach that to others and explain why you do it that way. These procedures and guidelines have made us more efficient and more profitable.
 
Who was your most famous customer?
We work in Music City, USA. We have had lots of famous customers!
 
Have you ever attended NCSG Annual Convention & Trade Show? If so, what was your favorite takeaway?
YES! The convention is a must do. I attended my first convention in Branson, MO and I have not missed one since. The classes are phenomenal, and the connections are invaluable. You show up thinking you have something figured out only to realize there are better ways. People are very willing to help, all you have to do is ask for it.
 
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Personally, being a husband to a wife (Beka) that I do not deserve and a father to my two boys Boone-9 and Wyatt-7.
Professionally, my greatest accomplishment is watching and being a part in the growth of the people I have the privilege to work with. I have watched these men and women set goals, achieve them and then work for bigger things. I am so proud of all of them. We have a very young team. Some of them started working here in high school. Watching them grow into leaders, start families, buy houses, and overcome personal struggles has been incredible. It has been an honor to hopefully teach them some of the things that I had to learn the hard way. You hear a lot about their generation, and a lot of it is not flattering. I can tell you this. From what I have seen from my team- they will be just fine!
 
Have you ever had to make your own tool to solve a particular problem?
Absolutely! When chimneys are built (especially masonry) no one ever considered that at some point they will have to be worked on, and that causes problems for us. You have to make tools that can reach a far distance or that can get around bends. We've made a lot of different tools to grab the things that have been dropped (pocket knives, flashlights, drills, etc.).
 
Weirdest thing you have ever found in a chimney?
We found a really old arrow. It was wooden with real feathers for the fletching. That was quite an accomplishment having perfectly fall from the top down. 
 
What do you like to do outside of work?
We enjoying spending time together as a family. Especially spending time outdoors hunting, fishing, etc. Nothing better than a relaxing day at the lake!
 
What is, in your opinion, the most valuable part of being a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild?
Relationships and the support from the members and staff. It is very comforting knowing that there are a lot of people out there that are willing to help you succeed. It you are in a situation that you find difficult, chances are that there is a fellow NCSG member that has been through it. The NCSG staff is amazing, and always willing to help. If they do not have the answer they will more than likely know someone that will. The TAC line is amazing!


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Thanks, Tommy! If you or someone you know should be featured in the next Meet a Member, send an email to Annemarie Stockton at astockton@ncsg.org. 

What is a question you get asked most about being a chimney sweep/chimney sweeping/the industry? 
“You’re really a chimney sweep?”
 
How did you get started in the industry? 
After graduating high school in 1983, I messed around for a year and had a few odd jobs. One day my parents told me that I needed to find a full time job. My sister told me a chimney sweep was in the restaurant where she worked and mentioned needing a helper. (Many of the old timers will remember Joe Tremblay). Anyway, I called him up that evening and started the next day. The rest is history. So basically, I got started just as a way of getting my mom and dad off my back.
 
What advice do you wish you had received when you were getting started? 
I can’t pick just one so I would say, take some business management courses, learn how to properly inspect, get a camera system, and hire an office person ASAP.
 
What is the biggest challenge you face on the job? What are your best strategies for overcoming it?
One of the great things about being a sweep are the challenges that occur almost daily. Whether it’s figuring out how to access a chimney on a difficult roof, a tricky installation or dealing with a difficult customer, I consider myself a pretty good problem solver, so I welcome the challenges.
 
Who was your most famous customer? 
I’ve had the pleasure of working for a few sports, radio and local TV personalities. Bob Kevoian of the Bob & Tom Show was probably my favorite; he was just a really nice guy. But I guess the most famous would be the current VP of the United States of America.
 
Have you ever attended NCSG Annual Convention & Trade Show? If so, what was your favorite takeaway? 
I try to go to as many as I can. I learn so much, even after all these years. I take away at least a few things at each convention that either make me more money, make my job easier or make my job safer. However, my favorite takeaway is the family of sweeps I get to reunite with and new sweeps that I meet.
 
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Marrying my beautiful wife and raising my great kids.
 
Have you ever had to make your own tool to solve a particular problem?
Several times. Sweeps today are lucky, we didn’t have all these nice tools back when I started. We had to improvise and make our own crude tools. Some worked better than others did but they usually got the job done.
 
Weirdest thing you have ever found in a chimney?
A pickup truck bed full of dead birds out of one chimney! Ducks, snakes and coffee can full of money. The latter was a hidden stash of the homeowner’s grandfather, who had passed away. (Yes, I gave it to them and no they didn’t give me any reward or even a tip.)
 
What do you like to do outside of work?
Boating, fishing, hunting, and playing pool.
 
What is, in your opinion, the most valuable part of being a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild?
All the sweeps and staff that have become lifelong friends, who I met over the years through the NCSG. Having access to the manual library is also very valuable. The technical advisory group was very helpful in my early years as a business owner.

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Thanks, Tim! Do you know who should be the next featured member? Send your nominations to Annemarie Stockton at astockton@ncsg.org. 

What is a question you get asked most about being a chimney sweep/chimney sweeping/the industry?
These days it is "How old are you?" I'm 63 and still working, which includes climbing ladders and scaffold, which surprises some people. But I love doing this work and will keep on doing it until I can't any more.
 
How did you get started in the industry?
I got laid off from Safeway foods and was thinking about starting my own business when I saw an ad in Mother Earth News that described how much money you could make as a chimney sweep. I asked my future brother-in-law, who was a chimney sweep in Seattle, what he thought about the idea and he said it could be very profitable. I decided to spend the $1,600 and ordered the August West system with the giant vacuum and manual that described how to do the work. Turns out it was a little more complicated than that.
 
What advice do you wish you had received when you were getting started?
I wish I had joined the NCSG earlier and had gone to every single convention, as well as work with another seasoned chimney sweep for a year before I started on my own. I had to learn the hard way for the first few years. I believe that my first NCSG Convention was in 1989.
 
What is the biggest challenge you face on the job? What are your best strategies for overcoming it?
I'd have to say the biggest challenge is designing scaffold, roof protection, and roof scaffold for large jobs and tall chimneys. Some of the roofs, such as the 12/12 or 12/16 pitch roofs are very difficult to access, especially when the chimney is in the center of the house. When we do large restoration projects, we need to have the scaffold set up just right. So I am on the job to supervise this portion to make sure it is done exactly right.
 
Who was your most famous customer?
Frank White, the KC Royals player. He had peacocks on his property that screeched all day long, but Frank was very nice. 
 
Have you ever attended NCSG Annual Convention & Trade Show? If so, what was your favorite takeaway?
Yes, many times since 1989. Always learn something new and different, like the latest Chim-Scan Camera.
 
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Learning to build masonry heaters and brick ovens and becoming a Certified Heater Mason. This is a real art and I love designing and building heaters and ovens. Got a lot of help at the Masonry Heater Association. I've won 13 awards for my masonry work, so that's pretty cool, too.
 
Have you ever had to make your own tool to solve a particular problem?
Yes, several. I made a tile inserter/breaker tool 30 years ago and we still use it today. I never patented it, but my wife wants me to do so.
 
Weirdest thing you have ever found in a chimney?
A photo from the 1880's. Amazing that it survived. I left it with the homeowners.
 
What do you like to do outside of work?
Restore old houses to their original condition, then sell or rent them. This is more of a second job because it is our retirement income. I also raise chickens for fresh eggs and have an organic garden. And fishing, of course! I just wish I had more time for fishing. Maybe when I semi-retire in two years I'll get to do that more often.
 
What is, in your opinion, the most valuable part of being a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild?
The camaraderie with other sweeps from around the world is the best part, especially at conventions. It's nice to hear how people do things and what challenges they face in their regions.

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Thanks, Gene! We love to hear about all of the awesome things our members are doing. If you or someone you know should be the next Meet a Member, then we want to feature them! Send an email to Annemarie Stockton at astockton@ncsg.org with your nominations. 

What is a question you get asked most about being a chimney sweep/chimney sweeping/the industry? 
Do you know Mary Poppins?
 
How did you get started in the industry? 
My aunt sent my mother an ad for becoming a chimney sweep, which was meant for me as I was delivering, installing and selling wood stoves and fireplaces as a helper. However, my father was looking for something and HE decided to try his hand at chimney sweeping. When he got hurt falling off a ladder I was asked if I could do it, and as it turned out, I could. We became partners until he retired.
 
What advice do you wish you had received when you were getting started? 
It’s hard to answer this question. My father and I had different dreams, different goals.... but if I had to pick one piece of advice it would be on how to manage finances.

What is a question you get asked most about being a chimney sweep/chimney sweeping/the industry?
So, what made you decide to want to become a chimney sweep?
 
How did you get started in the industry?
I worked in insurance and was getting tired of working tirelessly from paycheck to paycheck to earn a living for my family, never seeming to get ahead. A good friend convinced me to start a business. I started my chimney service business from scratch after his recommendation and convincing part time on the weekends until I felt confident enough to leave my full time job in the insurance business.