 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. What is the biggest challenge you face on the job? What are your best strategies for overcoming it? Finding, hiring, and keeping good employees. It takes a certain kind of crazy to do this work, and finding people that not only want to do it, but keep doing it is the trickiest part. I have found that paying well, training a lot, and offering benefits are the first three key ingredients. Who was your most famous customer? I can't say :) But we have worked for local celebrities, politicians, actors and athletes. What is your proudest accomplishment? Starting a chimney sweeping business in the middle of winter, after most people had already had their chimney swept, with no forward scheduled work or previous customer base to pull from and not only staying in business but almost doubling in revenue every year to date. Have you ever had to make your own tool to solve a particular problem? Many times. My favorite is a sleeve and foam insert that I made from random plumbing parts in a Home Depot aisle that allows us to sweep flues from the bottom with both the rods and vacuum connected. Weirdest thing you have ever found in a chimney? Someone used their empty mortar bags to fill the cavity of a chimney while they were building it. When we rebuilt the top we pulled out dozens of charred remains. What do you like to do outside of work? Sleep! But when I'm not doing that I am either watching my sons play baseball, spending time at my seasonal camp site, or playing softball. What is, in your opinion, the most valuable part of being a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild? Having the networking and education available. My favorite part of chimney sweeps is their willingness to help and assist you with any problem you may have. The NCSG helps connect me with hundreds of sweeps, either through their tech line, conventions, or Facebook. --- Thanks, John! It's always great to share challenges and successes within this amazing network of chimney and venting professionals. If you know someone who should be featured in the next Meet a Member, shoot me an email at astockton@ncsg.org!
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 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.... |
