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 the biggest challenge you face on the job? What are your best strategies for overcoming it? 
One of the coolest things about this business is it is all about challenges. There is no part of the day and no part of the job that does not require your ability to problem solve. You must always thinking creatively, open to any and all possible solutions. The best strategy for overcoming any aspect of the business or the job at hand is to, 1. just relax and think you way through it, and 2. ALWAYS find educational and training classes. After 40 years in the business, I still think I have more to learn. Just like lawyers have a practice, I like to think of myself as a practicing chimney professional.
 
Who was your most famous customer?
I have many, but here’s a short list: Al Pacino, Ellen Burstyn, Bill Murray, Mike Nichols, Diane Sawyer, Jimmy Buffet, and many more. I did make Bill Murray laugh... that was fun.
 
Have you ever attended NCSG Annual Convention & Trade Show? If so, what was your favorite takeaway? 
My first convention was in 1980 and I have been to most, but not all. I love that there is a brotherhood I belong to and their willingness to help each other both professionally and personally.
 
What is your proudest accomplishment? 
In 1980, we were still deciding on what we should name this organization. I was one of the people who got to vote for the name “national chimney sweep guild” and I take a lot of pride in that. It is nice to know I had a small hand building this Guild at the beginning.
 
Have you ever had to make your own tool to solve a particular problem?
Sure, in the early days you had to cause they didn’t exist. I just made one this week (but I can’t tell you because it’s a secret).  
 
Weirdest thing you have ever found in a chimney?
26 dead turkey vultures... all in one flue.
 
What do you like to do outside of work?
Ski, go to the shore and bodysurf, pretend I can play my guitar and sing, listen to music, but mostly look for a way to laugh.
 
What is, in your opinion, the most valuable part of being a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild? 
The men and women who become your friends.

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Thanks, Tedd! If you or someone you know would like to be the next Meet a Member, send Annemarie Stockton and email at astockton@ncsg.org. 

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. 

What is a question you get asked most about being a chimney sweep/chimney sweeping/the industry?
After asking what is a Chimney Sweep? Well the next question is why are there not more sweeps out there?  It is a difficult question to answer for most people. We just tell them that it is a long, hard and dirty job and not everyone has the stamina to do this type of work.
 
How did you get started in the industry?
Back in the late 70s, we were approached by a family member who read Mother Earth News and thought this would be a great job to do. He never once swept a chimney but has the smarts to hire Vince as his sweep; I followed along later into the office. In 1983, we left that company and started on our own, as we wanted to learn from other sweeps and go to training classes to better our knowledge.

What is a question you get asked most about being a chimney sweep/chimney sweeping/the industry?
"Doesn't the house get dirty when you clean?" And I inform them of our careful process to protect the home to make sure it stays as clean as it was when we arrived.
 
How did you get started in the industry?
I joined a great company that had been in business for over 30 years and have learnt from the best!
 
What advice do you wish you had received when you were getting started?
Take in all the information you can when learning and never stop as the industry is ever changing.

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/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 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.