Meet Jesse Doucette

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. 
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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.

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What is the biggest challenge you face on the job? What are your best strategies for overcoming it? 
Every job is different from the last. The best strategy that I use is to be open minded and look at each job as an individual job and not like any others. This allows us to be creative for the customer with coming up with the best solution for them and their needs.

Who was your most famous customer? 
Roger Clemens (Baseball Player)

What is your proudest accomplishment? 
Becoming a CSIA Master Sweep! Becoming F.I.R.E Certified

Have you ever had to make your own tool to solve a particular problem? 
I do that almost daily. Again every job is different and the tools that we buy don't always work. Open-mindedness and creativity are key to the jobs continuing.

Weirdest thing you have ever found in a chimney? 
Civil War guns.

What do you like to do outside of work? 
Wood working and Mt. Biking.

What is, in your opinion, the most valuable part of being a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild? 
Knowledge and resources that can be obtained.
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Thanks, Jesse! That's some great advice about always being creative and open minded. Do you know someone else who has some useful guidance and should be featured in the next Meet a Member? Nominate them by either emailing me at astockton@ncsg.org or give me a call at (317) 837-1500. ​