 Meet Vince and Yvette Aube from AIM Chimney Sweep in Midland, Ontario. They’ve been long-time NCSG members, and have been championing our Guild in Canada for many years. Let’s take a look to see how they got started in the industry and what some of their great accomplishments are.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.
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 Meet Alan Collins of Doctor Flue, Inc. in Tecumseh, MI. Alan tells us about himself, including a famous customer and being his company's first CSIA Certified office manager!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. 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.  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.  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. |
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