National Chimney Sweep Guild | Plainfield, IN
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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors >
      • Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
      • NCSG Bylaws
    • History >
      • In Memoriam
    • Contact
  • Join
    • Why Join the NCSG?
    • FAQs About Membership
    • Member Benefits
    • Membership Application
    • Supplier and Dual Member Application
    • Meet a Member
  • For Chimney Pros
    • Sweeping Magazine
    • Supplier Member Directory
    • State and Regional Associations
    • NCSG National Convention
    • Government Affairs
    • Business Education For Sweeps
    • Get Involved
    • NCSG Job Board
  • For Homeowners
    • Find an NCSG Member
    • Tips When Hiring a Chimney Sweep PLUS Free E-book for Homeowners
    • Chimney Swifts
    • NCSG Ethics Pledge and Trademarks
  • Members Only Login

Meet a member

Meet John Ceaser

11/5/2018

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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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Meet Jesse Doucette

10/8/2018

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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.

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Meet Bill Miner

9/10/2018

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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.

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Meet Mike Schamens

8/13/2018

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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... 
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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

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Meet Angelo Farruggia

7/31/2018

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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.

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Meet Don Oakes

6/26/2018

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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.


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Meet Lou Curley

6/8/2018

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We asked Lou Curley of Lou Curley's Chimney Service in Pennsylvania to tell us a little bit about himself...
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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....


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    Meet our Members!

    Get to know some of the fascinating people that make up our chimney community. 

    Archives

    All
    Meet Alan Collins
    Meet Angelo Farruggia
    Meet Bill Miner
    Meet Blume
    Meet David Steward
    Meet Don Oakes
    Meet Gary Yates
    Meet Jesse Doucette
    Meet John Ceaser
    Meet Lou Curley
    Meet Matt Blackmon & Billy Stickney
    Meet Mike Schamens
    Meet Russell Gardner
    Meet Sally McKnight

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Phone: (317) 837-1500 | office@ncsg.org

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The National Chimney Sweep Guild inspires innovation, professionalism and community among chimney sweeps and venting professionals through advocacy, industry leading conferences and journalism, covering people, tools, health, standards, and education for a successful business and the safety of the American people.

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