Send us Fan Mail

What’s it really like being a female decorator in the UK trades industry?

This week on Off The Job, Pete and Keiran are joined by Sian Francis - painter, decorator, business owner, mum, and the first female decorator to sit down on the podcast.

Sian talks about starting out in painting and decorating at a young age, building her business from Facebook posts, taking on apprentices, working on DIY SOS, and why people seriously underestimate decorators.But this episode goes much deeper than the trade.

Sian opens up about domestic abuse, trauma, sobriety, mental health, becoming a mum while running a business, and how she’s rebuilt herself through work, confidence, and taking life one step at a time.

In this episode:

• Life as a female painter and decorator
• Starting a trade business at 20
• Being a woman on site
• Why painting and decorating gets underestimated
• Taking on apprentices
• DIY SOS and helping families
• Sobriety and mental health
• Domestic abuse and rebuilding confidence
• Advice for women wanting to get into the trades

👇 Let us know in the comments:
 Do decorators get enough respect in the trades?

📣 Sponsored by Flexigas – the flexible gas pipe specialists: https://flexigas.com/
💥 Powered by Ridgeline – seamless copper tubes built for the trade: https://ridgelinetubes.com/

🎁 EXCLUSIVE PODCAST OFFER
Get 30% OFF your Yearly Subscription to Gas Certificate App!
Use code: POD30 at checkout

📲 Download the Gas Certificate App now
https://onelink.to/hbv69u

⚠️ Warning: Contains adult humour and strong language. Tradesmen banter ahead.

🔗 Follow us on Socials
📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@offthejobpodcastuk
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/offthejobpodcastuk