"I quit my waitressing job to become a plasterer - being a woman in a male-dominated industry is a huge advantage"
- last year
A woman who quit her job as a waitress to become a plasterer reveals that being a woman in a male-dominated industry is a huge advantage.
Madi Forrest, 24, has been a plasterer for three-and-a-half years now and runs her own business.
She used to work as a waitress and never intended to become a tradie, but quit her job during the pandemic as she couldn't see any longevity.
Madi decided to take a four-day plastering course while on furlough, hoping this would help with home improvements when she eventually bought a house.
But that bold move led to a massive change and a lucrative career move.
She practised on a fake wall in her garage after completing her course and then offered to do odd jobs for friends and family, free of charge.
But when one of the jobs for a family friend ended up with a surprise payment of £150, Madi started to build a customer base of her own.
Madi, from Chester, Cheshire, had doubts going into the industry, but was pleasantly surprised by the support she received.
She said: "Before I set up my business She Plasters, I thought that people, men in particular, would doubt my ability to plaster.
"But to my wonderful surprise, the majority of people have been extremely supportive and complimentary.
"I get the odd male tradie who thinks I can’t do my job, but in my opinion they are just jealous that the women in trade are smashing it!
Being a woman in a male-dominated industry has a few challenges, but Madi says they're few and far between and there are more advantages than people might think.
Madi added: "I face a few challenges being a woman in this job.It doesn’t happen often.
"But I get the odd customer who doesn’t take me seriously, or assumes that I wouldn’t be capable of doing the job, but they are soon proven wrong.
"I think I have a huge advantage being a woman in this industry. First off, it’s different, and people like different.
"I also get a lot of elderly customers, along with single parents.
"I think they just feel more comfortable with a female being around the house, I know I would."
Plastering is difficult and labour-intensive work, as Madi has to carry all of her materials herself.
But the flexibility of her work makes it worth it.
Now an experienced tradie, Madi's running her own business across Cheshire and hasn't looked back since.
Madi loves her job and the work she does and is appreciative of those who have helped her along the way.
As her business continues to be successful, she plans to develop her company and has even started a group chat with other female tradies who she has met along her journey".
Madi Forrest, 24, has been a plasterer for three-and-a-half years now and runs her own business.
She used to work as a waitress and never intended to become a tradie, but quit her job during the pandemic as she couldn't see any longevity.
Madi decided to take a four-day plastering course while on furlough, hoping this would help with home improvements when she eventually bought a house.
But that bold move led to a massive change and a lucrative career move.
She practised on a fake wall in her garage after completing her course and then offered to do odd jobs for friends and family, free of charge.
But when one of the jobs for a family friend ended up with a surprise payment of £150, Madi started to build a customer base of her own.
Madi, from Chester, Cheshire, had doubts going into the industry, but was pleasantly surprised by the support she received.
She said: "Before I set up my business She Plasters, I thought that people, men in particular, would doubt my ability to plaster.
"But to my wonderful surprise, the majority of people have been extremely supportive and complimentary.
"I get the odd male tradie who thinks I can’t do my job, but in my opinion they are just jealous that the women in trade are smashing it!
Being a woman in a male-dominated industry has a few challenges, but Madi says they're few and far between and there are more advantages than people might think.
Madi added: "I face a few challenges being a woman in this job.It doesn’t happen often.
"But I get the odd customer who doesn’t take me seriously, or assumes that I wouldn’t be capable of doing the job, but they are soon proven wrong.
"I think I have a huge advantage being a woman in this industry. First off, it’s different, and people like different.
"I also get a lot of elderly customers, along with single parents.
"I think they just feel more comfortable with a female being around the house, I know I would."
Plastering is difficult and labour-intensive work, as Madi has to carry all of her materials herself.
But the flexibility of her work makes it worth it.
Now an experienced tradie, Madi's running her own business across Cheshire and hasn't looked back since.
Madi loves her job and the work she does and is appreciative of those who have helped her along the way.
As her business continues to be successful, she plans to develop her company and has even started a group chat with other female tradies who she has met along her journey".