The Trades Accelerator: Women Leading Business Innovation
The Trades Accelerator: Women Leading Business Innovation is your go-to podcast for insights and inspiration from trailblazing industry leaders.Hosted by Dana Staszkiewicz and Melanie Sloane, is a transformative podcast designed to empower entrepreneurs and leaders in the trades industry. With engaging conversations, real-life success stories, and actionable advice, each episode is crafted to inspire growth and innovation. From overcoming business challenges to fostering leadership skills and building thriving companies, The Trade Accelerator provides listeners with the insights, tools, and motivation needed to excel in their professional journeys.
Episodes
47 episodes
Episode 47: Thoughtful Service: Showing Up for Clients With Heart
In this episode, we talk about what real customer service looks like when it’s done with heart. From sending a simple thank-you card to bringing a soda to a hot job site, we share the small, intentional touches that helped our team build tru...
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Season 1
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Episode 47
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28:28
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Episode 46: Hiring with Intention: Making Interviews Count
In this episode, we flip the script and talk about interviewing from the manager’s seat. Whether you’re hiring for the first time or rebuilding a team, how you show up in the interview says just as much about your business as the candidate’s...
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Season 1
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Episode 46
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21:36
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Episode 45: Vendor Talks: The Conversations That Can Save Your Business
In this episode, we’re talking about something that often gets overlooked—vendor relationships. When things go sideways in the supply chain, the quality of your vendor partnerships can make or break your business. We share real examples from...
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Episode 44: The Right Way to Expand: Adding Services Without the Chaos
In this episode, we talk about what it really takes to add a new service to your business—and why it’s not just about saying yes to opportunity. Expanding can be exciting, but if you don’t plan ahead, it can also stretch your team too thin, ...
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18:05
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Episode 43: Not Just Another Candidate: How to Leave a Lasting Impression
In this episode, we’re breaking down what it really takes to stand out in a job interview. It’s not about having all the right answers—it’s about showing up prepared, present, and clear on who you are and what you’re looking for. We talk abo...
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Season 1
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Episode 43
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23:08
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Episode 42: Jennifer Bagley on AI: This Isn’t the Future—It’s Right Now
In this episode, we sit down with Jennifer Bagley, Founder & CEO of CI Web Group, to talk about how fast technology is changing—and what business owners need to do now to keep up. Jennifer breaks down what AI integration really means, wh...
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Season 1
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Episode 42
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49:42
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Episode 41: Start Small, Win Big: How Daily Goals Drive Real Progress
In this episode, we dig into what “winning the day” actually means. It’s a phrase we throw around, but when no one defines it, people end up guessing. That leads to confusion, burnout, and a lot of busy work that doesn’t move things forward....
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Season 2
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Episode 41
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Episode 40: The Power of Showing Up: Creating Culture & Driving Results
In this powerful episode, we sit down with Valerie Heck, a remarkable woman who transformed her life from battling addiction to becoming a culture-building leader in the HVAC industry. Valerie doesn't hold back as she shares her raw, authentic ...
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Season 2
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Episode 40
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Episode 39: Jump and Build the Parachute: Lessons from the Entrepreneurial Edge
In this episode, we sit down with Madison Staszkiewicz—entrepreneur, mom, and someone who’s figured out a whole lot by doing the hard things first. Madison shares how she built her first business from a one-room space, what she learned throu...
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Season 2
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Episode 39
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32:08
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Episode 38: What Motivates You?: Finding Your Drive in Business and Life
In this episode, we talk about what really keeps us going. Motivation isn’t always clear or consistent—it shifts as life and business change. We share honest stories about what pushed us in the early days, what drives us now, and how things lik...
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Season 2
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Episode 38
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28:10
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Episode 37: Compensation and Incentives: What Every Employee and Business Owner Should Know
In this episode, we talk about compensation and incentives from both sides — as an employee and as a business owner. We share what to think about before asking for a raise, why it’s important to track your work, and how going above and beyon...
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Season 2
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Episode 37
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23:33
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Episode 36: The Power of Personal Brand: How You Show Up Matters
In this episode, we talk about what personal brand really means — and why it matters more than you might think. Whether we realize it or not, we’re building our personal brand every single day through the way we show up, the way we work, and...
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Season 2
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Episode 36
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21:37
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Episode 35: From Cheerleader to Technician: Megan Wilson’s Journey Redefining What’s Possible for Women in Trades
In this episode, we sit down with Megan Wilson to talk about her unexpected path from warehouse work to HVAC service tech, and eventually, business owner. Megan shares what it was like stepping into a male-dominated industry, the challenges ...
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Season 2
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Episode 35
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Episode 34: The Accountability Boost: How Mentorship Moves Us Forward
In this episode, Melanie and Dana dive into what mentorship actually looks like—from both sides of the table. They share personal stories about how formal and informal mentorship shaped their careers, the lessons they’ve learned along the wa...
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Season 2
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Episode 34
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23:50
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Episode 33: The Missing Piece: Rethinking How We Recruit Women
In this episode, we talk about what it really takes to attract and support female service experts in the trades. It’s not just about posting a job ad—it’s about being intentional with your culture, your language, and the way you show up. We ...
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Season 2
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Episode 33
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18:13
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Episode 32: Turning Tension into Growth: A Real Talk with Katy Higgins
In this episode, we sit down with Katy Higgins for a raw and honest conversation about leadership, accountability, and speaking up. Katy shares what it felt like to raise a concern and the ripple effects it had on both her and the team. We t...
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Season 2
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Episode 31
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27:21
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Episode 31: Trust & Relationships: Finding the Right People to Lift You Up
In this episode, we talk about the impact of coaching groups on business and personal growth. We break down the differences between coaching groups, masterminds, and networking groups to help you find the right fit. We share our own experien...
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Season 2
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Episode 31
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25:08
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Episode 30: Collaboration & Success: How Coaching Groups Make a Difference
In this episode, we talk about the impact of coaching groups on business and personal growth. We break down the differences between coaching groups, masterminds, and networking groups to help you find the right fit. We share our own experien...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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18:22
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Episode 29: Leadership & Strategy: The Drive for Continuous Improvement
In this episode, Dana and Melanie sit down with Camille Porco from CI Web Group to explore the ever-changing world of digital marketing and business growth. Camille shares insights into how her team helps businesses refine their online prese...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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24:14
Episode 28: The Power of HR: Building a Trust-Driven Workplace with Lindsey Beckstrom
In this episode, we explore the essential role of HR in building trust and a positive workplace culture. Lindsey Beckstrom shares her journey from handling outbound tasks to shaping HR at All Hours. She explains how a friendly and supportive...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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27:27
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Episode 27: Navigating Conflict: Turning Tension into Teamwork
In this episode, we dive into the challenges of conflict resolution in the workplace and how to handle difficult conversations effectively. Melanie and Dana share personal experiences, practical strategies, and key takeaways on addressing co...
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22:49
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Episode 26: The Science of Sales: Expert Insights with Diana Wallace
In this episode, we sit down with Diana Wallace from Scout Online Sales Collective (Scout OSC) to talk about sales strategy, process improvement, and the power of data in growing a business. Diana shares her journey from working solo in sale...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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25:51
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Episode 25: Hiring for Culture: The Key to Long-Term Success
In this episode, Dana and Melanie get real about the challenges of hiring and keeping great employees. They talk about what really makes a workplace attractive, how to write job descriptions that bring in the right people, and why culture fi...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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Episode 24: Surviving & Thriving: Navigating Corporate Acquisitions
In this episode, we talk with Mary Lightfoot about her journey in the trades, from working in marketing to leading operations through a private equity acquisition. She shares what it was like to manage a team during a major business transiti...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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26:09
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Episode 23: Budget Smarter, Not Harder: How to Keep Your Business Running Year-Round
In this episode, Melanie and Dana discuss how to navigate seasonal slowdowns with smart financial planning. They share tips on budgeting, saving during peak months, and managing expenses to keep cash flow steady. Learn how vendor negotiation...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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