The Female Tradie

A Journey of Resilience and Passion

For over 30 years, Penny has thrived in a male-dominated industry, earning a well-deserved reputation as a little pocket rocket. With her Greek heritage fuelling her drive and big heart, Penny is always on a mission. Whether she’s renovating homes, working on her business, or diving into community projects that create real change, her ethos remains steadfast: “Driven to live my best possible life, and passionate about supporting others to do the same.”

Penny’s love for our Mother Earth is reflected in her work. She finds great joy in connecting homes with the natural landscape, transforming them into beautiful, unique sanctuaries. From a young age, she was always in the garden, working alongside her DIY dad, making furniture for her mom in the garage. At 15, she bought her first car and rebuilt it from the wheels up, igniting a lifelong passion for building and creating.

Inspired by her older sister, an aircraft electrical engineer, Penny pursued an apprenticeship building cars and hot-rods, marking the beginning of her illustrious career. Her journey continued through various trades, including horticulture, carpentry, and ultimately achieving her Building & Construction Cert IV. This diverse skill set has empowered Penny to repair, renovate, and create her environment without relying on anyone else.

From Challenges to Triumphs

Penny’s journey has not been without challenges. In 1993, when her mentor underwent heart surgery, she found herself jobless. Undeterred, she called every structural metal engineering company until she landed a job with Hunter Valley Training Company. This experience sparked her love for the building and construction industry, leading her to complete her metal fabrication trade in 1995.

Her passion for the outdoors led her to earn a Horticulture Cert II in 2001 and run a high-end garden maintenance business in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. By 2007, Penny’s interest in carpentry grew, and she completed her Carpentry Cert III. In 2010, she took a bold step and started her own business, Female Tradie, followed by achieving her Building and Construction Cert IV in 2018. In 2019, driven by a desire to teach, Penny completed her training and assessment education (TAE) certificate.

Wisdom from a Female Tradie

Through her extensive experience, Penny has gathered invaluable wisdom about working in a male-dominated industry. She emphasizes the importance of focus and hard work, urging others to keep learning and not to fold under pressure. Penny’s advice is clear: stay in your lane, avoid unnecessary ego-driven conversations, and let your skills speak for themselves. Her resilience and determination serve as a beacon of hope for women in trades, encouraging them to pursue their dreams and overcome challenges.

A Partnership Rooted in Shared Values

Our partnership with Penny and Female Tradie is built on shared values of hard work, dedication, and community support. VIZ Tradies Insurance reached out to Penny recognizing her remarkable story of breaking into a male-dominated industry and thriving as a successful tradie. This partnership aims to support tradies by ensuring peace of mind at work, allowing them to focus on what matters after hours.

Penny’s journey aligns perfectly with our mission to empower and uplift tradies. By partnering with Penny, we hope to inspire more women to join and thrive in trades, promoting gender equality and creating a more inclusive industry. As a VIZ Ambassador, Penny represents us on social and online media, advocating for women in trades and supporting our community initiatives.

Looking Forward

Penny’s story is one of empowerment, resilience, and passion. Her journey from rebuilding cars at 15 to becoming a successful business owner and mentor is a testament to her strength and dedication. At VIZ Tradies Insurance, we are proud to support Penny and her mission to empower women in trades. Together, we aim to create a positive impact, showcasing the strength and skills of female tradies and encouraging a more diverse and inclusive industry.

Join us in celebrating Penny’s incredible journey and the impact she continues to make in the trades industry. Follow her on TikTok, Instagram or visit her website.