Today we’d like to introduce you to Lia Lamela

Hi Lia, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?

​​After a decade in Medical Aesthetics, as a Skin Care Director, and Aesthetician, I took a risk when meeting my soon- to- be- fiance, and built a Specialty Rod & Rig business for the Commercial Fishing Industry. I invested $10,000 into this business, which produced profits of $75,000 in less than a year. This was living the American Dream; I was about to be married, and growing a profitable business. But that’s all it was; a dream that quickly crumbled into a nightmare.

I lost everything. My business, my possessions, and with no money, I had to flee, fearing for my life. I ended up in a women’s shelter, with my beloved pets, and the clothes on my back. I am a survivor of domestic violence.

Living in the women’s shelter, not only had I lost everything, but worse of all, I had lost myself. Beaten and broken, I needed a way to make money to survive. Working at the local Walmart wasn’t going to pay my bills. My Brother-in-Law mentioned he had heard of an all women’s trade school, pre-apprenticeship program. They were offering scholarships for those that qualified, so I applied with nothing to lose. To my amazement I was accepted. I was introduced to the skilled trades: Carpentry, Plumbing, Electrical and more.

This was the first step, in the course of my revitalized life, that changed my trajectory in ways I never could have imagined. I went from pre-apprentice, to apprentice, to journeywoman.
I did this in 3 years; it typically takes on average, 4 or 5 years to accomplish this. I lived, breathed, and ate electrical.

In my lifetime, no other career path has opened so many doors. The skilled trades set me up for success, gave me financial freedom, improved my math skills, and problem solving skills. Most importantly, it re-built my self-confidence. I now have a successful career in Building Automation and Fire Alarm Systems.

I could not understand why people did not know about the numerous opportunities in the skilled trades. Especially for women. Why was no one talking about this?

Most women have no idea a skilled trades career path is available to them. Additionally, schools and the media’s interpretation of working with your hands is all wrong. I knew this misinformation and misrepresentation about the skilled trades needed to be corrected. Thus, the Sparky Life Podcast was born. Without the skilled trades, the worst of humanity is revealed. I know what it is like to live without running water, and electricity; you are just existing- barely surviving.

Civilization is created and maintained by the skilled trades. Sparky Life reveals remarkable stories, and shares points of views, from journeymen and women, who build the things that make our lives work. The lessons learned on the Sparky Life episodes are not only valuable for those engaged in the skilled trades, but frankly for all of us, whether we use tools literally or figuratively in our daily lives. On the Sparky Life Podcast, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sparky-life/id1663630321?i=1000592982803, I share my electrical journey, experiences, and insights through engaging banter with those I have met along the way.

I am an Electrician and Evangelist for the skilled trades. If we stand together we can build the world we wish to live in. Sparky Life, Sparky Life’s guests, and engaged listeners are all here to “Create the Sparks in Your Life!”

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

Let me bring you to the lowest point in my life, I have just arrived at a women’s shelter having fled my former state, without any of my possessions, in order to secure my safety. I am a DV survivor. I always say this was the best and worst thing that has ever happened to me to date. College educated, I found myself unemployed, homeless, and without direction. I stepped into a pre-apprenticeship program for the skilled trades a completely different career path and fell in love with electrical work. Surviving domestic violence, entering a new career path in my thirties, and being in a male dominated field with gender bias are some of the challenges I faced. Without challenges like these I don’t know if I would have became the women I am today. It’s not about what. life throws in your path its about the decisions you choose when that heavy hitter is coming. your way. Do you duck, grand slam it, catch the fast ball, or brace for the hit?

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Sparky Life Solutions LLC?

As a construction manager consultant, I love serving the construction industry. As an advisor to skilled tradesmen and women, my team and I increase profits and income. I love what I do — it’s a blessing to have the opportunity to serve my skilled trades audience. As a serial entrepreneur, trainer, coach, mentor, servant leader, and construction manager consultant, I deliver new buyers and develop committed long-term customers for your products and services. Permit me to be your “Skilled Trades Evangelist.”

As a construction manager consultant, Sparky Life Solutions conducts research, evaluates outcomes, and collects the stats, which provide us with validated strategic methods to deliver new buyers, increase profits, and employee retention. We service skilled trades companies in the U.S. and Canada with on-boarding, retention, and business development.

As apart of our drive to innovate the construction industry Sparky. Life Podcast was born. Every Thursday hear remarkable stories and points of view from journeymen and women who build the things that make our lives work! These lessons learned are not only valuable for those engaged in the skilled trades but frankly for all of us whether we use tools literally or figuratively in our daily lives.

In this skilled trades podcast, I share with you my electrical journey, experiences and insights through engaging banter with those I have met along the way. Learn about. new approaches to training and mentorship in the industry.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?

It can be challenging for professionals to guide themselves successfully through the various stages of their careers. Therefore, many solicit the assistance of a construction consultant firm with coaches who can offer the support, encouragement and strategic advice that professionals need to grow and achieve their goals.

At www.sparkylifesolutionsllc.com we provide a free E-book on Building the Right. Crew for You. It is important to me to grow together. I am always interested in networking and connecting people in my industry.

Growing up I didn’t have access to. great mentors or getting into the “right” circles. Social media has opened the door to reach people you might not have been able to connect with otherwise. The Sparky Life Podcast is community driven and helps connect people to one another. Don’t be afraid to e-mail, DM or reach out to an individual you admire and would like to learn from. There are incredible humans in this vast. world who enjoy working with and mentoring others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sparkylifesolutionsllc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparkylifeoflia/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesparkylifepodcast
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sparkylifeoflia