Trade Works USA Archives - Trade Works USA

Laura, makeup artist and co-owner of The Dry Lounge in Yorba Linda, smiling while applying makeup to a client in her salon

07 Oct From Human Resources to Makeup Artist and Entrepreneur: Laura’s Creative Career

Posted at 15:15h in Career Advice, Career Change, Cosmetology Career, Creative Careers, Esthetician Careers, Skilled Trades Careers, Women in Trades

After a breakup pushed her out of Human Resources, Laura taught herself makeup, asked a MAC counter if they were hiring, and got the job. 26 years later she co-owns The Dry Lounge in Yorba Linda....

Cody, owner of Decker's Dog + Cat pet stores, leaning against the front counter beneath the Decker's sign in his La Jolla store

07 Oct From Pet Store Employee to Three Store Entrepreneur: Cody’s Story

Posted at 13:30h in Business and Service Trades, Career Advice, Career Change, Skilled Trades Careers

Cody started as a pet store employee at 18. A failed ecommerce idea, a partnership, and a fresh start in La Jolla later, he owns three self funded Decker's Dog + Cat stores at 32....

Captain Jeff at the wooden ship's wheel in the wheelhouse of the Lake Coeur d'Alene Cruises dinner boat

01 Oct From the Navy to the Captain’s Chair: Captain Jeff’s Career on the Water

Posted at 14:45h in Business and Service Trades, Career Advice, Career Change, Skilled Trades Careers

Captain Jeff went from the U.S. Navy to commanding a 102-foot dinner cruise boat at the Coeur d'Alene Resort. After 19 years on the water, docking in the wind is still the moment he feels most like a captain....

01 Oct From Landscapes to Sports Photography: Tyler’s Career Behind the Camera

Posted at 10:30h in Career Advice, Creative Careers, Skilled Trades Careers

A Boy Scouts trip to Olympic National Park sparked Tyler's interest in photography. Now 30, he's a sports photographer in San Diego shooting marathons, triathlons, and surfing. His advice: any camera works — shoot lights out....

Lauren, a 23-year-old medical photographer, smiling in black scrubs and holding her Canon camera at the dermatology clinic where she works

22 Sep Turning a Photography Skill Into a Medical Career: Lauren’s Story

Posted at 17:12h in Career Advice, Creative Careers, Healthcare Careers, Skilled Trades Careers, Women in Trades

Lauren never knew medical photography was a career until she saw a job posting after college. With photography skills learned on the side and no medical background, she landed a stable healthcare role she loves at 23....

Christina, an automotive service manager, standing between a blue and a white Maserati SUV in the dealership showroom

22 Sep From Cashier to Automotive Service Manager: Christina’s Career Built on Resilience

Posted at 15:34h in Automotive Careers, Career Advice, Career Change, Management Careers, Skilled Trades Careers, Women in Trades

Christina started as a cashier in a dealership service department and was promoted to warranty administrator in six months. Two employers closed, and she kept going. At 45, she is an Automotive Service Manager leading in a male dominated industry....

Techelle, a manufacturing cutter and foil operator, holding a foil-stamped box in front of the ETERNA foil stamping machine she runs

18 Sep From Entry Level to Skilled Machine Operator: Techelle’s Manufacturing Career

Posted at 19:54h in Career Advice, Career Change, Manufacturing Trades, Skilled Trades Careers, Women in Trades

Techelle went from an entry-level manufacturing job to running a multimillion-dollar foil stamping machine — with every skill learned on the job. Her advice: find a company willing to train you....

Chris, a pest control operator and business owner, standing in a garden in his company shirt

18 Sep From Construction to Business Owner: Chris Built a Career in Pest Control

Posted at 17:36h in Career Advice, Career Change, Service Trade Careers, Skilled Trades Careers

When construction work disappeared in 2008, Chris found pest control. Seventeen years later he owns his own company, built entirely on word of mouth — and he's ready to hire help....

Indy Ortiz, photographer and printer, wearing glasses in a studio portrait

11 Sep From Photography to Printing: Indy Ortiz Built a Career Around His Creativity

Posted at 12:48h in Career Advice, Creative Careers, Printing Careers, Skilled Trades Careers

Indy Ortiz turned a post-high-school interest in video into a career photographing weddings and events — then added large-format printing so he can take an image from behind the camera to a 44-inch finished print....

Sarah, a professional motor coach operator for MTR Western, smiling in front of her motor coach

11 Sep From School Bus Driver to Motor Coach Operator: Sarah’s Career on the Road

Posted at 12:23h in Career Advice, Career Change, Skilled Trades Careers, Transportation Careers, Women in Trades

Sarah started driving school buses at 18. Nearly three decades later, she's a professional motor coach operator who absolutely loves her work — proof that one practical skill can open new doors throughout a career....

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