Without the trades, we wouldn’t be here today.
And who knows where we’d be headed tomorrow?
By informing, inspiring, and connecting with your participants, we’re opening doors to paths in skilled trades including labor, management, supervision, and entrepreneurship. A career in the trades isn’t just about building things—it’s about building a future. It offers hands-on experience, financial stability, career advancement, and the ability to work anywhere in the world. Skilled trades provide a sense of purpose, independence, and the satisfaction of knowing your work makes a real impact. These careers support lives, families, and communities.
That’s the big idea.
Raised in a trades family of farmers and engineers, I developed a love for hands-on work early on. My father encouraged my curiosity, letting me explore the machine shop and production floor. My first job was packing peaches, and though I struggled in high school, I made it through college—where I found a passion for the swine industry.
After earning my degree, I spent three years on- farm before pursuing a Master’s in Agricultural Economics. My combined experience in farming and manufacturing led me to become Director of Research for a swine equipment manufacturing company. After stepping away to raise our children, I felt called to support hometown businesses and advocate for skilled trades—an often-overlooked foundation of our economy.
There’s deep self-worth in building something tangible, yet modern society seems to overlook progressive opportunities in industry. Skilled tradespeople design, build, and maintain the world around us—I love recognize and celebrate their contributions!
After high school I didn’t have a clear path forward—until I found the skilled trades. Learning a trade gave me tools, discipline, and the opportunity to build a good life. It led me to start my own business and take on leadership roles that I never imagined possible.
As the Executive Director of Big Ideas, I’m committed to helping others see that the skilled trades aren’t just a backup plan—they’re a gateway to independence, success, and a future you can be proud of.
I grew up in a rural community where self-sufficiency was a way of life—you either fixed it yourself or learned from someone who knew how. With both of my parents working in skilled trades and running a hardware store for 19 years, I was immersed in the industry from an early age. Along the way, I explored various paths within skilled trades, gaining hands-on skills and in-depth knowledge across different industries.
Being part of Big Ideas allows me to lead the next generation of skilled trades professionals and provide them with resources they might not otherwise have access to—something I’m incredibly proud of.
Skilled trades offered me a way to accelerate my life in a positive direction. It helped me understand how much one skilled trade impacts a project and how many different talents it takes to get a job done. It allowed me to go from a laborer to a business owner and to have the skill sets needed to be a member of Big Ideas.
It is my pleasure to continue to pass down that knowledge of skilled trades to learners at Big Ideas.
Become an Instructor
Our experienced team of instructors is made up of dedicated, passionate skilled trades professionals who find true fulfillment in passing down their knowledge to future generations – and we are always looking to add new and engaging tradespeople to our team to help further our mission.