Podcast
Queen of the Trades
Hosted by Alexis Aranda · EN
Being a woman in a male dominated industry comes with many challenges! Join Alexis Aranda, "the Queen of the Trades" as she shares insight, personal experience and interviews other entrepreneurs, and industry experts. Each episode shares powerful information on how to grow yourself and your career. If you are looking for: leadership strategies, relationship advice, health and fitness hacks, money mindset tips, spiritual practices, business scaling and marketing strategies, this podcast is for you!
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Faith-Based Leadership
Jun 20, 202500:15:23Tap to summarizeWhat if leadership wasn't just about systems and results? What if it was about being a spiritually minded leader and managing with soul? In an industry as tough and gritty as the trades, that idea might seem out of place. But I've learned firsthand that being spiritually grounded can completely shift how you show up for your team, your business, and yourself. I didn't always see our business as a calling, but over time, it became clear. The path was never perfectly mapped out if anything, it was full of unknowns. But there was a purpose behind it, something bigger than just making a living. Faith gave us the vision, and taking that first step in belief led us somewhere greater. That's what I want to share today: how leading with spiritual conviction, humility, and care can transform not just workplaces but also people. It's about living what you believe, showing kindness when it's hard, holding your integrity even when no one's watching, and treating leadership as an extension of something sacred. Because when you truly care, when you're transparent, and when you walk the talk your team feels it. And that changes everything. Episode Highlights: [01:42] I would like to share how my faith has influenced my leadership style and the power of spiritually minded leadership. [02:01] The most impactful leaders I've known operate from a place of purpose and have a higher calling. They see their position as a calling or even a form of ministry. [03:04] God gives you the vision and the desire. It's your job to act on that. [04:14] We have been blessed and able to grow and add different trades and locations. This is all because God has been in this with us, and we put God first in our business. [05:33] Leadership is about influence. You manage systems and lead people. You have to model the behavior that you want to see. [06:02] You genuinely have to care about people. Great leaders build relationships. [07:40] It's so important to be transparent with your beliefs. Don't hide who you are. [10:54] Be aware of crossing the line and making people feel uncomfortable. Spiritually-minded leadership requires a lot of wisdom, humility, and discernment. [11:56] You need to model it, not just talk about it. If you're a spiritually minded leader, you need to live it. [12:52] True spiritual leaders embody humility, emotional intelligence, forgiveness, faith, integrity, honesty, and kindness. [13:39] Lead with a servant's heart. [14:01] Recap: Leading people with soul means you genuinely care about them, you're transparent about your beliefs, and you model what you say you believe. Resources & Links Related to this Episode ● Pure Plumbing & Air ● Pure Plumbing & Air Facebook ● Alexis Aranda Instagram
Transcribe →Replay: Bringing Passion Back To The Trades With Alexis Aranda
May 16, 202500:16:10Tap to summarizePlease enjoy this replay of my very first episode! I'm your host Alexis Aranda. Today, I'm sharing my story with all of you, listeners. I was born in a suburb outside of Chicago and had a fantastic childhood. My parents were supportive. We had a lot of love and a lot of great memories, but we didn't have a lot of money. At a very young age, I strongly desired to create wealth for my family. I knew this was what I was called to do. I also had a passion for working. From babysitting to working at a local grocery store, I was always earning money. My best friend's dad was a tradesman. His work intrigued me, but I also noticed how exhausted the physical labor made him. I knew that I was going to work in the trades and improve the lives of tradesmen and women. I hope you enjoy my story. Episode Highlights: [01:35] I knew at a very young age that I wanted to create wealth and never have financial struggles. I also had a passion for working. [02:23] My best friend's dad was a tradesman. I was intrigued by his ability to fix things, but I also saw how exhausted the physical labor made him. [03:07] I had a huge passion for creating wealth and income, and I also despised the cold. [03:36] I went to college at UNLV. I fell in love with Las Vegas but was deeply homesick. [04:03] I went to Europe during my sophomore year. I started journaling and this was the first time I manifested a vision for my life. [04:26] I got really clear on the woman I wanted to become, and I started showing up in life as her. [05:14] After graduating from college, I landed a job doing accounts payable for a manufacturing company. I was miserable. [05:48] I realized that I needed to do something with my life that gave back to society as well as generating wealth and income. [06:36] I started to pursue my Masters in Education to become a teacher, so that I could work with children. [07:13] I share the story of how I met Andy. Our eyes locked, and I knew he was the man I was going to marry. [08:15] We started dating, got married, and now we have three beautiful children. [09:21] We moved to Las Vegas during the housing crash. Andy fell back on plumbing. My grandmother had told me that plumbers were always successful. [11:17] Service plumbing was fun, and Andy liked helping people. It also reignited his passion for plumbing. [11:47] We got clear about creating a home service business that would attract people like ourselves who wanted to create generational wealth and better themselves. [12:05] I went to school at night and earned an MBA, and we spent about 3 years planning our business. [13:26] We had a vision of making plumbing hot. By our second year of business, we surpassed a million dollars in revenue. [13:45] We now have a home service business in Las Vegas where we do plumbing and HVAC. We also have a second location in Dallas. [14:07] We are committed to helping customers and bringing respect and passion back to the trades. [14:37] This podcast is about how we can help our team create generational wealth for themselves. Resources & Links Related to this Episode Pure Plumbing & Air Pure Plumbing & Air Facebook
Transcribe →Avoid Burn Out
May 9, 202500:19:47Tap to summarizeSpring's hectic pace hits hard in the trades and lately I've felt the pressure myself. Long hours, tight deadlines, and family commitments can drain every bit of energy if we let them. In today's episode I open up about the moment I realized I was saying yes to everything except rest, and how that wake up call pushed me to build habits that protect both mind and body. You'll hear why real burnout statistics in our industry matter, especially for men who still feel they have to tough it out. I'll walk you through five practices that keep me grounded, from carving out a true day of rest to putting vacations on the calendar before exhaustion sets in. We'll also talk about daily self care rituals, setting firm boundaries, and the basics of staying physically healthy so your emotional resiliency stays strong. If the busy season ever leaves you running on fumes this conversation offers practical tools and permission to reclaim your energy. Small, consistent choices can keep burnout from stealing the career and life you're working so hard to build, so let's dive into how to make that happen. Episode Highlights: [01:34] We've been grinding hard for the last few months. Now that spring is here, I'm beginning to feel a little bit of spring fever/ [02:02] A lot of people are feeling burned out, but I'm not. I've been consistent with working on my grounding practices. [02:35] I'm going to share five things I do consistently to help manage my mental health and avoid burnout in the trades. [03:02] Mental health used to be a taboo subject especially for men. Stress doesn't discriminate; it happens to both men and women. [04:01] According to a study done by McKinsey & Company, 42% of women reported feeling burnt out compared to 35% of men. [05:16] Success in the trades doesn't happen overnight. Burnout can cause people to quit before they succeed. [06:22] I share a time when I experienced burnout. [07:25] I'm going to share the five things that help me reset and recharge and show up inspired again. [07:33] 1. Always take a day of rest. The Bible even talks about God resting on the seventh day. [09:35] 2. Schedule and plan your time off. Make a plan and have something to look forward to. [11:56] 3. Schedule your self-care. What makes you feel calm and fulfilled in your life? [12:26] I do four things everyday. Focus on sharpening your blade. Movement and working out. Faith and reading my Bible. Growth and learning new things. I also take reflection time for journaling or meditating. [15:20] 4. Say no, to whatever is not serving you. [16:36] Prioritize your physical health. [17:53] In the trades, burnout isn't just exhaustion. It's a weight that builds with every job. Addressing mental health isn't a luxury. It's essential! Resources & Links Related to this Episode ● Pure Plumbing & Air ● Pure Plumbing & Air Facebook ● Alexis Aranda Instagram ● Lead Like a Queen Facebook Group
Transcribe →Extreme Ownership Part 2
May 2, 202500:10:53Tap to summarizeA few weeks ago I shared some thoughts on extreme ownership and the response was overwhelming. It's clear that a lot of us are ready to stop pointing fingers and start stepping into real leadership. So today, I want to go even deeper. Specifically, we're talking about how to take ownership without getting defensive. If you've ever felt your ego kick in during a tough conversation or found yourself making excuses instead of taking the hit, this is for you. We'll break down what it actually looks like to let go of ego, build self-awareness, listen with intention, and communicate with vulnerability. These are not just leadership skills, they're life skills. Whether you're running a business, managing a team, or just trying to be a better human, this episode is about shifting out of defense mode and into growth. It's not easy, but if you're ready to rise, it starts with taking full responsibility. Episode Highlights: [01:21] We're going to go deeper into Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin. [02:04] A quick recap of the previous episode, called Extreme Ownership. [02:20] 4 Principles of Strong Leadership: take full ownership, focus on solutions, believe in the mission, and decentralized command. [02:53] Taking ownership isn't about perfection. It's about facing the hard stuff and being vulnerable. [03:15] Great leaders surrender ego. [04:05] An example from my marketing experience. [05:01] Great leaders need self-awareness. I will journal and reflect on my day. What story am I telling myself? Am I acting from wounds or past experiences? [06:06] Get really good at listening. Ownership means listening deeply to your team and customers. [07:25] It's important to be able to communicate with vulnerability and ownership. [08:24] An example of letting go of ego. [09:18] How to get out of the blame game and take extreme ownership. 1. Surrender your ego. 2. Develop radical self-awareness. 3. Listen to understand not to reply. 4. Communicate with vulnerability. Resources & Links Related to this Episode ● Pure Plumbing & Air ● Pure Plumbing & Air Facebook ● Alexis Aranda Instagram ● Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win (New Edition) ● Extreme Ownership
Transcribe →6 Functions of a Professional Manager
Apr 25, 202500:19:59Tap to summarizeDo you ever feel like you're juggling a million things as a manager and still wondering if you're doing it right? I get it because I've been there. In this episode, I'm sharing the six core functions every professional manager needs to master in order to lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose, especially in the fast-paced world of the trades. These aren't just generic leadership tips. This is the real, practical framework that changed how I run teams, build people up, and keep our business on track. Whether you're brand new to management or you've been in the game for a while and feel like you're drowning in chaos, this conversation will give you the structure you need to get grounded and lead well. I will break down what it really means to plan intentionally, organize your resources, staff strategically, lead with influence, communicate clearly, and control with awareness, not force. And I'll share why these six functions matter even more when you're a woman leading in a male dominated industry. If you're ready to step into your leadership role with more power and less stress, this episode is for you. Episode Highlights: [01:34] 60% of new managers fail within the first two years. [02:06] Today, I want to talk about the six functions of a professional manager. [02:50] MAP is great for accountability and helping managers get focused on numbers and what they should be doing throughout the day. [03:39] These functions are critical for women, so you can be the best you can be in your management role. [04:24] I really embraced learning and growing and becoming the best manager and leader I could be in the trades. [05:02] 1. Planning is the foundation of everything. It's where your vision becomes a reality. This includes setting goals for the week, outlining projects and timelines, and forecasting revenue and staffing. [06:09] I challenge you to use your calendar. If it's not on the calendar, it's not going to happen. [06:43] Proverbs 16:3 Plan your week before you leave on Friday. [07:18] 2. Organization. It's all about arranging your resources, time, people, and tools to carry out the plan. Have a schedule and make sure everyone knows what they need to win the day. [09:20] 3. Staffing. It's not just about hiring, it's about building a team that you believe in. Put the right people in the right roles and help them grow. [11:44] Challenge: Have a hard conversation with someone on your team. Face it head on, but with kindness and firmness. [12:20] 4. Leading. It's about influence. Being a leader means you inspired not intimidate. You respond not react. You set the tone even in chaos. [13:02] Leaders are great listeners. [14:29] 5. Communication. Poor communication can cost you time, money, morale, and sometimes your reputation. Be clear, consistent, and listen well. [16:32] 6. Controlling. It's all about measuring performance, tracking progress, knowing the numbers, and making adjustments when needed. [17:03] Watch your growth margin. Track recalls. Make sure jobs are profitable and done correctly. Manage with intention and have awareness around your numbers. [18:02] Recap: The six functions of a professional manager are planning, organizing, staffing, leading, communicating, and controlling. Resources & Links Related to this Episode ● Pure Plumbing & Air ● Pure Plumbing & Air Facebook ● Alexis Aranda Instagram ● Management Action Program MAP ● Emotional Intelligence
Transcribe →Emotional Intelligence
Apr 18, 202500:11:59Tap to summarizeIt's easy to underestimate just how powerful emotional intelligence can be, especially when you're managing a business, leading a team, or simply trying to keep it all together. But what if mastering your emotions was the key to transforming frustration into growth, and conflict into clarity? In this episode, we talk about what emotional intelligence really means and why it's one of the most underrated leadership tools in the trades. You'll hear a real story of what happens when emotions start to take over, and how a moment of self-awareness changed the course of an entire situation. It's not about pretending you don't feel things. It's about learning how to feel without letting those emotions take the wheel. This conversation is for anyone who's ever fired off a text too quickly or let stress get the better of them. You'll walk away with four practical steps to help you slow down, stay grounded, and lead from a place of confidence and calm. Episode Highlights: [01:24] Emotional intelligence is really your superpower. It's something that separates average leaders from great leaders. [02:01] Proverbs 14:1 "Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands." [02:39] Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize, understand and express your own emotions, while also being able to understand and influence the emotions of others. [03:18] We can prove stereotypes wrong by being emotionally grounded, calm, and clear. [04:18] An example of when I was frustrated. Then I remembered that great leaders respond. They don't react. Detach and take a step back to see the whole picture. [07:26] Later that day, I called the customer and made an appointment to make the situation right, [07:51] I'm going to share four things you can do to respond and not react. [08:01] 1. Feel the emotion in your own space. [08:44] 2. Slow down. Pause. Take a breath. [09:13] 3. Detach emotionally. [09:55] 4. Get curious and ask questions. [10:39] Challenge of the week: Ask yourself, "How am I building or tearing down today with my emotions, words or my actions?" [10:54] Great leaders master emotional intelligence and learn to respond not react. Resources & Links Related to this Episode ● Pure Plumbing & Air ● Pure Plumbing & Air Facebook ● Alexis Aranda Instagram ● Extreme Ownership
Transcribe →Extreme Ownership
Apr 11, 202500:17:14Tap to summarizeThere's a moment in business where everything feels like it's falling apart—a job goes sideways, a customer's upset, and your first instinct is to say, "This isn't my fault." Been there? Me too. But what if I told you that the most powerful thing you can do as a leader is to say, "This is on me—let's fix it." That mindset? It's called extreme ownership, and it has completely changed the way I lead my team, run our business, and show up every day in the trades. In this episode, I'm breaking down what extreme ownership really means, how Jocko Willink, a former Navy SEAL inspired this approach, and the four principles that will level up your leadership game—fast. I'm also sharing a behind-the-scenes look at what happened when we launched the HVAC side of our business and it didn't go as planned. (Spoiler alert: there were a lot of lessons.) If you're ready to stop playing the blame game and start leading with clarity, confidence, and accountability, this one's for you. Let's get into it. Episode Highlights: [01:34] Today we're talking about a leadership mindset that completely shifted the way that I run our business, lead my team, and show up as a woman in the trades. It's called extreme ownership, and it comes straight from the former Navy SEAL and commander named Jocko Willink. [02:14] True leadership kicks in when everything is going wrong. I'm going to break down the key principles from Extreme Ownership and how they apply to your business. [02:42] As a leader, you're responsible for everything in your business. [03:13] There are no bad teams, only bad leaders. [04:13] An ultimate leadership story from the book about Jocko's SEAL unit on a mission in Ramadi. [05:25] There was miscommunication and chaos and a friendly fire situation broke out. Jocko took full responsibility. [06:11] In the trades, we have the chance to say, "that's on me, and let me fix it" when something goes wrong. [06:38] 1. Take ownership always. It's not about taking blame. It's about taking control of the situation. [07:53] A personal example from when we decided to open up our HVAC side of the business. [09:04] 2. No excuses. Just solutions. Leaders focus on the next steps not excuses. [11:02] 3. Believe in the mission. If you're not sold on your company's vision, neither is your team. [12:37] It's important to have an empowering mission that your team can get behind. [13:28] 4. Decentralized command. You can't micromanage every area of the business. [14:45] As a leader in the trades, when you take full responsibility, you remove the ability for other people to question your leadership. [15:09] Extreme Ownership means that all of it belongs to you, the mistakes and the victories. [15:33] When something doesn't go as planned, I want you to pause and ask, what could I have done differently? What can I do now to fix it? And how do I lead better next time? Resources & Links Related to this Episode ● Pure Plumbing & Air ● Pure Plumbing & Air Facebook ● Alexis Aranda Instagram ● Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win (New Edition)
Transcribe →Navigating Conflict Keeping the Peace
Mar 21, 202500:11:47Tap to summarizeProperly navigating conflict builds trust, strengthens relationships, and turns challenges into opportunities for growth.Whether it's with a customer, an employee, or even a competitor, conflict is bound to happen. And let's be real, when you're pushing for growth and making big moves, you're going to ruffle some feathers. But here's the thing, conflict doesn't have to be a disaster. In fact, if you handle it right, it can actually help you build trust and strengthen relationships. In this episode, I'm sharing a real-life situation where I had to step in and de-escalate a tough customer complaint. Our HVAC service manager was on vacation, and I found myself handling an upset homeowner who was still carrying frustration from a bad experience with another contractor. Instead of getting defensive, I used four simple steps to turn things around, and I'm breaking them all down for you today. If you've ever struggled with navigating difficult conversations, this one's for you. Let's talk about how to handle conflict like a pro and come out stronger on the other side. Episode Highlights: [01:20] Today is about conflict whether it's an employee, customer, or even a competitor. [02:17] I share a story about an extremely upset HVAC customer who had a very poor experience with another contractor. It's our policy to offer solutions but not bash other contractors. [03:30] We did additional work for them, but they called in still angry from their previous experience. I was excited to talk to the customer and work on my conflict resolution skills. I'll share the steps that I used. [04:13] Do not take it personally. Separate yourself from the problem. Let the person vent and do not get defensive. [05:52] Listen without judgment. Their frustration isn't without you but the past experience. [06:13] Show a lot of empathy. Acknowledge their concerns. We need to respect and recognize the importance of their home and its contents. [07:20] Ask questions. Find out what they need to feel reassured. [08:17] Be clear on what you can do. You also want to always follow up and make sure that they are happy. [09:17] This shows that you are authentic and connecting with them as a person. People remember how you've made them feel. [10:24] Conflict is an opportunity to build trust and strengthen relationships. 1. Don't take it personally. 2. Give a lot of empathy. 3. Ask questions. 4. Always follow up. Resources & Links Related to this Episode Pure Plumbing & Air Pure Plumbing & Air Facebook Alexis Aranda Instagram
Transcribe →The Power of EOS: Breaking Through Business Plateaus
Mar 14, 202500:19:47Tap to summarizeWhen I first started implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System, or EOS, in my business, I had no idea just how much it would change the way we operated. At the time, our leadership team was all over the place—juggling too many projects, struggling to finish what we started, and feeling like we were just maintaining instead of truly growing. Something had to change. That's when I came across the book Traction by Gino Wickman, and it felt like it was written just for us. Today, I want to take you inside our EOS journey, share how we've used this system to create more clarity and focus, and talk about the biggest lessons we've learned along the way. If you've ever felt stuck in your business, if you've hit a ceiling and don't know how to break through, this episode is for you. Let's dive into how EOS has transformed the way we lead, solve problems, and ultimately, how we reign over our careers. Episode Highlights: [01:16] Today I'm talking about my EOS journey. I'll give an overview of the book Traction and share how we implemented the EOS system in our company. [01:40] My word for this year is focus and that's exactly what we're doing. [02:24] I realized as a leadership team, we weren't growing. I knew it was time to make some changes. [02:51] As you grow, hitting a ceiling can be inevitable. It's important to create awareness around this and have the audacity to change. [03:40] We first adopted the Entrepreneurial Operating System in 2020. EOS is a simple practical business framework that helps identify problems at the root. [05:10] What we focus on expands. We need to focus on the solution not the problem. [05:52] We tried to DIY EOS, but we needed extreme accountability. [06:15] Home service businesses are presented with different problems every day. [07:08] We just wrapped up our first EOS Focus day of the year with our leadership team and identified our rocks. [08:05] EOS breaks your business down to six basic things. [08:30] 1. Vision. 2. People. 3. Data. 4. Processes 5. Problems or rocks. 6. Traction. All of these things in line create traction. [09:49] The 5 leadership abilities. Simplify. Delegate and elevate. Great leaders are able to predict. Systemize. To create structure. [18:10] To break through your ceiling you need to do these five things: simplify your process, delegate and elevate your team, predict problems before they blow up, systemize your business, and structure your team for success. Resources & Links Related to this Episode Pure Plumbing & Air Pure Plumbing & Air Facebook Alexis Aranda Instagram Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business What the Heck Is EOS?: A Complete Guide for Employees in Companies Running on EOS
Transcribe →My Biggest Leadership Mistakes
Mar 7, 202500:12:33Tap to summarizeLeadership is not about avoiding mistakes; it is about learning from them and growing stronger. In this episode, I want to share with you the three biggest mistakes I've made as a leader in the trades. I'm sharing these with you because I want you, as fellow leaders in the trades, to learn from my mistakes and avoid these pitfalls. As leaders, growth comes from learning, evolving, and improving ourselves, our teams, and our companies. Remember, leadership is not about being perfect. I'll explain how I wrongly assumed that all trade operations functioned identically, undervalued the value of regular one-on-one meetings, and initially hesitated to share financial information with my team. Listen in to hear what I've learned, how I've changed my approach, and how these lessons might help you become a more effective leader in your own trade. Episode Highlights: [01:20] Today I'm sharing the three biggest mistakes that I've made in the trades. I'm sharing these so you can avoid these pitfalls. [01:52] 1. Thinking all trades businesses are run the same. When we expanded to HVAC, I assumed it would be similar to plumbing. [03:00] Each trade has its own rhythm. What got you to where you are now, won't necessarily get you to where you want to go. [04:26] 2. Not being consistent with direct communication with my reports. [05:20] By not having one-on-ones, I wasn't taking the time to understand the root cause of issues. [06:12] One-on-one meetings are crucial for open communication, accountability, and alignment. [07:47] 3. Not creating awareness around the company's financial performance. The thought of sharing financial information with the team seemed terrifying in the early days. [08:48] If you have team members helping you to achieve goals, it's important for you to let them know the score. [09:31] I had a mentor who introduced me to open book management and sharing key financial metrics with team members. [10:22] You don't need to share everything, but departments should know the numbers that they are responsible for. [11:09] Leadership is a learning process. Mistakes will happen. The key is to learn from them and improve. Resources & Links Related to this Episode Pure Plumbing & Air Pure Plumbing & Air Facebook Alexis Aranda Instagram
Transcribe →