“It’s just helpful to have somebody to talk to about this stuff.”

Sam Chapman had never launched a business before. So when she qualified as a trained plasterer and wanted to start off on the right track, she talked to Blackpool Unlimited.

There aren’t many female plasterers in Blackpool. Although her business, Maid to Plaster, is just a few months old, Sam Chapman has already seen a clear demand for her skills.

“I’m not sure whether it’s the case that some people prefer to have a female in the house or whether it’s simply the way I come across, but the feedback I’ve had has been so positive,” says Sam. “Obviously you don't get a lot of females in the industry and I think it'd be really good to be part of changing a few perceptions.”

Sam launched Maid to Plaster after successfully completing her AIM level three certificate in bathroom installation skills, for which plastering was a significant part. “I’m doing domestic work now, some smaller jobs and some bigger,” she says. “I knew quite a lot anyway as I’ve been helping my dad with jobs for years, but I learned an awful lot on the course.”

Supported by Blackpool Unlimited

When it came to turning her plastering skills into a career, Sam knew she needed a little help.

“I didn’t know anything about setting up a business,” says Sam, “it's just never been on my radar. So I spoke to Chris Rose at Blackpool Unlimited, who was really, really helpful.

“You have loads of questions when you’re starting up, and I could just have looked online for the answers, but it’s never one question is it? You always find one answer leads to something else. Being able to have a conversation with Chris enabled me to get answers to my questions in one go. It’s just helpful to have somebody to talk to about this stuff.”

Planning for success

Chris’ advice has helped Sam plan for the future. “At the moment it's just me, so the smaller jobs suit me perfectly. I’m not yet at the point where I need a plasterer’s mate but I’m looking to grow.

“There's no reason why a woman can't be a success as a plasterer. Things are slowly changing and there's more women getting into the trades.”

What would Sam’s advice be to anyone else looking to launch their own trade in Blackpool?

“Write down your ideas and all the things you want answers to, and see Blackpool Unlimited. For me, it was all completely new and having someone to talk to was a great starting point.”

Find Maid to Plaster on Facebook, email maidtoplaster@gmail.com or call 07840 498 984.

For help launching your business, talk to Blackpool Unlimited