The Empowering Women Podcast
Interviews with successful career women from a variety of industries. We hope to empower women in their career aspirations, whether that's climbing a corporate ladder or becoming an entrepreneur.
The Empowering Women Podcast
Built by Women with Rebecca Heustess
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
May 6 is National Skilled Trades Day — a day dedicated to celebrating the makers, builders, and problem-solvers who quite literally shape the world around us.
In this episode of the Empowering Women Podcast, Shannon sits down with Rebecca Heustess, certified tile installer, lead tile setter at Grazzini Brothers & Company, and the 2025 Empowering Women in Industry Tradeswoman of the Year.
Rebecca’s journey into the trades didn’t begin with a master plan. It began with curiosity, grit, and a willingness to try something new. Over the years, she has worked her way from helper to lead tile setter, mentoring others along the way and becoming a powerful advocate for women entering the skilled trades.
Together, Shannon and Rebecca talk about the art and science behind tile setting, the confidence that comes with mastering a craft, and why community organizations like NAWIC and Empowering Women in Industry can transform careers.
Rebecca also shares a powerful story about allyship on the job site, the myths she’d love to bust about women in construction, and why she believes the skilled trades are one of the most rewarding career paths out there.
If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to build a career — and a community — with your own two hands, this conversation is for you.
Watch the interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/njTPlehwWRY
💬 Gems from Rebecca:
“Grout is her glitter”
“There’s something about tile that when it just gets in your blood, it’s in your blood. Tile people stay in it for the longevity.”
“Once I gained the confidence in myself is really when I knew this is where I was meant to be.”
“When I joined NAWIC, it gave me a newfound appreciation for what I actually do and the impact that I can make in this industry, being a woman in construction.”
“It’s not a puzzle. It’s a puzzle that we have to build, cut, and then put back together.”
“Just because I have pretty nails doesn’t mean I don’t get them dirty.”
“If we weren’t built to do everything a man can do, we’re built to do what a man can’t do.”
🔗 Episode Resources & Links:
👷Organizations Mentioned
National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC)
National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA)
📚 Articles
💼 Connect with Rebecca on social media
EMPOWERING WOMEN IN INDUSTRY LINKS
Empowering Women in Industry Membership
Empowering Women in Industry Magazine
Empowering Women in Industry Website