This comprehensive series aims to illuminate the vital contributions of women who comprise a growing segment of the U.S. construction workforce, currently standing at 11 percent. We delve into the inspiring career trajectories of these trailblazing professionals, sharing their unique stories, challenges, and successes within the field. If you know an exceptional woman in the trades whose journey deserves to be highlighted, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
The narrative of Jessie Cannizzaro is a testament to rediscovering passion and forging a unique path within the skilled trades. Despite growing up immersed in her father’s plumbing business, actively assisting with tasks from a young age, Jessie initially envisioned a different future. Her sights were set on higher education, leading her first to pursue veterinary medicine before pivoting to a business degree. However, fate intervened when her father suffered a stroke, prompting her to step in and manage the family enterprise. This unforeseen circumstance reignited a latent passion for plumbing, setting her on an extraordinary professional journey.
“I realized then that I wanted to be in plumbing forever,” Jessie recounts, reflecting on this pivotal moment. “And what’s truly remarkable is how seamlessly my business degree integrated with comprehensive apprenticeship training. This powerful combination ultimately empowered me to secure my license and establish my own business. It was an incredibly harmonious alignment of skills and ambition.”
In 2011, Jessie officially launched Milestone Plumbing, an enterprise based in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, specializing in high-quality residential remodels and essential repairs. Beyond her role as the visionary leader overseeing a dedicated team of 16 employees, Jessie is a fervent advocate for increasing participation in the skilled trades. She actively supports numerous organizations committed to encouraging high school students to explore vocational careers. Demonstrating her innovative approach to advocacy, she even developed a unique coloring book designed to introduce elementary-aged children to the rewarding and enjoyable aspects of becoming a plumber. Her multifaceted efforts underscore a profound commitment not only to her business but also to shaping the future of the trades.
We recently had the opportunity to engage with Jessie Cannizzaro, delving into her insights on the evolving landscape of the plumbing industry and her invaluable perspectives on fostering the next generation of skilled professionals.
Beyond the Blueprint: The Inspiration Behind a Plumbing Coloring Book
When asked about her innovative plumbing coloring book, Jessie beams with pride. “It tells the heartwarming story of a young girl who discovers her inspiration to become a plumber,” she explains. “Crucially, it features all my incredible team members, showcasing the diversity and talent within our profession. While I’m currently the only woman plumber on our team, I harbor a profound dream that one day, this will change. I genuinely believe that this coloring book can be a catalyst for that transformation, creating a positive ripple effect within our community and inspiring young girls to consider a career in the trades.”
The coloring books are strategically distributed at schools, during customer visits, and at various job sites where children might be present. “It was an immensely enjoyable and fulfilling project for our team to bring to life,” Jessie emphasizes. “Our hope is that it will serve as a powerful tool to help children grasp a fundamental truth: the trades are truly for everyone. If a particular field sparks your interest – whether it’s plumbing, carpentry, or HVAC – you should feel empowered to explore it without reservation, to discover if it aligns with your aspirations and talents.”
Jessie’s initiative is backed by compelling research indicating that many children begin forming ideas about their future career paths even before high school. “I view this coloring book as a proactive and positive intervention,” she states. “It’s a tangible way to influence our community, help pave the way for a stable and prosperous future for children, and critically, to attract more women into the trades, addressing a significant need for greater representation.”
Navigating Perceptions: The Evolution of a Female Plumber’s Journey
Jessie Cannizzaro’s early days as a business owner reflect a strategic approach to navigating a male-dominated industry. “In the very beginning, I intentionally chose a company name that was very nondescript,” she reveals. “Furthermore, I went by ‘Jess’ in professional settings, hoping that prospective clients might assume I was a man, or at the very least, not immediately identify me as a woman. My reasoning was simple: if a potential customer harbored reservations about hiring a female plumber, this approach would still grant me the crucial opportunity to get my foot in the door. It allowed me to personally demonstrate my credentials as a licensed tradesperson and prove that I possessed the expertise and knowledge to effectively address their plumbing needs.”
However, Jessie soon discovered that her initial apprehensions were largely unfounded. The anticipated pushback from prospective clients simply didn’t materialize. Instead, a refreshing and overwhelmingly positive response emerged. “To my pleasant surprise, communities throughout our service area have genuinely embraced Milestone Plumbing and my role as a female entrepreneur,” she proudly states. “This widespread acceptance has not only validated our efforts but has also been a significant factor in the thriving success of the business. It speaks volumes about evolving societal perceptions and the increasing openness to diversity within the trades.”
Tackling the Impossible: A Milestone Success Story in Milwaukee
Among the many achievements of Milestone Plumbing, one success story particularly resonates with Jessie, showcasing her team’s unwavering dedication to problem-solving and innovation. “I thrive on projects that present unique challenges, those complex puzzles that other professionals have deemed impossible,” she explains with enthusiasm. “There’s an immense satisfaction in taking on intricate situations and finding ingenious solutions.”
She recounts a specific instance involving a downtown Milwaukee condo project that perfectly encapsulates this spirit. “This particular project called for the installation of specialized wall-outlet toilets, which required a very precise and unconventional installation method,” Jessie elaborates. “Numerous other plumbers had previously informed the contractor that the desired outcome simply couldn’t be achieved with the existing design parameters. However, we saw it as an opportunity. Instead of accepting defeat, our team collaborated directly with Kohler’s engineering department. Through this intensive partnership, we successfully modified the design, enabling us to deliver precisely what the contractor envisioned and required.”
The successful execution of this intricate project not only earned Milestone Plumbing the job but also solidified their reputation as a go-to firm for complex solutions. “That challenging project ultimately led to us securing what is now one of our largest and most valued clients,” Jessie confirms, highlighting the long-term impact of their commitment to excellence and inventive problem-solving.
The Evolving Landscape: Key Innovations in the Plumbing Industry
The plumbing industry, often perceived as traditional, is currently experiencing a rapid period of transformation, driven by technological advancements and shifting consumer demands. Jessie Cannizzaro offers valuable insights into these exciting changes.
Smart Technology Integration
“New technologies have introduced truly revolutionary capabilities into the plumbing sector,” Jessie observes. “Consider the convenience of being able to shut off your main water supply at the meter using just your smartphone. This kind of remote control offers peace of mind and can be crucial in preventing costly water damage.” She further highlights advancements like digital showers, which allow users to precisely control temperature, flow, and even integrate personalized settings through voice commands or smart interfaces. These innovations enhance user comfort, promote water conservation, and bring plumbing into the smart home ecosystem, offering unprecedented levels of control and efficiency for homeowners.
The Rise of Bidets
The pandemic, with its unexpected toilet paper shortages, inadvertently sparked a significant surge in interest in bidets. “During that period of scarcity, people began exploring alternatives, and bidets suddenly gained immense popularity,” Jessie recalls. “They are incredibly cool features to have, offering superior hygiene and a more eco-friendly option compared to excessive toilet paper usage. What began as a necessity for some has evolved into a lifestyle choice for many, and we now regularly install and sell a wide range of bidet systems, from simple attachments to integrated smart toilets.” This trend underscores a growing consumer awareness of personal hygiene and sustainable practices.
Advancements in Materials and Safety
Significant improvements in plumbing materials have drastically altered daily operations for plumbers, enhancing efficiency and safety. “Back in the day, plumbers dealt with heavy cast-iron pipes, extensive galvanized piping that required labor-intensive threading, and cumbersome concrete laundry tubs,” Jessie explains. “Today, the industry predominantly utilizes materials like PVC and lightweight fiberglass for laundry tubs. These modern materials are substantially lighter, enabling a single plumber to safely transport and install them without requiring additional assistance. This not only boosts productivity but also significantly reduces the risk of workplace injuries, making the job safer and more accessible for everyone.” These material innovations reflect a commitment to both ergonomic design and practical functionality within the trade.
Charting Your Course: Essential Advice for Aspiring Tradespeople
Jessie Cannizzaro is a passionate advocate for encouraging young people to consider careers in the trades, offering invaluable advice gleaned from her own experiences and successes. She emphasizes that true understanding comes from hands-on engagement.
Embrace Experiential Learning
“You can spend countless hours reading books or watching instructional videos about a trade, but until you physically immerse yourself in the work, there’s simply no way to definitively know if it’s the right path for you,” Jessie asserts. She strongly encourages aspiring tradespeople to seek out firsthand experience through shadowing opportunities. “Make an effort to shadow at various companies across different trades,” she advises. “This allows you to truly grasp what a typical day in that profession entails, the practical challenges, and the daily rewards. Most reputable companies are more than willing to have you ride along and observe their operations.”
Jessie also recommends diversifying shadowing experiences. “I specifically tell our shadows to explore both residential and commercial projects,” she adds. “The daily life and skillset of a plumber working on a large hospital construction project, for instance, are vastly different from those of a residential plumber handling routine repair jobs. Exposure to both spectrums provides a more holistic and realistic understanding of the trade’s versatility.”
Discover Your Passion
“It is undeniably worth investing the time and effort to explore various options and genuinely discover what you love to do – what truly ignites your passion,” Jessie urges. She underscores the profound importance of this pursuit by drawing a stark contrast. “I encounter far too many adults who, unfortunately, dread going to work every single day. They often express regret, wishing they had ventured into a different career path earlier in life. Finding your passion isn’t just about career satisfaction; it’s about overall life fulfillment and daily joy.”
Leverage Debt-Free Educational Pathways
One of the most compelling advantages of pursuing a career in the trades, often overlooked, is the opportunity for paid education. “Many people aren’t aware that some employers will actively sponsor and pay for your schooling,” Jessie highlights. “This means you are literally attending classes and acquiring valuable skills while simultaneously earning an hourly wage. Imagine graduating with a highly demanded, great-paying career, completely free of the burden of college debt. This financial freedom, combined with the immense satisfaction of a rewarding craft, makes the trades an incredibly attractive and sustainable career choice.” For further inspiration, meet Renee Wilson, another incredible woman making her mark as an insulation contractor and owner.
Driving Change: Business Owners as Advocates for the Trades
Jessie Cannizzaro firmly believes that the responsibility of nurturing the future of the skilled trades extends beyond individual career choices to the broader business community. “While it’s undoubtedly fulfilling to operate a successful business, if we, as owners, solely concentrate on our day-to-day operations without actively striving to enhance our communities, we ultimately fail to move the needle on critical issues like the skilled labor shortage,” she contends.
Her advice to fellow business owners is clear and actionable: “If you genuinely love and believe in the value of the trades, actively seek out a local school that you can sponsor and where you can mentor students. This hands-on engagement is transformative.” She provides a concrete example from Milestone Plumbing’s community involvement: “We are currently partnering with a local high school on an ambitious project – they’re constructing a fully functional powder room/bathroom setup right on campus, integrating various trades. Our role involves collaborating with suppliers to secure necessary project materials. More importantly, we’re providing direct, practical instruction to the students, demonstrating how to properly run the drain and vent systems for the toilet and lavatory sink, as well as installing all the water piping and fixtures.”
Jessie emphasizes the multifaceted benefits of such initiatives. “Projects like this serve as a powerful introduction for kids to the intricacies and rewards of the plumbing trade. Beyond skill acquisition, they play a crucial role in changing the cultural perception surrounding vocational careers, fostering wider acceptance and respect for the trades as viable, fulfilling, and economically stable career paths.” These efforts are vital in bridging the skills gap and ensuring a robust workforce for the future.
Inside the Toolbox: Jessie Cannizzaro’s Essential Gear
Any skilled tradesperson knows the importance of reliable tools, and Jessie Cannizzaro is no exception. Her choice of equipment reflects a commitment to quality, efficiency, and personal well-being.
Championing Milwaukee Tool
“At Milestone Plumbing, we are staunch supporters of Milwaukee Tool,” Jessie proudly states. “We genuinely believe they consistently produce the highest quality and most innovative tools on the market.” This partnership extends beyond mere brand loyalty. “Our team frequently gets the unique opportunity to test out their prototypes in real-world scenarios,” she explains. “Occasionally, Milwaukee Tool representatives even join us in the field to observe how we utilize their tools. It’s incredibly exciting to be an integral part of the development process for new technology as it comes through the pipeline. This collaboration is a testament to the company’s commitment to understanding actual user needs by literally being out in the field and witnessing how their products perform in diverse working conditions.”
Favorite Tools and Their Stories
Jessie highlights several Milwaukee Tool products that have become indispensable to her and her team. “I’m particularly fond of their flashlights,” she notes, “and their tripod LED lights are simply outstanding, providing brilliant illumination for any job site.” However, her favorite tool holds a deeply personal significance: their copper cutter.
“When I was an apprentice, I was doing a lot of re-piping work, which involved extensive manual copper cutting,” Jessie recounts. “The repetitive motion of this task began to cause severe, painful issues with my wrist. It got to the point where a doctor prescribed braces that I had to wear nightly because my wrists were locking up so badly.” The introduction of Milwaukee Tool’s innovative copper cutter was a game-changer. “The design of their cutter completely eliminated that strain,” she explains, highlighting its ergonomic benefits and the profound impact it had on her ability to perform her job pain-free. This story underscores the critical role that well-designed tools play not just in efficiency, but in the long-term health and career longevity of tradespeople.
Beyond Milwaukee Tool, Jessie also favors smaller channel locks from both Milwaukee Tool and ChannelLock brands. “I appreciate their compact size because I can easily tuck them into my back pocket when I enter a customer’s home, ensuring they’re always within reach,” she explains. She also commends Milwaukee for making a great Pex tool, another essential for modern plumbing installations.
Jessie Cannizzaro: A Brief Biography
Jessie Cannizzaro’s foundational experience in plumbing began at a remarkably young age, helping her father at his plumbing company, where she mastered the skill of soldering by the age of seven. Despite this early immersion, she initially charted an academic course, earning both undergraduate and graduate business degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Her return to plumbing was prompted by a family health crisis when her father fell ill, leading her to step into the role she now passionately embraces.
In 2011, Jessie officially established Milestone Plumbing, initially operating out of her Wauwatosa basement and garage. As the business flourished, she strategically relocated to the very same location that once housed her father’s plumbing company, a poignant nod to her roots. Recognizing the ongoing expansion of her thriving team, Jessie recently secured an even larger facility to accommodate Milestone Plumbing’s impressive growth and future aspirations.
Meet the Writer: Karuna Eberl
Karuna Eberl is a valued and regular contributor to FamilyHandyman.com. With a distinguished career spanning 25 years, she has honed her craft as a freelance journalist and filmmaker, dedicating her talents to telling compelling stories across diverse subjects including people, nature, travel, science, and history. Eberl’s exceptional writing prowess has garnered her numerous awards, as have her insightful Florida Keys Travel Guide and her acclaimed documentary, The Guerrero Project.
[cf]skyword_tracking_tag[/cf]