Talking Trades – we sit down with Penny Petridis. Metal fabricator, carpenter, horticulturist, and the force behind Female Tradie. Penny’s journey is anything but linear. From building decks to building confidence in women across Australia, she’s spent the last 15 years turning barriers into breakthroughs. We talk trade, diversity, the rise of her brand, and how her hands-on workshops are empowering a whole new generation of women to pick up the tools with confidence and community behind them.
1. Your career spans metal fabrication, carpentry, and horticulture. What inspired you to explore different trades, and how has that shaped your approach to building and mentoring?
I’ve always had a hunger to learn more and I still do! I’m currently looking into getting my excavator license. Having such a diverse skill set has helped me run my business more efficiently. Even though I’m not as hands-on these days, I’m so glad I learned the skills myself. There’s nothing better than working with a team and being able to clearly communicate your vision or teach those skills in a workshop and truly know what the work involves. It’s not just textbook knowledge; I’ve lived it.
2. Female Tradie has become a recognisable name in the industry. What made you start it in 2010, and how’s the journey been?
I started Female Tradie in 2010 after facing a few challenges running my own decking business. I kept hitting barriers mainly around being taken seriously when I’d turn up on site. There was always a moment where I had to prove myself just because I was a woman. Naming my business Female Tradie was my way of pushing through that. What began as a personal statement turned into a strong brand direction. Fifteen years later, it’s become so much more than just a renovation company. Once I committed to that name, I was all in. I put my head down, worked hard, and focused on delivering quality work. Yes, I probably had to prove myself more than my male counterparts, especially back when female tradies weren’t common. But I stayed committed and now it’s amazing to see how far the industry has come (even though there’s still work to do).
3. Your workshops aim to empower women with DIY skills. What impact have you seen on participants’ confidence and interest in trades?
When I started the workshops about four years ago, I never imagined they’d grow this much. It began with beginners’ workshops teaching women how to handle minor repairs—and now we’ve expanded into 3-day carpentry workshops, weekend kitchen flatpack builds, wall-building and plastering sessions, and our newest Power Tool Day. We run them in Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, and the Northern Rivers—with more cities on the horizon.
The impact has been huge. Whether they’re home renovators, women wanting to upskill, or those starting a maintenance business—the confidence and empowerment that comes out of these workshops is incredible. I love the intro chats at the beginning of each session—hearing people’s stories and why they’re there. With the rising cost of living and difficulty accessing trades, many women feel stuck. Our workshops give them more than just skills. They give them a sense of independence, confidence, and community.
4. Looking ahead, what’s your vision for Female Tradie? How will you continue advocating for women in construction?
My vision will always be about sharing skills and empowering women—whether they’re women looking to get into trades , Home DIYers, experienced renovators, or even those wanting to start their own maintenance business. It’s about helping them feel confident and supported in chasing their goals. I’ll keep running hands-on workshops, mentoring, and expanding our online programs and memberships to make that support more accessible.
5. You wear many hats—tradie, mentor, business owner. What does a typical day look like for you, and how do you stay energised and inspired?
I’m up around 5am. I start the day with gratitude and visualisation—it helps me get centred and ready to go. Then I set my intentions for the day, have my coffee, prep my meals, and I’m off. I try to move every day—whether that’s strength training or just keeping my body mobile.
From there, I’m either heading to site or running a workshop. What keeps me going is my vision. I know the impact this work has, and I’m driven by my dream to one day create a training and wellbeing retreat space. That mission lights me up every day.
6. What’s been one of your proudest moments—professionally or personally?
One of the proudest moments was in Brisbane a few months ago when we ran five workshops in one day—three at one training centre and two in another city. The energy was incredible. I looked around and thought, “Wow, I created this.” Seeing how far we’ve come and hearing people’s stories of gratitude and growth—it was a heartwarming and unforgettable day.
7. When you’re not on the tools or running workshops, how do you unwind and recharge?
Definitely beach walks, paddling on the river, cuddles with my dog, massages (lots of them!), spinning vinyl, dancing, and catching up with family and friends. Those moments outside of work keep me grounded and recharged.
0 Comments