Queen of the Trades

Faith-Based Leadership

What 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 [https://www.pureplumbinglv.com/] ● Pure Plumbing & Air Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/PurePlumbinglasvegas] ● Alexis Aranda Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thequeenofthetrades/?hl=en]

Replay: Bringing Passion Back To The Trades With Alexis Aranda

Please 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 [https://www.pureplumbinglv.com/] * Pure Plumbing & Air Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/PurePlumbinglasvegas]

Avoid Burn Out

Spring'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 [https://www.pureplumbinglv.com/] ● Pure Plumbing & Air Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/PurePlumbinglasvegas] ● Alexis Aranda Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thequeenofthetrades/?hl=en] ● Lead Like a Queen Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadlikeaqueengroup]

Extreme Ownership Part 2

A 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 [https://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Ownership-U-S-Navy-SEALs/dp/1250183863/]. [02:04] A quick recap of the previous episode, called Extreme Ownership [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/extreme-ownership/id1608595202?i=1000703124755]. [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 [https://www.pureplumbinglv.com/] ● Pure Plumbing & Air Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/PurePlumbinglasvegas] ● Alexis Aranda Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thequeenofthetrades/?hl=en] ● Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win (New Edition) [https://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Ownership-U-S-Navy-SEALs/dp/1250183863/] ● Extreme Ownership [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/extreme-ownership/id1608595202?i=1000703124755]

6 Functions of a Professional Manager

Do 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 [https://www.pureplumbinglv.com/] ● Pure Plumbing & Air Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/PurePlumbinglasvegas] ● Alexis Aranda Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thequeenofthetrades/?hl=en] ● Management Action Program MAP [https://www.mapconsulting.com/] ● Emotional Intelligence [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/emotional-intelligence/id1608595202?i=1000703999500]