More than a last name: what it really takes to carve your own path in the trades, with Sherry Holmes

Sherry Holmes grew up on construction sites with her dad, Mike Holmes — one of Canada's most recognized names in the trades. But becoming a builder in her own right wasn't a given. In fact, she fought it for years.

In this episode, Sherry opens up about the winding road that led her to construction, including a brain tumor diagnosis at 19 that changed her perspective on everything, the moment she realized she wanted to earn her place on site — not inherit it, and what it's really like to show up as the only woman in the room, day after day.

We also get into the practical, often overlooked barriers that still keep women out of the trades: gear that wasn't designed for a woman's body, safety harnesses that don't fit, work boots that don't come in your size, and yes — the porta-potty problem nobody talks about.

Sherry is funny, grounded, and refreshingly honest about what she still doesn't know. She's also one of the most compelling examples of what representation in non-traditional industries can actually look like in practice.

If you're thinking about a career in the trades, or you just want to hear from a woman who built her confidence one job site at a time — this one's for you.

This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale