A Look Back: One of Our Early Power Women Conversations

A Look Back: One of Our Early Power Women Conversations

From Power Women of the Trades: Weekly Podcast Empowering Women In the Trades Industry by Power Women of the Trades

January 14, 2026 · 39 min

About this episode

The episode revisits a conversation with Mary Jean Anderson about her journey overcoming debt and the challenges of running a trades business.

In this special throwback episode of the Power Women of the Trades podcast, hosts Leslie Harpole and Cassie Pound revisit a powerful conversation with Mary Jean Anderson, President of Anderson Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning. Mary Jean joins the show to share her remarkable journey of resilience, detailing how she overcame $1 million in debt to eventually grow and sell a multi-million dollar company. Throughout the episode, she candidly explores the immense challenges of navigating failure and uncertainty, specifically addressing the complexities of running a trades business alongside a spouse and the subsequent impact on company culture when that partnership ends in divorce.The discussion dives deep into the strategic side of success, emphasizing why female entrepreneurs must surround themselves with people smarter than they are to foster growth

People in this episode

Hosts: Leslie Harpole, Cassie Pound

Guest: Mary Jean Anderson

Topics covered

  • resilience
  • female entrepreneurship
  • trades business
  • company culture
  • overcoming debt

Keywords

  • resilience
  • female entrepreneurs
  • trades industry
  • business challenges
  • company culture

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Anderson Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning

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