Speaker 1 (00:00:07) - Welcome to the Sparky Life podcast with Lia Lamela. I share with you my electrical journey experiences an insight through engaging banter with those I've met along the way. If you're interested in trade tales, an industry fraught with excitement and risk. Subscribe and be notified every Thursday when trade tales continue. If you would like to contribute to the Sparky Life Podcast, you can do so in our linktree by clicking on the support the podcast link. We greatly appreciate all your support. We would not be able to create this content or produce this podcast without you. And now let's welcome the next Sparky live guest. Today's guest, Megan Pagoda, is a tiny house builder and creator of Build It Betties. Megan has a beautiful understanding of what being a part of skilled trades brings. She is on a journey, building her home, a tiny house. During this process, she connected with the act of building and feels compelled to share it with others. Welcome with me, Megan Pogoda. How did you get involved with the trades? What kind of led you to this path?
Speaker 2 (00:01:31) - Well, it started. When I was like one year old. It was. I knew you were gonna ask this question, so I was like, was really thinking about it. My parents bought this old Colonial back in Pennsylvania because it was all they could afford, and they were really excited. It was like, you know, my family's first home, we'd been living in an apartment, a really cute apartment, like a second floor. Above that, someone had turned into an apartment above their home. And, you know, they had just had a baby. And they're like, okay, this isn't working out. Like living above people, especially. They were kind of older people. And yeah, they found this house for a great deal, but it was just people that lived in it before had not taken care of it. Oh, it was over 100 years old, but it just had so much potential. And it was in a really cute neighborhood, you know, the typical like white picket fence.
Speaker 2 (00:02:23) - Suburban Philadelphia kind of neighborhood. And normally they wouldn't have been able to afford it. But luckily, my dad went to trade school and he had been in construction for a while, so he saw it. My mom saw the like, financial opportunity of buying it, and he was just like, I know how to do all this stuff. So they bought it. And so since I can remember, there's always been areas of my house that have been a construction zone. So that's just kind of a safe space for me.
Speaker 1 (00:02:58) - Yeah, that makes sense.
Speaker 2 (00:03:00) - Yeah. And so when I was, you know, old enough that what I saw my dad do at home when he wasn't at work, he was at home doing stuff around the house, fixing things, using tools. He had a workshop in the basement and in the garage and he was remodeling the kitchen and was like, I want to learn how to use a hammer. So he taught me how to use a hammer and he gave me some nails.
Speaker 2 (00:03:24) - And I remember this so clearly because it's like one of my first memories and he was putting the subfloor down and he was like, This is a good place to start because these nails aren't visible and just nailing straight down. So he showed me how to nail and it took me a while, but I finally was able to use the hammer and get some of the nails. And then I was like kind of getting good at it and was like really proud. I was like, This is the first time I'm making my dad proud, you know? Or I like really liked it because it like being someone that's so distracted and always needs to be entertained or I'm always doing something like I'm a busybody kind of person and just having something to focus on and being able to see my progress and, you know, accomplish a goal. He he was like, I need to go buy more nails. And I was like, I'm going to finish this before he gets back. And I was like, feverish, early nailing.
Speaker 2 (00:04:22) - And I remember he came back and was just like, Look, I did it. So that's kind of where it all started. But, you know, my life has taken this really winding path and I'm kind of just really getting into the trades now with building my house.
Speaker 1 (00:04:42) - Are you building it from the ground up?
Speaker 2 (00:04:44) - Yes, from the wheels up. Actually, I. I bought the trailer. I bought the 30 foot trailer.
Speaker 1 (00:04:50) - That's wonderful.
Speaker 2 (00:04:51) - I have a few friends, including my dad, who has helped me get started. I was like, I need help. At least with the framing, like just having someone in person figuring that all out. But my life, you know, I went to school for journalism, so I learned video production and then ended up not really doing that as a career. I discovered DJing, which is live video mixing probably in my early 20s when I was just kind of lost. I wasn't doing anything with my career, so that kind of took me down this path for the last decade and a half, being an artist, doing video production, but also all the things that go with production of live shows, mostly music and festivals, stuff like that.
Speaker 2 (00:05:42) - So I would always find myself some way to build, whether it was, oh, stage design, like it was always something like really wacky to it would be like, I'm building an adult puppet theater in a grass field or I'm holding an art gallery or I built a obstacle course for dogs.
Speaker 1 (00:06:06) - Like I love it.
Speaker 2 (00:06:08) - Just really random stuff. And every time I would do a project like that, you know, sometimes it was art department for film, which is literally building. You know, you're not building a house, but you're building walls, you're building scenes, you're building backgrounds. There's a lot of painting and textures. And every time I would do that, I would get reminded of when I was. The kid. And and it was it was like a safe space for me. And I was like, I just I love having, like, a physical art to focus on since so much of my life had been digital for a while. So when the opportunity came along that, you know, things in my life had lined up, that I was like, I think it's time that I build my own house.
Speaker 2 (00:06:48) - And being a nomad for years like a tiny house was really the only option for me. It was like the closest, closest I could get to being grounded is having wheels on the ground. And so, yeah, so now since I've started this tiny house journey, it's had me doing tons of research, reaching out to people I know and collecting all the skills from all the, all different trades, right. In order to make this happen. So I wouldn't say that I'm an expert in anything at this point. I'm definitely a student. But the rebuild at Betty's, I want to bring other students along with me. I want to teach other people. And specifically, you know, women are underrepresented in all the trades. Yes. So, you know, I've heard so many times whenever I told a friend or acquaintance or something, even just at Home Depot, you know, I'll just be like, oh, yeah, I'm getting this thing because I'm building a tiny house. People are like, Whoa, wait, you're building a tiny house.
Speaker 2 (00:07:54) - And then it's like a million questions and was like, Wow, there's really there's really an interest in this. And there's more women that are like, That's so cool that you're building it yourself. And I was like, There's really an opportunity here. There's there's women that are interested in learning and sometimes they just need to see someone that looks more like them do it to, to even think that that's possible. You know, I had my dad growing up, but also I would go to construction site and be like, okay, I don't really fit in here. Like a bunch of dudes.
Speaker 1 (00:08:26) - More women in the trades is definitely needed. That's for sure. And it sounds like you have a similar experience that most of us do, that when we start building. It's very empowering. It feels good. And I don't know about you, but I definitely started to do things that I never thought I was capable of doing. So it's special. Definitely special.
Speaker 2 (00:08:52) - Yeah. It's really empowering to know, like, even with this tiny house, when I'm getting to like doing the electrical and plumbing and all that right now and I have a little bit of experience.
Speaker 2 (00:09:04) - I did. I remodeled vintage trailers for several years, so that was kind of leading up to this, a smaller scale, still mobile, but just getting understanding, I was like, I want I want to take it apart and see how it's all put together. Because having an understanding of that in my own house, being able to fix that is super empowering. To not have to call someone for every little thing. And even a friend of mine said, You know, like, I just want to be able to use a drill so I can hang curtain rod. Like, to be able to do that would feel great. And I'm like, That's a great place to start, right? But just to have the confidence to use a power tool, Yes. Yeah. Sometimes you just need to see someone else do it or show you firsthand. I mean, I picked up a nail gun for the first time, building this tiny house, doing the framing, and I was like, Whoa, this is really big and scary and loud and intimidating.
Speaker 2 (00:10:00) - But the minute I did, it was like, Oh, I want to keep like, right?
Speaker 1 (00:10:03) - It's like, it's so much fun.
Speaker 2 (00:10:06) - So much fun. And anyone that I had one to, I'm like, try this, try this thing. They're like, like their face lights up. They're like, wow. It's like shooting a gun. But you're creating instead of destroying.
Speaker 1 (00:10:20) - Very cool.
Speaker 2 (00:10:21) - That's been fun.
Speaker 1 (00:10:23) - So the build Betty's, that kind of blossomed from your recognizing how many people were interested in learning and how. Beautiful and empowering the process is. And it sounds like you're creating a safe space for women to kind of dip their toe into this because it is intimidating going on to a construction site and you're the only female there. For sure.
Speaker 2 (00:10:56) - For sure. Yeah. And and I've had so many friends reach out and be like, I want to help you build your house. So I'm like, this is an opportunity. You know, they're like, I have no experience, you know, like, I've painted some things or whatever, and I'm like, every aspect of the build, it's not like something that you need a certain amount of strength for.
Speaker 2 (00:11:16) - Yeah, maybe carrying a piece of plywood should be a two person job. Like there's not really anything in building. You know, there's, there's tools to make every part of the process easier, right? And also, the more you do it, the the more you build up strength. I mean, like, I'm way stronger after screwing in like 300 screws into metal underneath my trailer.
Speaker 1 (00:11:38) - Yes.
Speaker 2 (00:11:39) - And that was just after like one day or just hammering all of these nails and above my head, that was my my daily workout.
Speaker 1 (00:11:47) - Oh, yeah.
Speaker 2 (00:11:49) - But. But there's no aspect that I don't feel like anyone's not strong enough or whatever ideas women especially might have in their heads of why this isn't something that they could do. Yeah, I don't think it's true. And part of it too, is in the industry. I think there needs to be more balance and that's something that I keep coming back to When things get tough on the build. Like right now is a very stressful time for me.
Speaker 2 (00:12:20) - In the build I'm researching, I'm watching videos, I'm on like a limited time of when can buy materials. I got a loan and I have a window of time to buy everything. So I'm like, I have to make all these decisions right now and and I have to schedule and I have to shoot.
Speaker 1 (00:12:36) - Sounds like a construction.
Speaker 2 (00:12:40) - But like what? What I keep having to come back to is like, what is the ultimate mission of all of this? Yes, it's building a house, but I'm trying to do something bigger than that. And I think what it really comes down to is creating balance. And let's also stretch and drink water and kind of get in touch with more of the what would be considered feminine aspects of ourselves to balance out all of the masculine energy that goes into like getting stuff done and just like the physical act of building. And I think introducing more women into the industry is going to help bring that balance. And sometimes it's even just talking to each other more kindly or just eating well.
Speaker 2 (00:13:31) - Like you go to a construction site, energy drinks and Doritos, like I can't I can't work like that. Like I want healthy food. I want to be taking care of my body and just work so much better in that way. So I want to foster an environment like that. And so during this build, whenever I bring on friends or I call them buddies and training, I try to like make it like a work session, like we have food there. For us, there's like great snacks all day. We've got music. We try to keep it like light. Yes, we're sometimes doing hard things, but like we're making sure we're stretching or taking breaks or drinking water. We're doing all of the things just to create a better work environment in general.
Speaker 1 (00:14:14) - Oh, the construction culture, the work environments have not been positive. It hasn't been uplifting. And that's a shame because working with your hands in your mind really does bring a healthy mind by combining what your body and your mind are meant to do.
Speaker 1 (00:14:38) - You're meant to use your body. So construction trades are fabulous, but the culture unfortunately, has been tarnished, for lack of a better word. And so directing people to a different mindset regarding trades and creating this beautiful, uplifting environment is amazing. It's absolutely wonderful. And I think people have a lot of incorrect assumptions about the trades because of negative construction culture. Yeah, a lot of this stigma is very untrue for what really happens and exists on construction sites. So I think that's fabulous that when you have your buddies come, you've got this, you know, healthy food and high energy and working as a. Tribe and a team. That's beautiful. Definitely.
Speaker 2 (00:15:41) - Yeah. And I and I've noticed too, you know, like a lot of the guys that I brought on. Well, first it started with my dad. He came out for a week and helped me get framing, and that was really special to me to like be building with my dad again. Like every day was like, this is a dream come true.
Speaker 1 (00:15:58) - Or.
Speaker 2 (00:15:59) - Not, that my dad, me and my dad don't have our arguments like it was. Actually, it was fun. Like we filmed a couple of the days, which I need to edit. I've got episodes and stuff to edit but are kind of our like banter back and forth was kind of fun. But also having my friend Lauren, I called her, I call her my number one Betty, because she's just been like rocking it from the beginning. She she works as a grip in film, so she has this I can do it attitude. And she shows up with the tool belt and her gloves and she's got like a couple of her own power tools and she's ready to go. And I'm just like, I love that she's also like a yoga instructor. So she, like, leads us in yoga every day. She's like, Oh, my arms hurt from all that nailing we did yesterday, you know, I was like, Yes, it's exactly what I want. But my dad, even he commented, he's like, He's like, This is great.
Speaker 2 (00:16:51) - Like, I've never worked with women before and this is such a nice environment. And my friend Mountain, he came in after my dad and he's an amazing carpenter and he's really just been patient with showing each of the girls that bring in like how to use the tools, what they're doing wrong, kind of just different tips along the way. You know, you can watch all the YouTube videos you want, but having someone there to correct you when you're doing something incorrectly is just very invaluable. So like and even he said, he's like, Oh yeah, I'll come anytime. This is, this is great. Like, I love working with women. I'm not saying like, it needs to be all women, but just balancing it out and yeah, like I like having the guys there too, because we need that energy too. So anytime that I'm feeling like super stressed or overwhelmed, I'm like the whole reason I'm doing this is to create balance. So I need to create balance within myself to like set an example.
Speaker 2 (00:17:47) - I can't be stressed and angry and frustrated and yelling at people and not taking care of my body and like, hurting like that goes against the whole mission behind all of it. So I just keep bringing myself back to that and reminding that so that I can stay motivated and stay healthy.
Speaker 1 (00:18:06) - So speaking of being frustrated and dealing with things that might not work out, what are some of the biggest struggles that you've had to overcome during this process? What are some of the bumps in the road?
Speaker 2 (00:18:21) - Yeah, I could go so many ways. Um, so I started in November, like late November. Really, like early December was when we really started actually like putting wood together. But the process of deciding on the trailer, getting the trailer that took a couple of months and having it arrive. First challenge was the place that was originally going to build, wasn't working out like the ground wasn't quite level, it wasn't quite ready to be built on. There was no structures on it. It was I mean, it's a beautiful piece of land.
Speaker 2 (00:18:55) - My intention is still to move back there once the house is built just because it's it's just a gorgeous area on a friend's property. But it had water. Like I would have been running generators the whole time. I would have had to bring in like a shipping container or something for, you know, to keep things dry, to keep tools in. So kind of right when I got the trailer, I was like, I need to move. Like, I just I need to move everything. I need to move the build. And then I also need to move my life right at the beginning. So that was challenge number one. I'm like, okay, we're just getting right into it. My dad's here in a week and I need to like move this trailer, which like, I don't even have a truck like to move the trailer but rent a truck. I had to find another property. I definitely feel fortunate that I have several people like in my friend group or community that have properties in the area that are big enough to do a project like this.
Speaker 1 (00:19:52) - Where are you guys located?
Speaker 2 (00:19:55) - I'm in North County, San Diego, so about an hour from San Diego. It's very pretty rural, a lot of farms, avocado orchards and orange groves. So pretty. Yeah, it's absolutely beautiful. Southern California, you know, you can't really ask for better weather except for having the rainy season ever in the history of California, of course. So that's I was going to get to that. That is probably been the number one biggest challenge is, you know, I'm not building in a warehouse a lot of tiny home builders, professionals, they build in a warehouse. But I can't afford to rent a warehouse for thousands of dollars a month. And I figured I live in Southern California. Like, how often does it really going to rain? But it's range for like three months straight and size. So that that's been like challenging in so many ways to where like that's that's where and I've had like breakdowns and started crying on a project just like it's over everything's ruined.
Speaker 2 (00:20:59) - The floor is saturated. How am I going to, how am I going to deal with this? But um, but yeah, it's just like you take each challenge as it comes along, you know, I found another property within a week of deciding I was going to move. Move the trailer. My dad came, we got started. We were just like. And I was like, Everything's okay. The sun's out. And, you know, we're building and so fun. My dream. And then and then I had to, like, actually move in, like, in the middle of that too, because I was like, I'm commuting to this land and it's just taking like hours out of my day. I needed to just live. There wasn't really quite set up for me to come and live here, but I was like, you know, it's kind of almost better that I'm not totally comfortable while I'm doing the build, because if I was in a nice house and had everything set, then I would be a little bit less motivated to get my house built.
Speaker 1 (00:21:54) - So good point.
Speaker 2 (00:21:55) - So I definitely like I'm, I'm cool with like semi roughing it a little bit during this time so that I stay motivated and you know what is it they say comfort leads to procrastination or just being like a little bit uncomfortable, just like makes me be like, I can't wait to get this house done. So so yeah, rain came and I, like, had to do some creative things with tarps that sort of worked, sort of didn't work. Um, had a couple breakdowns, but I'm happy to say that finally, as of like last week, I was able to take this hard stuff, let things dry and get Tyvek on the walls, get rain and water, ice and water shield on the roof. So it's pretty weatherproof right now until I get like the siding and the roof and everything on. But pretty much like up until now, it's been just like everyday stressful, Like the minute starts raining, I'm out there like checking on things and tarping things and underneath a trailer, like tying ropes, like in the rain.
Speaker 2 (00:23:02) - Just. Yeah, just reminding myself like, I chose to do this and it's just going to get better from here. So. So yeah, so like, you know, physically that's been a huge challenge. But also I'm a little bit of a perfectionist. I'm an artist. It's like buying the typical whatever doesn't really work for me. I want to research what is the best version of everything that I want to get and also what's the most like trying to work with budget and everything? So just like kind of being up to like 2 or 3:00 in the morning and festively researching on the computer to the point where like I just lay there in bed and I'm just like, Oh, do I want shiplap or tongue and grooves? Like just just really like thinking about every little detail in like a fast forward pace because like, I need to make decisions and I need to order things and have people that are coming to help me on these days. So like I need to have, I need to decide which project we're going to work on that day and when I can best use all these people that want to help me.
Speaker 2 (00:24:07) - So yeah, I could tell you a million more things that I've been doing, but that's been the most. Managing money is also challenging for me, especially being an artist, thinking about creative projects and money. There's like a huge disconnect in my mind and I'm trying to work through that while also working through all the other things. So yeah, I'm just staying confident. It's all going to work out.
Speaker 1 (00:24:36) - It will. And this is just what construction is. It's Murphy's Law. If it can go wrong, it will go wrong. But that's one of the beautiful things about construction because it makes you problem solve and it makes you come up with creative ways to handle what's going on. And you just get stronger and better as you move through the process. I ended up loving that aspect of construction because it's always interesting. There's always something new, like always something new to have to fix or deal with or problem solved. So it's definitely not boring.
Speaker 2 (00:25:17) - Yeah. And I mean, it's so much of it.
Speaker 2 (00:25:20) - Construction is an art. It's just another kind of art. People see trades as like jobs and may not consider it art, but I've done every kind of art there is, from painting to sculpting to video to costumes to sewing like it's so similar to every. Every aspect of that emotionally, physically, problem solving things. And it feels so good when you have a problem that's stumping you and you figure it out and then, you know, you get past it mentally, it makes you so much stronger. It makes you resilient, it makes you resourceful, like being able to go and figure things out on your own or ask someone learning from other people, like reaching out to your community. There's just so many aspects of building that I'm just like, I don't know why everyone isn't like learning at least some physical trade. I think.
Speaker 1 (00:26:18) - It's important.
Speaker 2 (00:26:20) - So much of our lives are digital like we we need to balance that out with physical things. And why not do something that's going to help you do something around your house?
Speaker 1 (00:26:30) - Many craftsmen and crafts women are creatives.
Speaker 1 (00:26:33) - Many. Yeah, it is 100% an art now because we're in construction. What tool is in your tool belt? What have you learned throughout your life and your journey that you carry with you always that has helped you to accomplish your goals and has sparked you on this path?
Speaker 2 (00:26:55) - Uh, tools in my tool belt. This is interesting because, you know, first I want to be like, nail gun, but. But I'm thinking more on a less literal sense. Probably one of the biggest tools I've come across is yoga.
Speaker 1 (00:27:17) - Yoga.
Speaker 2 (00:27:18) - To be honest, yoga is huge for me. Funny, my dad did yoga when I was a kid, and me and my mom used to make fun of him. We're like, What are those weird stretches you're doing? And like, didn't get it. And over the past, you know, as an adult, I've become friends with like, actually quite a few yoga instructors. I just, like, find these people and or draw them into my life, probably because I need it.
Speaker 2 (00:27:45) - And like, I need the energy of someone who practices yoga and the just what it does for your mind, what it does for your body. And I've probably been on over a dozen yoga retreats, like doing photography on yoga retreats. So I've learned so much just being in this community. You know, it started with going to festivals and being like, Yeah, I need to stretch before the day and just going to a yoga class. But like it has infused itself into every aspect of what I do, whether it's holding a board straight before I nail it, focusing on my breathing in order to hold something still.
Speaker 1 (00:28:27) - Yeah.
Speaker 2 (00:28:28) - You know, just having, having accuracy of like using a hammer, being really in tune with my muscles and knowing how to tell my body to do what I wanted to do. I mean, on top of that, the mental, you know, when I reach a challenge or something difficult, being able to instead of getting anxiety and stress and taking out on the people around me or blaming things, people from for doing things wrong or blaming myself for doing something wrong, just really like stopping, you know, taking deep breath and calming myself.
Speaker 2 (00:29:05) - It's really a skill that I have acquired through doing yoga, through mindfulness that transfers into every aspect of my life. I mean, physically, you know, starting every day before a build with yoga, the days that when I have like a crew and I'm like, Let's do a yoga flow together, it's a really good bonding moment, but also just the way you carry yourself throughout the day, the way that you speak to each other is just like completely changed. And sometimes you're in like tight corners of doing weird things with your body when you're building, and if you stretch out, you're so much more able to do that and not cause injury to be able to react to something more quickly, to be more present, to be more mindful. So I think that, yeah, yoga and mindfulness practices have really just changed everything that I do in my life, you know, relating to building. It's I don't know how people go to work, especially doing like a physical trade without stopping and stretching and doing all of that before, like feel like I would just like lash out on people, like left and right, like frustrated or, oh, my body hurts or whatever.
Speaker 2 (00:30:21) - But the biggest thought I think that I've, you know, in my belt is, is yoga being present.
Speaker 1 (00:30:29) - That is awesome. That is totally awesome. Tell everyone where they can find build it Betties.
Speaker 2 (00:30:37) - Well, build it better is primarily what I'm going to be focused on most now is the YouTube channel. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (00:30:46) - They can catch an action.
Speaker 2 (00:30:48) - Yeah, exactly. I've been really fortunate that I have a friend who has come and helped film a lot of it because while I have the skills to film filming yourself while you're doing things, this adds a whole nother level of challenge, Right? And I'm going to I'm starting to edit the episodes and then I have a couple little other things to kind of infuse in their interviews. A lot of editing will be done, but YouTube is primarily where I'm going to be posting a lot of things. So yeah, it's just build it. Betties on YouTube, you can just search for the channel and and also on Instagram I'm at Build it that easy and I like using social media as a tool, but I'm really careful about social media use.
Speaker 2 (00:31:34) - I feel like I've had I always say it's it's been my only addiction in life.
Speaker 1 (00:31:40) - And.
Speaker 2 (00:31:41) - I've used social media for a lot of jobs and self-promotion and stuff, you know, being an artist. But I do see a lot of value. I mean, we connected because of Instagram. So I and I found such a cool community of builders, women builders, women and trades supporting each other, encouraging each other.
Speaker 1 (00:32:01) - So I cannot wait. I am so ready. You better be messaging me when the first, you know, episodes start to roll out. You need to let me know because I'm so excited for you.
Speaker 2 (00:32:16) - Thank you so much. It's been really cool. Interesting too. I've really connected with a couple other women that are almost in the same process of me of the tiny house build, so asking each other questions and everything has been like in real time has been really cool.
Speaker 1 (00:32:31) - That's amazing. Thank you so much for being here. Megan Thank you. It was wonderful having you. I love your energy and I am really stoked.
Speaker 1 (00:32:41) - I cannot wait to see. I'm excited. I'm excited.
Speaker 2 (00:32:45) - I appreciate it. Thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 1 (00:32:48) - My favorite part of today's discussion is hearing Meghan identify the creative art of building, whether she's building a movie sets or building her home. I am so excited to take this journey with Megan. I can't imagine a more empowering act than building your own home, even with wheels. A tiny house build is definitely on my bucket list. What's on yours? Thank you for joining us. If you felt a spark in today's episode, I invite you to write a review. I'd love to hear what lit you up. Take what resonates with you, and if you'd like to hear more of the Spark life, please subscribe like follow and share. Until next time, create the sparks in your life.