A Bold Career Change

Mid-career, Sam Kurikawa embarked on a new path in the building industry. Motivated by a desire to build her own tiny home and complete her latest renovation, Sam left her secure, well-paid office job to pursue a trade.

“I saw the push by the industry and the Victorian government to get more women into trades so I jumped in,” Sam said and she isn’t new to career changes. “I’ve never had a linear career. I have done lots of fairly bold things like packing up and living abroad several times. So, it’s not completely out of the blue for me to do something like this.”

Education and Challenges

Sam simultaneously enrolled in a Certificate IV in Building & Construction during the day and a Certificate II Pre-apprenticeship in Carpentry at night.

“I was tossing up between the building and construction theory side, and the hands-on carpentry skills. And I thought I need both of these things,” she said. But her TAFE experience was tough. “I hated the TAFE environment. It’s made for young boys who are straight out of school and still living at home with their parents. I can’t say I’ve ever really been bullied as an adult, but I was there. I nearly pulled out, but I was like, I’m so close. I just need to get it done.”

Finding Her Niche

After completing her courses, Sam volunteered on community builds and worked as a labourer but struggled to establish herself in the industry. Recognising an opportunity, she took to the road with a unique approach.

“I went on the road, up the East Coast with my tools in my van and my camping gear. I would find a Facebook group and make a post and say, ‘Are there any women who’d like to get on the tools?’ The appetite was voracious. Women were so keen to learn to do this stuff.”

When Sam got back to Melbourne, she had a clear vision of what she wanted to do. She formally launched her business, She Bangs ToolSchool, offering handywoman services. A business model that provides a unique and empowering way for homeowners to learn basic home maintenance in accessible ways, and help women understand how trades work and how to work with them.

Sam Kurikawa with other female trades at her trade school

Business Expertise

“In terms of being able to set up a business and understanding how the marketing side of things works, I’m all over that from my previous professional roles,” Sam said. Focussing on communication with clients, getting back to them promptly and understanding the human side of business has helped her become successful in what she does.

“I think it’s one of the main problems with the construction industry, especially for sole traders or small businesses. They might take three weeks to get a quote to someone because they just don’t have time. They have to come home at 10:00 pm and do it but I think it’s really important to have the business side sorted because it’s what clients expect.”

Her approach has resonated with clients. “The number of clients who say, I love your website, I love your marketing or thank you so much for coming back to me so quickly. I hear this every day. I can definitely say my business and communication skills are the reason I’ve managed to become quite successful in a fairly short amount of time.”

Advice for Women Entering the Building Industry

When asked for advice for women wanting to enter the building industry, Sam encourages thinking beyond traditional paths.

“Don’t think that you have to follow a traditional path. It’s definitely the well-beaten path, but it’s slow, often inaccessible, and conservative,” she said. “If you’re willing to go a different way, you can find people who will help you along the way. Seek out mentors and other people to champion you, and go to events like Women in Trade. They are the way forward and that’s where you meet other people and help each other.”

Future Aspirations and Sustainability

Sam’s plans centre on sustainability and addressing housing challenges. Her next challenge is to build a tiny house and teach other women to do the same.

“Women over 55 are the fastest growing cohort into homelessness, and that’s scary. We’re in a housing affordability crisis. You don’t need many materials for a tiny house. So, let’s salvage materials, let’s rescue overage and wastage from building sites. Then we find innovative ways to divert usable materials from the waste stream to build a tiny home for someone to live in. It solves two problems at once,” Sam said, emphasising the importance of recycling building materials.

“The waste on construction sites is enormous. And it’s a double-sided problem as builders have to pay to get rid of it. And then on the other side of it, there’s no distribution system for, what could be, usable materials on smaller projects. There’s no way for it to go anywhere else besides to landfill.”

Sam Kurikawa posing amongst timber framing.

Community and Recognition

Reflecting on her experience at the Bowens Women in Trade Event, Sam said:

“Bowens Women in Trade event was amazing. I met lots of people, I loved the speakers, and it was a fantastic day. There are so few women in trades, we all tend to go there individually in our little bubbles and then come together. I would highly recommend it to anybody, even someone who’s not already in the trades.”

Congratulations to Sam Kurikawa on winning the Margaret Hickey Award at the Bowens Women in Trade Event 2025.

Celebrating Sam Kurikawa: Margaret Hickey Award Recipient 2025

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