You can never have too much Moxie

Had an interesting conversation with Marissa McTasney this week. She’s the brainy business babe (I think she’d be okay with that description!) who founded Moxie Trades, which makes construction gear for women (including the cool glasses at left and boots below).

BTW - Moxie Trades' latest venture  is a Canada-wide contest to find the country's Moxiest Work Woman. The prize is $1,000, a $500 Stanley tool kit, a full set of Moxie gear and a spot in the next Moxie catalogue. Check the website for details. 

While interviewing her for a Hot Home Products column about safety gear, we talked about how men and women approach the issue. “Women think of safety differently than men,” insists McTasney. “They are logical, but they’re also emotional, so they think ‘well, I’ve got to be safe because I gotta pick up the kids at three’. You don’t usually have to tell a woman twice to put her safety gear on.”

Her biggest tips for getting through reno and maintenance work without a trip to Emerg? Keep your eyes, ears, hand and feet protected. And keep your workplace clear. “It’s the one thing people forget. I’ve seen my husband do it — they think that they don’t need to bother, because they’re only doing one quick cut. But the space has to be clear to be safe. And take your time — remember that every job will take twice as long as you think. If you go slow, you’re less likely to have a problem, either with your project or in terms of safety.”