In this episode of Power Women of the Trades, hosts Cassie and Heather chat with Ashley Tanner, Co-owner and COO of Iron Mountain Plumbing, Heating and Air in Cedar City, Utah. Ashley shares her journey from supporting her husband through his plumbing apprenticeship to co-founding their business while raising four children. Now seven years in, she opens up about the emotional highs and lows of entrepreneurship—especially the personal sacrifices and constant mental load business owners carry.
The discussion also explores the challenges of adding HVAC services, seasonal demand, customer misconceptions, and the pressure of always being “on” as a business owner. Ashley and the hosts also dive into the growing use of AI in marketing and operations—praising its value as a tool while warning against overuse and the risk of losing authenticity and emotional connection with customers. Ashley uses AI, especially ChatGPT, for business planning, communication, and even personal growth, like generating biblical affirmations.
Throughout the episode, the tone is honest, supportive, and raw—highlighting the real-life challenges women face in the trades, while also celebrating resilience, leadership, and community.