Meet Tanya Wilson

We recently connected with Tanya Wilson and have shared our conversation below.

Tanya , so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

Being the only one in the room that looks like me? I’ve stopped seeing that as a disadvantage and started seeing it as my superpower.

When I first stepped into the septic industry, I didn’t just walk into a room full of men—I walked into an industry that didn’t even have a seat for someone like me at the table. So what did I do? I built my own damn table. I went from nothing—no fancy investors, no blueprint—to building a multi-7-figure business in an industry most people don’t even want to talk about. I did it by staying relentless, learning fast, listening to my gut, and showing up fully as me—even when that made others uncomfortable.

The truth is, being the only woman in the room taught me how to lead with intention, to speak louder when the room went quiet, and to let my work speak when words didn’t land. It taught me how to be both tough and tender, strategic and intuitive. I had to build not just systems but also belief. Belief in myself, in my mission, and in the future I knew was possible, even when no one else saw it.

That’s why I created Ladies Kickin’ Ass and the BadAss Inner Circle—because I know how damn lonely it can feel to be the only one. But now? We’re flipping the script. We’re not just getting in the room—we’re building our own rooms, creating our own tables, and inviting a whole new generation of badass women to rise up, speak out, and own their space in home services and beyond.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m Tanya Wilson—entrepreneur, podcast host, coach, and founder of HomeField East Valley, a multi 7-figure septic business born from grit, vision, and an obsession with creating something different in the home service space.

What started as a hustle with a pump truck has evolved into a thriving company that not only leads the market in service, but is setting the standard for what company culture should look like in the trades. I didn’t just want to build a business—I wanted to build a space where people feel valued for the badass skills they bring to the table. Where tradesmen and tradeswomen know they matter, they’re appreciated, and they have limitless opportunity to grow.

We’ve implemented a pay-for-performance model—because I believe if you show up and deliver, you should be paid what you’re worth. Period. I’ve always said, this is not just for the ladies. It’s about creating an inclusive culture where the people doing the hard work—the work that literally keeps communities functioning—are respected like the skilled professionals they are. Because let’s be honest… everyone who owns a home needs us.

Being a plumber, a septic tech, an installer, a dispatcher—these aren’t “backup” careers. These are trades chosen by people who love working with their hands, solving real-world problems, and doing work that actually matters. This isn’t a fallback plan—it’s a power move, and I’m proud to help people see it that way.

Outside of the business, I’ve created the Ladies Kickin’ Ass Podcast and The BadAss Inner Circle—a movement and a community for women in the trades and service industries. It’s part mentorship, part strategy, and all real talk. We’re building businesses, shaking up industries, and creating lives we love.

What’s on deck?

We’re launching the HomeField franchise and opening doors for others to build their own local legacy in septic and home services.

I’m releasing courses and coaching for trade-based business owners who want to grow smarter, build culture, and scale their income without losing their sanity.

And we’re bringing our online community into the real world with live events, retreats, and masterminds to fuel connection and growth.

At the end of the day, this brand is about honoring the people who do the dirty work—and giving them the tools, culture, and confidence to thrive. We’re not just handling sh*t (literally)… we’re handling life, leadership, and legacy.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, there are three game-changing qualities that shaped everything about my journey—and I mean everything.

1. Embracing Failure as Fuel:
Failure isn’t a stop sign—it’s a recalibration. In this journey, it’s not if you’ll fail, it’s when. And when it hits, you dust yourself off, learn the lesson, and get yourself back in the game. I’ve made bad hires, flopped launches, and had moments where I questioned everything—but I never stopped moving. That’s the key. Keep going.

2. Building Unshakable Confidence in Decision-Making:
When you’re the leader—whether it’s a 2-person crew or a 30-person team—you need to be able to make bold decisions and own them. That means trusting your gut, standing firm when others doubt you, and learning to choose and move. The faster you stop second-guessing and start refining your instinct, the faster you grow. Confidence is a skill—flex it often.

3. Learning How to Lead People, Not Just a Business:
You can have the best systems, pricing, or trucks—but if you can’t lead people, you’re going to stay stuck. I had to learn how to communicate clearly, create accountability without killing morale, and actually care about my team’s growth. People want to feel seen, heard, and appreciated. When you learn to lead with empathy and expectations? That’s when the culture shifts and the magic happens.

My advice to anyone just starting out?
Stop waiting to feel ready. Fail fast, decide faster, and pour into your people. You don’t need to have all the answers—you just need to stay curious, courageous, and committed to the long game.

Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?

I’m a firm believer in going all in on your strengths—because that’s where your zone of genius lives. That’s the stuff that energizes you, drives your vision forward, and creates real momentum. But let me be clear: just because you’re not doing everything yourself doesn’t mean you should be in the dark.

Know enough to lead, but don’t waste your power trying to master things that drain you.

Early on, I tried to wear all the hats—and let me tell you, burnout isn’t a badge of honor. It’s a sign you’re doing too damn much. I eventually realized that just because I could do something didn’t mean I should. My business started to really grow when I focused on what I’m great at—vision, leadership, strategy, and culture—and brought in people who were strong in the areas where I wasn’t.

Pro tip for small business owners? HIRE SOONER.
Stop waiting until you “can afford it.” That mindset will keep you stuck. Hiring isn’t a luxury—it’s a growth strategy. Every time I’ve invested in the right people, my business has expanded. Every. Single. Time. You don’t need a full-time CFO on day one, but you can get a bookkeeper, a virtual assistant, or a marketing pro to get things off your plate and free up your mental bandwidth.

And here’s a truth bomb for every founder out there: No one is going to love your business like you do. Stop expecting your team to treat it like their baby—it’s not. It’s your baby. But what you can do is build a culture where people are proud to show up, contribute their best, and grow alongside you.

So yes, double down on your strengths. Know enough about the rest to make smart decisions. And build a team that allows you to stay in your genius while the business thrives.

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