From Apprentice to Business Owner: Lani’s Story of Building a More Inclusive Electrical Business

At just 20 years old, Lani made a decision to pursue a career as an electrician, despite not knowing much about the trade at the time. What followed was a journey defined by persistence, growth, and a commitment to creating safer, more inclusive workplaces across the domestic electrical industry.

Read Lani’s story below or watch the 3 minute interview below.

Breaking into the Trade

Lani’s entry into the industry wasn’t easy. After applying to more than 50 companies, she eventually secured a first-year apprenticeship, a moment she describes as both a relief and a rush. Like many people entering a male dominated trade, she was eager to prove herself and carve out a place in domestic electrical work.

Early on, Lani ran into assumptions about what she could (or couldn’t) do. She met them the only way she knew how; by showing up prepared, working hard, and backing herself. Over time, consistent effort shifted perceptions as coworkers saw her skills and reliability firsthand.

Learning How to Lead

Starting her own business came with a steep learning curve. In the early days there were no formal policies, procedures, or structured onboarding—just a lot of figuring it out on the fly. Her first hire was essentially thrown straight into the work, an approach she now recognises wasn’t fair or sustainable.
Today, the business looks very different. New starters get a dedicated onboarding day and an employee handbook that sets clear expectations and supports consistency across the team. Lani’s proud of the systems they’ve built, many of them came from learning lessons the hard way.

Building a Flexible, Respectful Team Culture

A cornerstone of Lani’s business is flexibility. The team supports people with different availability and will adapt working arrangements when it helps the right person thrive. Lani believes that kind of flexibility is key to retaining good talent and building a healthier culture.
She prioritises getting to know her team as individuals. Recognising strengths, coaching areas for improvement, and encouraging people to stretch their skills. Mutual respect, open communication, and continuous learning shape how the business operates day to day.
That respect extends to client interactions too. Employees are coached on clear, professional communication on site, helping clients feel informed and at ease while reinforcing trust in the business.

Why diversity can be a real advantage

Lani is passionate about encouraging more women into domestic electrical work. While she’s seen progress in some commercial areas, she believes change has been slower for domestic businesses, despite the clear benefits for teams and customers.
She wants women to know it’s a viable, rewarding pathway. One that can offer flexibility, independence, and the chance to make people feel safer in their own homes.
In domestic settings, she’s found diversity can be a real advantage. Many clients, especially women, say they feel more comfortable having a female electrician in their home. For Lani, that’s a clear reminder that inclusion isn’t just a “nice to have”; it can improve safety, trust, and service.
From her experience, building a more diverse workplace has been one of the most positive shifts her business has made. It supports employees, improves client experience, and helps push the industry toward safer, more respectful workplaces.

Still Learning, Still Growing

Even now, Lani says she’s learning every day. The business continues to evolve through reflection, better policies, and a willingness to change what isn’t working. For Lani, that mindset is what real growth looks like; personally, professionally, and across the industry.

Find out more about Lani’s business, Lani the Sparky, at www.lanithesparky.com.au/

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This interview was filmed as part of Future Energy Skills’ Powering Women into Clean Energy Apprenticeships project, one of the Australian Government’s Building Women’s Careers initiatives, focused on strengthening the clean energy workforce by making electrical apprenticeships safer, more flexible and more inclusive for women in Victoria and Tasmania.

Find out more at https://futureenergyskills.com.au/bwc-powering-women-into-clean-energy-project-about/