Ex-Yorkshire bomb disposal specialist instructing a legion of enthusiasts in DIY techniques on TikTok
Sarah Leslie, 36, provides TikTok users with guidance on how to repair a stuck valve, quiet a creaky door, and hang a picture, despite having the option to charge for her services.
She began posting educational clips on the platform after being overwhelmed with requests for tasks that individuals could manage on their own.
Her aim is to help her clients save money while also empowering them with the abilities to undertake their own home improvement projects.
The mother of two, who served for eight years in the military and was deployed to Afghanistan, remarked: “My goal is to assist as many individuals as I can – particularly during this cost of living crisis – while generating my own income.”
“The feedback has been outstanding. There’s been approximately a 60/40 ratio leaning towards women. I always say ‘you don’t know what you don’t know,’ which often means people don’t realize what questions they should be asking.”
Sarah established her own enterprise during lockdown while on furlough from her position as a refuse truck driver, but as word spread about her business, she found herself inundated with requests for her services.
As a mother to twin boys – 22-month-old Reuben and Roman – she organizes her workload around childcare duties and her husband Ben’s days off.
She is so occupied that she frequently has to decline work, prompting her to create videos that educate potential clients on how to handle DIY tasks independently, thus saving her time and providing them with cost-effective solutions.
Currently, she boasts over 13,000 appreciative followers who tune in for her practical advice on how to repair, replace, and create items.
Sarah, residing in Harrogate, noted: “I shared a post on Facebook, my husband, who’s from the area, promoted it, and I completed tasks for friends and family, which led to referrals and it grew through word of mouth.”
“I have never invested in advertising or business cards; I merely directed people to my Instagram and Facebook. I receive numerous phone inquiries, and I think to myself, ‘If you had known about this, I could have saved a lot of time,’ which motivated me to start filming instructional videos.”
While Sarah doesn’t currently earn any income from her videos – though she aspires to in the future – her tutorials on common DIY projects, such as changing plug sockets, hanging plants from ceilings, and resealing bathtubs have garnered positive feedback from viewers.
Having also worked as a tree surgeon and briefly as an apprentice mechanic, Sarah attributes her DIY expertise to her mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, with whom she grew up.
She mentioned: “I was not inclined to attend college or university; instead, I took on as many jobs as I could until I discovered something I was passionate about. And I genuinely enjoy this. My mother and grandmothers inspired my approach to life. They never relied on contractors; they simply attempted to solve problems themselves.”
“They held traditional roles; both my grandmothers were factory workers while my mother worked in administration and various office positions. However, that didn’t deter her from coming home and pulling up the floorboards.”
“While things didn’t always go perfectly, they persevered and found solutions. There were four generations of capable women all under one roof. Whenever my husband undertakes DIY projects with his friends, they joke, ‘Should we borrow your wife’s tools?'”
Related subjects:YorkshireAfghanistan
