{"id":233287,"date":"2026-07-24T15:42:53","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T19:42:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/?p=233287"},"modified":"2026-07-24T15:42:53","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T19:42:53","slug":"tradeworx-workshop-fairfax-va","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/tradeworx-workshop-fairfax-va\/","title":{"rendered":"We Took a Power Tools Class in Fairfax + Now We Feel Unstoppable"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"custom_featured_image\" style=\"display:none;\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworx-fairfax-va-fi-800x533.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image\" alt=\"tradeworx-fairfax-va-fi\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworx-fairfax-va-fi-800x533.png 800w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworx-fairfax-va-fi-768x511.png 768w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworx-fairfax-va-fi-585x390.png 585w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworx-fairfax-va-fi-263x175.png 263w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworx-fairfax-va-fi.png 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/div><div id=\"custom_category\" style=\"display:none;\">DIY Success<\/div><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here at the Fairfax Girl, we get invited to a bunch of things <a href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/clarity-opens-second-location-reston\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">like restaurant openings<\/a>, author readings, and community events. But we\u2019ve never been invited to take a class called Intro to Power Tools. When Nicole Jenkins from Fairfax\u2019s Tradeworx Academy reached out to see if we\u2019d be interested, the answer was an immediate yes. TFG Editor Stephanie donned her safety glasses and earplugs for a morning at Tradeworx Academy to learn all about power tools. <strong>Read on for more about our experience at Tradeworx Academy in Fairfax. <\/strong><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-233303\" src=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworx-fairfax-va-fi.png\" alt=\"tradeworx-fairfax-va-fi\" width=\"450\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworx-fairfax-va-fi.png 1000w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworx-fairfax-va-fi-800x533.png 800w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworx-fairfax-va-fi-768x511.png 768w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworx-fairfax-va-fi-585x390.png 585w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworx-fairfax-va-fi-263x175.png 263w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>The Backstory<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nicole and Richard Jenkins are the co-owners of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thegroutgenie.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Grount Genie,<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> a tile restoration, repair, and installation company based in Fairfax.&nbsp; Richard is a licensed tile contractor with a Specialty Designation in Tile, Marble, Ceramic, and Terrazzo (TMC). Before entering the trades, Richard served in the U.S. Navy as an Operations Specialist.<br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nicole and Richard founded <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tradeworxacademy.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tradeworx Academy<\/a> in July 2025 to increase consumer awareness and empower residents to manage home repairs effectively. Based on their experience as contractors, they wanted to create a space where homeowners could learn which projects they can realistically handle themselves and when it is necessary to call in a professional to avoid costly or stressful mistakes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-233298\" src=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworx-fairfax-6.png\" alt=\"tradeworx-fairfax-6\" width=\"450\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworx-fairfax-6.png 1080w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworx-fairfax-6-800x800.png 800w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworx-fairfax-6-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworx-fairfax-6-200x200.png 200w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworx-fairfax-6-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworx-fairfax-6-585x585.png 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><em>Richard + Nicole Jenkins<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The academy directly addresses the limitations of relying on edited YouTube tutorials for home improvement. While videos provide some guidance, they often overlook the complexities of actual repairs and fail to provide the hands-on experience needed to master tools and techniques that are essential for beginners to succeed in DIY projects.<\/span><b><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Beyond educating homeowners, Tradeworx aims to address the looming skilled labor shortage as experienced professionals retire. By promoting skilled trades to teens and adults, the academy hopes to encourage new workers to enter the industry while ensuring homeowners are equipped with basic maintenance skills, a necessity as professional availability continues to decline and wait times increase.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-233297\" src=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworx-fairfax-2.png\" alt=\"tradeworx-fairfax-2\" width=\"450\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworx-fairfax-2.png 1080w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworx-fairfax-2-800x800.png 800w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworx-fairfax-2-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworx-fairfax-2-200x200.png 200w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworx-fairfax-2-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworx-fairfax-2-585x585.png 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Class setup&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Tradeworx Academy provides supervised, hands-on workshops that allow students to practice with tools and materials in a controlled environment, addressing common fears about expensive or powerful equipment. Popular offerings like the Intro to Power Tools, Electrical Basics, and Tile + Grout Basics courses cater to diverse goals, ranging from DIY renovation projects to simply gaining a better understanding of professional trade work.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><strong>Read more:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/warrenton-antique-destinations-va\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A Former Tractor Showroom Is Now an Antiquing Destination in Warrenton<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To ensure quality instruction, the academy requires all trainers to possess at least a decade of experience in their respective trades. Instructors provide students with candid feedback, helping them accurately assess their own capabilities for DIY projects and teaching them how to recognize quality workmanship, which improves their ability to communicate effectively with professional contractors.<\/span><b><\/b><b><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>The Experience<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I have not taken shop class, and aside from assembling some flat-pack furniture in my early 20s, I don\u2019t have much experience with tools. And while I don\u2019t have any big home improvement plans in my future, it was worth taking the class, if only for the plot.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Richard taught the class, and his co-instructor was Judson Stiles, a master carpenter who specializes in high-end finish carpentry and custom cabinetry.&nbsp; Between Richard and Judson, there were decades of knowledge to be shared. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-233296\" src=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworx-fairfax-1.png\" alt=\"tradeworx-fairfax-1\" width=\"450\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworx-fairfax-1.png 1080w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworx-fairfax-1-800x800.png 800w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworx-fairfax-1-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworx-fairfax-1-200x200.png 200w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworx-fairfax-1-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworx-fairfax-1-585x585.png 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><br \/>\n<em>Richard walking the class through the different tools&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Tradeworx space is enormous: it\u2019s well-lit, clean, and spacious, and the team is genuinely excited to teach.&nbsp; The first section of the space is set up like a classroom, with a kitchenette stocked with complimentary snacks and drinks for students. Two-thirds of the space is set up in workstations where students can work on different skills. There were drywall and electrical stations set up, and work tables for other tasks. Its location in the Fair Oaks Mall means there&#8217;s plenty of free parking.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The class began with each student getting a booklet about the power tools we would learn about, a pen to take notes, safety glasses, and a mask. Each student had their own set of tools to look at as Richard explained how each one worked and what its purpose was. We learned about a drill, a circular saw, a jigsaw, a miter saw, a reciprocating saw, a multi tool, and a brad nailer. We were encouraged to pick up each tool and practice handling it. After a short break, we set off to the \u2018shop\u2019 section of the space. <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-233295\" src=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworks-fairfax-4.png\" alt=\"tradeworks-fairfax-4\" width=\"450\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworks-fairfax-4.png 1080w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworks-fairfax-4-800x800.png 800w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworks-fairfax-4-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworks-fairfax-4-200x200.png 200w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworks-fairfax-4-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworks-fairfax-4-585x585.png 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><br \/>\n<em>Richard helping me measure on an angle.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;Under the guidance of Richard, Judson, and studio assistant Hans, we used each of the tools \u2018for real\u2019. We had a project that incorporated using all of the tools, which was making a wooden frame for a drywall box that we would attach wood edging to. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It doesn\u2019t sound terribly complicated, but with 12 people using power tools in an enclosed space, it got hot, loud, and dusty quickly. Richard, Judson, and Hans circulated throughout the class, making sure everyone was safe and answering any questions. We also used a table-mounted circular saw to cut at an angle. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By the end of the day, I was ready to drive directly to Lowe\u2019s to get my own set of power tools. Logic won out, as I don\u2019t *need* my own set of power tools. However, should the occasion arise, I will be more prepared than I was before the class. At minimum, I felt confident safely handling the tools. It was a solid foundation for anything else I&#8217;d want to do, like take another class or experiment at home.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em><strong>See more:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/northern-virginia-splash-pads-summer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Splash Pads in Northern Virginia You Need to Know<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nicole and Richard said that they have many returning students and the academy has started to create a community. Students return for multiple classes, recognize one another, and form friendships through the workshops. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIt really has become a community here,\u201d Nicole said. \u201cPeople form friendships. There are a lot of repeat students that come back, and so they\u2019re all getting to know each other.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-233299\" src=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworxs-fairfax-3.png\" alt=\"tradeworxs-fairfax-3\" width=\"450\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworxs-fairfax-3.png 1080w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworxs-fairfax-3-800x800.png 800w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworxs-fairfax-3-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworxs-fairfax-3-200x200.png 200w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworxs-fairfax-3-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/tradeworxs-fairfax-3-585x585.png 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><em>The finished product. It&#8217;s not much to look at, but I completed all the tasks, safely.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The academy is also developing a DIY club where participants can share completed projects, ask questions, and potentially connect with other members who can help with future work.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For more about Tradeworx Academy, visit its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tradeworxacademy.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">website<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"s1\">Follow @thefairfaxgirl on&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/thefairfaxgirl\/\"><span class=\"s2\">Instagram <\/span><\/a>+&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@thefairfaxgirl\"><span class=\"s2\">TikTok<\/span><\/a> for the latest Northern Virginia updates, and check out our&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/fairfax\/events\/\"><span class=\"s2\">events calendar<\/span><\/a>, which has over 100+ events weekly to peruse. Sign up for our newsletter <a href=\"https:\/\/thefairfaxgirl.myflodesk.com\/launch2025\"><span class=\"s3\">here<\/span><\/a><\/span><span class=\"s4\">.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"categories\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><a class=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/thefairfaxgirl.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">stories<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>DIY SuccessHere at the Fairfax Girl, we get invited to a bunch of things like restaurant openings, author readings, and community events.&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":362,"featured_media":233303,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[9775,9874,8833,9847,9709,7997,9593,9728],"tags":[9802,9813,9744,9702,9743,9845,9731],"class_list":["post-233287","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-creative","category-culture","category-fairfax","category-fairfax-county","category-lifestyle","category-local-girl-rss-feed","category-virginia","tag-activity","tag-fairfax","tag-fairfax-county","tag-lifestyle","tag-northern-virginia","tag-tlg","tag-virginia"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.6 (Yoast SEO v27.6) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>We Took a Power Tools Class in Fairfax + Now We Feel Unstoppable - The Fairfax Girl<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Fairfax Girl took an Intro to Power Tools class at Tradeworx Academy in Fairfax. 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