I was doing a renovation of a house some while back. A girl I know was looking for work painting, and I was looking for a painter, she got the job.
The client was not impressed! He did not consider that a girl was able to do the job, I assured him that she was.
I know a girl that makes window blinds, her biggest problem is when she calls out most people are expecting a guy to call !!!
Like it or not most people have a "vision" of who should be doin what, if you don't meet that expectation your on an uphill battle to gain the confidence of the client.
Most of us don't experience this as most of us fit the expected profile, for those that don't they will tell you it's not easy.
Sexism is still rampant, silly as it may sound. Racism is also still rampant, it may be OK to some people to have a gay guy cut your hair, but not fix your taps. And I really would not fancy being a CD/TG and trying to make a living in an area where it's expected that a "bloke" will be doing the job.
I know a locksmith who's wife know's as much about lock's as he does, yet most people want to talk to the "guy", they don't believe that his wife is as good as he is. And she is !
The locksmith business is a "male" business, I would bet that a lady would have a hard time getting accepted into it, she would have to be committed and put up with a lot of sexism. I am not talking about fellow locksmiths, I'm talking about the worst people on this planet "the public"!
The public are a vicious breed of people, they will rip you apart, they will tear your heart out. They don't care if you helped them in a sticky situation in -40, they will just remember that it was a gay/black/smelly/CD/female/whatever nasty type person, that they had to put up with while the job was being done.
They may thank you, but it will be a hollow thanks, and don't expect any callbacks.
I admire your courage, but I would caution you, your setting yourself on a difficult path.
Good luck with the venture
