10 Women-Owned Businesses in the Construction Industry

The "Eleven Percent" series by Family Handyman highlights the significant contributions of women in the construction and skilled trades workforce, a sector where they currently constitute only 11% of the total. The series features 19 women who have excelled in various trades, sharing their journeys, challenges, and successes. One prominent figure is Celia Reyes, a welder who was inspired by her father's work with Union Pacific Railroad. Despite facing skepticism and being one of only two women in her initial class of 150 at Tulsa Welding School, she persevered. For the past 11 years, Reyes has worked for John Zink Hamworthy Combustion, welding solutions to minimize carbon emissions, and she also teaches welding at Oklahoma Technical College, emphasizing the satisfying nature of working with one's hands and building objects. Schannon Yodice, known as "That Tile Chick," grew up with tools but initially pursued a career in accounting, which she found unfulfilling. In 2017, she transitioned to general contracting with her fiancé and later specialized in tiling, taking over a master tile setter's client list upon his retirement. Yodice highlights the varied and continuously evolving nature of her work, which prevents boredom and fosters skill development. Lydia Crowder, a drywall contractor, discovered her passion for the trade after finding college wasn't the right fit. Her father, a veteran drywall professional, and his employees mentored her. Two decades later, Crowder runs her own company, appreciating the freedom and problem-solving aspects of her job. Through her Instagram account @DrywallShorty, she shares industry tips and advocates for inclusivity and knowledge sharing within the construction sector. Jessie Cannizzaro, a plumbing contractor, initially resisted following her father's footsteps in the family plumbing business. After studying veterinary medicine and business in college, a family crisis led her back to plumbing, where she rediscovered her passion. She leveraged her business degree to launch Milestone Plumbing in 2011, specializing in residential remodels and repairs. Cannizzaro actively promotes trades to high school students and even created a coloring book to introduce plumbing to elementary-aged children. Renee Wilson, an insulation contractor and owner, developed a passion for insulation from an early age, helping her father with his family business. She eventually took over the reins of Rockweiler Insulation, focusing on new home construction and retrofitting existing houses. Wilson emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and curiosity in any career, advising individuals to ask questions and engage with industry knowledge. Kat Christie, a residential handyperson and founder of She Fixed That, transformed her childhood love for tinkering into a professional career. After earning a Handyman Certificate Course, she launched her business in 2019, which thrived during the pandemic by addressing diverse home repair needs. Christie notes a strong demand for women in the handywoman niche across different regions. Soph Davenberry, a sheet metal worker, entered the trades after a liberal arts degree left them without immediate employment. An apprenticeship in sheet metal proved life-changing, leading to 26 years of expertise in sheet metal and HVAC. Davenberry later pursued a second degree in applied science with a focus on sustainable building, appreciating how their nonbinary identity allows them to bring diverse perspectives to their work. Kelly Gannon, a contractor and founder of Kreate Construction, discovered her aptitude for construction as a teenager. Starting with roofing, she gradually learned various aspects of construction, eventually establishing her own company specializing in residential repairs and remodeling. Gannon encourages self-belief, stating that individuals often underestimate their capabilities. D'ondra Howard, a furniture maker and founder of Workboots & Glasses, started woodworking as a hobby. Her custom furniture creations, initially shared on Facebook Marketplace, gained significant popularity, leading her to establish her business in 2021. Howard now creates a range of custom pieces and advocates for welcoming diverse perspectives and learning styles within the trades. Gabriela Narvaez, a general contractor and owner of Guild Properties, transitioned into construction after working in foreign service, non-profit management, and finance. Despite her diverse background, construction was a family legacy. Her high-end real estate development and construction firm, Guild Properties, reflects her passion for the industry, and she consults with DIYers through Matriarchy Build. Ami Feller, a roofing contractor and owner of Roofer Chicks, gained her initial roofing experience in college. After a period in corporate management, she returned to the roofing industry, first with her brother and then by launching her own company. Feller also runs a YouTube channel, @rooferchicks, providing educational content for homeowners on roof-related issues. Nhu Nguyen, an auto technician and restorer, initially explored various careers despite a childhood passion for cars. She eventually returned to the automotive world, becoming the first woman to earn Porsche Classic certification and a Red Seal Certified Automotive Technician. Nguyen works at Pfaff Tuning, a high-end independent shop, and maintains an active Instagram presence, sharing her "beyond dreams" experiences. Samira Kraziem, a construction project manager at Suffolk Construction, stumbled into the industry as a receptionist while pursuing a master's degree in speech pathology. Intrigued by the field, she switched careers and steadily advanced to senior project manager. Kraziem emphasizes the critical importance of technical knowledge across all trades for effective coordination and problem-solving. Greta Bajrami, CEO of Golden Group Roofing, immigrated to the U.S. from Albania at a young age. Inspired by her mother's resilience, Bajrami became an entrepreneur, leading a successful roofing and siding company and developing the Rootless app to connect people with trade careers. She was recognized with the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2023, attributing her success to her mother's lessons and the opportunities in America. Gretchen Avilés Piñeiro, a traffic engineer for the City of Madison, Wisconsin, chose her career based on a desire to ensure safe and efficient movement of people. She moved from Puerto Rico, falling in love with Madison's changing seasons, and finds her work important for the city's culture, contributing to a comfortable and safe environment for all commuters. Faye Hadley, an ASE Certified Master Technician, TV personality, and DIY automotive instructor, initially pursued a psychology degree from Harvard but eventually followed her true passion for automotive work. She owns Pistons & Pixie Dust, her repair business, and is a well-known figure on shows like "All Girls Garage" and "Motor MythBusters," as well as on YouTube and Instagram. Hadley emphasizes that car repair empowers individuals with autonomy and freedom. Tonda Thompson, a woodworker and general contractor, founded She Slangs Wood, a custom furniture business that also teaches woodworking skills to women. She views teaching trade skills as empowering, giving women confidence that extends beyond making money. Thompson advocates for community involvement and uses her platform to showcase her work and her students' achievements. Valerie Adams, an automotive mechanic, began her career almost three decades ago in high school. After a hiatus to raise children, she returned to the trade, working in an all-female auto shop and advocating for women in the automotive industry. Adams challenges employers to address workplace issues and value women for their skills, rather than perceived expendability. Samantha Pearl and Emily Pearl Reist, founders of My Handyma'am Home Repairs and Renovations, discovered their passion for home renovation during the pandemic. After undertaking several extensive renovation projects together, Samantha secured her residential builder's license, and they launched their business. They also created a Facebook group, "How to Handyma'am," to teach simple home projects and provide a forum for women's repair questions, highlighting the underserved niche of small problem-solving for homeowners. #WomenInTrades #SkilledTrades #ConstructionIndustry #FemaleEntrepreneurs #DIY #Welding #Plumbing #AutomotiveRepair #Woodworking

The article highlights three Nashville women—Carrington Fox, Pamela Leonard, and Nolee Anderson—who have carved out successful careers in the male-dominated construction industry. It explores their paths into the field, the challenges and advantages they experience as women in trades, and their motivations. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women comprise only 9.9% of all construction jobs, making their stories particularly notable. Carrington Fox transitioned into carpentry three years prior after two decades of writing. She enrolled in the Building Construction Technology class at Tennessee College of Applied Technology, where she learned various building skills. Her blog, “Build Me Up, Buttercup,” documents her journey, emphasizing personal growth through new challenges. In 2018, she was recognized as the Tennessee Outstanding Technical Student of the Year. Currently, she works at The Wills Company Design/Build/Handyman firm, appreciating the daily variety and continuous learning opportunities from experts in diverse building trades. Fox observes that working in a male-dominated field can have its unique dynamics but also offers advantages. Her personal advice is the carpenter's adage, “Measure twice, cut once,” and she finds joy in backyard chickens, sidewalks, and estate sales. Pamela Leonard, a licensed general contractor and owner of Redmont Enterprises, developed an interest in construction from a young age, influenced by her engineer father and design-savvy mother. Her childhood experiences included building structurally sound forts. She pursued a general contractor's license after discovering her passion for renovating and building fixer-uppers. Leonard finds satisfaction in every aspect of her work, from client interactions to project completion. She enjoys the creative, problem-solving, and management aspects inherent in construction. While acknowledging gender bias, she views these challenges as motivation and believes being a woman in the industry offers distinct advantages, leading clients to specifically seek out her services. Her parents instilled in her the importance of honesty, which she considers crucial for earning and maintaining client trust. Outside of work, she recharges by spending time with her two-year-old child and enjoys running, sunshine, and chocolate. Nolee Anderson, the youngest of the trio, decided to pursue carpentry three years prior while in college, drawn to the Carpentry and Sustainable Construction program at a local trades school. She found it combined intellectual and physical engagement, equipping her with practical skills. Anderson highlights the creative nature of trades work, noting the inspiring creations by carpenters. She describes being a female carpenter as a “second full-time job” due to constant scrutiny but also recognizes the advantage of standing out. She values her community of female carpenters and makers who provide mutual support and promotion. Anderson partnered with Wolverine to launch JOIST, a program teaching basic building and carpentry skills to young women in Nashville, aiming to empower them and elevate the standards for women in trades. Her father’s advice, “The harder you work, the luckier you get,” resonates with her. Essential to her job are a sense of humor, quality workwear, and dedicating time to personal creative projects to avoid burnout. #NashvilleWomen #ConstructionIndustry #FemaleCarpenters #TradeJobs #GenderEquality #CareerTransition #Entrepreneurship #CommunityInvolvement #ProfessionalDevelopment

This article highlights 45 women-owned home decor brands, curated by House Beautiful editors, that offer unique and stylish pieces for various home aesthetics. The selection ranges from furniture and textiles to kitchenware, plants, and pet accessories, emphasizing quality and design. The article begins by introducing Magnolia, co-founded by Joanna Gaines, known for its curated collection of furniture, rugs, art, and decor. A standout product is a vintage-inspired mirror with built-in hooks and a shelf, praised for both its aesthetic appeal and functionality. Minna, founded by Sara Berks in 2013, is featured for its soft and ethically made textiles and pillows, crafted by artisans worldwide. The Shadow pillow is specifically noted for its comfort and design. Sweet July, Ayesha Curry's lifestyle company, is presented for its thoughtful curation of home goods and kitchen items that enhance daily living. The hand-thrown espresso cups with their speckled design and matching saucers are highlighted as a favorite. Serena & Lily, established two decades ago by Serena Dugan and Lily Kanter, offers coastal and casual home designs, with their Riviera chair being a particularly recognizable and charming piece. 54kibo, founded by Nana Quagraine, showcases African design through a marketplace that promotes creativity from Africa and its diaspora. The woven natural wood wall mirror, inspired by a traditional Ndebele necklace and handmade with African weaving techniques, is lauded for its contrasting materials. Parachute Home, started by Ariel Kaye, addresses a market gap for quality and accessible bedding. Their best-selling Cloud Cotton robe, made from 100 percent long-staple Turkish cotton, is featured for its softness and relaxed fit. Estelle Colored Glass, created by Stephanie Summerson Hall, specializes in vibrant, hand-blown colored glassware, honoring her grandmother’s legacy. These luxury glasses are presented as versatile items for various occasions. Johanna Howard x Burrow highlights Scandinavian-inspired home decor from designer Johanna Howard, with an ottoman tray noted for its functional design and ability to organize decor. Brother Vellies, founded by Aurora James, focuses on preserving traditional African design practices. A checkered dish, handmade in Vietnam, is appreciated for its mixed media design. Our Place, co-founded by Shiza Shahid, aims to bring people together through multicultural cookware and utensils. While known for the Always Pan, a ceramic serveware set is highlighted for its stackable design and utility for hosting. The Sill, established by Eliza Blank, offers a variety of houseplants and gardening gifts. Their beginner-friendly bird of paradise plant is noted for its jungle-inspired look. Vivee Home, co-founded by Katya Warm and Meryl Ware, creates modern and sustainable art-driven home decor, with a portion of profits supporting The Art Therapy Project. A sculptural cobalt blue vase is celebrated for its striking design. Approved by Fritz, founded by Danielle Heeren, provides sustainable and modern pet goods. A fully recycled and machine-washable dog bed is praised for its practicality and style. Yellow Leaf Hammocks, co-founded by Rachel Connors, features luxurious hammocks made with the help of artisans from the Mlabri Tribe in Northern Thailand. The Hammock Throne is specifically mentioned for its comfort and customizable features. Lulu and Georgia, started by Sara Sugarman, is a family-oriented brand offering a range of home decor. The Harlowe swivel chair is singled out for its modern, cozy feel. Harlem Candle Company, founded by Teri Johnson, pays homage to the Harlem Renaissance through its scented candles. A candle inspired by Josephine Baker is described for its sensual fragrance. Candice Luter’s decor brand, originating as a hobby, offers custom furniture and wall hangings. A gold-tipped fringe mirror is recommended for its boho-chic aesthetic and convenience. The Qi, founded by Lisa Li, provides sensory-based teas and related accessories. A handmade glass teapot is noted for its whimsical design and heat-resistant properties. Crow Canyon Home, owned by Cara Barde, specializes in splatter enamelware kitchenware. A three-quart pitcher is highlighted as a durable and stylish item for entertaining. Afternoon Light, founded by Deirdre Maloney and Minya Quirk, curates unique home decor, including the Knit-Wit High Floor Lamp by Iskos Berlin. The article aims to encourage readers to discover and support these women-owned businesses for their home decor needs.

Gabriela Narvaez, owner and operator of Guild Properties, a high-end real estate development and construction firm in Washington, D.C., was born in Nicaragua to a civil engineer father and an architect brother. Despite her family's background, her career path initially diverged from construction. She moved to Virginia for business school, then worked for the Nicaraguan Foreign Service in Washington, D.C., followed by a role as events director for a nonprofit supporting Nicaraguan children, and ultimately spent a decade in Georgetown University’s finance department. The passion for construction, however, remained ingrained in her, stemming from childhood experiences visiting job sites with her father. Narvaez's journey into contracting began in 2008 when she and her husband purchased a townhome requiring extensive renovations. With limited funds, she sought guidance from her father and brother, embarking on the renovation herself. This experience, despite its chaotic nature involving a new baby, a dog, and a makeshift kitchen, ignited her love for the work. She subsequently started renovating and flipping houses for friends. The onset of the pandemic in 2020 served as a catalyst, prompting her to pursue her passion more formally. She obtained residential and commercial general contractors licenses and secured her first client by December 2020. Guild Properties specializes in renovating older, smaller Colonial homes, focusing on transforming existing structures rather than new builds or additions. Narvaez emphasizes making existing houses functional and beautiful while preserving their character and unique design sustainably. Her approach includes reusing materials whenever possible to minimize environmental impact, acknowledging that working with existing spaces can be more challenging due to unforeseen issues, but she relishes these challenges. As a woman contractor, Narvaez has encountered some unique challenges, such as clients requesting discounts, which she perceives as devaluing her work in a way they might not with a male contractor. However, she notes that her crews have always been respectful, and she herself often doesn't recognize her unique position as the only woman on a job site until others point it out. Notable projects include remodeling a house for a client with mobility challenges, which required thoughtful design considerations for accessibility and safety, and building a custom cat closet to conceal litter boxes. She finds it difficult to pick a favorite project because she develops strong relationships with her clients, often becoming teary when projects conclude, particularly missing their pets. Narvaez observes that material changes have significantly impacted the industry over the past decade. She highlights the evolution of luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring, which has transformed from an inferior product into an aesthetically pleasing and affordable alternative to more expensive options like tiling. She advocates for clients to personalize their homes based on their own tastes rather than following fleeting trends, encouraging them to create spaces that genuinely reflect their identity. For aspiring young women in the construction field, her advice centers on passion, resilience, and embracing mistakes as learning opportunities. She acknowledges that the work is often difficult, with only a small fraction being glamorous, but stresses that the rewards and personal growth achieved through the challenging process are substantial. Her essential tools include a laser measure for efficiency, a traditional tape measure for precision in tight spaces, and Excel for meticulous financial tracking. She also prioritizes investing in high-quality paintbrushes and using proper primer before painting, believing these steps significantly enhance the final appearance of a project. #ConstructionIndustry #WomenInConstruction #GeneralContractor #HomeRenovation #SustainableBuilding #Entrepreneurship #Tradeswoman #CareerJourney

The construction industry is a major contributor to carbon emissions, accounting for approximately 38% of all CO2 emissions. In response to this environmental impact, architects, designers, and researchers are actively seeking ways to reduce the carbon footprint of building materials throughout their production and use. A significant area of focus is biofacture, which involves utilizing biological organisms to create materials. This approach aims to develop carbon-neutral or even carbon-negative alternatives to conventional building products by leveraging the capabilities of organisms like algae and fungi. Additionally, research is underway to find novel applications for abundant, yet often overlooked, natural resources such as desert sand, soil, and demolition waste. One innovative solution is the development of algae-grown limestone by researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder. Inspired by coral reefs, this method involves cultivating single-celled algae that sequester and store CO2 in mineral form, potentially making cement production carbon neutral or negative. This technology is designed to integrate seamlessly with existing concrete construction practices. Another example is Indus, a bio-integrated wall system featuring tiles layered with microalgae to treat polluted water in developing Indian communities. These tiles, designed with biomimetic patterns, are produced on-site using local materials and 3D-printed molds customized for specific pollutants. The project highlights a localized and adaptable approach to environmental challenges. Ecovative, in collaboration with The Living studio and ARUP, has pioneered mycelium-grown bio-bricks, demonstrating their potential as sustainable building materials. These bricks are produced by combining agricultural waste products with fungi in molds, which grow into the desired shape in less than a week. The resulting material is solidified by deactivating the microorganisms, offering a compostable and carbon-negative alternative to traditional bricks. Karen Kerstin Poulain explores building with soil, introducing a pouring method that creates a concrete-like composite resistant to compression and cracking. This material, made from tepetate, water, and rice husks, requires minimal energy input and also addresses agricultural waste. Carbon Craft utilizes industrial byproducts by transforming "carbon black," a waste material from fossil fuel combustion, into decorative tiles. This process prevents further burning of the carbon black, locking it into a durable product. These tiles are made by shaping, cutting, and mixing carbon black with cement, incorporating a 200-year-old craft tradition and empowering local artisans. TU Delft is developing regenerative bio-concrete by incorporating bacteria into the mix. These water-activated bacteria feed on calcium lactate, producing limestone that can heal hairline cracks in the concrete, thereby enhancing its mechanical qualities and extending its lifespan. Myceen focuses on mycelium-based acoustic panels and furniture, capitalizing on the material's carbon-negative, compostable, high acoustic absorption, low thermal conductivity, and high fire resistance properties. Finite, a material developed by Imperial College London students, offers a concrete alternative using desert sand. Unlike traditional concrete, which relies on increasingly scarce river sand, Finite utilizes abundant desert sand by binding it with organic binders. This composite material can also be remolded for multiple life cycles. Breathe Bricks, designed by Ar. Carmen Trudell, are porous concrete blocks that mimic cyclone filtration to absorb pollution from the air, transferring dust and pollutants to the material's interior. Finally, the WOOL2LOOP project addresses mineral wool waste by transforming it into ceramic or concrete-like geopolymers through alkaline activation. This approach aims to create circularity for a voluminous waste material, offering an alternative to Portland cement with comparable mechanical properties and significantly reduced carbon dioxide emissions. #SustainableBuildingMaterials #Biofacture #MyceliumBricks #WaterPurifyingTiles #AlgaeGrownLimestone #CarbonNeutral #RecycledMaterials #GreenArchitecture #MaterialInnovation

Jessie Cannizzaro, the founder of Milestone Plumbing in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, is featured in 'The Eleven Percent' series, which highlights women in the construction workforce. Despite initially pursuing a different career path, Cannizzaro returned to plumbing when her father experienced a stroke, eventually combining her business degree with apprenticeship training to establish her own successful company in 2011. Milestone Plumbing specializes in residential remodels and repairs and currently employs 16 individuals. Cannizzaro is a strong advocate for encouraging young people, particularly girls, to enter the trades. She created a plumbing-themed coloring book that features a young girl aspiring to be a plumber, aiming to show elementary-aged children that trades are for everyone. This initiative, along with distributing the coloring book at schools and job sites, seeks to positively impact the community, provide solid future career paths for children, and increase the number of women in the trades. She emphasizes that many children decide on their career interests before high school, making early exposure crucial. Her journey in the plumbing business involved a conscious decision to initially present herself in a gender-neutral way, using 'Jess' for her company name to avoid potential biases against a female plumber. However, she found that communities were highly receptive to her and her business thrived, indicating an evolving acceptance of women in traditionally male-dominated fields. A notable success for Milestone Plumbing involved a complex condo project in downtown Milwaukee, where they collaborated with Kohler’s engineering team to modify a design for wall-outlet toilets that other plumbers deemed impossible, ultimately securing them a significant client. The plumbing industry has seen significant technological advancements, according to Cannizzaro. Examples include smartphone-controlled water shut-off systems and digital showers. The COVID-19 pandemic also sparked increased interest in bidets, which Milestone Plumbing now frequently sells. Furthermore, changes in materials, such as the shift from heavy cast-iron and galvanized pipes to lighter PVC and fiberglass, have made plumbing work safer and more efficient for individual plumbers. These innovations underscore a dynamic and evolving industry. Cannizzaro advises young individuals interested in the trades to gain firsthand experience through shadowing various companies. She highlights the importance of exploring different trades and commercial versus residential projects to understand the diverse daily realities. She stresses the value of pursuing a passion to avoid career dissatisfaction and points out that many employers offer to pay for trade school, allowing individuals to earn an hourly wage while learning and subsequently secure rewarding, debt-free careers. She encourages other business owners to advocate for the trades by sponsoring schools and mentoring students, citing an example of Milestone Plumbing's involvement in a high school project to introduce plumbing concepts. Regarding tools, Milestone Plumbing primarily uses Milwaukee Tool products, which Cannizzaro praises for their quality and innovation. She specifically mentions Milwaukee's flashlights, tripod LED lights, and copper cutter. The copper cutter holds personal significance for her as it alleviated wrist pain she experienced as an apprentice using manual tools. She also appreciates smaller Milwaukee Tool and ChannelLock brand channel locks for their convenience and Milwaukee's Pex tool, showcasing a preference for tools that enhance efficiency and ergonomics in her daily work. #Plumbing #WomenInTrades #Entrepreneurship #TradeEducation #SkillDevelopment #ConstructionIndustry #WorkforceDiversity #TechnologicalAdvancements #CommunityAdvocacy