In this episode of Women at WIRC, Candice Rania, president of LEFF Design Build, discusses the transition of the company to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) from a sole ownership model. With LEFF two years into this change, Candice shares insights into the cultural transformation, operational logistics, and goals for the company's future. She also delves into her personal journey from studying interior design to leading a company, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and determination...
Oct 10, 2024•21 min
In this episode of Women at WIRC, Editor Caroline Broderick interviews Alaina Money-Garman, CEO and co-founder of Garman Homes (garmanhomes.com), who was honored as Woman of the Year at the WIR+CC Conference (womensconstructionconference.com). Alaina believes that accepting projects that don't monetarily move the company forward pays dividends by moving the industry forward. Garman Homes does this through its Operation Coming Home builds for Gold Star families, Habitat for Humanity builds, chari...
Sep 19, 2024•24 min
In this episode of Women at WIRC, Custom Builder Online Editor Caroline Broderick interviews Ginger Curtis, founder and CEO of Urbanology Designs, about the emerging field of neuroaesthetics. Ginger shares her personal journey through significant life challenges, including her daughter's leukemia and her own battle with breast cancer. She discusses how these experiences influenced her instinct to create beauty and embrace the role of neuroaesthetics in design. Neuroaesthetics, a combination of d...
Aug 07, 2024•20 min
In this episode of Women at WIRC, Bree Jones, founder and CEO of Parity Homes, shares her transformative journey from Wall Street to affordable housing development. Driven by incidents of racial injustice and gentrification in her Bronx neighborhood, Bree purchased and renovated an abandoned building in the Bronx, providing a deeply affordable home for three families. She had found her calling, created Parity Homes, and moved her efforts to West Baltimore. Parity Homes focuses on revitalizing ab...
Jul 22, 2024•19 min
LEFF Design Build Director of Operations Morgan Thomas is tired of ineffective, boring meetings. At LEFF, Thomas has learned—and taught—how to maximize everyone's time through engaging, productive meetings. After all, design-build remodeling thrives on communication, so you better do it correctly. On this episode, Thomas shares her background in construction while providing the best practices for effective meetings. This includes how to train team members on facilitating, creating pre-meeting ch...
May 15, 2024•17 min
Stephanie Dailey of Steven Dailey Construction has more than 110,000 followers @stephaniebuildsit on Instagram—and most of that happened within the past year. On this bonus track for Women at WIRC, Dailey shares her Instagram growth story and actionable tips for contractors looking to up their social media game. 00:00 Opening Question on Social Media Presence 00:28 The Journey of Instagram Growth 01:47 The Power of Authenticity and Consistency 03:39 Turning the Camera Around: A Game Changer 04:3...
Mar 20, 2024•9 min
Every business needs a story. Steven Dailey Construction's story is its people, its reputation, and its community. On this episode of Women at WIRC, Vice President Stephanie Dailey shares how the contractor shares its story to gain clients through its website, community involvement, social media, and more. "We don't do any marketing. The most marketing that you'll see come out of us is my Instagram," says Dailey. "And even at that, you'll notice it's not a lot of promotion of our company. And it...
Mar 20, 2024•16 min
On this episode of Women at WIRC, Bridget Bacon, development manager at Red House Design Build (https://redhousecustombuilding.com/), discusses the journey she underwent to systematize the pre-construction process at the Rhode Island-based remodeling company. Bacon identified issues all contractors have faced: slippage, a delayed design process, and low pre-construction team morale. On this episode, Bacon outlines each step she took to turn each issue around. Listen to see how and why Bacon inte...
Jan 24, 2024•15 min
Laura Burnes is the director of project planning and design at Adams + Beasley Associates in Carlisle, Mass. On this episode, Laura delves into her approach to leadership and project management, which relies on an emphasis of effective communication, in addition to sharing insights into the company's winning culture. Laura shares insights into conflict resolution, communication styles, and the company's commitment to diversity, highlighting the strong representation of women in leadership and pr...
Jan 04, 2024•14 min
Remodeling goes through ups and downs, depending on the economy. It’s inevitable. But not everyone can withstand those ups and downs. But Medford Remodeling can, as long as they follow their plans. The company uses its airtight systems, detailed analytic tracking, and thorough scale up and scale down plans to prep for contraction and expansion. On this episode of Women at WIRC, CEO Kourtney Davis tells us all the details, plus how the approach worked out to help the company prepare for what’s ha...
Nov 29, 2023•15 min
On this episode of Women at WIRC, Alison McLennan joins us to talk about making the decision to strategically grow a remodeling business. Though McLennan co-founded the business, McLennan Contracting (https://www.mclennancontracting.com/), with her husband, she remained in a supporting role for the first 15 years of operation. But five years ago, when the two decided it was time to either shut the doors or grow strategically, Alison took the helm as president and is now directing the company on ...
Oct 17, 2023•14 min
Dolores Davis of CG&S Design-Build (https://www.cgsdb.com/) joins us on this episode of Women at WIRC. Dolores chats about her approach to transitioning out of the business through developing leadership teams. We talk about the best ways to get buy in from employees, why this approach works for her company, and what her role looks like as she transitions. Stay updated on all things women in construction: www.proremodeler.com www.probuilder.com https://www.womensconstructionconference.com/202...
Sep 11, 2023•15 min
Jessica Cargile is the Co-Owner & CFO of North Ridge Contracting Inc, a Custom Home Design/Build firm operating out of North Idaho, which she and her husband Dale own and operate together. That dynamic requires an ongoing effort to strike a healthy work/life balance, especially when running a business in challenging times. Learn more: North Ridge Contracting: https://www.homesbynorthridge.com/ Pro Builder: https://www.probuilder.com/ Pro Remodeler: https://www.proremodeler.com/ WIR+CC Confer...
Sep 01, 2023•12 min
As head of marketing, operations, and investor relations at Togal.AI, Karlie Fike is introducing artificial intelligence to the home building industry as a tool that she says isn't meant to replace jobs, but to make them easier. "AI is not going to replace you, but the person using AI will be the one to replace you," says Fike. Learn more: Togal.AI: https://www.togal.ai/ Pro Builder: https://www.probuilder.com/ Pro Remodeler: https://www.proremodeler.com/ WIR+CC Conference: https://www.womenscon...
Aug 04, 2023•11 min
Repeat and referrals are everything for a remodeling company, and with a great customer experience comes a great reputation. On this episode of Women at WIRC, Heather Tankersley of Tankersley Construction shares how she and her crew go the extra mile to ensure superb customer service. "One of the things we always talk about with with potential clients is, you can hire a guy in the truck, but is the guy in the truck going to be there in a year, or two years, three years? For us, you're hiring a c...
Aug 01, 2023•14 min
Today, we’re defining profitable growth with April Bettinger of Nip Tuck Remodeling (https://niptuckremodel.com). Keep listening to learn more about April, her business, and key elements to successful financial planning. "that's really the mindset, I think that a lot of contractors don't have is that you can have 10% profit, no matter what you're doing, you just have to actually plan for it, it's a purposeful event, it's not going to happen by accident that you are profitable. And growth takes m...
Jul 12, 2023•15 min
Welcome back to Women at WIRC, a podcast featuring influential women in the residential construction industry, brought to you by Pro Remodeler and Pro Builder magazines. On this episode, we talk to Allison Iantosca, owner and president of F.H. Perry Builder. Allison recently published her first book, Leading with HEART, a collection of essays from her company newsletter reflecting on life and leadership.
Jun 08, 2023•12 min
Welcome back to Women at WIRC, a podcast brought to you by Pro Remodeler and Pro Builder magazines. On this podcast, the editors talk to standout women in residential construction to highlight the vast experiences and expertise women in the industry offer. On this episode, we talk to lawyer Karalynn Cromeens. Listen to learn how to control the never ending punch list, a lawyer’s advice for handling cancellations, and believe it or not, a way to limit negative reviews. Karalynn's Podcast: https:/...
May 22, 2023•13 min
Diana Pauro loves process. The founder of Rebel Builders in Newton, Mass. brought much of her passion for process from the construction industry in Argentina. One way she improves process at her company is through applying lean thinking. We welcome Pauro this episode who talks to us all about how she runs lean process meetings, which involve every team member and concludes with leaner, more efficient project timelines. Learn more: https://www.rebeldesignbuild.com/ www.proremodeler.com www.probui...
Apr 06, 2023•11 min
Welcome back to Women at WIRC, a podcast by Pro Remodeler and Pro Builder magazines highlighting standout women in residential construction. Today, we welcome a special guest, Emma Wilson. Emma is a 19-year-old foreman whose journey into carpentry was highlighted by Mike Rowe, and whose story garnered a lot of support online. This conversation shows a different perspective on what it's like to both be young and a female entering the trades, and her story of being hired by her boss, Joe Drew, sho...
Feb 14, 2023•10 min
Anya Chrisanthon is the Chief Brand Officer at Anewgo. Anewgo helps home builders carry out their shopping journeys online with interactive digital content, data analytics, and sales conversion tools. Anya is a host of Anewgo of New Home Sales—a weekly podcast where she discusses the hottest innovative sales and marketing technologies for the home building industry. She brings her combined experience as a new home salesperson, marketing strategist, and technologist to improve the way we sell new...
Dec 23, 2022•22 min
By asking the correct questions and listening at the correct times, you can filter out red flag clients fast. Allyson Anderson, owner of Chicago and Michigan-based Integro Builders, says it can be difficult for contractors to deny potential clients, but by doing so, contractors will save themselves time and money. On this episode of Women at WIRC, Anderson sits down with Pro Remodeler's Managing Editor Caroline Broderick to talk client red flags and the questions that will reveal all. Find Us: p...
Nov 02, 2022•10 min
Mollie Elkman is the owner and president of Group Two, a full-service marketing partner for home builders. She is the author of the best selling children’s book, The House That She Built, published by NAHB BuilderBooks in collaboration with The Professional Women in Building Council and NAHB’s workforce development team. She was recognized at The 2022 International Builders' Show as the National Sales and Marketing Council's (NSMC) Sales and Marketing Professional of the year. By focusing specif...
Sep 09, 2022•10 min
Lisa Sten is CEO of the Palo Alto-based Harrell Remodeling. The iconic company is undergoing a rebrand, so Sten sits down with Pro Remodeler Managing Editor Caroline Broderick to give insight into the decision. "It is a namesake brand, but we're in many ways a different company, and in many ways, the same company," says Sten. Join Sten and hundreds of other women at the Women in Residential Construction Conference this October in San Diego: https://pbprwomen.com/2022/ Remodelers are also welcome...
Aug 11, 2022•11 min
Nancy Keenan has led expert design teams in the development of architectural and planning solutions across three decades and multiple continents. The president and CEO of DAHLIN Architecture | Planning | Interiors, Nancy is passionate about finding thoughtful, creative ways to infuse the soul of design and livability into residential projects while also addressing the realities of elusive housing attainability and a challenging entitlement environment. DAHLIN Architecture | Planning | Interiors ...
Jul 26, 2022•18 min
Santa Barbara-based Allen Construction focuses on sustainable construction, and they've made it a strong part of their company culture. On this episode of Women at WIRC, CFO Lindsay Helmick talks the benefits of a uniting core value, strengthening it within the company, and women's role in sustainability. "Every year we'll survey what are people excited about. What makes you excited to come to work?" says Helmick. "Number one, two, or three is always going to be being at the forefront of the gre...
Jul 01, 2022•9 min
On this episode of Women at WIRC, Lena McNally of HIVEX Basement Finishing Co. shares her perspective of her family company's ownership transition and how she made the company her own. Changes include going from an all-encompassing home improvement company to a specialty basement contractor—a result of recognizing an opportunity gap in her market. The outcome has benefitted the company's revenue, project time, and customer satisfaction. Registration is Open for Our Upcoming Events: U40 Leadershi...
May 31, 2022•9 min
On this episode of Women at WIRC, Pro Remodeler's Director of Content Erika Mosse takes over with guest Jenny Rice, co-owner of Chicagoland-based Icon Building Group. Rice's work at Icon resulted in a 300% backlog increase in just two years, and on a day-to-day basis, she focuses on sales and design for the company's remodeling division—which she started from the ground up. Mosse chats with Rice about her process of qualifying leads and discussing budgets in today's market (don't miss her pro ti...
Apr 28, 2022•10 min
Stephanie Martin currently serves as the Controller of 84 Lumber Company. In this role, she is responsible for the controllership and financial reporting activities for 84 Lumber Company and its related entities. 84 Lumber is located in Eighty Four, Pennsylvania and is the nation's largest privately held supplier of building materials. As a female-led business, 84 Lumber is lauded for its inclusive workplace, which offers a number of career opportunities for women in construction. Learn more abo...
Apr 05, 2022•10 min
From graduating high school early as Valedictorian to getting hired at the Kennedy Space Station because of her persistence, Kareena Gray has always strived for finding the best and most efficient way to do things. This has allowed her to shine in residential construction and project management, and she recently won a CoTY award for project manager of the year at her local NARI chapter. "We always have adversity in front of us," says Gray. "It's how you step back, take a deep breathe, and bring ...
Mar 30, 2022•12 min
