Growing Up in the Construction Industry

As young as age 10, I can remember going to job sites with my dad and mom. Throughout my years, I visited residential and commercial projects. At a young age, I remember learning how to lay bricks by a craftsman mason. I was a sponge for entrepreneurship and construction early-on.

 My dad was an Architect, who later founded a stock house plan company, that are sold internationally today. Dream homes can become a reality for all, was his goal.

Before dad started his firm, the entrepreneurial bug started with my granddad. My mom’s dad, George Orr. He owned McCall’s Plumbing in Hendersonville, North Carolina. I visited my grandparents often. I learned the art of accomplishing multiple responsibilities in one-day watching my grandmother: behind-the-scenes business tasks, preparing all the meals, purchasing supplies, and managing a household. I have her to thank for teaching me about having a kind heart. My grandfather worked very hard. He took care of his team and always provided top-notch service for his clients.

 What I learned:

Be Intentional in Building Relationships

Be authentic and Be Kind

Don't be afraid to say "I don't know."

Don’t be intimidated.

Get to know other women in construction in your community.

Make every challenging moment an opportunity to grow.

Let your PASSION and VALUES guide you.

Take care of your team that provides you the ability to move the needle in your company.

Provide the best service possible to your clients.

Enjoy life and family.

Pivots I made to follow my passions:

Project Manager (Residential): Later in my career, I got to lead a team to build a $2mm home at Lake Keowee. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to add to my construction background. I included several picture of this amazing home. First, is me with our framing team. HillCrest Luxury Homes was awarded the construction of this lake retreat which was 7,000 sq ft, surrounded by water. To manage the project through seamless communication, we used co-construct. The timing of framing along with the timber installment was the most critical part of the project. Most of the timbers are structural support. They add character to the house. Watching the MoreSun Timber Frame team install them was impressive and a bit scary.

Business Advisor & Business Development (Commercial): Next play was to help an Engineer move his startup to the next phase. I got to enter the Commercial sector of construction. This meant building up a new network and getting plugged in to a market I had very little knowledge. I got to use my entrepreneurial, leadership, brand building, marketing, organizational development skills all at one place and in a new sector. I thrived.

Business Development & Marketing (Industrial): I am now in a role that was created just for me – Business Development and Marketing. I know this will be my last hurrah job because I love it, I love the people, I love their values, I love what I get to do each day, and I believe in what I am out promoting every day (which is huge is sales).

#GiveBack :

Become an Advocate: In 2019 my community support desire kicked back in. I said yes to participating in the Skilled Trade Alliance, located in the Upstate of South Carolina. Our goal is to make an impact on the construction workforce. The construction sector offers such career diversity that many aren’t even aware of all the possibilities and directions. Our mission “provides a road-map to intentionally engage, equip, and empower individuals to create a workforce pipeline in the Building Construction Skills Trade industry.”

For me, loving the construction industry was innate. I lived it day in and day out. It is forever changing as new technologies and ways to operate enter the picture. We can now build in a controlled environment and move the pieces to the site; Virtual Reality is now a widely used tool, Drones are a must, and so much more due to the pandemic of 2020. Construction can be a place that creative individuals use these skills to build something magnificent. Companies and individuals either live-in or work-in buildings, we need construction to keep growing and thriving! 

Mentoring: Throughout my career, I worked in all kinds of roles within the construction industry. I want the younger generation to know that this industry can create a wealth of opportunities unimaginable. Being a mentor to women in the industry can help drive more diversity to the workforce which ultimately is best for all.

Creating opportunities to Network with peers: Another way I hope to impact the industry is by bringing women together within the construction sector. Rachel Veltri and I started Women Construction Forum in the Upstate of South Carolina. Our mission is to Engage, Empower, Mentor young women entering construction! We mentor young women at our local technical college in the construction and welding programs. Also, I am helping an organization called Chix-Dig-It bring a woman in construction event to South Carolina. 

 Please reach out, I always love hearing stories of professional journeys through #construction or #entrepreneurship.

Stay THRIVING,

Angela