A majority of the home building and design industry has been male dominated throughout history. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics<\/a>, less than 10% of the construction industry is made up of women. In celebration of Women’s History Month, we are celebrating four fearless, hard-working women in our industry who went against the odds, followed their passion and made a living for themselves.<\/p>\n
Meet Kate Arends, the creative and multichannel marketing consultant, blogger and founder of Wit & Delight<\/a>. Wit & Delight is known for two things: their impressive marketing and design agency (Wit & Delight Studio<\/a>) and their amazing, addicting lifestyle blog. The Minneapolis, Minnesota based studio specializes in brand consultation, content creation, art direction, styling and more.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve worked with contractors outside of McDonald Remodeling<\/a> (our partner of choice) that were pretty dismissive of how much I knew about the construction process. There\u00a0<\/span>are small ways you\u2019re dismissed as a woman daily and unfortunately, you encounter it more often in male-dominated industries like construction.<\/p>\n\n
Why should more women consider this path?<\/strong><\/p>\n
What women inspire you the most?<\/strong><\/p>\n
Women who use their empowerment to pay it forward.<\/p>\n
Keep up with Kate’s gorgeous array of home designs and lifestyle imagery on Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nShelley Halstead – Founder, Carpenter and Lawyer<\/h1>\n
Black Women Build \u2013 Baltimore<\/em><\/strong> \u2013 Baltimore, Maryland<\/h1>\n
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When Shelley Halstead was 20 years old, she dropped out of college and took a six-month hiatus to travel. That six-month hiatus turned into three and a half years. During her travels to Europe, India and Pakistan, Shelley was inspired by countless projects she saw.\u00a0“Everywhere I went, there were projects going on that I wanted to be a part of, but I didn’t have any skills,” Shelley said. When she got back to the U.S., she took a carpentry class at\u00a0a community college because she wanted to build her own house. Shelley didn’t know how to build, and she didn’t have any money\u2014she had the dream, the willpower and the strength. Having fought forest fires with a crew based out of on Mt. Hood, Oregon in college, Shelley’s level of strength wasn’t even a question. She took on the next challenge to learn multiple trades and did electrical work in Antarctica. Once she returned, she joined the union and completed her carpentry apprenticeship. Not only did Shelley eventually finish her undergrad, but she even completed law school. Shelley was determined to have the skills and knowledge to stand up for herself and others who face\u00a0racism and other forms of discrimination.<\/p>\n
Years later, Shelley continued to pursue her potential and founded Black Women Build – Baltimore<\/a>. “I have the skillset, and I have always wanted to help people. Where people see disrepair and dysfunction, I see potential,” Shelley said. Her organization works to bring home ownership to Black women in Baltimore. Black Women Build – Baltimore (BWBB) provides a safe and supportive community where Black women can learn carpentry, electrical work and plumbing during home improvement projects.<\/p>\n
Why should more women consider this path?<\/strong><\/p>\n
What advice do you have for women joining the industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n
Featured: Imperial Brite White Subway<\/a>, Star<\/a>, Liria Negro Encaustic<\/a>\u00a0and Black Marquina Corinth Mosaic<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n
What women inspire you the most?<\/strong><\/p>\n
Follow along Shelley and her team on Instagram<\/a> as they rebuild their community. Learn more about the movement and team behind Black Women Build – Baltimore<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nRachel Cahalan – Founder and Tile Setter<\/h1>\n
Tile By Rachel, LLC – <\/strong><\/em>North Springfield,\u00a0North Virginia<\/h1>\n
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Meet Rachel\u00a0Cahalan, the founder and\u00a0tile installer behind Tile By Rachel, LLC<\/a>. Before Rachel Cahalan put the tile in Tile By Rachel, LLC., her passion for hard work was escaping through the wrong outlet\u2014an office job. “I\u2019d often say I\u2019d take a home project any day over staring at my laptop for hours on end,” Rachel says. Her passion for home projects led her to complete the tile work in her own home. After successfully completing her own renovations, Rachel knew it was something she wanted to pursue. With encouragement from her realtor and contractor, Rachel continued to test the waters. After six short months, Rachel was able to leave her desk job and focus on her tile business full-time.<\/p>\n
Why should more women consider this path?<\/strong><\/p>\n
Featured: Patch Art Light<\/a>,\u00a0Hampton Polished Arabesque Mosaic<\/a> and\u00a0Claros Silver Double Chevron with White Marble<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n
What advice do you have for women joining the industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n
What women inspire you the most?<\/strong><\/p>\n
Visit Rachel’s\u00a0Instagram<\/a> for more unique tile installations.<\/p>\n
\nKara Beckmann – Founder, Real Estate Investor and Renovator<\/h1>\n
Beckmann House<\/em>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Paradise Valley, Arizona<\/strong><\/h1>\n
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After years of saving to open up her own bakery, Kara Beckmann decided to take that money and invest in real estate. “I took a leap of faith and dove right in,” Kara said. “Most everything I have learned has been from being onsight, DIY and trying new things in all of my remodels.” Kara started Beckmann House<\/a> with the intent to simply design her own investment properties. Little did she know, the Arizona-based real estate investment company began to blossom, and Kara started taking on projects for clients. “The proudest moment in my career was when I realized that people wanted to work with me to help them with designs in their own homes,” Kara added.<\/p>\n
Why should more women consider this path?<\/strong><\/p>\n
Featured: Imperial Bianco Gloss Subway\u00a03 x 6 in<\/a> and Imperial Bianco Gloss Subway\u00a04 x 8 in<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n
What advice do you have for women joining the industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n
What women inspire you the most?<\/strong><\/p>\n
Check out more of Kara’s exciting projects on Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"