3 Women in Building Discuss Pathways to Careers in Construction

A record-high number of women were employed in residential construction in 2023. NAHB celebrated this milestone and the countless other achievements of women in the industry during the annual Professional Women in Building (PWB) Week held Sept. 9-13.

Between Shop Talks with industry professionals and Q&A blogs with the younger generation of builders, PWB Week was a resounding success.

Throughout all the discussions with industry professionals, one thing was clear: No two women in the field have the same experience.

NAHB recently caught up with three leaders from BuilderTrend's "Working Differently, Building Better: Women's Innovations in Construction" session in the PWB Lounge at the 2024 International Builders' Show to learn about their breakthroughs, hardships as women in a male-dominated space, and hopes for the future of the industry.

A start in home building can come when you least expect it.

Yvonne Johnson - co-founder of Reclaimed Karma, a boutique design and build firm - and her husband Chris' firm belief in themselves took them all the way to starring in their own TV show Reclaimed Reno on the DIY Network (now known as Magnolia Network, a spin-off of HGTV).

It started when Yvonne began refurnishing furniture from Facebook Marketplace to use in her own home. Excited by how her first project came out, she posted a picture on social media and immediately received interest from a buyer.

"The next thing you know, our dining room table was gone," said Johnson. And just like that, their business was born.

Following a bad experience with a contractor, Yvonne and Chris, out of sheer necessity, took things a step further and began renovating their own home. On the fly, the pair learned everything about remodeling, repairing and building with help from a mentor.

After learning about their accomplishments, a friend with connections to HGTV had an idea, with the caveat that they had to interview confidently despite their little experience in home building at the time.

"The power of yes is crazy," said Johnson. "If you just keep saying yes to things, you can figure them out, but you have to follow through."

Their pilot episode aired in 2017.

Breaking into the home building industry has its own hardships for women.

Though a record 1.3 million women were employed in the residential construction industry in 2023, many - especially those in the field - work through hardships their male counterparts experience less frequently.

"The challenges that I've faced being that I'm not just a woman, but I'm a minority woman, this is my life every single day," said Johnson. "As a woman, some of the challenges I face are being heard, being seen and being respected.

"One of the ways I've overcome those things is by learning my trade. I pour myself into education and educating the women around me so we can speak louder - not vocally louder, but in that we are heard, seen and respected. Not just because we're women, but because we know what we're doing."

There's hope that the next generation will have an easier time adjusting.

"Now that there's more women in commercial construction management programs, there's more women who are getting into the trades - not only in management programs but trade schools - the stigma is starting to break down a little bit," said Heather Tankersley, co-owner of Tankersley Construction.

Women now represent 10.8% of the construction workforce, a figure that's increased every year since 2012.

"I've always found that if I ask any person in the trades, they're willing to teach you or give you advice," said Tankersley.

The key will be ensuring that younger women have ample opportunities and the proper education to know there are lucrative careers in construction waiting for them - especially with an ongoing labor shortage.

"It's always overlooked that 51% of our population is female, and they don't realize there are amazing careers in this industry," said Meghan Billings, owner of Meg & Co. Designer Homes. "They can control their own hours, be their own boss, and they can have that autonomy while making good money."

Building on PWB Week's excitement, NAHB's 2025 PWB Awards for Councils of the Year, Member of the Year and Woman of the Year are still open through Oct. 7 to nominate outstanding women in construction.

Winners will receive national recognition in NAHB media outlets such as Building Women Magazine.