Story Feature: Erica

Quote: “If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.” -Margaret Thatcher

Highlights from Erica’s Story:

Erica’s career in construction started unexpectedly. Though she shares that she didn’t inherit her mother’s artistic skills, Erica initially pursued work in fields similar to her father’s. With limited exposure to the trades or construction, she landed a role at a restoration company at 18, thinking it was an automotive-related job because of  a mix  up with the name. Her father was a mechanic who worked in the automotive industry throughout her childhood, while her mother was a seamstress, designer, and artist.

Starting with Dry Force, (she laughs and shares that she initially thought it was Drive Force) where she spent eight years managing disaster response restoration projects. She enjoyed the fast-paced chaos of the role, comparing it to some of the similarities of being a 911 dispatcher—coordinating responses, sending out crews, and helping people during some of their most difficult moments, where families were facing home or property damage. She took pride in knowing she was providing solutions during these emergencies, whether it was a home flooding or fire damage that left families devastated. The company expanded significantly during her several years, growing from a local operation in the Phoenix Valley to opening multiple locations across California, Arizona, and Nevada. During this time, she gained invaluable knowledge of restoration, plumbing, and construction management. What started as a dispatch position quickly turned into a deep dive into the world of construction, where she thrived in this fast-paced environment.

Over the years, she expanded her expertise from restoration to working for a drywall contractor and general contractor, gaining experience in multiple realms of the industry. When Erica moved into the drywall industry, she worked for a small company that had started from humble beginnings. When she joined, the company was a small operation with just a few employees, but by the time she left, it had expanded to managing dozens of active construction sites. She saw the growth in this business and supported that growth by building an efficient team. Eventually, she moved into general contracting, where she started managing projects and learning to oversee every trade from start to finish.

She has seen small businesses evolve into large-scale operations, learning the intricacies of managing the business growth and adapting within the industry. Whether it was being part of a drywall company that expanded from a small operation into a fully staffed team or watching restoration companies branch out into new states, she has shown that she consistently has contributed to long-term success in whatever role she was in.

She thrives in problem-solving roles, where she can tackle logistical challenges, manage teams, and create solutions on the fly. Whether it's handling those emergency disaster response calls, streamlining scheduling for larger projects, or managing subcontractors, she has always approached her work with confidence and adaptability.

Erica has faced both scenarios where she was supported by those around her and also scenarios where there were challenges with getting support. While some companies valued her leadership and decision-making, other situations required her to push harder to be heard and recognized as having the knowledge and ability to make decisions. She acknowledges the barriers that women in construction and in the trades still face and encourages women to aim for  confidence, assertiveness, and the confidence in their abilities to navigate the industry.

In one of her previous roles, she shares that she worked alongside a male peer who always made a point to redirect questions toward her, ensuring that her expertise was recognized. When clients or colleagues would instinctively turn to him for answers, he would confidently respond, "That’s a great question, and Erica is the specialist on this." His support reinforced the importance of advocacy and recognition for women in leadership positions within the industry.

Goals/Acheivements:

Now, Erica is stepping into a new challenge: business development for Arizona Legacy Builders, a woman-owned general contractor specializing in high-end residential and commercial projects. Though this role is new to her, she embraces the opportunity to grow, network, and contribute to a company that aligns with her values. She is eager to bring in new clients, foster relationships, and highlight the unique strengths of a woman-led construction firm. Learning to navigate this space has been both exciting and rewarding, as she expands her skills in a new direction.

Her goal is to reach a level where connecting with clients, identifying opportunities, and promoting her company’s services becomes second nature. She aims to approach every interaction with confidence and ease, ensuring that her contributions drive meaningful growth.

She also is planning to launch a new personal entrepreneur venture, bringing a creative novelty product to market while balancing her full-time construction career. This new endeavor has given her insights into product development, manufacturing, and sales—skills that further expand her knowledge in creating a business and managing in unfamiliar territory. She shared a bit about this new adventure but we urge you to follow her socials to stay in the loop for when it is released – hopefully its on a Tuesday 😊.

As a passionate advocate for women in the industry, she and others started BuildHers, a networking group in Arizona designed to bring women in construction together. What started as a small lunch among a few women, quickly grew into a thriving community with fun monthly events, providing a space for women to connect, support each other, and share opportunities. Through BuildHers, Erica has fostered a sense of camaraderie and empowerment, proving that collaboration can elevate everyone involved. If you are in the Phoenix area follow @BuildHersAZ to stay in the loop on any upcoming events!

Erica’s story is one of resilience, adaptability, and leadership. She has continually evolved in the industry and remains committed to uplifting other women and ensuring they have the resources, connections, and confidence to thrive in construction.

You can Follow or Connect with Erica at:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/buildhersaz

and

https://www.instagram.com/ericajc53