August 26, 2025 • 23 mins
What does it take for a woman to succeed in construction management? This episode answers that question through the remarkable journey of Jan Story, who defied those who told her "women can't be builders" to become an integral project manager at The Kirby Companies.
Jan's path is extraordinary - not only did she learn framing and construction skills, but she actually built her own house from the ground up. Not as a general contractor hiring others, but by physically framing walls and completing construction work herself. Starting as a laborer at the Kirby Companies, Jan demonstrated such exceptional capabilities that she rapidly advanced through positions from crew lead to logistics coordinator before becoming a project manager.
The conversation explores the crucial role of a construction project manager and what sets Jan apart in this position. She masterfully guides clients through decision-making processes, helping them stay within budget while preventing the delays that often plague construction projects. As Chris Kirby notes, Jan's straightforward communication style - honest without being harsh - makes her particularly effective at managing both client expectations and team performance.
Most compelling is the discussion about what makes an effective construction leader. Unlike "paper project managers" with theoretical knowledge but no field experience, Jan's background as a tradeswoman gives her unique advantages. She understands what to look for on job sites, appreciates the physical demands workers face, and approaches leadership with a willingness to listen rather than dictate. This collaborative approach, combined with her frank communication style, creates an environment of trust essential for successful projects.
This episode is part of a special Women in Construction month series featuring inspiring professionals reshaping the industry. Upcoming guests include Shannon Evans, who will appear on HGTV's Renovation Resort Showdown, and Sarah Trop from Flea Market Flip. Reach out to thehomebuildingshow@gmail.com if you have a construction story to share as a potential guest.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
The Home Building and Remodeling Show.
Let's go.
Welcome everybody to the HomeBuilding and Remodeling Show.
My name is Chris Kirby and I'llbe your host.
(00:21):
I am the owner of threeconstruction companies on the
Alabama Gulf Coast.
The show is about residentialconstruction.
We're going to cover topics ofhome building and remodeling.
Are you thinking of doing aremodel or building a home?
Are you a contractor looking toimprove your knowledge base or
grow your business?
Have you ever done a remodelproject or built a home?
(00:42):
There were so many things youwish you knew or that you could
have done differently during theprocess.
Then this show is for you.
We break down the process ofbuilding and remodeling and how
to have the best results duringyour project.
Whether you're a DIYer lookingfor tips, someone looking to
hire a contractor to do aproject, or a contractor looking
(01:04):
to expand your knowledge baseor your business, welcome aboard
.
Glad to have you, stay tuned.
Welcome everybody to thisweek's show.
I am excited to continue ourWomen in Construction month and
we're going to continue thisweek's episode with Sharon Jan
Story.
She is a project manager thatworks here at the Kirby
Companies.
(01:24):
Jan Story she is a projectmanager that works here at the
Kirby Companies and she hasworked her way from basically
being a laborer.
When we first hired her on,even though she had a stronger
skill set, she came in as ahelper, was a part of one of our
crews and worked her way up tobecoming a crew lead and then
from there she had a shoulderinjury and which kept her from
(01:45):
doing some of the heavy lifting.
But she was such an asset shehad already made herself such an
asset to us that we I wanted tokeep her and so we had her
doing stuff at the office.
We had her doing ordering,receiving shipping, helping the
clients get their materialstogether, helping the teams, you
(02:07):
know, running material.
She was very important to us asa material Basically we call
them a material clerk.
And then she really juststarted handling all the
logistics when the design teamleft and she was making sure,
meeting with clients, takingcare of the clients, making sure
they knew where to go to gettheir materials, helping them
(02:28):
make selections.
So her role had expanded at atremendous rate and a lot of
that was just her ability tointeract and take care of the
clients.
And when I say take care of theclients, that means not letting
them get in their own way theclients.
That means not letting them getin their own way.
So a lot of times during ourconstruction process people
(02:49):
don't understand how decisionmaking is super important and a
slowdown in that decision makingprocess is a slowdown in the
project.
So we try to make sure we havea lot of that stuff taken care
of up front and it's Jan's jobto point them in the right
direction.
So, for instance, in a kitchenor a bathroom there's going to
(03:09):
be you know 25 things thatthey've got to pick out and
order.
Jan corrals them right.
We always giving them anallowance on a lot of that stuff
and some stuff they just haveto go and shop for on their own.
But for instance, their tile,we giving them allowance and Jan
helps them stay within thatbudget and send them to the
right vendor to make sure thatthey're shopping for tile that
(03:32):
matches their budget.
And then also the look ofthings.
So she was handling thoseinteractions, taking care of the
client, taking care of the team.
Still, all logistics wererunning through Jan.
All material readiness and jobreadiness ran through Jan as it
was.
So it was a natural fit when wedecided that we needed her to
(03:56):
help with project manager.
We really didn't have a trueproject manager.
We had constructionsuperintendents that were
running the job sites, but therewas a gap for us in that office
admin and then true projectmanagement.
The logistics, the planning andscheduling all of those things
(04:16):
that now are on her plate as aproject manager she has grown
and evolved into.
That role really has been anasset to us and we couldn't do
what we do without Jan.
Her story is so inspiring, herstory of being told that she
couldn't be a builder becauseshe was a woman, and that's just
not something that women do.
(04:38):
Right, that was kind of lookeddown upon or I would say not
looked down upon, but it justwasn't the norm.
She worked for another crewbefore coming to us.
She learned how to frame.
She's built her own house.
How many people you know thatcan say they've built their own
house?
And when I say built her ownhouse, how many people you know
that can say they've built theirown house?
And when I say built their ownhouse, I'm not talking about she
(05:00):
generally contracted it, rightor no.
She was there standing up walls, doing the framing, doing all
of the things it takes to get ahome built.
She was hands on and and sowe're gonna continue sharing her
story.
But right after Jan we haveShannon Evans, who joined us.
We recorded her episodes.
(05:21):
You're gonna hear thosereleased the day after Labor Day
and I'm excited.
She is a DIY expert.
She is another person who againjust has such an inspiring
story.
You know a female builderputting her hands on things,
making things.
She believes in the power ofmanifestation and she is now on.
(05:41):
Her episodes are airing on HGTVfor Renovation Resort Showdown
and it is such a blessing towatch her.
She was able to come to us.
She reached out last year andsaid hey, I would love to learn
some stuff from you guys.
Where are you located?
Is this a workshop?
Is this a school?
(06:02):
And we get a lot of that.
But no, we're not a separateworkshop or a school.
This is just our constructioncompanies taking the time to
train our team and everythingthat you see in our how-tos is
us either A in our workshoptraining in the back on our
training days, or B somethingthat a job that we're doing for
(06:23):
a client out in the field.
It could be a kitchen remodel,a bathroom remodel, interior
remodel, whole home remodel,addition just a bevy of things
that we do here at the Kirbycompanies a complete home build,
which you know, kirby, ourcompany, kirby Homes, does
custom homes.
So we're going to walk youthrough all of that stuff.
(06:45):
We're going to talk, talk tothe pros who are in it with us
and we're going to continue todiversify our population in the
construction industry.
We're going to continue todiversify our population in the
construction industry and Ibelieve that some of the guests
that I have coming up are goingto add so much value.
Their stories are so inspiring.
Right after Shannon, we're goingto have Sarah Trop.
She's been in a couple of coolthings.
(07:07):
I'll let her talk about that onthe show.
One I know I can talk about isthe flea market flip, where she
basically had to find furnitureand basically upscale it to sell
it Right.
That's what flea market flip isabout.
She's another DIY expert, butalso she's another person that
is actually doing the work.
(07:27):
She's worked on historic homes,she's done flipping, she's.
She's done a lot of thingsdesign and she's a joint team
with her husband.
So I look forward to thatconversation with her.
I know you'll enjoy it andwe're going to continue this
beat of Women in Constructionover the next few weeks and if
(07:48):
you want to be on the show oryou want to be a guest on the
show, please reach out to us atthe homebuilding show at
gmailcom.
I'll respond.
I'll get you an introductoryinterview with myself and we'll
just kind of chop it up aboutconstruction, about your story,
make sure it's a good fit andthen we'll get you on the show.
I appreciate you tuning in.
(08:09):
Listen out for Jan's continuedstory.
Thanks, welcome.
Welcome to shop talk, thesegment where we bring in a
co-host or special guest andjust chop it up about home
building, remodeling and diy.
This is where stories getshared, lessons get learned and
we dive into the real side ofthe craft straight from the
people living it every day itmakes a difference to how you're
(08:34):
planning.
Yeah.
So then you wait on them tomake a selection and then we
coordinate how to get it,because usually we can get a
better deal or we mark it up orwhatever, because we do have
some small selections here oftile and cabinets and things.
So they make their selectionand then we have to get it.
(08:55):
And sometimes there is budgetrestrictions, right, because we
do multiple projects andmultiple bills.
So a part of the emphasis weplace on the client is basically
get in line and you know, toreserve that we do a deposit.
But also we've got a clientcurrently that we're working
(09:16):
with that we were supposed tostart in the beginning of June.
We probably got the deposit inMay or something, and then the
client came to us and they'vepushed it to, I think, july,
august.
Now it may even be intoSeptember.
I think it's September, right,and they still haven't think
it's September Right, and theystill haven't made selections
(09:38):
right, which is okay.
It's kind of nice for them tosay I've given you a deposit,
but I'm going to take three,four months to make selections,
don't worry about it.
Speaker 2 (09:46):
You just don't bank on that.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
Yeah, but most of the time it's the opposite hey, I'm
giving you a deposit, I'm readyto start the project, and
you're like, hey, we are too,but you need to pick something.
And then you have to talk aboutthe allowance side and how that
works.
As far as what they weretalking about, the cost of,
(10:12):
let's just say we'll stick thetile, is I don't know, $500 for
a shower floor or something likethat, right.
And then all of a sudden theygo and they're looking and they
get the shiny thing that'sdouble Right.
And so that can't be a funconversation sometimes.
Speaker 2 (10:30):
To have no, because you kind of have to break their
heart by saying, well, I'm gladyou picked a tile out.
However, it's above yourallowance.
So if you want that tile, therewill be an overage, which was
already discussed at estimationtime.
It can be challenging sometimes.
Speaker 1 (10:47):
And we talk about it Like so.
When Adam goes out and does hisestimates, he lets them know.
Listen, this is.
These are.
You know it's a rough estimate.
These are rough allowancesbased on what we've done in the
past and we've done, you know, ahundred bathrooms.
Each one is different.
Each client is different.
The process is the same,however their needs wants, and
(11:10):
you know, allowances are alldifferent based on him going on
site and having thatconversation with them.
But what happens is you wait solong to start the project,
whether it's we've got otherclients ahead, whether it's they
haven't picked something out.
They forget a lot of that stuffand we put it in there.
(11:31):
This is an allowance and we dodebits and credits on our
allowances, all right.
So how does that part work whenit comes to having an allowance
for a remodel?
Speaker 2 (11:43):
Your debits and credits, depending on what kind
of selections that you have.
If you're over, then obviouslyYou've got an overage.
However, if you're under onanother one, you can use what's
left on that allowance to payfor some of your overage on
another one.
Speaker 1 (12:03):
So usually it kind of starts to offset and towards
the end we kind of finalize andsay, look, you're owed money or
we're owed money, unless it's achange order and it's something
that we have to pay for at thetime, then they have to pay us
order.
And it's something that we haveto pay for at the time, then
they have to pay us.
Okay, so from that you alreadywere dealing with budget client
(12:24):
selections, right?
Yes, you already had the fieldexperience, you were hands-on,
you had the course under yourbelt, and then I had the bright
idea to say, well, let'scontinue to elevate your
position.
Obviously you're doingsomething good for us here and
(12:46):
we have now put you in theposition.
Over the past month or so You'vestepped into the position as a
project manager and for us wehave construction
superintendents.
I have an operations manager,but realistically, how a project
manager is supposed to functionand what we've been doing are
(13:09):
two different things.
So now I've asked you to be aproject manager in a position
that has a standard andresponsibilities.
But we haven't operated thatway as a true project manager.
We've had our constructionsuperintendents kind of doing a
little bit of everything, andthen you were doing logistics
(13:30):
and Adam's estimating andTammy's answering calls.
But the project manager isresponsible for a couple of
major things, right, responsiblefor a couple of major things,
right, planning, scheduling,right, coordinating.
So let's talk about some ofwhat I've asked you to do as a
project manager, what would yousay is your primary function?
(13:53):
And then that'll bring us tothe questions you knew I was
going to ask you.
Okay, so, like, what excitesyou the most and what
intimidates you about being aproject manager?
Speaker 2 (14:06):
Excitement is the challenge.
I love a challenge and as faras intimidation is, if I get it
wrong, yeah.
I know people are allowed tomake mistakes, but I don't like
making mistakes.
Speaker 1 (14:22):
Yeah, and you know what.
It's scary at first, but youhave already dealt with.
So, essentially, when you getit wrong or something in
construction, the client's upset, the client gets aggravated or
frustrated, and sometimes theconversation isn't so nice and
sometimes they're okay becausethey understand how hard it is
(14:44):
to actually do a project,coordinate it and everything.
So that is the intimidatingpart.
And then you've got me askingyou questions because I'm always
yeah, what's going on?
What are we doing?
When are we getting started?
So you obviously have handledthat for the most part, doing
the logistic stuff anyway, butstepping into the responsibility
(15:06):
of not just the coordination,but now it is a larger
management role.
Speaker 2 (15:12):
And it's not just one project, we have several
projects?
Speaker 1 (15:16):
Yeah, absolutely, and so you're balancing all of
those and I know that part canbe intimidating and overwhelming
.
So how do you plan to lead ateam when people here and even
out in the field have moreexperience in the industry than
(15:36):
you do?
Does that part scare you any orhow does that make you feel
Like?
Is that the challenge part thatyou're talking about?
Speaker 2 (15:45):
Maybe I have to understand that I have to have
the willingness to listen.
Speaker 1 (15:50):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (15:51):
Most definitely, and I'm also willing to learn from
others that have more experienceand knowledge than me.
Speaker 1 (16:01):
Right.
Speaker 2 (16:02):
And by having that and not just going it's my way
highway, I think will reallyhelp.
Speaker 1 (16:10):
So you can lean.
Speaker 2 (16:11):
Development and leading them.
Speaker 1 (16:12):
Yeah, so you can lean on them and include them in the
decision making process, right,I mean, you kind of have to and
lean on that experience, okay,do you think there was any kind
of thoughts about you becomingthe project manager or anything,
or do you think that just waslike it's Jan and Jan kicks butt
(16:35):
and here we are.
It was kind of a no-brainer, Idon't know.
Yeah, okay, I don't think therewas honestly just because of
who you are.
It was kind of a no brainer.
I don't know.
Yeah, okay, I don't think therewas honestly just because of
who you are.
So I don't think and hopefullyknock on wood, like there's this
thing with women inconstruction and positions and
authority and different you knowresponsibilities, but hopefully
here we've got a culture thatreally combats that and you're
(16:59):
not seeing too much.
But industry wide, it is athing, right, it's a male
dominated culture, that's right.
But you are essentially in aposition of like the number two
really behind Casey as far asoperations go and uh, which is a
big deal.
But it's not because you are afemale or you know, it's because
(17:22):
of how you work, how youinteract with people.
For me, the biggest decisionpiece on putting you in that
position was how honest andfrank you are with your
conversations, right?
So some people may view that asa negative, but you don't say
things in a negative manner.
(17:42):
You say things with an honesttone and you're you're.
You know, chris, we can't dothat, or, chris, we need to do
this, and and that's why I wantsomebody in that position I'm
not a sugarcoater, right, youdon't, and that that is OK, you
know.
You say it like it is.
Sugar coat, right, you don't,and that that is OK, you know.
You say it like it is, andthat's exactly what we need for
(18:02):
somebody that's going to have asmuch responsibility as you do
and clients who we call friendsand neighbors that live in our
community.
We don't want to do a bad job.
No we never intend on doing abad job and I need somebody
helping to lead the charge thatI know is going to not only have
, you know, the clients backed,but are back as well and keep us
(18:26):
straight.
You know male, female, it'sirrelevant, you just need to
keep everybody in the companystraight and be honest and stuff
.
What leadership qualities.
We kind of just were hitting onsome, but do you think matter?
Speaker 2 (18:41):
uh, on a construction site I think communication is
very big.
Yeah, um, if you don't have thecommunication between all
members of your team.
Speaker 1 (18:51):
Yeah, it, it's a big aspect, um, and the other one is
just overall safety into thefield and be safe and do things
right and do things by the book,and I can't do that alone with
(19:22):
as many projects as we have andclients as we have.
That's where your role becomessuper crucial for me as the
project manager.
So trust is absolutely one ofthe key factors that you need to
be on a construction site,whether you're the project
manager or the supervisor or theteam member.
(19:44):
So do you see your backgroundas a tradeswoman shaping your
leadership style?
Does that come into effect?
What have you learned thatwould separate, like the female
and male perspective that maybeI can't see, but maybe that you
can Like?
Where do you think that being atradeswoman?
Speaker 2 (20:08):
For me if I hadn't had the experience and the
knowledge that I've managed togain over the years with being
out in the field I think even mynursing career too, because it
helps with planning andorganizing because you don't
just have one patient.
I think if I didn't have that Iwouldn't even know where to
start with the projectmanagement side of things.
(20:30):
So it's definitely a start andI don't mind asking questions If
I don't know everything.
I don't pretend I knoweverything.
So if I have a question I willseek the answer out, no matter
how many people I have to go to.
Speaker 1 (20:44):
And do you think that ?
The fact that you didn't justjump straight into project
management?
Some people do hire.
There's general constructioncompanies that will hire fresh
out of college male or female isirrelevant, but they'll hire
them fresh out of college andput them into a project manager
role and teach them how to, youknow, be a paper project manager
(21:05):
.
So there is a difference inbeing a paper contractor, right
and then and that's where you'regoing to sub everything out and
you manage the paperwork,manage the bills, yada, yada.
Here we have employees, but youcome from the field.
Do you think that's anadvantage?
Speaker 2 (21:23):
Yes, because you know what you're looking for if you
go on a project site.
Absolutely Not everything isall in a book.
Speaker 1 (21:28):
That's right and that is, I think, a game changer for
us is that there's value in thefact that you were in the field
doing the work Right, but alsoit gives you perspective on how
to treat people doing the work.
That you were doing right.
You can appreciate how hot itis right now.
We're middle of July.
(21:49):
Yes, it's hot, it's hot.
So as a project manager, someof the things you may think of
for the job site and get toprepare for the job site comes
from experience in the field.
Right, that definitely isdifferent, and I say tradeswoman
and trade in general, meaningyou were out there doing this,
(22:10):
so you have grown from that.
Then you did some officemanagement where you were doing
a logistics piece and now you'vebecome a project manager.
So for me the answer to that isyes, you having that experience
in the field, and it's justlike my son.
Now he has to start from thebottom and work his way up, he
(22:32):
has to gain the A the knowledgeof basic you know the
foundations of construction, ofbasic, you know the foundations
of construction.
But B he has to develop anappreciation for what could
potentially be his futureemployees or team and understand
that positional authority, inmy opinion, only goes so far.
(22:53):
You have to value lifeexperience.
Thanks for joining us today.
As always, we are grateful forour listeners and your continued
support.
Please subscribe to our YouTubechannel.
Follow us on social media viaFacebook, instagram and TikTok.
Get more info at our website,wwwthehomebuildingshowcom.
(23:17):
And, as always, remember who weare are the home building and
remodeling show.
The Home Building and Remodeling Show.
Let's go.
Welcome everybody to the HomeBuilding and Remodeling Show.
My name is Chris Kirby and I'llbe your host.
(00:21):
I am the owner of threeconstruction companies on the
Alabama Gulf Coast.
The show is about residentialconstruction.
We're going to cover topics ofhome building and remodeling.
Are you thinking of doing aremodel or building a home?
Are you a contractor looking toimprove your knowledge base or
grow your business?
Have you ever done a remodelproject or built a home?
(00:42):
There were so many things youwish you knew or that you could
have done differently during theprocess.
Then this show is for you.
We break down the process ofbuilding and remodeling and how
to have the best results duringyour project.
Whether you're a DIYer lookingfor tips, someone looking to
hire a contractor to do aproject, or a contractor looking
(01:04):
to expand your knowledge baseor your business, welcome aboard
.
Glad to have you, stay tuned.
Welcome everybody to thisweek's show.
I am excited to continue ourWomen in Construction month and
we're going to continue thisweek's episode with Sharon Jan
Story.
She is a project manager thatworks here at the Kirby
Companies.
(01:24):
Jan Story she is a projectmanager that works here at the
Kirby Companies and she hasworked her way from basically
being a laborer.
When we first hired her on,even though she had a stronger
skill set, she came in as ahelper, was a part of one of our
crews and worked her way up tobecoming a crew lead and then
from there she had a shoulderinjury and which kept her from
(01:45):
doing some of the heavy lifting.
But she was such an asset shehad already made herself such an
asset to us that we I wanted tokeep her and so we had her
doing stuff at the office.
We had her doing ordering,receiving shipping, helping the
clients get their materialstogether, helping the teams, you
(02:07):
know, running material.
She was very important to us asa material Basically we call
them a material clerk.
And then she really juststarted handling all the
logistics when the design teamleft and she was making sure,
meeting with clients, takingcare of the clients, making sure
they knew where to go to gettheir materials, helping them
(02:28):
make selections.
So her role had expanded at atremendous rate and a lot of
that was just her ability tointeract and take care of the
clients.
And when I say take care of theclients, that means not letting
them get in their own way theclients.
That means not letting them getin their own way.
So a lot of times during ourconstruction process people
(02:49):
don't understand how decisionmaking is super important and a
slowdown in that decision makingprocess is a slowdown in the
project.
So we try to make sure we havea lot of that stuff taken care
of up front and it's Jan's jobto point them in the right
direction.
So, for instance, in a kitchenor a bathroom there's going to
(03:09):
be you know 25 things thatthey've got to pick out and
order.
Jan corrals them right.
We always giving them anallowance on a lot of that stuff
and some stuff they just haveto go and shop for on their own.
But for instance, their tile,we giving them allowance and Jan
helps them stay within thatbudget and send them to the
right vendor to make sure thatthey're shopping for tile that
(03:32):
matches their budget.
And then also the look ofthings.
So she was handling thoseinteractions, taking care of the
client, taking care of the team.
Still, all logistics wererunning through Jan.
All material readiness and jobreadiness ran through Jan as it
was.
So it was a natural fit when wedecided that we needed her to
(03:56):
help with project manager.
We really didn't have a trueproject manager.
We had constructionsuperintendents that were
running the job sites, but therewas a gap for us in that office
admin and then true projectmanagement.
The logistics, the planning andscheduling all of those things
(04:16):
that now are on her plate as aproject manager she has grown
and evolved into.
That role really has been anasset to us and we couldn't do
what we do without Jan.
Her story is so inspiring, herstory of being told that she
couldn't be a builder becauseshe was a woman, and that's just
not something that women do.
(04:38):
Right, that was kind of lookeddown upon or I would say not
looked down upon, but it justwasn't the norm.
She worked for another crewbefore coming to us.
She learned how to frame.
She's built her own house.
How many people you know thatcan say they've built their own
house?
And when I say built her ownhouse, how many people you know
that can say they've built theirown house?
And when I say built their ownhouse, I'm not talking about she
(05:00):
generally contracted it, rightor no.
She was there standing up walls, doing the framing, doing all
of the things it takes to get ahome built.
She was hands on and and sowe're gonna continue sharing her
story.
But right after Jan we haveShannon Evans, who joined us.
We recorded her episodes.
(05:21):
You're gonna hear thosereleased the day after Labor Day
and I'm excited.
She is a DIY expert.
She is another person who againjust has such an inspiring
story.
You know a female builderputting her hands on things,
making things.
She believes in the power ofmanifestation and she is now on.
(05:41):
Her episodes are airing on HGTVfor Renovation Resort Showdown
and it is such a blessing towatch her.
She was able to come to us.
She reached out last year andsaid hey, I would love to learn
some stuff from you guys.
Where are you located?
Is this a workshop?
Is this a school?
(06:02):
And we get a lot of that.
But no, we're not a separateworkshop or a school.
This is just our constructioncompanies taking the time to
train our team and everythingthat you see in our how-tos is
us either A in our workshoptraining in the back on our
training days, or B somethingthat a job that we're doing for
(06:23):
a client out in the field.
It could be a kitchen remodel,a bathroom remodel, interior
remodel, whole home remodel,addition just a bevy of things
that we do here at the Kirbycompanies a complete home build,
which you know, kirby, ourcompany, kirby Homes, does
custom homes.
So we're going to walk youthrough all of that stuff.
(06:45):
We're going to talk, talk tothe pros who are in it with us
and we're going to continue todiversify our population in the
construction industry.
We're going to continue todiversify our population in the
construction industry and Ibelieve that some of the guests
that I have coming up are goingto add so much value.
Their stories are so inspiring.
Right after Shannon, we're goingto have Sarah Trop.
She's been in a couple of coolthings.
(07:07):
I'll let her talk about that onthe show.
One I know I can talk about isthe flea market flip, where she
basically had to find furnitureand basically upscale it to sell
it Right.
That's what flea market flip isabout.
She's another DIY expert, butalso she's another person that
is actually doing the work.
(07:27):
She's worked on historic homes,she's done flipping, she's.
She's done a lot of thingsdesign and she's a joint team
with her husband.
So I look forward to thatconversation with her.
I know you'll enjoy it andwe're going to continue this
beat of Women in Constructionover the next few weeks and if
(07:48):
you want to be on the show oryou want to be a guest on the
show, please reach out to us atthe homebuilding show at
gmailcom.
I'll respond.
I'll get you an introductoryinterview with myself and we'll
just kind of chop it up aboutconstruction, about your story,
make sure it's a good fit andthen we'll get you on the show.
I appreciate you tuning in.
(08:09):
Listen out for Jan's continuedstory.
Thanks, welcome.
Welcome to shop talk, thesegment where we bring in a
co-host or special guest andjust chop it up about home
building, remodeling and diy.
This is where stories getshared, lessons get learned and
we dive into the real side ofthe craft straight from the
people living it every day itmakes a difference to how you're
(08:34):
planning.
Yeah.
So then you wait on them tomake a selection and then we
coordinate how to get it,because usually we can get a
better deal or we mark it up orwhatever, because we do have
some small selections here oftile and cabinets and things.
So they make their selectionand then we have to get it.
(08:55):
And sometimes there is budgetrestrictions, right, because we
do multiple projects andmultiple bills.
So a part of the emphasis weplace on the client is basically
get in line and you know, toreserve that we do a deposit.
But also we've got a clientcurrently that we're working
(09:16):
with that we were supposed tostart in the beginning of June.
We probably got the deposit inMay or something, and then the
client came to us and they'vepushed it to, I think, july,
august.
Now it may even be intoSeptember.
I think it's September, right,and they still haven't think
it's September Right, and theystill haven't made selections
(09:38):
right, which is okay.
It's kind of nice for them tosay I've given you a deposit,
but I'm going to take three,four months to make selections,
don't worry about it.
Speaker 2 (09:46):
You just don't bank on that.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
Yeah, but most of the time it's the opposite hey, I'm
giving you a deposit, I'm readyto start the project, and
you're like, hey, we are too,but you need to pick something.
And then you have to talk aboutthe allowance side and how that
works.
As far as what they weretalking about, the cost of,
(10:12):
let's just say we'll stick thetile, is I don't know, $500 for
a shower floor or something likethat, right.
And then all of a sudden theygo and they're looking and they
get the shiny thing that'sdouble Right.
And so that can't be a funconversation sometimes.
Speaker 2 (10:30):
To have no, because you kind of have to break their
heart by saying, well, I'm gladyou picked a tile out.
However, it's above yourallowance.
So if you want that tile, therewill be an overage, which was
already discussed at estimationtime.
It can be challenging sometimes.
Speaker 1 (10:47):
And we talk about it Like so.
When Adam goes out and does hisestimates, he lets them know.
Listen, this is.
These are.
You know it's a rough estimate.
These are rough allowancesbased on what we've done in the
past and we've done, you know, ahundred bathrooms.
Each one is different.
Each client is different.
The process is the same,however their needs wants, and
(11:10):
you know, allowances are alldifferent based on him going on
site and having thatconversation with them.
But what happens is you wait solong to start the project,
whether it's we've got otherclients ahead, whether it's they
haven't picked something out.
They forget a lot of that stuffand we put it in there.
(11:31):
This is an allowance and we dodebits and credits on our
allowances, all right.
So how does that part work whenit comes to having an allowance
for a remodel?
Speaker 2 (11:43):
Your debits and credits, depending on what kind
of selections that you have.
If you're over, then obviouslyYou've got an overage.
However, if you're under onanother one, you can use what's
left on that allowance to payfor some of your overage on
another one.
Speaker 1 (12:03):
So usually it kind of starts to offset and towards
the end we kind of finalize andsay, look, you're owed money or
we're owed money, unless it's achange order and it's something
that we have to pay for at thetime, then they have to pay us
order.
And it's something that we haveto pay for at the time, then
they have to pay us.
Okay, so from that you alreadywere dealing with budget client
(12:24):
selections, right?
Yes, you already had the fieldexperience, you were hands-on,
you had the course under yourbelt, and then I had the bright
idea to say, well, let'scontinue to elevate your
position.
Obviously you're doingsomething good for us here and
(12:46):
we have now put you in theposition.
Over the past month or so You'vestepped into the position as a
project manager and for us wehave construction
superintendents.
I have an operations manager,but realistically, how a project
manager is supposed to functionand what we've been doing are
(13:09):
two different things.
So now I've asked you to be aproject manager in a position
that has a standard andresponsibilities.
But we haven't operated thatway as a true project manager.
We've had our constructionsuperintendents kind of doing a
little bit of everything, andthen you were doing logistics
(13:30):
and Adam's estimating andTammy's answering calls.
But the project manager isresponsible for a couple of
major things, right, responsiblefor a couple of major things,
right, planning, scheduling,right, coordinating.
So let's talk about some ofwhat I've asked you to do as a
project manager, what would yousay is your primary function?
(13:53):
And then that'll bring us tothe questions you knew I was
going to ask you.
Okay, so, like, what excitesyou the most and what
intimidates you about being aproject manager?
Speaker 2 (14:06):
Excitement is the challenge.
I love a challenge and as faras intimidation is, if I get it
wrong, yeah.
I know people are allowed tomake mistakes, but I don't like
making mistakes.
Speaker 1 (14:22):
Yeah, and you know what.
It's scary at first, but youhave already dealt with.
So, essentially, when you getit wrong or something in
construction, the client's upset, the client gets aggravated or
frustrated, and sometimes theconversation isn't so nice and
sometimes they're okay becausethey understand how hard it is
(14:44):
to actually do a project,coordinate it and everything.
So that is the intimidatingpart.
And then you've got me askingyou questions because I'm always
yeah, what's going on?
What are we doing?
When are we getting started?
So you obviously have handledthat for the most part, doing
the logistic stuff anyway, butstepping into the responsibility
(15:06):
of not just the coordination,but now it is a larger
management role.
Speaker 2 (15:12):
And it's not just one project, we have several
projects?
Speaker 1 (15:16):
Yeah, absolutely, and so you're balancing all of
those and I know that part canbe intimidating and overwhelming
.
So how do you plan to lead ateam when people here and even
out in the field have moreexperience in the industry than
(15:36):
you do?
Does that part scare you any orhow does that make you feel
Like?
Is that the challenge part thatyou're talking about?
Speaker 2 (15:45):
Maybe I have to understand that I have to have
the willingness to listen.
Speaker 1 (15:50):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (15:51):
Most definitely, and I'm also willing to learn from
others that have more experienceand knowledge than me.
Speaker 1 (16:01):
Right.
Speaker 2 (16:02):
And by having that and not just going it's my way
highway, I think will reallyhelp.
Speaker 1 (16:10):
So you can lean.
Speaker 2 (16:11):
Development and leading them.
Speaker 1 (16:12):
Yeah, so you can lean on them and include them in the
decision making process, right,I mean, you kind of have to and
lean on that experience, okay,do you think there was any kind
of thoughts about you becomingthe project manager or anything,
or do you think that just waslike it's Jan and Jan kicks butt
(16:35):
and here we are.
It was kind of a no-brainer, Idon't know.
Yeah, okay, I don't think therewas honestly just because of
who you are.
It was kind of a no brainer.
I don't know.
Yeah, okay, I don't think therewas honestly just because of
who you are.
So I don't think and hopefullyknock on wood, like there's this
thing with women inconstruction and positions and
authority and different you knowresponsibilities, but hopefully
here we've got a culture thatreally combats that and you're
(16:59):
not seeing too much.
But industry wide, it is athing, right, it's a male
dominated culture, that's right.
But you are essentially in aposition of like the number two
really behind Casey as far asoperations go and uh, which is a
big deal.
But it's not because you are afemale or you know, it's because
(17:22):
of how you work, how youinteract with people.
For me, the biggest decisionpiece on putting you in that
position was how honest andfrank you are with your
conversations, right?
So some people may view that asa negative, but you don't say
things in a negative manner.
(17:42):
You say things with an honesttone and you're you're.
You know, chris, we can't dothat, or, chris, we need to do
this, and and that's why I wantsomebody in that position I'm
not a sugarcoater, right, youdon't, and that that is OK, you
know.
You say it like it is.
Sugar coat, right, you don't,and that that is OK, you know.
You say it like it is, andthat's exactly what we need for
(18:02):
somebody that's going to have asmuch responsibility as you do
and clients who we call friendsand neighbors that live in our
community.
We don't want to do a bad job.
No we never intend on doing abad job and I need somebody
helping to lead the charge thatI know is going to not only have
, you know, the clients backed,but are back as well and keep us
(18:26):
straight.
You know male, female, it'sirrelevant, you just need to
keep everybody in the companystraight and be honest and stuff
.
What leadership qualities.
We kind of just were hitting onsome, but do you think matter?
Speaker 2 (18:41):
uh, on a construction site I think communication is
very big.
Yeah, um, if you don't have thecommunication between all
members of your team.
Speaker 1 (18:51):
Yeah, it, it's a big aspect, um, and the other one is
just overall safety into thefield and be safe and do things
right and do things by the book,and I can't do that alone with
(19:22):
as many projects as we have andclients as we have.
That's where your role becomessuper crucial for me as the
project manager.
So trust is absolutely one ofthe key factors that you need to
be on a construction site,whether you're the project
manager or the supervisor or theteam member.
(19:44):
So do you see your backgroundas a tradeswoman shaping your
leadership style?
Does that come into effect?
What have you learned thatwould separate, like the female
and male perspective that maybeI can't see, but maybe that you
can Like?
Where do you think that being atradeswoman?
Speaker 2 (20:08):
For me if I hadn't had the experience and the
knowledge that I've managed togain over the years with being
out in the field I think even mynursing career too, because it
helps with planning andorganizing because you don't
just have one patient.
I think if I didn't have that Iwouldn't even know where to
start with the projectmanagement side of things.
(20:30):
So it's definitely a start andI don't mind asking questions If
I don't know everything.
I don't pretend I knoweverything.
So if I have a question I willseek the answer out, no matter
how many people I have to go to.
Speaker 1 (20:44):
And do you think that ?
The fact that you didn't justjump straight into project
management?
Some people do hire.
There's general constructioncompanies that will hire fresh
out of college male or female isirrelevant, but they'll hire
them fresh out of college andput them into a project manager
role and teach them how to, youknow, be a paper project manager
(21:05):
.
So there is a difference inbeing a paper contractor, right
and then and that's where you'regoing to sub everything out and
you manage the paperwork,manage the bills, yada, yada.
Here we have employees, but youcome from the field.
Do you think that's anadvantage?
Speaker 2 (21:23):
Yes, because you know what you're looking for if you
go on a project site.
Absolutely Not everything isall in a book.
Speaker 1 (21:28):
That's right and that is, I think, a game changer for
us is that there's value in thefact that you were in the field
doing the work Right, but alsoit gives you perspective on how
to treat people doing the work.
That you were doing right.
You can appreciate how hot itis right now.
We're middle of July.
(21:49):
Yes, it's hot, it's hot.
So as a project manager, someof the things you may think of
for the job site and get toprepare for the job site comes
from experience in the field.
Right, that definitely isdifferent, and I say tradeswoman
and trade in general, meaningyou were out there doing this,
(22:10):
so you have grown from that.
Then you did some officemanagement where you were doing
a logistics piece and now you'vebecome a project manager.
So for me the answer to that isyes, you having that experience
in the field, and it's justlike my son.
Now he has to start from thebottom and work his way up, he
(22:32):
has to gain the A the knowledgeof basic you know the
foundations of construction, ofbasic, you know the foundations
of construction.
But B he has to develop anappreciation for what could
potentially be his futureemployees or team and understand
that positional authority, inmy opinion, only goes so far.
(22:53):
You have to value lifeexperience.
Thanks for joining us today.
As always, we are grateful forour listeners and your continued
support.
Please subscribe to our YouTubechannel.
Follow us on social media viaFacebook, instagram and TikTok.
Get more info at our website,wwwthehomebuildingshowcom.
(23:17):
And, as always, remember who weare are the home building and
remodeling show.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce
Football’s funniest family duo — Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs — team up to provide next-level access to life in the league as it unfolds. The two brothers and Super Bowl champions drop weekly insights about the weekly slate of games and share their INSIDE perspectives on trending NFL news and sports headlines. They also endlessly rag on each other as brothers do, chat the latest in pop culture and welcome some very popular and well-known friends to chat with them. Check out new episodes every Wednesday. Follow New Heights on the Wondery App, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free, and get exclusive content on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And join our new membership for a unique fan experience by going to the New Heights YouTube channel now!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com