Erika Castro

I attribute my success to the hardest moments of my life. I didn’t arrive where I am today because the path was easy, but because it wasn’t. Every personal and professional challenge became a classroom that taught me how to think more critically, show up more intentionally, and push beyond what I once believed I was capable of. Resilience was not something I was born with it is something I intentionally built through every setback that could have stopped me but instead strengthened me. Those experiences shaped not only my character but also my purpose, influencing my work, my coaching, and my voice as an advocate for others. When I work with clients, speak to audiences, or support individuals who feel overwhelmed by their circumstances, I do so from a place of genuine understanding because I have experienced the weight of those struggles and learned how to transform that weight into strength. My values, my perspective, and the work I do every day are a direct reflection of the person those challenges required me to become. I am not successful in spite of what I have been through I am successful because I chose to let those experiences mean something.

The best career advice I’ve ever received is to stay open, keep learning, and never let ego get in the way of growth. While it sounds simple, it is one of the hardest principles to live by, especially after working hard to earn your place professionally. I’ve learned the value of leading with curiosity and humility, and being willing to learn from anyone who has more experience or insight than I do. Throughout my career across different fields, I’ve found that asking questions before forming conclusions has created more opportunities than any title or credential ever could. Change is not something to resist but something to study, and the professionals I admire most are those who remain adaptable, hungry to learn, and committed to being lifelong students of their own journeys a standard I strive to live and share with those I mentor.

My advice to young women entering this industry is to be willing to be the only woman in the room and then make sure you are unforgettable when you are there. Don’t expect your career to follow a straight line; mine certainly hasn’t. Every detour I’ve taken, from law to contracting to coaching and writing, has led me exactly where I needed to be. Stay curious, embrace unexpected opportunities, and treat every new challenge as an investment in your growth. If you are entering the millwork and contracting space, take the time to truly understand the craft learn the materials, drafting processes, wood species, and how to read blueprints, because technical knowledge builds credibility and helps you earn respect in rooms where you may otherwise be underestimated. Seek out mentors who give honest feedback, not just encouragement, and remain open to learning even when perspectives challenge your own. Above all, know your value, protect your energy, and focus on working strategically rather than simply working harder. Success belongs to those who are intentional, prepared, and relentless in their pursuit of excellence.

The contracting and millwork industry is at a true inflection point, and I see it from multiple perspectives as a business owner, a legal professional, and a consumer. Rising material costs and economic uncertainty continue to be major challenges, especially as tariffs impact pricing and create ripple effects across client pricing, vendor relationships, and contract structure. This requires constant recalibration to remain competitive while maintaining quality and integrity. Another critical challenge is the shrinking skilled trades workforce. We are losing generations of hands-on craftsmanship, and finding highly skilled talent is increasingly difficult. While I am passionate about investing in developing new talent, the reality of business overhead, material costs, and client expectations makes on-the-job learning expensive and risky. At the same time, this skills gap creates tremendous opportunity. Individuals with strong trade skills are in high demand and can command competitive compensation, strong benefits, and long-term job stability. Personally, one of the greatest opportunities I’ve gained from this industry is practical business leadership knowledge understanding operations, finance, contracts, and high-pressure decision-making in real time. That experience is highly transferable and continues to be one of the most valuable professional assets I carry forward.

My values were not developed through reflection alone they were shaped by my experiences, the people and communities that influenced me, and the challenges I have navigated throughout my career and life. At the core of everything I do is honesty. I believe in speaking the truth, even when it is uncomfortable, because honesty is the foundation of trust in both business and personal relationships. Resilience is another guiding value for me; I define true strength not as never struggling, but as continuing forward despite hardship while bringing my full, authentic self. Advocacy is also central to my purpose whether in professional settings, coaching, writing, or supporting others through critical life moments, I believe those with knowledge, skill, or opportunity have a responsibility to use their voice to uplift others. Finally, cultural awareness is deeply important to me. From an early age, I learned the value of understanding people’s backgrounds, stories, and perspectives, and I carry that mindset into every relationship and professional interaction. Together, honesty, resilience, advocacy, and cultural awareness guide how I make decisions, build relationships, and show up in my work and personal life every day.