Katie Eschliman, CEO & Co-Owner on Influential Women
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Influential Woman · Residential Remodeling & Construction

Katie Eschliman

CEO & Co-Owner, Sunstate Remodeling

Chandler, AZ 85225

1996Years experience
1Award received

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) — Associate Degree in Marketing and Product Development License License No. ROC 240109 Member Influential Women Network

Her Story

About Katie

Katie Eschliman is the CEO and Co-Owner of Sunstate Remodeling, a family-owned residential remodeling company based in Chandler, Arizona. She officially entered the remodeling industry approximately five years ago after building experience in corporate sales and marketing, bringing her background in marketing, product development, and business processes into the family business. Under her leadership, she has focused on developing systems and processes designed to solve operational challenges, improve efficiency, and optimize costs and project timelines. Sunstate Remodeling has been in business for 30 years and serves homeowners and interior designers throughout the greater Phoenix area.

Katie's expertise encompasses business operations, process improvement, marketing and sales strategy, organizational efficiency, and relationship management. She has helped strengthen the company's operational structure while maintaining a strong emphasis on integrity, quality craftsmanship, and client relationships. Her approach has contributed to Sunstate Remodeling's natural evolution into the luxury remodeling space, where the company emphasizes precision, high-quality work, and trusted partnerships. She holds an Associate Degree in Marketing and Product Development from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM).

Beyond her professional responsibilities, Katie is deeply committed to family and community. She and her husband have adopted two boys and are currently fostering a young girl, with much of their personal time centered around their children and their activities. She also supports philanthropic initiatives benefiting veterans, single mothers, and widows, including providing ADA-accessible remodeling projects for veterans and complimentary handyman services for single mothers and widows. As a woman leading in a traditionally male-dominated industry, Katie encourages women to be confident, sit at the table, speak up, and trust their expertise. Her leadership philosophy is grounded in integrity, relationships, quality, and creating an environment where women's voices and knowledge are respected.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Katie

01What do you attribute your success to?

At the heart of everything Sunstate does are two principles Katie considers non-negotiable: integrity and relationships. She believes the company's growth and longevity are a direct result of treating every client, subcontractor, designer, and partner with genuine kindness and respect, and consistently doing exactly what they say they are going to do. These are not just business values for Katie and Jody; they are a reflection of who they are as people. A genuine concern for others shapes every decision, every conversation, and every project Sunstate takes on. Those principles have built lasting relationships across the greater Phoenix area and have carried Sunstate Remodeling to its 30th year in business, a milestone that speaks for itself.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

One piece of advice has stayed with Katie since early in her career. A mentor told her simply, "Don't second-guess yourself." She was encouraged to trust her instincts and have confidence in her own judgment, and she has carried that with her every day since. It shows up in how she leads. Katie believes that when something feels off or does not align, it is important to speak up, ask questions, and share your perspective, because your voice matters. That conviction has shaped the culture she has built at Sunstate, where every team member is empowered to do the same.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

As a woman leading a company in the construction industry, Katie is passionate about encouraging other women to take up space and make their voices heard. Her advice is straightforward: sit at the table, be bold, and do not be afraid to share your knowledge and perspective. Women belong in every room, especially in industries where their voices have historically been underrepresented. Katie believes that when more women have the confidence and courage to speak up, organizations grow stronger and more successful for it. It is something she lives out every day at Sunstate, and something she hopes inspires others to do the same.

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

Katie also sees a significant opportunity in strengthening the relationship between the remodeling and design industries. Many of the designers Sunstate partners with are women, and Katie's ability to understand their perspective and translate construction terminology into language that is meaningful to designers helps bridge a communication gap that has long existed between the two fields. She is equally grateful to work alongside men who genuinely respect and value women's contributions. For Katie, building a company culture that honors women and creates space for their expertise is not just a personal priority; it is an opportunity the entire industry has yet to fully embrace.

05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

When asked what values matter most to her, Katie does not hesitate. Integrity and lasting relationships are fundamental to both her professional and personal life. She believes in treating people with kindness, keeping her word, and building every relationship on a foundation of trust. She also holds firmly to the belief that people should use their voices and recognize that their perspectives matter. At Sunstate, these values are not just internal principles; they are reflected in the quality of work delivered on every project. That unwavering commitment to craftsmanship and character is what has naturally positioned Sunstate Remodeling as a leader in the luxury remodeling market.

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