Influential Woman · Building Materials

Patti Bonsdale

Window & Door Specialist, Lansing Building Products

Fenton, MO

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree High School Graduate Degree Technical School (2 years) Degree CAD Degree

Her Story

About Patti

I got into the building materials industry through my brother-in-law, who was in the business and got me a position way back when. From there, it just progressed, and once I got in it, I never got out. When I started out, I had no idea even what a 2x4 was, but I stayed with it and learned. I've been in this field for 43 years now. Currently, I work for a company with 115 branches across 32 states, and I lead a team that handles all of our specific branches' window and door quotes. If anybody within the branch, whether it be branch manager, ops manager, warehouse, or anybody within the branch, can send an email that filters out through our team, and we help assist the branches with any window and door quotes. One of my proudest achievements was completing a $150,000 Marvin windows job without a single mistake, from doing the takeoff on the blueprints all the way down to quoting the material, having it delivered, and then the installer installing it.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Patti

01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

I would just say having the positive role models behind you. Any strong supervisor or manager, anybody behind you that has that positiveness, it is definitely key. That's what has helped me throughout my career and kept me motivated.

02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

When I started out, I had no idea even what a 2x4 was. So just stay with it. You'll learn, especially if you get the right person, people behind you. Push yourself to learning, whether it be a Google search, or a YouTube search, or however. The knowledge is out there, just stay with it, because obviously I've made a lifelong career of it, so it worked for me, and I'm sure it can work for anybody else. Don't give up and just give it your all.

03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

Just give it your all. Don't give up. That's what I believe in, both in my work and in my personal life. You have to keep going and not give up, no matter what.

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