Influential Woman · Construction

Shantell Williams

Business Owner, KIRW Investments

Riviera 3, FL

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree AutoCAD License Cert AutoCAD License

Her Story

About Shantell

I've been in the construction field for about 12 years now, and it's been quite a journey. From 7th grade, I always wanted to be an architect. I watched my dad, who drove a cement mixer, build the den on the back of our house, and I knew then that's what I wanted to do, even though I was just a little bitty girl. After high school, I worked various jobs - I was a truck driver, then a mortgage broker - I've always been multi-talented and a tomboy at heart. I went back to school to get my AutoCAD license and worked reorganizing stores for Office Depot. Then I worked for a company called Andrew Morgan Services with a structural engineer, and that's where I really knew I wanted to be in the construction business. The real turning point came when my husband remodeled our bathroom, and it looked like something out of a book. I saw the opportunity immediately and told him we could make a business out of this. He kept saying he couldn't do it, but I kept telling him he could. Eventually, our business took off, all through word of mouth, never advertising. We work together, just the two of us, and I handle the customer contact, bids to make sure they're accurate with the job, materials, making sure the down payment covers what we need, inspections, and closing the deal. After going through some personal challenges and being out of the field for two years, I'm back now and rebuilding. Right now, I'm also taking care of my mom while getting the business off the ground again. My area of expertise right now is me - I'm focused on myself and my recovery. Our most notable achievement is trust, especially with our main clientele who are older people. It's all about building that trust and maintaining it.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Shantell

01What do you attribute your success to?

I attribute my success to hard work and being a visionary. I saw the opportunity when my husband remodeled our bathroom so beautifully - it looked like something out of a book - and I immediately recognized we could build a business from his talent. Even when he kept telling me he couldn't do it, I kept telling him he could, and I made it happen by setting up appointments and getting us started. The business took off entirely through word of mouth because we built trust with our customers. I've always been able to see possibilities and opportunities where others might not, and I've had the drive and work ethic to make those visions a reality.

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

The best career advice I've ever received is: if it's a passion in your heart, go for it. That advice has guided me throughout my journey, from my childhood dream of becoming an architect to starting my own construction business with my husband. It's what kept me moving forward and what's helping me rebuild now after taking time away from the field.

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

My advice to young women entering the construction industry is: don't let anybody knock you down. Because they're gonna try - since it's male-dominated, they're gonna try to detour you. Stay passionate about your drive. Stay passionate about your journey. And don't let anyone detour you. I've been in this field for 12 years as a woman, and I know firsthand the challenges you'll face, but you have to have a really strong constitution and not take what negative people say to heart. Keep pushing forward no matter what.

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

The biggest challenge in my field right now is being a female in a male-dominated industry. But I don't look at a challenge as a challenge - I look at it as an opportunity to overcome. So while being a woman in construction presents obstacles, I work with it and make it work to my advantage. I turn what others might see as a barrier into a strength and use it to differentiate myself and prove what I'm capable of accomplishing.

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

The values most important to me in my work and personal life are trust, accountability, and spirituality. Trust is absolutely fundamental - it's what I consider my most notable professional achievement because our main clientele are older people, and building that trust with them through word-of-mouth referrals has been the foundation of our business success. Accountability keeps me honest and reliable in all my dealings. And spirituality grounds me and guides me through both the good times and the challenging periods in my life and career.

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