I've been around construction in some way shape or form my entire life. My father was in it, my stepfather, and I married a man that was in construction. The construction lasted, the marriage didn't, but that's another story. I started out in other fields, sales, credit manager, and even started my own restaurant. When I got divorced and moved, my stepfather wanted me to run the office for his construction company. Since I needed a change, I took him up on the offer.
After getting in the office, there just wasn't enough to keep me busy. His company does Commercial Metal Stud Framing
, drywall and Acoustical Ceilings
for primarily large retail buildings. He tried to teach me how to read blueprints so I could do material takeoff and estimating. I just couldn't understand all the lines on the page. These blueprints have 40 pages with details and notes that send you on a goose chase to find an answer. I had never tried reading blueprints before, and I wasn't familiar with the materials being used. I thought a screw was a screw. I didn't know there were different screws for different applications.I just couldn't get the hang of the prints, so I asked him to send me out into the field. I thought watching a project being built from the ground up would help me understand. So out into the field I went, after a little shopping of course. Comfortable work boots are a must. I found the Timberland Women's Nellie Premium Casual - 7.5B Navy
to hold up well. I bought some tools and a
Little Pink Tool Pouch & Belt
. Ok seriously I started out with a Custom LeatherCraft 1614 23-Pocket/5-Piece Comfortlift Combo System 
just like the guys. But as I learned more and became comfortable on the job site, I did switch from the blue Timberlands to the pink ones and I added some pink to my tool bag and tools. Just because you are on a construction site doesn't mean you can't have some style. Another benefit of having pink tools and a bag, if someone "borrows" your hand tools, you can always tell which ones are yours.With the help of a very patient superintendent, I learned how to layout the walls from the lines on the blueprints. I learned how to frame the walls out of metal studs, hang and finish drywall. I enjoyed the process. And I loved the weight I was losing in the process as well as the muscles I was gaining. The only thing I didn't like about being on a job site was the port-o-lets.
I know I drove the guys crazy sometimes with all the questions I asked. I learned everything I could, I read code books, spec books, osha regulations and I watched how the guys worked. A few of the superintendents, employees and guys from other trades gave me a hard time along the way. A woman's place was not on a construction site.
By the end of each job, I had earned my respect and right to be on a construction site. But when that project would end, a new one would begin. Each new project brought a fresh set of project managers, and trades that I would have to prove my abilities to all over again. That was nine long years ago.
Today, for all intents and purposes, I run every aspect of this company. I have to say working in the field was far easier.
