5 Inspiring Journeys of Construction Business Owners Who Made It Big
Starting a business is no small feat, and for many, the road to entrepreneurship is filled with unexpected challenges and hard-earned lessons. For some, the path to success began long before they took their first steps into the business world.
In the construction industry, many entrepreneurs build their careers on a foundation of hands-on experience, discipline, and leadership – skills they honed through years of hard work and dedication.
Let’s take a look at the stories of a few inspiring construction business owners who turned their experiences into success. They faced challenges, but instead of letting them stop them, they used them as opportunities to grow.
Military Discipline, Entrepreneurial Vision: How Javier Arias Built Turtle Creek Construction
Javier Arias never imagined that his toughest challenge wouldn’t come from the battlefield, but from building a business from the ground up. After seven years of service as a Marine Corps heavy equipment mechanic and several more in the Nebraska National Guard, Arias left the military ready for a new chapter.
But it wasn’t long before the road to entrepreneurship revealed itself to be even more demanding than military service. In 2016, armed with a strong work ethic and a passion for service, Arias founded Turtle Creek Construction Company in Nebraska – a move that would change his life.
The early stages of his business weren’t easy. Arias thought starting a company would be a smooth ride, but he quickly learned that entrepreneurship had its challenges.
Fortunately, he found support from the Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC), an organization that guided him through the complexities of starting a business. The NBDC’s Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) helped Arias secure federal contracts, a step in growing his company.
Arias also took advantage of the SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program, which provides training and assistance to businesses looking to thrive in federal contracting.
With the guidance of the SBA and NBDC, Arias made significant strides in his business. By his second year in the 8(a) Program, Turtle Creek Construction had not only secured its first USDA contract but also expanded its offerings to meet changing demands in the government sector.
From a solo operation, the company grew to 8 employees, with plans to diversify its business even further. Arias credits his success to a combination of learning from experts, building strong relationships, and maintaining a customer-first mindset.
“It’s not about the number of employees – I want to build a culture,” Arias stated.
Arias also made sure to secure SBA-backed loan, which helped him with working capital during the company’s early days. Beyond business success, Arias is focused on fostering a positive company culture.
He believes in doing the right thing and creating a work environment based on empathy and mutual respect. By putting himself in the shoes of his clients and focusing on solutions, he’s created a company culture where employees thrive, and clients receive top-notch service.
Looking ahead, Arias is diversifying his business portfolio, as he stated, “Diversification is where it’s at.”
In addition to expanding his construction offerings, he’s exploring opportunities in sanitization technology through a partnership with professionals from Kansas and Arkansas, and has ambitions to move into property management and real estate.
Justin Lindteigen’s Rise from Lumberyard Worker to Successful Business Owner
From a childhood spent building with his grandfather to leading missions in Iraq, Justin Lindteigen’s life has always been centered around construction and leadership. While many dream of starting their own business, Justin’s path was unique, shaped by his military service and hands-on experience in the construction industry.
But the road to entrepreneurship wasn’t just about picking up tools; it was about building a foundation that would allow him to launch Greenstone Construction into success.
Growing up, Justin was surrounded by construction. He spent time watching his grandfather work in his woodworking shop, worked summers roofing and framing homes, and developed a strong appreciation for the craft.
However, unsure of how to combine his passion for construction with his academic path, Justin made a key decision: he joined the North Dakota Army National Guard. Over the next few years, he worked at a local lumberyard, gaining experience in remodeling, home building, and commercial construction.
Starting in sales, he worked his way up to project manager, learning how to take projects from start to finish. This role confirmed his desire to own his own business and lead a team in the industry. But it wasn’t until Justin’s deployment to Iraq in 2008 that his path would take a more defined direction.
While in Iraq, Justin served as a lead truck commander and completed over 150 missions. He was in charge of managing more than two million dollars worth of equipment and personnel. When he returned home, Justin had a clear focus on his future and a stronger determination to build his own business.
After completing his bachelor’s degree in business management, Justin began laying the groundwork for his company, Greenstone Construction. He registered the business with SAM, which is necessary for doing business with the federal government.
Besides, Justin also researched the cost of surety bonds, which are required for many public and private contracts, and secured the insurance and lines of credit he needed to get started. In 2011, he came across a proposal from a small city government. Despite the last-minute nature of the bid, Justin decided to put his name in the ring—and he won the contract.
This win was just the beginning, and Justin quickly built a reputation as a responsible and reliable bidder. As his business grew, he focused on expanding Greenstone Construction even more.
As a Native American business owner, Justin saw the potential in joining the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program, which offers training and support to help businesses succeed in government contracting.
With help from the North Dakota Procurement Technical Assistance Center and the North Dakota District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration, Justin completed the certification process and expanded his business into federal contracting. Remarkably, just one week after receiving his 8(a) certification, Greenstone Construction won another contract.
Justin has big plans for the future of his company. He wants to grow by hiring more skilled workers and taking on new projects. While it can be tough to find skilled workers in North Dakota, Justin stays positive. He knows that with hard work and dedication, his efforts will pay off in the end.
Hammering Through Challenges: Vera Hall’s Bold Leap into the Construction World
Vera Hall’s interest in construction started during college when she assisted with replacing her grandmother’s door. This small job lit a fire in her for the field and taught her that even the smallest projects can leave a lasting impact.
Over the years, Vera used that early inspiration to build Innovative Performance Construction (IPC), a business that now helps renovate historic churches and provide affordable housing in her hometown of Jackson, Mississippi.
However, starting and growing a business in the construction industry, especially as a woman, came with many challenges. Vera wasn’t just working hard to secure contracts; she was also breaking barriers and changing perceptions.
Vera knew that becoming a government contractor could help her business grow and allow her to serve her community even more. However, she quickly learned that understanding government contracts was not easy.
Luckily, Vera found support from the SBA Mississippi District Office and the Hinds Community College Small Business Development Center. These resources offered her the guidance and training she needed to succeed.
With the help of expert advisors like James Bennett, she learned how to compete for government contracts, negotiate effectively, and manage projects from start to finish.
As IPC grew, Vera expanded her business’s reach by getting involved in SBA programs like SBA-backed surety bonding and the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program. These programs gave her the tools to take on larger projects and secure more contracts, including ones with the federal government.
Today, IPC is a thriving business with over 20 employees, a second office, and a reputation for quality work. Vera believes in treating her employees like family, offering them benefits like health insurance, continuing education, and retirement plans.
Angelica Rivera: Leading Colmex Construction LLC to Success and Helping the Community
Colmex Construction LLC was founded in 2008 and has become a leader in both residential and commercial construction. What started as a small framing company quickly grew to offer a wide range of construction and renovation services.
Colmex’s success is built on a team of dedicated employees who are passionate about providing excellent work and customer service.
At the heart of Colmex’s success is Angelica Rivera, the company’s president. Angelica’s leadership has been key to Colmex’s growth and reputation in the competitive construction industry in New Orleans.
Her hard work and entrepreneurial spirit have earned her many awards and recognition. Her leadership has not only helped Colmex grow but also made her a role model for women and minority entrepreneurs.
What’s more, Angelica cares deeply about her community and works to make a positive impact. At Colmex, she created a family-friendly environment where employees are encouraged to support one another and speak up.
In addition to this, Angelica has found ways to support local small businesses. She has offered affordable office space in Colmex’s building to small businesses that may not be able to afford high rents. This has allowed those businesses to grow in a supportive, collaborative setting.
The Small Business Administration has been an important part of Colmex’s journey. Angelica has worked with the SBA since the beginning, benefiting from training and advice that helped her grow the business. She also took part in the Women’s Business Center (WBC) at the Good Work Network in New Orleans.
One of the key moments in Colmex’s success came when Angelica secured an SBA-guaranteed bond through the Surety Bond Guarantee Program, which allowed her company to take on bigger projects.
In 2019, Angelica received the Entrepreneurial Success Award from the Louisiana District Office of the SBA. This award recognized her strong leadership, hard work, and the important role she played in growing Colmex and helping her community.
Ines Rivas-Hutchins’ Path to Building a $500 Million Business
Ines Rivas-Hutchins started her own construction business, INTEC Group, in 2014 after gaining valuable experience working for others in the industry.
Before jumping into entrepreneurship, a mentor and former boss told her, “You have this. You can do it!” That encouragement, combined with her experiences working for companies that were Women-Owned Small Businesses and SBA 8(a) certified, gave Ines the confidence to start her own business.
As the owner of a new company, one of Ines’ main goals was to apply the leadership and project management skills she had developed over her career. However, she knew she needed additional knowledge on running a business and competing for contracts. To bridge that gap, Ines turned to the Small Business Administration (SBA) for help.
Ines was familiar with the SBA 7(j) Management and Technical Assistance program, which offers free, high-quality support to businesses to help them win government contracts. She took full advantage of the program, participating in courses, receiving training, and getting one-on-one advice on various business management topics.
In addition to the 7(j) program, Ines looked into the SBA HUBZone and 8(a) Business Development programs, which provide more contracting opportunities. With help from Cherie Guilford, the Business Opportunity Specialist at the SBA Kentucky District Office, Ines learned about the program requirements, benefits, and opportunities.
After years of preparation and guidance, INTEC Group earned HUBZone and 8(a) certifications in 2020.
The hard work has definitely paid off. INTEC Group now has a strong management team and over 30 employees working in two offices in Lexington and Paducah, Kentucky. Since starting the company, Ines and her team have managed over $500 million in commercial and federal projects across the country.
One important lesson Ines learned is that it’s not just about making revenue, but also about being profitable. Since 2014, INTEC’s revenue has grown a lot, and net profits have increased every year.
Ines’ hard work was recognized when she was named Entrepreneur of the Year by the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce in 2020. She was also nominated for SBA Kentucky Small Business Person of the Year in 2022.
In addition to her business success, Ines is very active in her community. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Paducah-McCracken County Riverport Authority, the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce, and Sprocket, a nonprofit supporting entrepreneurship in West Kentucky. INTEC also supports the U.S. Army by donating to charities and groups that help U.S. Army personnel.
“The SBA Kentucky District Office has been crucial in guiding us through this journey. The advice Cherie Guilford and Business Development Specialist Pam Pearson have provided is instrumental in our success,” Ines said.
