October 14, 2025
October 13-17, 2025 marks the fifth annual Construction Inclusion Week which focuses on promoting opportunities in the construction industry and enhancing the experience of all construction professionals. Throughout the past few years, the Diversity in Contracting has had the opportunity to interview a diverse set of small construction and construction-related firms to hear about the unique challenges they have faced to being included as well as how they have managed to succeed and thrive. Below are excerpts from their inspiring stories of hard work, resilience, and success.
Darci Henderson, Alltrus Clean, Construction and Janitorial Cleaning
What advice would you give to a woman entrepreneur looking to run a business?
Technical elements like understanding the prime contractors’ construction language and reading blueprint drawings can be challenging. But being a woman in a male-dominated industry can have its own set of hurdles. We often have to raise our voices to be heard, but if we’re too loud, we risk being perceived negatively. Assertiveness can be helpful, but it only gets you so far.
I would encourage any woman to use their superpower ─ being a woman. Women bring unique perspectives, intuition, and attention to detail and not showing up as ourselves only diminishes those strengths. We tend to see the things others miss and have giftings because of the identity we hold. When I show up to a job site, I wear what I would wear in any professional setting and maintain my authenticity because my authenticity has gotten me this far. Who I am has led me to a successful life because I not only come with my authenticity, but I come with all my qualifications and my track record of getting the job done. I don’t try to blend in, and no woman should try to either.
Excerpt from: Women's History Month Port Spotlight with Alltrus Clean
Huaqi Yi, Lumank Inc, Commercial and Residential Construction
What are some unique hurdles you’ve faced and feel other Asian business owners face in running their business?
There was a time I went on a residential site visit to check out a potential client's HVAC system. When I arrived to meet with the owners of the home, they didn’t think I was going to be the person inspecting their HVAC system although I gave them updates on when I was on my way to their home and my estimated time of arrival. The owner of the home I visited said, “I was expecting to see a man” and we were able to laugh at that because that’s a very common thing she has been used to seeing in construction.
Men dominate this industry, and it makes sense why that woman wasn’t expecting to see an Asian woman behind the door. Asian people are well represented in other business ventures, but when people think about construction, they see white men. I will say though, I don’t think I’ve been overlooked for contracting opportunities because I’ve been able to showcase my company’s capabilities to our clients and I’m very intentional about being timely in my communication so the client can be confident in partnering with us. In my experience I’ve worked with clients that care about the job being done well and not who’s doing the job!
Excerpt from: Lumank Inc and Asian American, Native Hawaiiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Larry Jacquot, Industry Erectors Inc, Steel erector, derrick/specialty cranes
What are some unique hurdles you've faced and feel other Native American business owners face in running their businesses?
Ignorance is real. There are people that live in a way that was more accepted in the 1950s in our imperfect world. Native Americans have been spurned by the system. However, I know enough resilient Native American people that have been able to create the life they’ve wanted by working hard and by taking risks. I sit on apprenticeship councils for the Tulalip Tribe, Puyallup Tribe, and I have seen success stories. Those who took chances and were willing to do more than expected found success.
Often as people, we are the greatest barrier to our own success. Taking the next step can be hard because it requires a lot of humility, accountability, and composure to keep going. Sure, I’ve been called certain things that I wouldn’t call anyone else. I’ve had to clean up some of my habits both in and out of my profession. Nevertheless, I did the work on myself, brushed off the verbal jabs, and I’ve let my work speak for itself because it’s not up to anyone else to make my life successful.
Excerpt from: Industry Erectors Inc. and Native American Heritage Month
John Salinas II, Salinas Construction, Concrete
What are some unique hurdles you've faced and feel other Hispanic business owners face in running their businesses?
In today's environment, it's important to know the English language well. Whether it’s reading, writing, or communicating in general, it can be harder to access information if English is not the primary language. From dispute resolution, impacts, delays, etc., the documentation is already confusing enough. It’s imperative to be confident in the English language.
Financing is also a difficult hurdle facing Hispanic people and people of color in general. With their businesses being smaller, capital is harder to have on deck but there’s more opportunity for financing now. Knowing what they’ve done in the past to people of color, I’m thankful banks have so many loans, grants, and capital programs specifically for the BIPOC community.
It may take twenty attempts to get some financing, but the reality is you need to be persistent and educated to make it through this industry. If you stay the course, use your willpower, and have a little bit of luck, you can achieve many things. That’s what makes our country a place of opportunity!
Excerpt from: Salinas Construction and Hispanic Heritage Month Business Spotlight
Marcus Cola, Apex Electrical Group LLC, Electrical
What experiences have you had that are unique to being a Black business owner?
As a business owner I see the best and worst of the stereotypes that come with being Black and in business. Good, or bad, it has helped me gain more perspective on who I am and what I am trying to accomplish with this business. Recently, my father told me about the trials and failures he faced while trying to step out on his own to chase the American Dream of business ownership. He told me that despite his failures, he is proud that I am succeeding and fighting the stigma against Black-owned business by not giving up when times get tough like he did.
Excerpt from: Celebrating Black History Month with APEX Electrical Group CEO
