Women at WIRC

The Post-Covid Home: What Fresh Research Reveals About Buyer Demands

In this episode of Women at WIRC, we sit down with Teri Slavik-Tsuyuki of tst ink and Nancy Keenen, CEO of Dahlin Architecture, Planning, and Interiors, to unpack the just-released findings from the America at Home Study.
The data shows what many in housing are missing: the pandemic permanently reshaped how people want to live. Affordability pressures, new household formations, and the rising demand for wellness-focused environments are redefining buyer priorities. Yet, much of the industry is still building for a market that no longer exists.
Slavik-Tsuyuki and Keenan reveal what today’s homeowners and buyers are actually asking for, and what builders, remodelers, and designers must understand to stay ahead.
 

Managing Client Expectations With Houzz's Liza Hausman

Liza Hausman, vice president of industry marketing at home remodeling and design platform Houzz, knows her way around the client. From understanding client expectations to helping housing industry professionals navigate ever-changing AI tools, Hausman has experience with it all.
In this episode of Women at WIRC, we talk with Hausman about her role at Houzz and how home builders can stay up to date on the latest marketing tools—and ultimately bring in the client. 

Passive Building: Misconceptions, Costs, and the Future with Kat Klingenberg of Phius

Kat Klingenberg, founder of passive building non-profit Phius, discusses the explosive growth in passive building interest. From building the first certified passive house in Champaign, Illinois, to working on 53-story towers in Brooklyn, she explains how the movement has evolved beyond energy efficiency. Secondary benefits like air quality and grid-resilience are now the primary selling points, "energy savings is just gravy," she says. Klingenberg addresses common misconceptions, shares practical advice for getting started, and delivers a clear message: "It's time to retool."
 
Show Notes/Links:
Women in Residential Construction Conference
Phius
PhiusCon

Launching a New Division in a Design-Build Business With Mary Peters

Mary Peters, owner of Sasquatch Contracting in Boise, Idaho, discusses a new division of her business: Yeti Services, launched this year to deliver small home improvement and home maintenance work. Her diligence in verifying the market need, building a dedicated team, and effectively cross-marketing the two businesses offers a roadmap for others looking to diversify, find new sources of revenue, and address underserved needs in their community. 

Cammie Beckert's Journey from Production Building to Cameron Custom

Cammie Beckert, managing director and co-owner of Cameron Custom in Scottsdale, Arizona, shares her experience of transitioning from a highly successful, family-owned luxury production builder to leading the start-up (and suffering the growing pains) of a new division with a very different business model.

Leading a New ESOP with Candice Rania of LEFF Design Build

In this episode of Women at WIRC, Candice Rania, president of LEFF Design Build, discusses the transition of the company to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) from a sole ownership model.
With LEFF two years into this change, Candice shares insights into the cultural transformation, operational logistics, and goals for the company's future. She also delves into her personal journey from studying interior design to leading a company, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and determination.
Additionally, Candice explains the workings of an ESOP, its benefits, and the impact it has had on LEFF's culture and financial transparency. Key challenges and strategies for maintaining growth within a changing market are highlighted, making this episode a valuable listen for those curious about alternative ownership structures in the construction industry.
00:00 Introduction
00:38 Meet Candice Rania
01:52 The Transition to an ESOP
06:12 Cultural and Operational Changes Post-ESOP
12:55 Understanding ESOP Structure and Benefits
18:12 Advice for New ESOP Leaders
20:18 Conclusion and Upcoming Events
LEFF: https://leffdesignbuild.com/
WIR+CC: https://www.womensconstructionconference.com/2024/
Custom Builder: https://www.custombuilderonline.com/
Pro Builder: https://www.probuilder.com/
Pro Remodeler: https://www.proremodeler.com/

Building to Move the Industry Forward with Woman of the Year Alaina Money-Garman of Garman Homes

In this episode of Women at WIRC, Editor Caroline Broderick interviews Alaina Money-Garman, CEO and co-founder of Garman Homes (garmanhomes.com), who was honored as Woman of the Year at the WIR+CC Conference (womensconstructionconference.com).
Alaina believes that accepting projects that don't monetarily move the company forward pays dividends by moving the industry forward. Garman Homes does this through its Operation Coming Home builds for Gold Star families, Habitat for Humanity builds, charitable donations, and a major project, The Farm at Penny Lane.
Garman Homes built 15 tiny homes for individuals receiving support for mental health at The Farm at Penny Lane. Alaina shares insights on the impact of thoughtful design on mental health and the importance of community involvement in housing initiatives.
00:00 Introduction to Women at WIRC Podcast
00:18 Meet Alaina Money-Garman: Woman of the Year
00:56 The Farm at Penny Lane: A Special Project
01:23 Garman Homes: Building with Purpose
03:45 Designing for Healing and Connectivity
07:31 Challenges and Successes in Building Tiny Homes
12:12 The Team Behind the Project
16:34 Garman Homes' Commitment to Giving Back
21:37 The Broader Responsibility of Affordable Housing
23:38 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Neuroaesthetics: How Good Design Can Heal with Ginger Curtis of Urbanology Designs

In this episode of Women at WIRC, Custom Builder Online Editor Caroline Broderick interviews Ginger Curtis, founder and CEO of Urbanology Designs, about the emerging field of neuroaesthetics.
Ginger shares her personal journey through significant life challenges, including her daughter's leukemia and her own battle with breast cancer. She discusses how these experiences influenced her instinct to create beauty and embrace the role of neuroaesthetics in design.
Neuroaesthetics, a combination of design and neuroscience, explores the profound impact of beauty on the human experience.
Ginger also provides practical tips for incorporating principles of neuroaesthetics in various spaces.
WIR+CC Conference: https://www.womensconstructionconference.com/2024/
Urbanology Designs: https://www.urbanologydesigns.com/
Custom Builder: https://www.custombuilderonline.com/
Pro Builder: https://www.probuilder.com/
Pro Remodeler: https://www.proremodeler.com/
00:00 Introduction to Women at WIRC Podcast
01:17 Meet Ginger Curtis: Designer and CEO
01:32 Understanding Neuroaesthetics
02:01 Ginger's Personal Journey and Inspiration
04:26 The Power of Fractals in Design
06:44 Ginger's Story of Resilience and Design
13:42 Launching a Design Firm from Adversity
16:26 Practical Tips for Neuroaesthetic Design
18:04 Conclusion and Upcoming Events

Transforming West Baltimore with Bree Jones of Parity Homes

In this episode of Women at WIRC, Bree Jones, founder and CEO of Parity Homes, shares her transformative journey from Wall Street to affordable housing development.
Driven by incidents of racial injustice and gentrification in her Bronx neighborhood, Bree purchased and renovated an abandoned building in the Bronx, providing a deeply affordable home for three families. She had found her calling, created Parity Homes, and moved her efforts to West Baltimore.
Parity Homes focuses on revitalizing abandoned properties to create affordable housing, preserving historical and cultural significance, and strengthening the community.
00:00 Introduction
00:25 Meet Bree Jones of Parity Homes
01:00 Bree's Journey from Wall Street to Real Estate
01:37 The Impact of Trayvon Martin's Death
02:33 Gentrification and Its Effects
03:39 Starting Parity Homes in Baltimore
05:23 Challenges and Successes in Affordable Housing
10:12 The Importance of Preserving Historic Homes
16:13 Future Goals and Mentorship
17:16 Final Thoughts and Conference Announcement
Women in Residential + Commercial Construction Conference: https://www.womensconstructionconference.com/2024/
Parity Homes: https://www.parityhomes.com/
Custom Builder Online: https://www.custombuilderonline.com/
Pro Builder: https://www.probuilder.com/
Pro Remodeler: https://www.proremodeler.com/

No More Boring Meetings! with Morgan Thomas of LEFF Design Build

LEFF Design Build Director of Operations Morgan Thomas is tired of ineffective, boring meetings. At LEFF, Thomas has learned—and taught—how to maximize everyone's time through engaging, productive meetings. After all, design-build remodeling thrives on communication, so you better do it correctly.
On this episode, Thomas shares her background in construction while providing the best practices for effective meetings. This includes how to train team members on facilitating, creating pre-meeting checklists, and how to wrangle in client meetings.
Timestamps:
00:00 Meet Morgan Thomas: From Project Manager to Director of Operations
1:11 The Evolution of Leadership and Team Dynamics at LEFF Design Build
1:58 No More Boring Meetings: A Passion for Efficiency
3:23 Inside LEF's Meeting Culture: Training, Structure, and Execution
6:53 The Art of Facilitating Productive Meetings
12:15 Handling Meetings with External Parties: Strategies and Challenges
14:07 Continuous Improvement: Rating and Reflecting on Meeting Effectiveness
15:00 Open Invitation for Meeting Innovation and Feedback