Arcadia Maximo
Arcadia Maximo
A Mentor a Day …
“I have a good network of mentors, other contractors that I can call on. I think that’s been extremely helpful for me. I have some really good guys; their phone numbers are on speed dial in my Blackberry. I can call them if I’m on a job site and I’m panicking and the inspector’s about to show up.”
Growing Pains
“My business, at one point, was growing really fast, where I had more than I could handle. I didn’t know how to say no. I was just saying yes to everyone, and I really got myself into a bind. I had 10 guys working with me at a time, and I couldn’t handle it. I had to fire everyone, keep two guys who I knew were really good, and then just kind of go back to doing one job at a time. Once I got a handle on that, then I progressed to, okay, now I can do two jobs. ”
Know Yourself, Be Yourself
“I try not to compare myself to other people. Like my friend Pat, he’s doing all of these big jobs. Well, Pat’s been doing this longer than I’ve been alive, so I can’t really compare myself to him. I know my limitations now, and I don’t overextend myself.”
Living Green
“In the beginning, the late ’90s and early 2000s, I still had to explain to people what green building was. I even had one lady say to me, ‘I don’t want my building green.’ I was like, ‘No, I’m not talking about the color!’ But nowadays, it is starting to hit more mainstream media. It’s definitely an added bonus for me, the fact that I went and got all of my [sustainable building] certifications. It helps a lot.”
Good Reads
“GreenSage.com, that’s a really good site about green living that’s written more for the consumer. Treehugger.com, everyone’s heard of Treehugger now. I write for GreenGirlsGlobal.com. BuilditGreen.com is a great site, actually, that homeowners should go to if they’re thinking about remodeling their house or building a house.”
Every Day Is a Good Day
“I try and set my intentions at the beginning of the day that today is going to be a good day. Because I’ve always felt that even my worst day of working for myself is still a thousand times better than working for someone else.”
Ladies Who Launch is asking you … what do you think of Arcadia’s story? Let everyone know in the Comments section below!
Interested in going green? Join our Eco-friendly Products group or Greening Your Company group for ideas, insight, and answers.
This Featured Lady was profiled by Sarah Tomlinson, a freelance writer in Los Angeles.
Finally! I’m excited to see a woman like Arcadia profiled. Women like Arcadia are truly helping to level the playing field and should be applauded. Sure, it’s tough to start a business. But tougher, still, to do something people of both sexes don’t think you can/should. I can assure you I’ve had a taste of the “little lady” attitude that comes with some contractors. I only wish there were more women like Arcadia I could hire!
What a cool story to see a women making inroads in a tradtionally male field – good for Arcadia for sticking to it and building her own business.
Andrea Stein
http://www.girlmogul.com
This is a great story and not simply because it’s non traditional. You really took ownership of your process and your mistakes. I wish you nothing but the best.
I really enjoyed reading this profile. Arcadia is an inspiration! I am going to share this with all the young ladies I know!!
Dorethia Conner
http://www.connercoaching.com
This is a fabulous story, because it illustrates the outcome of step-by-step ACTION. It’s easy to sit and think about what you want to achieve. But, it’s doubly difficult to create and EXECUTE the plan to get there. I applaud Arcadia for identifying concrete steps to take and then following the path to her goal. Arcadia is an example for me of focus in action, and it’s incredibly inspiring to know that great things come out of taking one step at a time. All you need to do is make a step.
What an inspiration on how you made it “against all odds.” I am a woman, not in a male-dominated field, but it is still hard to make it when you don’t have anybody else to rely on except our Heavenly Father. I’m making it though and it is women like you who show us by example that it can be done. I teach Spanish for construction among other industries and am working on breaking into that field as well. Thanks for the inspiration. I look forward to meeting you in SF.
Gina Covello
http://www.hablals.com
[...] Arcadia Maximo – When the guys told her she couldn’t, she did–by starting her own construction company [...]
Not only is Arcadio a leader and a woman breaking serious ground in the SF construction industry, she volunteers for us regularly. We rely on skilled volunteers, like Arcadia, to be able to serve our low-income and senior clients and wouldn’t be able to do the work we do without volunteers like her – Arcadia truly has a commitment to the greater community and is super inspiring to work with!
I just signed up…and I already love this site. I am a interior design student in San Diego (Native Bayarean) and thinking of going into arch ( but sooooo scared of the manly man world). But!!! Arcadia you have inspired me… Thank you!
Thank you Arcadia for standing your grounds and believing in yourself. I am a general contractor doing both commercial and residential renovation in NYC and was faced with some of the same issues. Still is a difficult industry but I am seeing more and more women getting involved. Keep up the good work!!!!
