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Show Notes:

The Handyma’am; Woman Contractor

Part of my goal in building my investment real estate advisor’s business is to launch an investment real estate podcast and blog. I am always in search of people in the investment real estate business who are inspirational, fascinating and can bring “The Investment Real Estate Know How and the How To” information to my listeners and readers.

A couple of months ago I had the pleasure of crossing paths with a Blast from the Past (we had worked together at the same company).

Shelley Collins is a woman contractor who founded a business and created a brand that captures the essence of Shelley’s passion. (http://www.thehandymaam.com)

I asked; Shelley why this love affair with real estate and being a contractor?

Shelley in her early adult life moved five times in eight years.  Shelley calls this the Staged part of her life; because of her husband’s career, continually moving.  Shelley learned to keep her eye on all details of her homes as she knew they might have to sell at a moment’s notice.  Marketing her homes required Shelley to be aware of the interior and exterior details of her houses; one misstep could put her family’s finances at risk.  She wanted to ensure each move they were able to see a positive cash gain from the sale of their homes.

Shelley’s life has not been without challenges; now a single mom with two young daughters.  Shelley has had to pick up the pieces to her personal and career constructing a new life for herself and her family.

Shelley Collins has transformed her career and followed a path she is hoping more women will follow her into.

“The Handyma’am” is a home improvement business dedicated to two things – taking their clients’ visions and turning them into brilliant realities and forming their contracting team to consist of females exclusively.  The Handyma’am is a registered trademark as of Feb 2016.

Asking; Shelley why women only? Her answer was obvious and broke into three parts:

1. When having someone you do not know very well come into your personal space, it can be uncomfortable. If you are a female client or even a senior, it’s been shared that it is a much more comfortable feeling having a skilled female laborer in the home rather than men, as our team is seen as confident, trustworthy, and respectful of peoples need to be comfortable in their living space.

2. Why not? We love to surround ourselves with strong-minded, and bodied and skilled teammates. The idea of training, mentoring apprenticing and empowering other women is truly inspiring. The more work that comes in, the more opportunity for team growth and expansion.

3. Did you know? As it has been predicted that there will be a shortage of skilled laborers shortly, this is an opportunity for women to potentially realize longer-term and likely higher paying income as other career paths dwindle.

In interviewing Shelley for Vault to Investment Real Estate Success podcast, you can hear her passion for contracting runs deep but to have women be a part of the contracting business runs deeper.

Shelley is on a mission to show women they can be part of an industry that is male-dominated.  Shelley wants women to know that physical stature should never be a barrier to entering the contracting field or even lack of education in the contracting area.

Shelley has a couple of great mentors in her life; both in the construction business.  Being a mentor is what Shelley wants to share now and in the future.

Technology and social media have also opened the door for a career in contracting; giving Shelley access to education, business, and marketing tools to build her skills and business.

Shelley talks about how Instagram...