Like many children of remodelers, Kelly Godwin caught the remodeling bug at an early age. Godwin worked with dad, Ray, during summer breaks throughout high school and then between semesters at Auburn University while majoring in building science. After graduation, Godwin worked for a large Orlando construction company before coming back to the family business.

So what makes Godwin’s story different than most? She’s a woman. “It definitely comes with its own set of challenges, but it also gives you room to show what you can do,” says Godwin who’s now vice president of the company. “A lot of times people just assumed I worked in the office and answered phones. And I’d say, ‘No, I have a degree in construction management and I’m actually on site and coordinating with the subs.’ It’s been interesting to bring a feminine eye to the construction process.”

And with 2019 sales projections approaching $1 million, it’s also been successful, even in the midst of an ongoing labor shortage. “Our biggest challenge is finding workers who take pride in their work,” Godwin says.

Still, Godwin has used her construction management expertise to schedule subcontractors and keep work flowing from project to project while staying on time and on budget. She’s also dusted off the company’s marketing plans with new efforts on YouTube and social media with an eye to expanding service to other areas of the state. “We’ve been in business 25 years, but I’m looking forward to the next 25, so how do we set ourselves apart?” she asks.

The answer is to continue providing the excellent customer service that has earned the company a strong repeat and referral base along with numerous awards for service including “Best Small Business of the Year” from the local Chamber of Commerce.

“We take a lot of pride in what we do and the fact that we’re a second- and third-generation builder in this area,” she says. “And it’s an interesting dynamic that we’re a father and daughter team. A lot of times, you see family working together and they end up hating each other. But so far, so good.”