The landscape of the American construction workforce is slowly, but surely, shifting. This important series shines a light on the incredible women and nonbinary tradespeople who, despite societal stereotypes and historical barriers, now constitute a vital 11 percent of this essential industry. Their stories are not just about building structures, but about breaking down barriers, fostering community, and inspiring a new generation. If you know someone whose journey deserves recognition within this evolving sector, we invite you to reach out and share their story with us.
One such trailblazer is Kelly Gannon, a testament to the power of grit, skill, and an unwavering commitment to craftsmanship. From an early age, Kelly displayed a remarkable industriousness that would later define her career path. As a teenager, she juggled various jobs – babysitting, shoveling snow, and working in local restaurants – all while actively assisting her brothers with repairs for their family’s landlord. This formative period, filled with diverse experiences and hands-on problem-solving, laid an unexpected foundation for her future. It wasn’t until her early twenties that she recognized the immense potential for a stable and rewarding career in construction.
“All of the guys my age were roofing, and I wasn’t afraid of heights or tools, so I said, ‘Put me up there,’” Gannon recalls, recounting her bold entry into the field. Her determination led her to a contractor willing to give her a chance and provide the necessary training. This initial leap of faith proved transformative. “Then I gradually moved from the roof, down into the house, learning everything along the way,” she explains, highlighting a comprehensive apprenticeship that immersed her in every facet of residential building.
After dedicating fifteen years to honing her skills and understanding the intricacies of the construction industry, Kelly took the monumental step of establishing her own venture, Kreate Construction. Based in northeast Massachusetts, her company specializes in vital residential repairs and intricate remodeling projects. Her passion for the work is palpable: “I couldn’t see myself doing anything else,” she states, reflecting a deep-seated connection to her craft.
Beyond her direct business, Kelly actively champions other tradeswomen. Through her Instagram presence, @kreateconstruction, she cultivates a vibrant online community. This platform serves as a hub for tradeswomen across various industries to exchange invaluable tips and tricks, offer mutual encouragement, and inspire others, particularly young women, to consider rewarding careers in the skilled trades. We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Kelly Gannon and gain her unique perspective on the current state and future trajectory of the contracting and construction industry.
Overcoming Gender Bias and Forging an Entrepreneurial Path
Kelly’s journey to entrepreneurship was catalyzed by a stark encounter with gender bias. She vividly remembers training a male co-worker on siding installation, only to discover he was earning significantly more than her, despite her greater experience and expertise. This revelation was not just frustrating; it was a profound injustice that forced her to confront systemic inequalities within the industry.
“I was pretty frustrated, so I asked the contractor for a raise,” she recounts. While a modest raise was eventually granted, it fell short of reflecting her true value. More critically, the contractor, who had previously promised to assist her in obtaining her contractor’s license, reneged on his word when she sought his help. This refusal, coupled with the underlying pay disparity, was a clear signal. Shortly thereafter, Kelly was fired, a decision that, in hindsight, proved to be a pivotal turning point.
Before this experience, owning her own company had never been a serious consideration. However, faced with the immediate need to provide for her children as a single mother, Kelly realized she had to take matters into her own hands. “I knew I still had to work and feed my kids. So that’s how Kreate Construction came about,” she explains. What began as a necessity quickly gained momentum. “People started coming to me with jobs, and it catapulted from there.” This entrepreneurial leap, born out of adversity, not only provided for her family but also empowered her to create a business built on fairness, skill, and integrity.
The Realities of Running a Construction Company: Seven Years In
Seven years into running Kreate Construction, Kelly offers an unvarnished view of the daily demands of entrepreneurship in the trades. “It’s exhausting. It’s 24-7. There’s always an email or something that has to be ordered,” she candidly admits. The relentless pace of managing projects, clients, and logistics requires constant attention and dedication. Following the challenges presented by the global pandemic, Kelly made a conscious decision to scale back her operations, prioritizing quality of life and hands-on involvement over rapid expansion.
“Most of the time now, I’m doing a lot of the field work myself, with just a guy or two to help out. I don’t want to have a big company. I just want to do what I love,” she states, emphasizing her preference for being actively involved in the construction process. Her passion lies in working with her hands, a joy she intends to pursue for as long as physically possible. “Until I physically can’t do that, I don’t see myself coming out of the field,” she affirms, highlighting her commitment to the craft.
Beyond the operational demands, Kelly points to another significant challenge in today’s industry: managing client expectations. “Personalities are more polarized,” she observes. Furthermore, the pervasive influence of DIY networks and social media has, in her view, fostered unrealistic perceptions about construction and remodeling projects. “On TV, a remodel is done in three weeks with no hiccups. No one sees the fifty workers running in when the camera’s off,” she explains. This idealized portrayal sets a difficult stage for contractors, who often struggle to meet client expectations shaped by entertainment rather than reality.
Kelly draws a parallel between these unrealistic project expectations and the pressures faced by young girls on social media. “I feel the same about social media for young girls. It sets this expectation that we’re supposed to be perfect and pretty all the time, but that’s not real life.” This insightful comparison underscores a broader concern about authenticity and the damaging effects of curated realities.
Memorable Projects: The Reward of Challenging Work
When asked about her most memorable projects, Kelly’s face lights up as she describes her current endeavor – a project that encapsulates both her passion and her exceptional problem-solving skills. “Actually, the one I’m on right now is my favorite, but also one of my most challenging, physically and mentally,” she reveals. The project involves an exterior remodel of a 1600s Colonial house in Ipswich, Massachusetts. This historic structure has a storied past, having been moved across town in the 1800s and later damaged when a tree fell on it. To add to the complexity, a previous contractor had, in Kelly’s words, “made a mess of it about twenty years ago.”
This particular project demands a deep dive into traditional craftsmanship. “I’m having to go back to old-school techniques. Throw away the levels, and instead string lines across the front to try to get a nice plane,” she explains, illustrating the nuanced approach required for such a unique structure. While she has confidently tackled projects involving jacking up entire houses, this colonial renovation presents its own unique set of challenges simply to add siding and windows. “I’m having to hone my skills, think outside of the box and get creative to reach the final destination,” she affirms.
Despite the immense difficulty, Kelly finds immense satisfaction in these complex jobs. “But it’s great. I like challenging jobs, which means I work on a lot of period houses. I’m the person who takes the projects that nobody wants,” she says with pride. This inclination towards the most demanding tasks speaks volumes about her dedication and expertise. While acknowledging that such work can be “a lot of work and frustrating,” she emphasizes the profound rewards. “But it’s also super rewarding to fix the problems and transform it from that ugly house that’s falling apart to the nice house on the block.” This sentiment perfectly encapsulates the transformative power of her craft.
Instagram: A Hub for Tradeswomen Connection, Not Client Acquisition
In an age where social media often serves as a primary marketing tool, Kelly Gannon uses Instagram with a distinct purpose: building community and fostering professional networking. “I don’t use it for getting customers, but rather to network with other trades,” she clarifies. Her online presence has opened doors to a global community of skilled tradeswomen, creating connections that transcend geographical boundaries. “I’ve met so many great tradeswomen on Instagram; plumbers, painters, steelworkers and electricians from all over the world,” she enthuses.
This vibrant online network proved so impactful that a group of these interconnected professionals decided to create a dedicated platform. “A group of us actually started the Tradeswomen of Instagram page to highlight some of them,” Kelly explains. The page serves as a collective showcase for the diverse talents and contributions of women in the trades. The value of such a community is immense, particularly in professions historically dominated by men. “Most of the time, we don’t interact with other women in the field, so it’s nice to not feel alone and have other women to network with,” she underscores, emphasizing the crucial support system and sense of belonging this initiative provides.
Addressing Industry Challenges: The Critical Need for Labor and Women’s Inclusion
Kelly Gannon identifies labor as the most pressing challenge facing the construction industry today. The persistent shortage of skilled tradespeople poses a significant threat to the sector’s future growth and stability. “We have to figure out a way to get kids involved again,” she asserts, pinpointing a systemic issue rooted in decades of educational policy.
For too long, societal and educational emphasis has heavily favored college-bound paths, inadvertently steering countless young individuals away from the lucrative and fulfilling careers available in the trades. “For so many years, everybody was pushing for college, college, college, and maybe that kept more young people from entering the trades,” Kelly observes. This oversaturation of academic pursuits, while valuable for some, has left a critical void in vocational skills.
Kelly champions a specific, largely untapped resource: women. “There’s a need for women, especially, because we’re such a big, untapped labor pool,” she argues. To address this, she advocates for proactive engagement with young women during their formative high school years. “We need to start soliciting more girls when they’re in high school, putting them in shop class and seeing if they like it.” This early exposure is crucial for sparking interest and dispelling misconceptions about trade careers. Kelly also highlights the wide array of roles available on a construction site, many of which do not require heavy physical labor. “There’s so much women can do on a construction site, and not all of it requires being physical and dirty,” she explains, stressing the diversity of opportunities from project management to specialized finishing work.
Empowering the Next Generation: Advice for Young Women in the Trades
For young women contemplating a career in the trades, Kelly Gannon offers powerful and practical advice rooted in her own journey and triumphs.
First and foremost, she urges self-belief: “Don’t underestimate yourself. You’ll be surprised at what your abilities are. You can crush it.” Kelly encourages cultivating a DIY mindset in daily life, suggesting that tackling small tasks independently, rather than deferring to others or believing in one’s own inability, builds confidence and practical skills. This foundational shift in perspective can unlock unforeseen potential.
Confidence is also key when entering the field. “Be confident going in. It’s OK to ask questions and to be uncomfortable,” she advises. The learning process in any new environment inherently involves uncertainty, but a confident attitude towards learning is paramount. “But you have to be confident in your ability to learn, because the rest of your skills will come from that,” she emphasizes, highlighting that the willingness and capacity to acquire new knowledge are the bedrock of all subsequent skill development.
Finally, and crucially, Kelly stresses the importance of self-advocacy, particularly concerning issues like equal pay. “And when it comes to something like equal pay, know your worth and open your mouth,” she firmly states. While acknowledging the fear that can accompany speaking up, she reiterates the necessity of it. “It’s easy to be afraid to say something, but you have to speak up for yourself. You always have to speak up for yourself.” This empowers young women to demand fair treatment and assert their rightful place in the industry.
Navigating Challenges and Harnessing Benefits as a Woman in Construction
Being a woman in a predominantly male field presents a unique set of challenges and, surprisingly, distinct advantages. Kelly Gannon candidly shares her experiences on both fronts.
Early in her business ownership, she grappled with significant anxiety, driven by the imperative to secure every job to sustain her company and family. This vulnerability, unfortunately, sometimes led to exploitative situations. “There were a few customers who tried to take advantage of me financially, I imagine because they perceived me as the weaker sex,” she recounts. While such experiences can be disheartening, Kelly adopted a pragmatic approach: “But you just have to roll with it.” This resilience has allowed her to overcome these hurdles. Now, with years of experience and a strong reputation, she operates from a place of comfort and confidence. Yet, the underlying pressure persists. “But I still sometimes feel like I have to work twice as hard to prove that I’m capable,” she admits, underscoring the enduring battle against subconscious biases.
Conversely, Kelly highlights specific benefits that women bring to the construction site. “As far as benefits, we’re very detail oriented. Working in residential construction, that’s a big deal,” she explains. This meticulous attention to detail is invaluable in crafting high-quality finishes and ensuring client satisfaction. She illustrates this with a compelling anecdote from earlier in her career: “Earlier in my career, I was teamed up with a male coworker who was like a bull in a china shop. He was so strong and fast, he would just smash the work out.” While efficiency is important, the male coworker’s approach often lacked the finesse needed for residential projects. “Then I would get sent in to clean it up, make it look good, and do the final touch ups to make customers happy.” This division of labor perfectly encapsulates the complementary strengths that diverse teams can offer. “So that’s the benefit of a woman in construction: We pay attention and we’re detail oriented,” she concludes, emphasizing the distinct value women add to the aesthetic and precision aspects of construction.
Kelly Gannon’s Go-To Professional Tools
When it comes to the tools of her trade, Kelly Gannon has a carefully curated selection, each chosen for its specific benefits and often, its groundbreaking design that caters to tradeswomen. While she possesses an extensive arsenal, some items hold a special place in her heart, not just for their utility but for their representation of progress in the industry.
One of her absolute favorites is her tool belt. Specifically, her Diamondback Cavetto, which was a prototype for their women’s model. Kelly played an integral role in its development. “They found me on Instagram and I helped with the design, so of course I love it,” she shares. This collaboration is significant because, for years, tradeswomen faced the impracticality of ill-fitting gear. “I used to have to drill holes in men’s belts to get the waist small enough to fit me, and then they were uncomfortable, heavy and always hurt my hips.” The existence of a purpose-built women’s tool belt signifies a crucial evolution in the industry. “It’s nice the industry is starting to evolve and recognize that women are in the trades,” she remarks, celebrating this step towards inclusivity and functional design.
Next up is her titanium Martinez M4 hammer. For years, Kelly swung heavy steel hammers, leading to fatigue and strain. The M4 changed everything. “For years I swung a steel one, and my arm was always so tired. This one is so light, I don’t even feel like I’m working with it,” she enthuses. Adding to its personal significance, Mark Martinez, the founder, sent her a custom pink version – the very first of its kind. “The first. So it’s slightly special to me!” This personalized touch further cements its place as a cherished tool.
Kelly would be remiss not to mention her Keen Utility work boots, which she considers one of the most important tools for daily use. Comfort and safety are paramount in construction, and Keen boots deliver on both. “Keen has been an amazing company to deal with, and they have really stepped forward for tradeswomen,” she praises, acknowledging the brand’s commitment to supporting female professionals in the field.
Finally, for ultimate comfort and functionality in workwear, Kelly points to Truewerk for their work pants. She specifically highlights their dedication to developing a robust women’s line. “The T2s are the most versatile through the seasons,” she recommends, emphasizing their adaptability for various weather conditions and tasks. This attention to appropriate and comfortable attire underscores the growing recognition of women’s specific needs in the trades.
About Kelly Gannon
Kelly Gannon embarked on her journey in the trades over two decades ago. Her initial motivation was to secure a stable career that would allow her to support her sons as a single mother – a goal she successfully achieved. Today, Kelly is a licensed contractor and the proud owner of Kreate Construction in Massachusetts. Her diverse projects encompass everything from extensive full renovations to quick aesthetic enhancements, and most critically, essential repairs. While she finds joy in transforming spaces beautifully, Kelly firmly believes that aesthetic improvements are futile if underlying structural issues, such as a leak compromising a freshly painted wall, are not addressed first.
About Writer Karuna Eberl
Karuna Eberl is a dedicated contributor to FamilyHandyman.com. For the past 25 years, she has worked as a freelance journalist and filmmaker, adept at weaving compelling narratives about people, nature, travel, science, and history. Eberl has garnered numerous accolades for her insightful writing, her comprehensive Florida Keys Travel Guide, and her impactful documentary, The Guerrero Project. Her ability to tell authentic stories makes her a perfect voice to highlight the experiences of trailblazers like Kelly Gannon in the construction industry.