We were lucky to catch up with Julie Alvarado Onekanda recently and have shared our conversation below.

Julie , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?

Tell us the story of how you came up with the idea for your business? Paint the picture for us so we really understand the context, circumstances, the emotions, etc. Walk us through how you knew this was a worthwhile endeavor – talk to us about the logic of why you felt this would work? Were you solving a problem that no one else was solving? Were you offering a unique approach or what about this idea got you most excited?

The idea for our business came from a very personal and unexpected place. My husband, Selvin Alvarado, had worked in the construction industry for years, and he had often mentioned starting his own construction company. At the time, though, I wasn’t interested. I was entrenched in my nursing career, working multiple jobs as a Nursing Assistant in the Charlotte area. It felt like something so far out of my reach, and I didn’t have any interest in construction at all, let alone in owning a business.

But as time passed, I started to notice the strain and frustration Selvin was experiencing. His work in construction, although rewarding, lacked the freedom we both yearned for. Our lifestyle was on a repetitive cycle—work, come home, and that was about it. We had no real control over our time or our future, and that began to weigh heavily on me. I could see how hard he was working, but he wasn’t getting the recognition or the rewards that matched the effort.

Around the same time, I was enrolled in community college, taking some business courses as part of my degree track. Initially, I didn’t take those classes with any intention to start a business. But those courses opened my eyes to something I never expected: I realized I had a hidden passion for business. I began to see the power of owning and running a business and how it could give us the freedom and control we were craving.

As Selvin continued to work in construction, I also began to notice his frustration with the lack of communication and business knowledge from some clients. There were issues with managing projects and expectations, and I started stepping in to resolve some of those problems. That was the turning point for me—I found myself really enjoying the problem-solving aspect of the business and thinking, *This is where I belong*.

So, I decided to take him up on his offer, and we launched Alvakanda Construction. The name itself is a blend of our last names—Alvarado and Onekanda—representing our diverse backgrounds and helping us stand out in the industry.

In 2020, we focused on residential renovations, particularly home remodeling, and quickly found that we enjoyed building decks and painting houses. But we weren’t satisfied with just staying at that level. We wanted to take our business to the next level, and that’s when I connected with a mentor who encouraged me to get my general contractor’s license. I was hesitant at first, but I realized this was the opportunity to expand our reach and take on more formal and profitable projects.

Fast forward four years later, and we’re now growing into the commercial and industrial sectors. The logic behind starting the business was clear—we wanted freedom, the ability to use our talents, and to build something that would sustain us in the long run. It wasn’t just about offering a service; it was about creating something that could grow, evolve, and make a real difference in both the residential and commercial construction industries.

What excites me the most about this journey is that we’re solving a problem that’s widespread in the industry—poor communication and lack of business understanding. Our unique approach is rooted in both passion and knowledge. It’s not just about building; it’s about building with purpose, offering not just construction services but also solutions that streamline the process and make it easier for clients. That’s what I’m most excited about—creating a company that doesn’t just build structures, but builds relationships and trust within the community.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Julie Alvarado, and I’m the founder and owner of Alvakanda Construction, a company that started with a simple but powerful idea: to build not just structures, but relationships, trust, and a sense of purpose in the construction industry. Our company offers a wide range of construction services, from residential renovations to larger-scale commercial and industrial projects, and we take pride in delivering high-quality craftsmanship while fostering transparent, reliable communication.

My journey into the construction industry was not a typical one. My background is in healthcare—I worked as a Nursing Assistant for over a decade in Charlotte, NC, and spent much of my early career focused on patient care. My husband, Selvin Alvarado, was in construction, and while I wasn’t initially interested in the field, I began to see the challenges he faced as he worked in the industry. He had great skills but was frustrated with the lack of communication, business knowledge, and structure in some of his projects. It was his vision to start a construction company that sparked my curiosity, and eventually, I realized that I had a hidden passion for business and problem-solving.

I started taking business classes while still working in healthcare, and soon after, I began helping Selvin with his construction projects. The more I got involved, the more I realized that this was the career path I was meant to pursue. We decided to take the leap and launch Alvakanda Construction, named after our combined last names—Alvarado and Onekanda, which represents our diverse backgrounds and cultures.

We initially focused on residential projects like home renovations, deck building, and painting, but over time, we expanded our reach into commercial and industrial construction as well. I earned my general contracting license to position our company for larger, more formal projects, and we’ve since been able to work with both small and large clients, including general contractors, developers, and property management firms. Our specialty areas include metal framing, insulation, drywall installation, finishes, and a variety of general contracting services.

What sets us apart is our commitment to communication and quality. We don’t just show up to build; we show up to understand our clients’ needs, provide real solutions, and ensure that everything runs smoothly from start to finish. Whether it’s a simple home renovation or a complex commercial build-out, we make it a point to keep lines of communication open, manage expectations effectively, and provide high-quality work.

I’m most proud of how far we’ve come in a short period of time. From the early days of just tackling small projects to now managing larger commercial and industrial builds, we’ve stayed true to our values of quality, integrity, and customer satisfaction. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see how we’ve grown, and I’m excited about the future as we continue to expand our capabilities.

For potential clients and followers, I want you to know that when you work with Alvakanda Construction, you’re not just hiring a contractor—you’re hiring a partner who is dedicated to bringing your vision to life. We work collaboratively with our clients to ensure that their needs are met and that we exceed their expectations. Whether it’s a residential renovation or a commercial project, we bring the same level of commitment and attention to detail to every job.

I believe that building strong, lasting relationships with our clients is just as important as the work itself. We aim to create lasting value in the communities we serve, and that’s what drives us every day. If you’re looking for a contractor who truly cares about your project and works with you to achieve your goals, then Alvakanda Construction is the right choice.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

LinkedIn and Networking events

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

A time when I had to be resilient was during the early stages of growing Alvakanda Construction. My husband, Selvin, and I had just decided to take the leap into starting our own construction business. At that point, we were still figuring out how to balance running a business with our personal lives, and we didn’t have the stability or experience that comes with years of established operations.

There was one particular project early on, a residential renovation, that really tested my resilience. We had a tight deadline and limited resources, and there were unexpected complications with the building structure that weren’t apparent until we started demolition. The clients had specific demands and were quite particular about the project timeline, which added a lot of pressure. On top of that, I was still working multiple nursing jobs at the time, and managing the project while handling my healthcare work felt overwhelming.

During that period, there were moments when I questioned whether we could pull it off. But instead of giving up, I leaned into my problem-solving skills and stayed focused on finding solutions, no matter how difficult the circumstances. I coordinated with subcontractors, worked late into the evenings, and made sure I stayed in constant communication with the clients to manage their expectations.

The turning point was when I realized that resilience wasn’t just about enduring the challenges—it was about taking control of what we could and adapting when necessary. I called in some extra help, got creative with the resources we had, and kept pushing forward, even when it felt like things weren’t going as planned.

In the end, we completed the project on time and exceeded the client’s expectations. The sense of accomplishment from overcoming that obstacle made me realize that resilience wasn’t just about surviving tough times; it was about thriving and finding ways to succeed despite the setbacks. That experience shaped my approach to business and gave me the confidence to tackle even bigger challenges as our company grew. It was a reminder that resilience is a core trait needed not only to run a successful business but to evolve through its toughest moments.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.avkdcompany.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alvakandaconstruction/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Alvakanda/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alvakanda-construction-company