We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Michelle Cruzen-Hernandez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Michelle, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?
My first full remodeling project was from a burned home. The framing of the home was intact, damage was only done to a few pieces of drywall in the ceiling and the island of the kitchen. After speaking to my husband we decided to invest in the home and do the fixings. Everyone who saw the project from the beginning was saying how crazy I was for taking such a load of a project. After a few months, the home was finished and it was such a drastic change! So, we brainstormed and decided to call it Phoenix Construction and Remodeling because of my project. The phoenix bird is a mythical creature that after a certain age burns up into flames, but is reborn from the ashes.
Michelle, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I was born and raised in Pomona, California until the age of 14. My family then moved to Wichita, Kansas and we have been here since then. Since I could remember, construction was always so interesting to me. I always thought it was amazing how things were built and put together, so much so, I thought I could build things with my Legos, and I did. As I grew up, my father would take my mother and me to his work sites on the weekend to help and learn. That’s when I really started to enjoy construction. Fast forward to now, and I can clearly see where my love for this profession started.
We provide all kinds of services that range from exterior work to interior work. We have succeeded in solving our client’s problems. Some have been small jobs like patching some walls, to a full home remodel.
I have always been proud of our work and the relationships we have built, but my husband, family, and friends all remind me that I should be most proud of what I have been able to accomplish. This is a white, male-dominated industry, and as a young woman of color, it is difficult to make a path for yourself in this career field. So, in every job I take on, I am reminded to be proud of what I have done and accomplished this far.
Any advice for managing a team?
Managing a team can be difficult sometimes, but the key is to treat your team with respect and care. I’ve encountered many team leads who take advantage of the time and needs of their employees and that is not supposed to be that way. Respect their time and appreciate the role they hold in the team. Don’t ever underappreciate them. I’ve seen that happen too many times. Also, don’t be the type of team lead that gives orders and then goes and sits either in the corner or in the car while being on the phone. Be part of the work and the team.
Always lead by example. That’s the motto.
How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?
Always be in communication with your clients. Anything that comes up that was not initially spoken about, communicate it as soon as possible. With constant communication, there is little room for mess-ups and misunderstandings. They will see the honesty and loyalty you hold as a person and as your company.
Go the extra mile with your work, it really goes a long way.
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Image Credits
Aileen Rueda-DaCosta took the professional picture