We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Blair Roedel. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Blair below.

Hi Blair, thanks for joining us today. What do you think Corporate America gets wrong in your industry?

One thing Corporate America often gets wrong in the construction industry is the lack of efficiency and open communication. In my previous corporate life in union mechanical construction, I saw firsthand how processes were often bogged down by unnecessary bureaucracy, and there was a clear disconnect between the different parties involved. Decisions were frequently made without input from everyone at the table, leading to frustration and inefficiencies on the job site.

I believed there was a better way—one where communication could be more transparent, trust more deeply embedded, and where all parties felt like they had an equal say in the process. When people feel heard and valued, projects run smoother, morale is higher, and everyone is more invested in the outcome.

This approach to collaboration and communication is something we’ve carried over to BEC Innovations. It’s essential to build a sense of trust and partnership, not just between management and workers but with clients, subcontractors, and everyone involved. When everyone is working together with a clear goal, the results are dramatically better.

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 Blair, founder of BEC Innovations, a full-service general contracting company based in the Greater Nashville area. My journey into the construction industry began during my college years at Kansas State University, where I studied architectural engineering. Early on, I realized that my passion wasn’t in design work but in the construction side of things—where I could bring projects to life. After years of working in the corporate construction world, I saw an opportunity to create something different—something more efficient, personal, and client-focused.

At BEC Innovations, we offer a range of services, from large-scale renovations to small handyman projects. We’re licensed as general, mechanical, and plumbing contractors, which allows us to offer a comprehensive service without the hassle of coordinating multiple contractors. The problems we solve for our clients often come down to simplifying the construction process and delivering quality work, all while making sure our clients feel supported and informed every step of the way.

What sets us apart is how much we invest in the client experience. We have a full-time Client Experience Manager whose sole focus is making the process easier for our clients, from selections to procurement and keeping the project on track. This role ensures that our clients always have someone to reach out to—a friendly ear—making the renovation process as stress-free as possible. We also pride ourselves on clear communication and creating a partnership with our clients, so they always feel heard and involved.

One of the things I’m most proud of is the trust we’ve built with our clients. Many come to us after having negative experiences with other contractors, and we’ve been able to turn things around for them by showing that a construction project doesn’t have to be painful. We genuinely care about the people we work with, and that care reflects in everything we do.

What I want people to know about BEC Innovations is that we don’t just build structures—we build relationships. We’re a female-owned and female-led company that’s deeply invested in our community and committed to making every project – big or small – a success.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

BEC Innovations started as a side hustle that grew out of a need in our own neighborhood. After moving to a new construction subdivision in Hendersonville from out of state (knowing no one), we kept hearing from neighbors who needed help with small handyman tasks—hanging curtains, changing light fixtures, updating hardware, that sort of thing. My husband, Cody, who was working from home at the time and feeling a bit isolated, started helping our neighbors out, and that’s where the opportunity really began.

At first, it was just Cody doing small jobs, but we quickly saw that there was a bigger demand for reliable, high-quality handyman and construction services in our area. Encouraged by the response, we legitimized the business by forming BEC Innovations, LLC in July 2020, right in the middle of a global pandemic. Despite the challenges of starting a business during such an uncertain time, we kept growing, word spread, and soon we found ourselves taking on larger renovation projects.

The key to our growth has been focusing on the client experience. Even when we were only doing handyman work around our neighborhood, we knew that if we left a client with a bad taste in their mouth, we would still see them at the grocery store or dropping kids off at school. It was just never an option to not keep a client happy. Our growth has been steady because we’ve built strong relationships with our clients, many of whom come back to us for additional projects or refer us to their friends and family. It’s been a rewarding journey, and we’re excited to continue growing and helping more people with their homes.

Do you have multiple revenue streams – if so, can you talk to us about those streams and how your developed them?

Yes, we’ve introduced a supplementary revenue stream through our preventative home maintenance subscription package, called The Home Team. This service was created to help homeowners stay on top of routine maintenance and prevent larger issues from developing down the road. With The Home Team, our clients get regular inspections and maintenance for their home’s critical systems, such as HVAC, plumbing, and electrical. This not only gives homeowners peace of mind but can save them from costly repairs in the future.

It’s a great way to build ongoing relationships with our clients, while ensuring their homes stay in top shape year-round. By offering this subscription service, we’ve been able to diversify our offerings and provide long-term value to homeowners beyond our typical renovation or construction projects.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.becinnovations.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becinnovationsllc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/becinnovationsllc/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/becinnovations
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BECInnovations

Image Credits

Melanie Dunn, Melissa Oivanki