Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Maria Nicholson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Maria, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

Being a female owner of a design, build, and remodeling company had presented several challenges and risks for me in this male dominated industry. . I had to fight against stereotype and bias of a society that assumes women do not have the strength, knowledge, technical skills or the courage to lead teams of men. Female mentors are scarce and opportunities still remain quite limited. The lack of female representation in leadership roles in this industry makes it even harder. There were times that I thought of not mentioning on our marketing materials that our company is female owned and managed for fear of not being considered on a project.

I had been in the construction and remodeling business since 1991. My background is in architecture and my husband used to be a property manager. We decided to start with a flooring company first in the state of Maryland but eventually we moved to Arizona in 2004 to be a part of the building boom. It was there that I had to dim my light, put my husband in the forefront as the environment was quite patriarchal. Many times clients would not even discuss anything with me and will speak directly to my crew leader (male of course) when they have questions. As an Asian-American female it was quite an awakening that misogyny and racism in the construction industry is very much alive. Such awakening, made us move to California. I told my husband I do not need to be treated special but just an equal.

I dusted myself up and start acknowledging my own strengths, resilience, and knowledge. I accessed all available resources for me, joined organizations, attended trainings. obtained certifications and established credibility with a solid business plan. My determination to prove that female qualities are quite effective in running a company such as mine, paid off. I realized that no one can dim my light anymore unless I allow them too. Yes, I risked making known that Project Build Construction and Interiors is female-owned and managed, I do call the shots, and lo and behold, potential clients call and tell me, they googled for female owned businesses and found me. They appreciated my story and felt that they would prefer and trust a competent female to design and remodel their precious home.

Maria, 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?

My story began in the vibrant landscapes of the Philippines, where my father, a successful entrepreneur, instilled in me the value of commitment and dedication to make a difference. The construction of our home in the suburbs of Manila ignited my passion for design and architecture. Growing up watching my father Valentino run a successful business with his courage, creativity, collaboration, and compassion, I knew I wanted to follow in his footsteps.

But life took an unexpected turn when tragedy struck, and I lost my father. His untimely death at 59 from complications brought about by his surgery, left a void in my heart, but I found solace in the memories of his inspiring work. Determined to carry on his legacy, I channeled my grief into studying and honing my skills and nurturing my love for design. Throughout my journey, I found strength in my mother Lydia’s resilience. My mother who is a pillar of support encouraged me to pursue my dreams fearlessly. With my mother’s unwavering love and encouragement, I ventured to the United States a land of opportunities, where I aspired to make my father proud.

In the United States, my talent and dedication to my craft became more evident. I met my soulmate, Calvin, a brilliant and compassionate man, who not only stole my heart but also became my partner in turning dreams into reality.

As we embarked on our professional journey together, my mother remained a guiding light, cheering us on from afar. My mother’s love for me fueled my determination to excel, and founded a successful remodeling business, creating spaces that intertwined beauty and functionality. Cal and I were able to convince my mother Lydia to move and live with us in Maryland and help us raise our two lovely daughters Meagan and Lauren. We wanted her to nurture and instill the same values to our growing daughters. In 2004, we decided to move to Arizona and be a part of the building boom, but life had other plans for us.

In 2009, after some tough years in Arizona, we moved to Orange County in Southern California. California has always been a part of our big dream. Our joy was boundless until fate dealt us another blow— in 2014 my mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Dementia and stage 4 kidney failure. We had no choice but to place her in a skilled nursing facility where she can have the 24 hour care and attention of medical professionals. In 2017, she passed away not because of Alzheimer’s Dementia or her kidney disease, it was a fall at the nursing home that ended her life. The pain was deep, but I drew strength from my mother’s enduring spirit. Inspired by my mother’s life and influenced by the challenges faced by seniors, I embraced a new mission—to design age-inclusive homes.

Calvin wholeheartedly supported my vision, and together, we delved into the world of age-in-place design to add to our services of designing, building, and remodeling kitchens, bathrooms, and entire homes. We combine aesthetics with accessibility, creating spaces that catered to the needs of seniors while preserving the essence of comfort and beauty.

As a builder and remodeler, my transformation into an age-in-place specialist was very meaningful to me, a reflection of the resilience and compassion I drew upon when I lost my mom. I am now a Certified Age in Place Specialist by the National Association of Home Builders. I know deep in my heart that my father and mother would be proud of the path I had chosen—a path that merged my passion for design with a deep desire to make a difference.

I want my legacy to live on in the homes we remodel including the age-inclusive homes we create, where love, memories, and the promise of forever reside. As our company continue to craft spaces that accommodate all generations, my journey from the Philippines to the United States becomes a story of hope, inspiration, and the enduring power of love.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

My reputation in the construction industry has been forged through my commitment to transparency, accountability, keeping our word, and unwavering integrity. These are the values that are the cornerstones upon which trust is built. Trust is the most important thing in my industry as the prevalence of a few unscrupulous contractors had made clients wary. I strongly believe in open and honest communication with clients and colleagues, ensuring that expectations are crystal clear and promises are kept. Accountability is our guiding principle, acknowledging mistakes when they occur and taking swift corrective action. Every single person in our company knows that our word has been our bond, and delivering on commitments is non-negotiable. Above all, integrity remains to be my compass, driving every decision and action. Over the years, these principles have not only built my reputation but have also nurtured enduring relationships and a track record of excellence within the construction industry.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Building a strong clientele in the construction industry takes time and dedication. There is no one single strategy, it is a combination of professionalism, exceptional quality of work, clear communication, establishing relationships in the community that will lead to word of mouth referrals. A strong online presence is a must now. People should be able to find you and get to know the services you provide.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.pbcgroupinc.com
• Instagram: @projectbuild_interiors
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/pbcinteriors

Image Credits
Photographer: Allison Greenlea of Darlings and Dreamers, www.darlingsanddreamers.com