Advertise on podcast: Thriving in Construction with Patricia Bonilla

A strong relationship with one's workforce leads to increased productivity and improved results. When leaders have a good understanding of their employees and when employees have a good knowledge of their bosses, there are very few problems, and businesses become better places to work. And that's what Ms. Christine Yerkes, Certified General Contractor and CEO of Yerkes South Inc., did to build a team of trustworthy and loyal skilled individuals. Christine is our second guest in Season 03, Episode 02 here in Thriving in Construction, The Podcast. Although she had been on active duty in the Navy for more than 14 years and on reserve duty for seven years, Christine stays humble and considers courage as not the absence of fear but moving forward in the face of fear. "Somebody once told me a long time ago; Brave people are always terrified it's moving forward in the face of fear." What You'll Learn in this Episode: Tips for women on how to stay competitive in the construction industry. The significance of having a high level of trust in your people. How to find the right leader for the right job. Highly effective techniques that will make your business thrive even if you have no prior experience. Connect with Christine Yerkes on LinkedIn Connect with Patricia Bonilla on LinkedIn and learn more about Lunacon Construction Group Contact Lunacon Construction Group on LinkedIn

When they hear the phrase "US Army Corps of Engineers," many people might think about military personnel trained for war or peacekeeping services, although they are capable of doing so. Little did they know that the US Army Corps of Engineers serves as the backbone in the construction sector of the army or Air Force. They are the ones engaged in construction and other environmental remediation. US Army Corps of Engineers is also an environmental agency. In our first episode of Season 03 in Thriving in Construction, The Podcast, our guest is Antwinette LaShone Goodman-Cooper, US Army Corps of Engineers-South Atlantic Division, Regional Director for small business. She clearly explains the duties and responsibilities of the US Army Corps of Engineers and how they accomplished missions on time or before time, within budget or under budget. She explains the requirements for those who want to partner or handle their priorities' needs. LaShone, as she used to be called by her family and friends, believes that women should consider joining the construction industry for various reasons. And to quote her, "I've seen tremendous growth with women in construction…" You don't have to look like a man to be in the industry." What You'll Learn from this Episode: The role of a contracting officer Why it's essential to choose value over price The significance of partnering with people with the right mindset Why women should join the construction industry Connect with Antwinette LaShone Goodman-Cooper on LinkedIn Connect with Patricia Bonilla on LinkedIn and learn more about Lunacon Construction Group Contact Lunacon Construction Group on LinkedIn

As we see, the construction industry has a vast offering of informative podcasts. And here in Thriving in Construction, The Podcast, we aim to inspire and educate individuals from all walks of life through “the people behind the buildings.” These are thought leaders, experts, and thriving employees – men and women – who decided to share their knowledge and ideas for the benefit of our listeners. Whether you are new or seasoned professionals who desire to better understand how to further your career in the industry, Thriving in Construction, The Podcast is for you!

Just like Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends & Influence People,” the construction industry has no difference. Perhaps the most important guideline applicable in the field of construction is to be a good listener and encourage others to talk about themselves. And this is what makes Cary Shawn Ritch, Lunacon Construction Group’s Project Superintendent intermingle successfully with different people from different cultures. His approach to asking questions to his subordinates arouses a feeling of connection between him and his conversation partner. Started his construction business almost immediately after getting out of high school, Shawn shares his tough experience, particularly in the first three years of his business. He knows the challenges of getting contractors who will depend on you and trust you, particularly at the young age of 23. And to quote Shawn’s exact words when asked about how to be an outstanding superintendent, “It takes a lot. It takes dedication, patience, and understanding. You have to be able to problem-solve, you have to be able to deal with people, not only the owners but as well all the way down to the lowest labor on the protocol personalities. You have to deal with the individual as they need to be dealt with. And that's not always easy. There's a lot of people that are very difficult to deal with.” What You’ll Learn from this Episode: ·The importance of being a good listener · How to give honest and sincere appreciation to other people · Why you should avoid criticizing, condemning, or complaining. · Why sequencing and scheduling are effective methods to get people to maneuver and do the job.

Counselling and guiding business owners not to have legal disputes on the front end is in fact the work of a mediator. The goal here is to open your eyes as to what is possible that you might not be thinking of. On the other hand, it is the arbitrator who makes the final decision by choosing the right or wrong, the winner or loser. And that is how Attorney Lisa Colon, a certified litigator, arbitrator, and construction attorney and partner of Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP, explains each role. Certified as a Mediator by the Florida Supreme Court and as an Arbitrator by the American Arbitration Association, Attorney Lisa doesn’t always end up inside the courtroom. For her, resolution is a far better option than any battle inside the court. Though she fights courtroom battles every now and then, she holds to her principle of being part of her clients’ problem-solving method. "Resolution is a better way. I always say to my clients, I want to help you solve your problem. I want to be a part of your business and help you solve your problems. If you want just a person to go into court and fight your battle, I'm probably not the lawyer for you, I can do that. And I will certainly do it if we need to. But I see my role as being a part of your problem solving. Because what we need to do is just keep the project going, keep it moving, and get it built." Lisa Colon, lawyer What You’ll Learn from this Episode: The difference of arbitration, mediation, and litigation Why resolution is of utmost importance in any conflict Other factors to consider when we talk about diversity and inclusion The significance of having a mediator and arbitrator Connect with Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP on LinkedIn Learn more about Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP Connect with Patricia Bonilla on LinkedIn and learn more about Lunacon Construction Group Contact Lunacon Construction Group on LinkedIn

Effective communication skills are critical for ensuring that you understand information accurately and quickly. In contrast, inadequate communication skills frequently result in misunderstandings and frustration. It may take a lifetime to master communication skills—if anyone can ever claim to have mastered them. There are, however, several relatively simple things you can do to enhance your communication skills and ensure that you can effectively transmit and receive information. And that’s what our guest expert here in Season 02, Episode 12 of Thriving in Construction, The Podcast, tackles about. Attorney Edgar Belaval of Belaval Law here in Miami, Florida, has extensive trial experience in construction, real estate, contract, commercial and liability cases, starting from inception to trial. “So, I think the most important message that anyone should take from this podcast is the importance of communication, and documentation in every aspect of construction, whether it's a change, whether it's a schedule, whether it's who's going to be where, whether it's when do we start, or any issues that have come up, communication is the most important thing.” -Attorney Edgar Belaval What You’ll Learn from this Episode: ·  The three vital components of an entire construction process. ·  The most important thing about communication ·  How women affect the world of construction ·  The advantages of joining the construction industry over other sectors Connect with Attorney Edgar Belaval on LinkedIn Learn more about Belaval Law, PLLC Connect with Patricia Bonilla on LinkedIn Learn more about Lunacon Construction Group

It is not uncommon to learn that many of our younger generations have exceptional potential. Unfortunately, they can't pursue their passions to college because of the main challenge - money. There is an old adage that "being rich means never having to think about money." Although the source of that quotation has been lost, it remains as accurate as ever—and for far too many students and families, the opposite is also true. If you're having financial difficulties, money is constantly on your mind. And our guest in our 11th Episode here in Thriving in Construction, The Podcast, Ms. Cindy Martin, CEO and Managing Member of CINKA Construction and Consulting Services LLC, had also experienced the same struggle. But what makes her exceptional was when she took the problem as a challenge and overcame it by joining the Air Force military - all for the sake of a college education. Then the rest is history. "And now, there's a number of firms that I know, including Lunacon, that are women-owned and very successful. It has a large degree of professional women working with them both from an engineering estimating standpoint. So, I think it's grown. But I think there's a lot more work that can be done. I think in regards to I always say that not everybody is set up to get a four-year college degree, but there's a lot of trades out there where women would be good at." - Cindy Martin What You'll Learn from this Episode: How challenges and opportunities make you who you are The importance of sacrifice to attain a better work-life balance in the future The role of women in the construction industry; now and then The different trades where women would be good at Follow Cindy (@smscmartin) on Instagram Learn more about CINKA Construction and Consulting Services, LLC Connect with Patricia Bonilla on LinkedIn and learn more about Lunacon Construction Group Get in touch with Lunacon Construction Group on LinkedIn

No doubt that construction is a very high-stress and high-schedule-driven industry. Unfortunately, people seldom talk about the challenges they are facing. Instead, most individuals in this space pretend to be happily contented and comfortable. But as a leader, Dr. Annie Mecias Murphy, Co-Owner & President of JA&M Developing Corporation, believes that it is her duty to listen and show kinder words to employees, workers, and family members. As our guest for our Season02, Episode10 here at Thriving in Construction, The Podcast, Annie shares her experiences in facing countless challenges and her view about the importance of being honest to ourselves. For her, nothing beats honesty to oneself, considering the reality of construction as a very high stressful industry. "So that requires discipline and discipline in every aspect. It's about keeping a balance with emotional, physical, mental, spiritual; all those areas make you as a person." - Dr. Annie Mecias-Murphy What You'll Learn from this Episode: The importance of honesty to yourself and others Why discipline is crucial for the success of one’s growth How to keep a work-life balance in the construction industry Why construction is well worth the effort compared to other industries Connect with Dr. Annie Mecias Murphy on LinkedIn Learn more about JA&M Developing Corporation Connect with Patricia Bonilla on LinkedIn Learn more about Lunacon Construction Group

He started working as a laborer in the construction industry at the early age of 13. Though he wanted to be a marine biologist, fate and necessity pushed him to work in construction. And that is Emilio Criado, Lunacon Construction Group’s Vice President. From being a laborer, he became a carpenter and eventually climbed up the ladder to become a foreman, assistant superintendent, and finally, superintendent. However, things were not smooth along his journey. But with the twist of fate, a woman helped him change his role from laborer to a carpenter. And the rest is history. Our next episode here in Thriving in Construction, The Podcast, is full of perspectives about the importance of women in the construction space. Emilio emphasized their significance and how men’s perceptions changed over the years. He also pointed out the very reason why there is such a high risk of danger working before in the construction. “I saw that more and more women were getting into the business. And more and more women were qualified and had leadership roles, not only in business in construction but also in other businesses. I had noticed that more CEOs were women. More women were in leadership positions that were running companies. Call it an awakening, whatever you may want to, but I believe that for me, I saw the value specifically when I started meeting more project manager women in this business, and I noticed that they cared more about their projects in some cases than the men.” - Emilio Criado What You’ll Learn from this Episode: The reasons preventing men in the construction field from voicing when they need something. Why are there many women in the leadership role in the construction space? The secret for success in the construction industry. Why do so many companies fail within their first five years? Connect with Emilio Criado on LinkedIn Connect with Patricia Bonilla on LinkedIn and learn more about Lunacon Construction Group Get in touch with Lunacon Construction Group on LinkedIn

"Setting the ground for yourself" means preparing the ground for a future course of action or development, making it easier for it to happen. But how do you set the ground? Our guest for Episode 08 here in Season 02 of Thriving in Construction, The Podcast, is a very successful professional who started her career in the construction industry as an office secretary. Ms. Vanessa Bermudez, Principal of Business Development at TLC Engineering Solutions, shares her day-to-day responsibilities when she started her passion for marketing and business development that eventually led her to become the Business Development representative and principal of TLC. However, the road to her success is not as easy as you might think. For her, the biggest challenge is to be resilient. She's fully aware that most women find it challenging to balance a personal and professional life, not to mention that some people think women cannot do both. "On whatever you decide, I think you have to set those grounds for yourself to see where you want to be in five years, and maybe you won't do it in five years. But maybe you are going to be a project manager in 10 years. How do you want to balance your life? For me, the most important thing is that you set those guidelines, not somebody else has it for you." – Vanessa Bermudez What You'll Learn from this Episode: The importance of setting the ground for yourself and how to achieve it The significance of showing your value to people Why the company culture is more important than moving around to earn more money? How building relationships becomes vital in bringing opportunities for you and your company? Connect with Vanessa Bermudez on LinkedIn Learn more about TLC Engineering Solutions Connect with Patricia Bonilla on LinkedIn Learn more about Lunacon Construction Group

To make change happen, you must find the strength necessary to initiate and finish the transformation. It's all about faith, energy, and commitment because the difficult part is the process, not the beginning. There will always be distractions and disagreements, lows and blows. Still, actual change occurs when a focused obsession with achieving it exists. And that’s what Ed Campany, Founder, and CEO of Campany Roof Maintenance, LLC did. From being an outcast when still a tiny child raised with a poverty mentality to taking up all forms of addiction – name it, and probably Ed had already tried it. But God is good. He has a better plan for all of us – and Ed! When the devastating 9/11 happened, Ed experienced the worst thing in his business life. Aside from a four and half-million-dollar loss, all his company’s contracts were locked up. But faith made Ted a steadfast person. And together with his conviction and effort, miracle after miracle happened to carry them through financially. What You’ll Learn from this Episode: How to utilize the power of faith. Why flexibility is of utmost importance in the construction industry. What’s the principle behind giving and sharing? What is poverty mentality, and how to get rid of it? Connect with Ed Campany on LinkedIn Visit Ed’s Campany Roof Maintenance website Connect with Patricia Bonilla on LinkedIn and learn more about Lunacon Construction Group Get in touch with Lunacon Construction Group on LinkedIn

To build something, you have to make some decisions and prioritize. Even if you don’t choose, you have to do it. And this is what Daphne Gurri, Founding Partner and President of Gurri Matute PA, did during her challenging years. Before starting her business from scratch, with no money in hand, Daphnee had already gone through two or three layoffs in the 1990s. Becoming tired, she told her husband Jose that after the fourth attempt, she was done. She’s going to start her own business and see how it goes. Then the sacrifices have just gone ultimate. The pain of not being able to be there with her children at all times is one of the challenging things. Beating a physically impossible timeline is just another thing. But the worst part was leaving their children, who at that time aged three and one only, by the window. Daphnee believes that one should be able to make a tremendous amount of personal sacrifice and eventually embrace the changes taking place, which is one of the reasons why a lot of businesses don’t succeed. Finally, you’ll learn to trust in other people to build a team so you can allow yourself the ability to take the needed time off. “The first thing is that you should not carry the idea of being the victim in your head. If you have that in your head, you’ll never be going to move forward. You cannot have that negative feeling. Throughout the process, I did struggle. I did have issues where men in the industry did not respect me. But you have to be strong and brush those things off. Then ultimately, prove your intelligence, experience, and passion to people. Through all those things together will make you successful.” – Daphne Gurri What You’ll Learn from this Episode: How to diminish all the negativity that surrounds you? The importance of building a network of people when you embark on any business. Why energy and sustainability should go together? Why is it important to embrace changes to move forward? Connect with Daphne Gurri on LinkedIn Connect with Gurri Matute PA on LinkedIn Connect with Patricia Bonilla on LinkedIn and learn more about Lunacon Construction Group Get in touch with Lunacon Construction Group on LinkedIn