Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenadee Ramsey
Hi Kenadee, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I began my journey with a strong academic foundation, earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s in business administration with a focus on finance. Initially, I was drawn to forensic accounting, inspired by my love for numbers and problem-solving, coupled with a fascination for true crime and murder mysteries. However, my path shifted when I started doing some clerical work for my father-in-law’s construction company, Darden-Hines Design + Build. What began as basic office administration quickly expanded as I immersed myself in the financial side of the business, taking on bookkeeping and financial management tasks.
As I dove deeper into the business, I recognized the need to improve our processes and financial transparency. This led me to take QuickBooks training, which helped me refine our systems, gain a clearer understanding of our financials, and identify areas where we could be more efficient. My role grew further as I started exploring JobTread, a construction management software we integrated into our workflow. Through their training, I was able to optimize how we plan projects, track finances, and collaborate with both our team and clients.
What I quickly realized, however, is that to truly understand and leverage both QuickBooks and JobTread, I had to gain a deeper understanding of the construction industry itself. As we specialize in full remodels and additions, I found that success in this field requires not just financial expertise, but an in-depth knowledge of jobsite operations, project timelines, and the intricate coordination of subcontractors and vendors. Mastering both software platforms while navigating the complexities of construction has been a continuous learning process, but it’s also been incredibly rewarding to see how these tools have helped us streamline our operations, improve efficiency, and deliver better results for our clients.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The journey has been anything but smooth, but that’s to be expected in an industry as complex as construction. As a design-build firm specializing in residential remodels and additions, one of the biggest challenges has been mastering the intricacies of the construction process itself—understanding how a home is built, the trades involved, and the specific materials required at each stage.
A significant part of my role has been developing a cost catalog, which serves as the foundation for estimating, budgeting, and scheduling. This involves structuring budget templates tailored to our company’s operations and creating selection documents that account for the vast range of materials used in custom home remodels. Every detail matters, and accuracy is critical to both financial decision-making and project efficiency.
Ultimately, improving our operations means continually deepening my understanding of the construction industry while also leveraging creativity to refine processes that are unique to our company. Every construction business operates differently, and navigating those nuances has been both a challenge and an opportunity for growth.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At the core of my work is a deep commitment to continuous learning and process improvement. While my background in accounting and finance gave me a strong foundation, I quickly realized that excelling in the construction industry required a much broader skill set. I’ve actively sought out training in JobTread and QuickBooks, read extensively on construction financial management, and taken courses to deepen my understanding of accounting methods specific to this field. My goal has always been to bridge the gap between financial strategy and real-world jobsite operations—ensuring that our numbers don’t just make sense on paper, but truly reflect the realities of our projects.
What I’m most proud of is the tangible impact of these efforts. By refining our financial processes, implementing better cost tracking, and improving transparency, I’ve been able to provide our owner with clearer insights to make more informed decisions. Hearing firsthand that these improvements have made a real difference in how we operate is incredibly rewarding.
What sets me apart is my ability to take complex financial and operational concepts and translate them into actionable, easy-to-understand processes. Whether it’s structuring budgets, optimizing workflows, or troubleshooting inefficiencies, I thrive on problem-solving. The construction industry is constantly evolving, and I take pride in staying ahead of the curve—continuously learning, adapting, and finding new ways to improve how we work.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
For anyone just starting out, one of the biggest challenges is information overload. In today’s world, there’s no shortage of resources—books, online courses, forums, and countless articles—but sorting through it all to determine what’s accurate, relevant, and applicable to your specific situation can feel overwhelming. It’s easy to get stuck in a cycle of endless research, trying to find the “perfect” answer, only to realize that real-world experience often provides far more clarity than any amount of reading ever could.
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is the power of asking questions. No amount of online research can replace the insight that comes from talking through challenges with experienced professionals. Whether it’s asking a contractor about jobsite logistics, discussing financial strategies with an accountant, or reaching out to industry peers, those conversations often provide a level of understanding that textbooks and articles simply can’t replicate.
That’s not to say internet research isn’t incredibly useful—it absolutely is, and I spend a great deal of time learning from it. But it’s important to approach it with a critical eye, filtering out what doesn’t apply and focusing on what actually moves the needle for your business. The key is to balance learning with doing. Be willing to dive in, make mistakes, and refine your understanding along the way. The more you engage with the work firsthand, the more confident and capable you’ll become. At the end of the day, sometimes you just have to take the leap and figure it out as you go. After all, how hard could it be? Boys do it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.darden-hines.com/
Image Credits
Mo Sadjadpour
