Today we’d like to introduce you to Adriana Mandt.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Adriana. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I graduated as a graphic designer when I was in Mexico and worked for many years as a junior designer. Life circumstances brought me to Dallas, where I started working as a head designer in a printing company in the Richardson area. I started my online t-shirt business and graphic design freelancing on the side. I’ve always been an adaptable person, so I don’t let a title limit my options when it comes to working or trying new things. I got married to a general contractor, and at that time we were living in Dallas, he was doing small remodeling for investors, and I was working as a graphic designer. I started getting involved in the company in the marketing and advertising area. I designed the logo, website, business cards, banners, signs, etc. and also created a marketing strategy to start positioning ourselves as a company and not a person. Work started booming for us, so we decided to go back to my husband’s home town, which is Sherman, TX.
Living in a small town wasn’t easy for me. Still, soon enough, I got involved in the Denison Arts Council, which opened a world of possibilities for my graphic design and getting to know people who wanted to make a difference in town by making art accessible to people. In the meantime, our construction company started to get busy, so I had to leave the council and a part-time job I had as a marketer. Working in construction isn’t easy, there’s too many aspects that have to be considered, and it’s a tough industry for a woman, but I love the challenge, and as I said, I don’t let labels define me or scare me. I’m fortunate to work with my husband and the “freedom” that being a business owner gives me.
I handle the accounting, interior design for some clients and our own spec homes, coordinate and schedule some of the trades work on the marketing and advertising (we got featured on the RIDGID website) and in some occasions I put my hands to work to give my mind a break from the numbers. I installed cabinet hardware today, for example.
I love that our company is local and helps in bringing work and business for people we care about. We have a great network and I can say that I never imagined being here, but I’m grateful for every day.
Keeping a balanced work life isn’t easy, but I try as much as I can. Among my hobbies are working out, running, rock climbing and yoga. I’m looking into becoming a certified teacher to give something back, that’s another story. I believe we are full of stories and no matter how boring or common we might think our lives are, there’s always something to be proud of, and I’m proud of how far I’ve come.
Has it been a smooth road?
It was a lot of learning and a lot of terminologies that I’m still trying to remember. There were days when I thought that I wasn’t cut for this, I didn’t want to be responsible or liable for messing something up, but then I realized that there’s responsibility in any job and if we live in fear then we will never do anything. My husband is a tough teacher, but so far he’s been great, he helps me anytime I have a problem.
Tell us more about the business.
We handle various aspects of construction: remodeling, new construction, and disaster recovery in the residential and commercial areas. We are proud of bringing business into town, employing good people, and what our clients say about us. We are a husband-wife company, we are young, personable and will always aim to keep our clients peace of mind. People know us for being fair to our tradesman, our subs and being fully transparent and consultants to our clients. If there’s something, they don’t know. We are more than happy to guide them.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
We are very concerned about the planet. We are both very outdoorsy. Construction is an industry that, when building in the old ways, it can be very destructive. People will always need a place to live, so our dream is to start the shift towards sustainable construction, and we would love to be pioneers in our area.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.buildingapex.com
- Phone: 903-213-2147
- Email: adriana@buildingapex.com
- Instagram: @constructionapex @spiritual.animal (personal)
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BuildingApex1
Image Credit:
Jenna Zapata
Michel Maza
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