Today we’d like to introduce you to Laurie Dodic.
Hi Laurie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My business partner and I worked retail together back 15 years ago. Josh then went on to work for a general contractor as Director of Operations. I followed him there and became Director of Development. The owner of the company wanted to sell us his business. After discussing it with a lawyer, we decided it was a bad investment – the owner was overextended, not paying his bills, doing unethical things, etc.
We decided there was nothing keeping us from going out on our own and do things the right way.
We started our company in January of 2016.
In July of 2022, my business partner, Josh was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in August of 2024. We had a buy sale agreeement so I became sole owner.
I have a terrific team that helps me everyday!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest struggle was Josh becoming sick with cancer. We had always done everything together – ate lunch together every day, made all our decisions concerning the business together, handled clients together, etc.
Learning how to do this on my own has been the biggest adjustment.
Other struggles include clients that don’t pay on time or at all and dealing with clients on a day in basis.
As you know, we’re big fans of JM Construction Solutions. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We have been in business for commercial general contracting for 10 and a half years. We specialize in building restaurants but also do retail, salons, exercise studios and municipal projects.
I think our attention to detail and being a nimble organization sets us apart – we are able to cater to our clients’ needs while still adhering to a budget, timeline, and safety. And we pay our bills!
I am most proud of the restaurants we have built and our satisfied clients. Also, I believe we have the best employees and believe in the strength of team work.
Business owners should know that there is a terrific general contractor out there that listens to their needs and adjusts accordingly.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Advice for someone starting out would be – find a business partner or a team you can trust. Find mentors and listen to them.
I wish I would have listened to my gut more frequently when first starting out. Usually, your body will tell you if you are on the right path with a decision. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jmconsol.com
