TODAY’S ENTREPRENEURS
Making SHIFT Happen In a Male-Dominated Construction Industry
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uilding quality developments. Community envolvement-revitalization. Partnership development. Employment development. As Margaret Lee what the tenets of her company are and this is what she will tell you. DesignStyles for LIVN provides full-service design-build and management services from start to finish. And as a Black woman in a male-dominated industry, Lee has forged a name for herself and her company. Part of her success lies in a mission statement that is focused on a cutting edge global brand with quality, integrity and accountability. DesignStyles is committed to helping revitalize communities while enhancing quality of life through affordable, safe and health environments.
What resources have you gotten from the EDGE so far that you want to share? The EDGE is unique in the service it offers, which has been a true source of support in helping me develop and grow my business. The resources provided were mentorship and industry mentorship, where I was partnered with a mentor in my industry. It also helped me create my first marketing materials, classes like life skills training, public speaking, business planning and continue business consulting. What was your “why” for going into business? My journey started when I was that child in school—a child with big visions and dreams. At nine years old, I started my first business by making key chains out of beads. That is when I knew I wanted to have my own business one day. As an adult, there were several things that
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SUMMER 2020 | ENBIZ MAGAZINE
made me want to take the leap. First, being black in Corporate America and the games that are played, like getting passed over for promotions even though you have more education and experience than the white person who landed the position. And then you have to train them to do the same job you are qualified for. It is hidden racism that is experience daily. Another reason was the lack of support I received when it came to having young children daycare age. For example, my children would get sick at different times. One time, one of my sons, who was 8 months old at the time, had an allergic reaction to a medication. I had to go pick him up from daycare and my boss asked me what was I going to do with him because they needed me at work. I told him I will have to take him to the doctor, and then take him home. A week later he fired me, gave me two week severance and a good reference.
