She was told she couldn't build homes. Now she manages them.

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Breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field, Jan shares her remarkable journey from being told "girls can't be builders" to becoming a respected project manager in residential construction. Growing up in England with a builder grandfather, Jan always dreamed of constructing homes despite family discouragement. After establishing a career in nursing, she finally pursued her true passion by taking residential framing courses and boldly approaching construction companies—even offering to volunteer just to gain experience.

Jan's story highlights the power of persistence. After being initially turned down for a position, she continued reaching out until an opportunity opened. Starting as a crew member doing hands-on construction work, she demonstrated exceptional work ethic until a shoulder injury created an unexpected pivot point. Rather than leaving construction, she transitioned to material coordination and logistics, where her nursing background proved surprisingly valuable. The documentation precision required in healthcare transferred perfectly to construction project management.

Now leading teams of men and women alike, Jan embodies how transferable skills, life experience, and sheer determination can overcome industry stereotypes. Her perspective on the complex realities of construction management—balancing client needs, material lead times, and budgets—demonstrates that building homes requires far more than physical labor. For women considering construction careers or anyone facing discouragement in pursuing their dreams, Jan's path from field worker to project manager serves as powerful inspiration to make construction a first choice rather than a fallback option.

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