ABC-SEMI Issue 2 2019

Southeast Michigan Contractors  Issue 2 2019 11 As account representative for Daly Merritt, Demers gets to work with some of the top contractors in the industry. Although she writes insurance for almost any type of business Demers specializes in providing insurance assistance specifically created for contractors. “I love working with contractors,” admits Demers. “They are just some of the best people. They work hard and are no nonsense individuals who know what they need. Luckily for me I have great insurance options geared for their companies. It is hard to explain but obviously like most things insurance is not a one size fits all—so we need to be able to tailor a product to fit our client’s needs. I am fortunate at Daly Merritt to be able to do that.” Like the insurance industry, the trade industry is a male-dominate business, but one she had been able to skillfully navigate. In her travels meeting with contractors she is often met with a skeptical look, but once they realize that Demers understands their business and have a solid knowledge of what they do she finds the fact that she is a woman wears off quickly. “Sure, I get a few strange looks when I walk in the door,” said Demers. “But it doesn’t take me long to earn their respect. My husband is in the trades and I have made a point to understand the work my clients do in order to better serve them. These companies are very much concerned about the safety of their employees and their bottom line. If we can fill their insurance needs and help them reduce liability and increase their ability to win bids and earn money—they are not concerned who I am let alone if I am a woman.” It may seem like a common theme but many in business get their start from working with family—Starke is no different. She credits her time spent working in her father’s road building company (Carlo Construction) with giving her the foundation to start her own company. “Oh, I suppose I had always envisioned going into the business one day for myself,” said Starke. “When the economy plunged in 2008, and my father closed his trucking business I guess it gave me the urgency to make a go on my own. We started small with a few trucks, but I knew we could make this work—it really is the struggle that makes it all seem worth it. I took our old client list and started calling and remember many of them asking is your Dad getting back into the business and I said ‘no’ but I am.” Starke recalls a few questions about her being a woman in the trucking industry, but so many of her first clients were old clients of her fathers that she really was spared a lot of awkward questions in the beginning years. Working out of a temporary trailer office for several years, LaFemina in 2015 built a As one of the few women-owned door companies in the United States, Florn takes her position in the industry with a grain of salt. She is the first to admit the fact that she is a “woman” is not so important—the fact that she is a business- woman is much more important to her. “Well, being one of a few women-owned door companies won’t matter if we don’t do quality work,” said Florn. “Sure, I am a woman, but I am a business owner and we live and die by our reputation. The quality of our work must be good. No one is interested in hiring a bad company whether it is owned by a woman or not.” Working with her husband, Doug, Florn is the engine that keeps Altech Doors running. She prides herself on maintaining tight deadlines and ensuring that when they say a job will be done it is done right the first time. She even extended emergency service and repair for off business hours to accommodate any situations her customers may need addressed. “Business doesn’t stop at 5 PM and neither do we,” said Florn. “I believe that when products are all relatively the same—it is the quality of your work and service that set you apart. We have worked hard to make sure that we do the best work possible. I would like to think that my daughters may one day follow me into the business, but even more so that they see that anything you set your mind to with hard work is possible.” Sheryn Florn Owner of Altech Doors Deb Starke Owner LaFemina Trucking Stacy Demers Account Representative Daly Merritt continues m