When you hear the words “home contractor” does your mind immediately picture a brawny guy in a plaid shirt, dusty jeans, sagging tool belt and crumpled mesh cap? Don’t feel bad – that’s the “cultural norm” we’ve all been exposed to for generations. If you Google “home contractor,” 99% of the images that pop up are men.
As little as four years ago, about 13% of construction-related companies in the U.S. were women-owned, according to a study by Surety Bond Professionals. While steady progress is being made, the industry remains predominantly male-owned by more than a 9-to-1 ratio.
Which makes Julie Cowan’s story even more remarkable. You see, Julie has been the owner of a home contracting company since 1984, when she and husband Greg started Western Michigan Glass Block (which everyone calls WMGB). They’ve been installing glass block windows and walls, basement egress windows, energy-efficient vinyl windows and attic insulation for hundreds of customers in Grand Rapids and across the western part of the state ever since.
At the time, a female owner of a construction company was even more rare than it is today. But that did not phase Julie one bit. While she took charge of the “business” side of the operation, she also dug right into the work being done for clients.
“It was important that I knew all about what was happening in all aspects of the business,” recalls Julie. “I was not shy about getting my hands dirty, building glass block assemblies, doing prep work. I got pretty good at it.” Good enough to create a “glass block bible” that was a comprehensive guide to design, assembly and installation of WMGB’s signature product.
“I became the company trainer,” says Julie. “I taught all the new employees the skills they needed to do the job right, and to do it efficiently.” She still oversees quality control and works on improving employee skills.
Why is it important for a woman to own a business in a male dominated industry?
“A woman owning a business in the construction and remodeling industry challenges the stereotypes we have all grown up with,” says Julie. “It proves that success is based on skill, not gender.” And, while it may not be a measurable metric, Julie believes female ownership creates a more customer-oriented business. “We tend to be better, more empathetic communicators, which is important in a business where delivering quality service and building good relationships are essential.”
Next Woman Off the Bench
Julie has also trained daughter, Emily, on all aspects of WMGB’s business. That’s been an important mission for several reasons. For one, Emily is going to be the second female owner of the company. That transition has been accelerated for a very personal reason – Greg’s health.
“My Dad was diagnosed with fatty liver disease about five years ago,” says Emily. “The doctors gave him about ten years to live unless he had a liver transplant.” But Greg’s health failed at a faster rate than anticipated. Luckily, a liver donor was found, and he underwent a successful transplant operation.
“We are all so grateful that my Dad is on the mend,” says Emily. “But it means that our succession plan was moved forward a few years and I’ll be assuming control of the business sooner.” She’s ready, according to Julie.
“It’s not like it was 40 years ago when people were just not used to seeing a woman running a contracting business,” says Julie. “Emily is the perfect person to keep the legacy of WMGB alive. In fact, I have no doubt that she has some great ideas to make things even better for our customers and employees.”
For four decades, one of the local businesses that have been a key part of the Grand Rapids economy has been guided by a woman. The same traits that allowed Julie Cowan to build WMGB into the successful company it is today, as inherited by daughter Emily, will be applied to continue this amazing story for many years to come.
