Clark Recognizes Women-Owned Small Businesses Paving New Roads to Construction

Women play an increasingly important role in our industry and in the delivery of our projects nationwide. As part of Women in Construction Week, we are spotlighting a few of our women-owned small business partners that are shaping and transforming the construction industry.

For small business owners Ronda Jackson and Marti Hoffer, their stories begin the same way – turning passion for what they believe in into action. The two women, though located in different parts of the country and in different lines of work, ultimately share the same drive: to help others and bring lasting change to the construction industry.

Ronda Jackson, Décor Interior Design, Inc.

Ronda Jackson has always wanted to help people.

While studying to be a pediatrician, she was encouraged to take an introductory-level course in interior design. “It involved math, science, and creative thinking,” said Jackson. “I was hooked!”

Jackson launched Décor Interior Design from her dining room table in 1997. Today, the company has 25 employees. Based in Los Angeles, her company now does business in eight states and has completed over 3,700 projects. Over the years, her business portfolio has transformed from boutique residential to commercial design. “As long as it’s plumbed and electrified, we can do all of the interior outfitting – drywall, paint, flooring, furniture, fixtures, and equipment – you name it,” said Jackson.

In 2019, Jackson graduated from Clark’s Strategic Partnership Program – an experience that has already had a direct impact on her business. According to Jackson, her business has grown better at delegation and creating more accountability, improved communication with clients, and increased operational efficiency.

“I joined the SPP to better understand how Clark does business and how to better speak the language of general contractors,” said Jackson. “But what really made the course so memorable was that Clark didn’t tailor the classes to their point of view. The SPP really focused on the industry as a whole.”

For Jackson, there is no end to the potential growth of her business. With a vision of working on projects across the globe, she understands the importance of growing the team at Décor Interior Design to prepare for future projects. “I am the promise maker,” said Jackson. “But my team is the promise keeper.”

Marti Hoffer, Lumenomics

When it comes to finding ways to include more women in the construction process, Marti Hoffer is leading the charge.

Hoffer’s start in the construction industry over 30 years ago stretches back to her father’s window covering supply company. “When I thought about how I would succeed the legacy of my dad, I knew that new ideas wouldn’t come from the same old places,” said Hoffer.

Recognizing her position of privilege thanks to her family connections to the construction industry, Hoffer knew that her business would succeed by empowering those without the level of access she had been afforded. After so many years finding herself as the only woman and minority in meetings, Hoffer knew that a differentiator of her business would be to intentionally provide opportunities to the disadvantaged.

In September 2009, Hoffer launched Lumenomics – a play on “the economics of Lumens,” which is the homeostasis achieved from balancing electric and natural lighting for occupants. Lumenomics is primarily focused on the business of natural light – including windows, skylights, and tubular daylight devices. This includes window coverings, lighting controls, light fixtures, front-end design, and installation. In the last 10 years, the company has grown to 51 employees in eight different locations across seven states – with one employee located in Taipei, Taiwan.

“I’m a wife, a mother, and a lesbian,” said Hoffer. “From day one, I was super passionate about ensuring that we weren’t just a diverse business – but that our diversity encompassed our executive, leadership, and management roles. Today, 100% of our executives are minorities. Minorities also make up 98% of our leadership team and 72% of our management.”

Hoffer is currently enrolled in Clark’s 2019-2020 Strategic Partnership Program. “What has surprised me the most about the SPP is the passion of the individuals teaching us,” said Hoffer. “With Clark in my corner, I have a group that supports our vision to supply a breadth of products as it relates to illumination.”

Today, Lumenomics has a wide variety of projects – including the University of Washington’s Population Health Facility, the Lebron James Nike Building, and partnering with Clark on the construction of the Washington State Convention Center Addition.

Looking to the future, Hoffer envisions a future where Lumenomics rides the wave of innovation when it comes to lighting and illumination.