Negocios Now

www.negociosnow.com 10 Octubre 2022 Chavarria-Torres says she gained the attention of Ster- ling Bay through networking and maintaining a relationship with Walsh Construction and the Hispanic American Cons- truction Industry Association (HACIA), an organization that advocates for the growth of minority-owned women businesses. She says building connections is vital for anyone attempting to establish them- selves in this industry. "Definitely get connec- ted with organizations that can help you meet the right people, networking is everything and building rela- tionships," she explained. Earning a significant con- tract didn't come easy to DCH Construction. Howe- ver, Chavarria-Torres is honest about her journey and the struggles she faced in building her business as a 22-year-old single mother. "I don't come from connec- tions. Honestly, every custo- mer that I have, I have earned every single one of them by knocking on their door to ask for an opportunity. So I think that the hardest thing for me one, was that I was a woman, but I was also a very young woman," she said. "I had to build my reputation." In her words, Chavarria- Torres used her savings to buy the "dinkiest" trailer and spent three years pitching herself to contractors before finally landing a gig with Wal- sh Construction. She credits her persistence and honesty to getting her foot in the door. "I didn't tell them I can take on the whole job, I just told them if I can get a piece of that contract, [and] perform well at my capacity, that's all that I wanted," she said. This transparency esta- blished her reputation in the industry. "They always know if Jea- nette says that she can get you 10 trucks, she can get you 10 trucks and if I say I will get you 50, I will get you 50 trucks. I've learned what my capacity is and I don't over- commit," she explained. Success in this field meant more to Chavarria-Torres than just establishing a business. It was a redemption story. Her involvement in the industry came at an early age. Her father also owned a trucking business but faced challenges due to his langua- ge barrier as a native Spanish speaker. She says that as a 10-year-old girl, she helped him complete his paperwork, which branched into a pas- sion for trucking as she grew older. Her father eventually lost his business and filed for bankruptcy after a deal with a contractor fell through. "I decided then in high school that I was one day going to open a trucking company to kind of redeem ourselves from what happe- ned," she said. When she approached her father with the idea, he stressed the importance of education. "Under one condition that he would one day help me was that I needed to come home with a 4-year degree in business and accounting," she said. She followed through with her promise, earning a 4-year degree in Business Admi- nistration, and a minor in Accounting from Dominican University. She says that although her parents are not verbally expressive, she knows that they appreciate her hard work and dedication. "I know they're proud of me and I just want them to know that all their sacrifices and what they left behind in Mexi- co were worth it because it gave us a better life," she said. Barrett also expressed admiration of Chavarria- Torres' journey and empha- sized the importance of minority representation in all industries. "We're always happy to be able to collaborate with firms such as Jeanette's that have such an inspiring story of how she's been able to trium- ph and continue to move forward… I always say young people aspire to be what they see. So when they see indivi- duals that look like them, it gives them a sense of hope and it broadens their lens to know what opportunities exist for them," she said. Chavarria-Torres hopes her story motivates others to pursue business ventures despite the difficulties. She said, "I want other people to see that you can make it even though there's a lot of obstacles. I don't like to say obstacles, challenges, but I don't think there's a challen- ge that I have not been able to conquer. You just figure it out." Although there were many obstacles along the way, DCH Construction has grown from one "dinky" truck to now owning six. It has expanded its subcontracting area, allowing for collaboration with other women minority-owned busi- nesses, and has earned a half- million-dollar contract with one of the largest real estate firms in Chicago. Chavarria- Torres hopes this experience creates a lasting relationship with Sterling Bay. "This is my first big, private job so it's a huge honor for me to just be part of the Lincoln Yards project and I'm very thankful for Walsh Construc- tion and not only them, but Sterling Bay that have really opened the doors to want to see me succeed, and I know that this is just the beginning of many projects that we'll be on together," she said. " I don't come from connections. Honestly, every customer that I have, I have earned every single one of them by knocking on their door to ask for an opportunity. So I think that the hardest thing for me one, was that I was a woman, but I was also a very young woman. I had to build my reputation." Keiana Barrett, Sterling Bay, and Jeanette Chavarria-Torres, DCH Construction & Hauling talk as work is underway.

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