Comments on: Oregon trailing national average in women-owned firms /news/2011/04/06/oregon-trailing-national-average-in-women-owned-firm-data/ Building and Construction News in Portland, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest Thu, 07 Apr 2011 15:45:07 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.6 By: Kathryn Merritt /news/2011/04/06/oregon-trailing-national-average-in-women-owned-firm-data/#comment-57239 Thu, 07 Apr 2011 15:45:07 +0000 /?p=70104#comment-57239 This article accurately reflects the experience my company had in the public/commercial industry when I tried to enter that market in 2009/2010. The general perception in Oregon is that diversity issues are well addressed through the State MWESB certification process and that certification provides opportunities for these companies.

In many cases that is true. However, success in this industry requires a huge amount of investment and for small companies this can be devastating. “Success” stories for women in construction are often stories of women owners who have purchased or otherwise gained control of already existing companies.

Women who start and try to build their own companies from inception continue to face incredible struggles.

I appreciated your article and the fresh perspective it presented.

Kathryn Merritt
President
Great Kate Construction Company

Principal
Ladder Up and Associates, LLC
Coaching/Consulting and Curriculum Development
Capturing Opportunities for Women in Construction

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