HELM Named Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year
We are thrilled to announce that HELM has been named the 2018 Vermont Woman-Owned Business of the Year.
From the SBA press release:
Mel Baiser and Kate Stephenson, owners of HELM Construction Solutions, are being recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration for employment growth, financial success, expansion and community involvement.
HELM Construction Solutions offers a wide range of services, but primarily works to help small business owners develop their companies and manage the construction of green buildings. With offices in Montpelier and Brattleboro, HELM Construction Solutions has over 50 clients throughout the country that include contractors, designers, institutions, homeowners and business owners.
"As a small but growing business, it is a huge honor to be named Woman-Owned Business of the Year. Our goal is to produce high performing businesses with a "triple bottom line", socially responsible approach and at the same time be part of creating high performance, energy efficient, and low-carbon buildings,” said Kate Stephenson, HELM co-owner. “We are also working hard to help bring more gender equity into the construction trades, which have traditionally had very low representation from women, transgender and gender non-conforming people."
The company was started in 2012 by Mel Baiser, HELM co-owner, as Baiser Construction Management.
To help get it off the ground Baiser attended the Vermont Small Business Development Center’s Start Your Own Business Workshop taught by Debra Boudrieau. During the workshop, Mel learned about writing an effective business plan, financing options, loan packages, marketing and the resources available to launching a successful business.
In January 2016, Baiser and Stephenson partnered and re-branded as HELM Construction Solutions. Since establishing their partnership, they have grown their client base, expanded their services, opened an office in downtown Brattleboro, and brought on employees.
"When we initially started this business in 2012 we never fully anticipated the demand. We're now working with over 50 clients across the country on a wide range of innovative projects and helping construction-related business owners balance the priorities of People, Profit and Planet as they grow their businesses," said Baiser. “Part of our mission at HELM is to revolutionize the building process one company and one project at a time. We particularly enjoy working with building owners to help them navigate through the complexities of construction be it permitting, selecting the team, cost planning and scheduling.”
HELM Construction Solutions will be presented its award during the 2018 Vermont Small Business Awards Ceremony cohosted by Vermont Business Magazine in June. The ceremony is open to the public and registration will be available in May.
“I remember when Deb Boudrieau told me about a construction management & consulting business starting up in southern Vermont and how impressive the business plan was,” said Darcy Carter, SBA Vermont District Director. “Now five years later, the owners have taken the company from startup to nationwide. It’s a great success story.”
Kate Stephenson, Mel Baiser and Erin Rennoldson of HELM Construction Solutions