Nakaida’s Story: building a future for women in construction

Participating in the Road to Growth programme has been a valuable experience. My favourite part of it has been the opportunity to meet so many female entrepreneurs, hear about their struggles and learn from them. The programme has equipped me with the skills and knowledge needed to take my business to the next level.

At HKBL construction, we provide quality and efficient general construction services to our clients. Before joining the programme, I did not have a clearly defined mission or vision for my business. Since then, I have learned so much, such as how to better assess and manage my finances and improve my marketing strategy. I am happy to report that I have seen significant growth in my business as a result. 

One of the main challenges I have faced as a female entrepreneur within the construction sector is not having my voice heard or my opinion respected. This is a very male-dominated industry, and as a woman I have felt the need to continuously prove my knowledge and capability. I have taken a back seat many times and even allowed male colleagues within the company to take the lead at networking events, for example. The Road to Growth program has supported me in gaining confidence in my ability to lead and speak on behalf of my business.  

My main ambition as an entrepreneur is to pave the way for other women who may be interested in working in the construction industry, but who, due to gender biases and other stereotypes, have chosen other career paths. I am motivated to succeed, not just for me, but for other women in the industry. Being a woman in this field has its challenges, but it also has its positives. I’ve learned to take those challenges and turn them into stepping stones. 

It is important for the world to support women engineers, as we contribute to the economy of our country and bring a unique perspective to traditionally male-dominated industries.”