In this episode of Growing Up B2B, host Ed Delia interviews Lisa Chowansky, President of HC Constructors, a New Jersey-based family construction company.
Lisa shares how she left a decade-long career at Johnson & Johnson to join her husband Harry's family business in 1997. Together, they grew the company from $400,000 to $20 million in annual sales by leveraging complementary skills, defined leadership roles, and disciplined growth. Lisa also discusses the challenges of being a woman in construction, building a strong company culture, developing future leaders, and planning for succession with two daughters now involved in the business.
102 - Blueprint for Change: A Woman’s Impact in Heavy Civil Construction with Lisa Chowansky
01:00:07
101 - Honoring Legacy: Rebuilding and Reviving a Family Business with Nancy Emiliani-Daugenti
00:44:12
100 - The Greatest Lessons in Sales, Leadership, and Resilience with Gary Delia
01:03:27
99 - Why Blending Human Workers with Smart Warehouse Tech Is the Future of Family Businesses with Humberto Rodriguez
00:31:42
98 - Balancing Tradition and Innovation: The Story of a Family Business Growing Beyond Pool Products with Cindi Heyen
00:42:20
97 - Customer-Driven Innovation: How GEMCO and APS Are Transforming Industrial Mixing Equipment with Casey Bickhardt
00:46:16
96 - Shaking Up Tradition: Transforming Into a Family-Owned Brand with Michael Rose
00:40:22
95 - Strategic Acquisitions: Expanding Reach in a Highly Competitive Market with Steve Holand
00:38:28
94 - The Human Element: Why Leadership and Training Are Key to Effective Security Solutions with Elisa Mula
00:53:30
93 - How Outside Experience Shapes Next-Generation Leaders in Family Businesses with Samara Ronkowitz
00:41:11
92 - Cultivating Future Leaders: Preparing the Next Generation for Family Business Success with Tom Garrity
00:47:46
91 - Beyond Inheritance: Rethinking Leadership in Family Businesses with Dhruv Pandit
00:45:54
90 - From Legacy to Innovation: The Journey in Reimagining a Family Salon with Michelle Renda Gill
00:34:24
89 - Double the Expertise: How Twins Realty Redefines Real Estate with Cherie Walters & Nicole Juarez
00:34:34
88 - Protecting the Legacy: Leading Family Businesses Through Critical Transitions with Mitchell Sharpe & Jenny Sharpe
00:48:07
87 - The Partnership Advantage: How Openness and Growth Create Long-Term Success with Steve Schneider and Todd Leonardis
00:46:59
86 - Trust, Culture, and Succession: Key Elements for Success in Family Enterprises with Paul Morris
00:48:50
85 - Succession Planning in Family Firms: Preparing the Next Generation for Leadership with Carl Gould
00:44:56
84 - Avoiding Legal Landmines: Proactive Strategies for Family Business Success with John E. Ursin
00:42:22
83 - Balancing Legacy and Change: Insights on Leading a Century-Old Family Business with Mitchell Kaneff
00:45:41
82 - Mentorship and Modernization: The Key Ingredients for Thriving in a Family Business with David Indursky
00:48:13
81 - Building a Family-Run IT Business: Strategies for Success and Client Loyalty with Samuel Crane
00:38:08
80 - Overcoming Skepticism: A Journey to Prove the Effectiveness of Natural Alternatives with Mark Wilson
00:45:21
79 - A Vision for Growth and Innovation in the Future of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning with Priscilla Worthing
00:38:48
78 - From Bagels to Business: The Unconventional Journey of a Family Business Entrepreneur with Scott Weintraub
00:50:36
77 - Passing the Torch: Creating a Lasting Legacy in Multigenerational Engineering Leadership with Chuck Becht IV and and Chuck Becht V
00:48:44
76 - The Family Business Playbook for Smart Financial Management and Long-Term Wealth with Joseph Dispenza
00:35:52
75 - Mastering LinkedIn and AI: Essential Tips for Family-Governed B2B Success with Al Kushner
00:27:56
74 - Work-Life Balance: Is It Possible When Your Family Business is Your Life? with Akshay Shah
00:50:49
73 - Breaking the Bottleneck: How to Empower the Next Generation in Family Businesses with Michael Palumbos
00:42:42
72 - Safety First: How AI is Transforming the Aluminum Extrusion Process with Jason Markijohn
00:33:48
71 - Make the Shift: How to Transition from Working in Your Business to Earning Passive Income with Ian Noble
00:40:47
70 - Authentic Leadership Uncovered: Why Leading with Heart Matters Most with Jay Suggs
00:35:52
69 - Legacy Leadership: A Purpose-Driven Journey in Pharma with Cheri Wilczek
00:32:34
68 - Navigating the Challenges of Succession Planning in a Multi-Generational Business with Kohler Coating's Mike Kohler
00:45:49
67 - Keeping It in the Family: Strategies for Successful Business Succession and Growth with Andrew and James Baumgardner
00:42:13
66 - Building a Mattress Empire: Lessons in Leadership and Partnership with Shovlin Mattress Factory's Ron and Kara
00:33:57
65 - Marketing Matters: Why Family Businesses Must Adapt to Survive Economic Cycles with GIS Companies' Eugene Gershman
00:44:04
64 - Balancing Family and Business: Insights from a Marine Veteran’s Entrepreneurial Journey with GetPayroll's Charles Read
00:43:06
63 - Family Business Drama: How to Avoid the "Who Gets the Keys?" Showdown with Gingold Advisors' Scott Gingold
00:46:02
62 - Crafting a Future: Blending Tradition and Innovation in a Family Flooring Business with Flooring Foundation's Brian Knaub
00:37:40
61 - The Evolution of HVAC: How Technology and Family Values Shape the Future with Meyer & Depew Co's Bobby Ring
00:45:11
60 - From Garage to Greatness: The Dynamic Duo Transforming Engineering Solutions with Jeff Kinsberg and Cristy Richards
00:55:29
59 - Sustaining Growth: Smart Sales Strategies for Family Businesses in Transition with Sandler Solutions's Cal Thomas
00:49:56
58 - From the Family Shop Floor to the Boardroom: Lessons in Growth and Grit with Concourse Land Transfer's Scott Rutkay
00:40:16
57 - Succession Planning in Family Businesses: Learning to Let Go and Grow with EPIC Results' Ed Dolan
00:37:11
56 - From Tradition to Transformation: The Digital Evolution of a Family Business with Harry Hoffer Advertising Specialties' Marcy Hoffer
00:27:36
55 - Aging Brilliantly: Redefining Work and Legacy in Family Enterprises with Vistage's Jerry Cahn
00:51:51
54 - Generational Wisdom: Lessons from a Family Business Leader on Embracing Change with Mica Corporation's Jaclyn Epstein
00:33:13
53 - The Hidden Costs of Wealth: Addressing Emotional Baggage in Family Businesses with More Than Money 360's Shawn Barberis
00:42:31
52 - The Evolution of Out-of-Home Advertising: Insights from a Young Industry Professional with Lamar Advertising Company's Conor Keough
00:35:47
51 - Hitting Home Runs in Business: Lessons from a Former Professional Baseball Player with Preferred Plastics & Packaging Co.'s Al Striano
00:48:22
50 - Thriving as the Next Generation: Leadership in Family Businesses with Delia Associates Branding & Marketing's Ed Delia
00:39:39
49 - Overcoming Communication Breakdowns: Keys to Family Business Harmony with Dr. Christiane Schroeter
00:50:04
48 - Her Journey, Her Power: Thriving in a Male-Dominated Industry with Knichel Logistics' Kristy Knichel
00:41:48
47 - Culture as a Competitive Edge: The Power of People in Business Success with World Wide Metric's George Contos
00:36:13
46 - Mentorship and Legacy: Transitioning from CEO to Vistage Chair in Business Leadership with Vistage Worldwide's Adam Blecker
00:45:49
45 - Humility and Growth: Lessons from a Third-Generation Family Business Leader with Gamer Packaging's Joey Gamer
00:49:54
44 - From Kitchen Counter to Corporate Strategy: A Family Legacy in Refractories with FRC Global's Dianne Detwiler
00:40:05
43 - Generations of Wisdom: Business Lessons from a Family in Packaging with Carolan Packaging's Joe Carolan
00:41:26
42 - Navigating Leadership Transitions in Family Businesses: Strategies That Work with EOS Worldwide's Sara Stern
00:42:24
41 - Top Innovation Strategies for Family-Owned B2B Manufacturing Companies with Bihler of America's Adam Nordmeyer
00:45:36
40 - Bridging Generations: How to Thrive in a Changing Market with Montrose Molders Corporation's Brendan Wilson
00:36:25
39 - The Greatest Challenges and Triumphs of a Family Business in Recycling with Utility Recyclers International's Sam Shine
00:28:02
38 - Preparing for Tomorrow: The Importance of Early Succession Planning in Family Businesses with Delaware Valley Family Business Center's Sally Derstine
00:40:35
37 - Succession Planning and Leadership Alignment: Keys to Thriving in Family Businesses with Basil Advisory Group's John Basil
00:38:57
36 - Building a Future: How Larson Tool Embraces Change While Honoring Its Past with Larson Tool & Stamping Company's Andrew Larson and Kyle Cederberg
00:41:12
35 - The Three-Tier Franchise Model: Revolutionizing Commercial Cleaning Operations with Anago Cleaning Systems' Adam Povlitz
00:37:25
34 - Embracing AI: A Vision for the Future of Managed IT Services with Data Lab and INVAR Technologies' Vadim Shelomyanov
00:46:21
33 - Balancing Tradition and Innovation: The Art of Family Business Leadership with Glen Eagle's Susan Michel and Rob Michel
00:48:43
32 - The Evolution of IT Retail: From Local Grocers to a National Tech Solution with IT Retail's Luke Henry
00:44:22
31 - From Printing to Packaging: Navigating the Future of Family Business with The Mid York Press' Kyle Tenney
00:54:06
30 - Profit vs. Growth: The Balancing Act Every Family Business Must Face with Fintelligent's Rob Ripp
00:39:25
29 - From CPA to Entrepreneur: Unlocking the Secrets of Meaningful Wealth with Wealthrive's Noah Rosenfarb
00:43:03
28 - The Best Strategies for Navigating Federal Procurement in Defense Contracting with NOMADICS' Nicholas DAmbrosio
00:45:54
27 - Leading a Legacy: How a Fifth-Generation Sibling Team Is Shaping the Future of Manufacturing with Brielle Freda and Tom Freda
00:38:31
26 - Scaling Family Businesses: How to Maintain Clarity and Communication for Sustainable Success with Defined Frameworks' David Forster
00:31:55
25 - Family Business Unlocked: Thriving with the Entrepreneurial Operating System with Marc Dispensa
00:37:52
24 - Timeless to Trailblazing: How One Family Business Rewrote Its Future with The Carby Corporation's Ken Ruh
00:35:37
23 - Family Feuds and Real Estate Dudes: Navigating Business with Your Siblings with Impact Growth Capital's Jesse Sells
00:35:33
22 - Building Relationships and Resilience: Lessons from a Second-Generation CEO with T.H.E.M.'s Neil Kozarsky
00:41:40
21 - Mentorship and Adaptability: Keys to Success in Family-Owned Enterprises with Mid Atlantic Packaging's Julie Rotuno
00:49:57
20 - From One Generation to the Next: Making Family Business Transitions Feel Effortless with Erin Marcus
00:46:42
19 - Pipe Dreams and Family Schemes: The Hilarious Truth About Working with Relatives with Contemporary Plumbing & Heating's Nick Galizia
00:32:59
18 - Built to Endure: Timeless Strategies for Preserving Family Wealth with Wealthrive's Peter Culver
00:41:27
17 - Keeping It in the Family: Why Running a Business is Like Herding Cats with Albert Paper Products' Mark Kenah
00:39:37
16 - Adapting to Industry Shifts in a Family Business Environment with Exothermic Molding's Paul Steck
00:37:56
15 - Shaping the Future: A Legacy in High-Performance Plastic Fabrication with L-E-M Plastics & Supply's Ellen Pietrowitz-Phillips
00:45:46
14 - Networking and Mentorship: Keys to Success in the Family Business Arena with Sheldon Gross Realty's Marcy Gross
00:31:47
13 - Legacy and Leadership: Lessons from a Third-Generation Beauty Industry CEO with Lady Burd Cosmetics' Samantha Burd
00:37:29
12 - The Family Business Tightrope: Balancing Tradition and Innovation with Sesame AI's Maya
00:22:21
11 - Balancing Tradition and Innovation: A CEO’s Perspective on Family Business Dynamics with The Knotts Company's Mark Howe
00:26:18
10 - Dialing Into Success: How One Family Turned a Call Center into a Legacy with Costa Rica’s Call Center's Richard Blank
00:39:48
9 - Preparing for the Big Exit: Insights for Family-Owned Business Transitions with PMCF Investment Banking's John Hart
00:33:36
8 - Navigating Family Dynamics and Professional Roles in Business with Rodman Media's James Zilenziger
00:40:25
7 - From Tool and Die to Plastics Powerhouse: A Family Business Transformation with CMG Plastics' Jens Duerr
00:36:44
6 - From Shop Floor to CEO: Navigating the Family Business Rollercoaster with Tight Lines Advisors' John Abplanalp
00:37:26
5 - How Family Businesses Successfully Navigate Generational Change with Gleicher Manufacturing Corp's Lisa Sanderson
00:29:01
4 - The Importance of Integrity: Lessons from a Family Business Leader with Gehtsoft's Ivan Gekht
00:26:43
3 - The Legacy of O.Berk: Ensuring Family Values in a Modern Business Landscape with O.Berk Company's Marc Gaelen
00:30:09
2 - The Family Business Dilemma: Earning Respect While Working with Dad with E&J Parts Cleaning's John Clark
00:27:19
1 - The Greatest Insights from Family-Run Businesses in B2B with Ed Delia