Yahara Vasquez of Built by Her Construction: Building on Her Terms
Take a break, we’re on Smoko. In this episode, I sit down with Yahara Vasquez, a second-generation carpenter and the founder of Built by Her Construction. Yahara’s journey is one of persistence, vision, and challenging the status quo in the construction industry.
Yahara grew up in a traditional household where gender roles were clearly drawn—men worked, women stayed home. But from an early age, she knew she was destined for something different. She pursued a degree in architectural engineering and followed her passion for carpentry, eventually founding Built by Her Construction in 2021. Her company focuses on creating custom, distinct homes—not cookie-cutter builds—with an emphasis on structural integrity and thoughtful design.
“Built By Her Construction is my answer to balancing work and motherhood on my terms.” – Yahara Vasquez
In this conversation, Yahara shares what a typical day looks like as a working mom and contractor—from school drop-offs to tiling and framing. She talks about how entrepreneurship gave her the flexibility to design a career that works with her life—not against it. We also unpack the admin side of running a business and the grit it takes to lead construction projects while raising a family.
Yahara opens up about the challenges of navigating a male-dominated industry, including the stereotypes she’s faced and how she finds strength in her network of fellow contractors and friends. Her commitment to empowering other women is front and center as she shares her plans for hosting “Women Build Days”—hands-on events where women can learn framing and construction skills in a supportive environment.
It’s a powerful episode about self-determination, craft, and community—told through the voice of a builder who’s reshaping what leadership in the trades looks like.