Let’s face it: commercial construction isn’t exactly known for its high percentage of female leaders—in fact, women make up less than 10% of the entire industry workforce. It’s even less common to find a former school teacher calling the shots.

But that’s exactly what Jill Maenner, co-owner of Ternion Builders, did.

In our latest episode of the Not Your Typical Business podcast, Jill shares how she transitioned from education to commercial contracting, the reality of the “small business grind,” and why your past experience is worth more than you think.

The Ultimate Transferable Skill: Managing Classrooms vs. Job Sites

Jill didn’t spend her youth studying architecture or engineering. She spent a decade in education. But when she and her husband founded Ternion Builders in 2016, she quickly realized that the skills required to run a successful classroom are exactly what it takes to run a successful business operations team.

• The Chaos Factor: Both environments require high-level adaptability, strict scheduling, and clear, assertive communication.

• The Takeaway: Don’t count yourself out of an industry just because your resume doesn’t match the traditional mold. Your “unrelated” background might actually be your secret weapon.

Escaping the “All the Hats” Small Business Trap

In the early days of Ternion Builders, Jill and her husband did what every scrappy entrepreneur does: everything. From accounting and marketing to project management and operations, they were a two-person army.

While that hustle is necessary at launch, Jill warns that staying in that phase too long will stunt your company’s growth.

“You have to recognize your strengths and weaknesses early. Building a team isn’t just about lightening your workload; it’s about hiring specialists who can do the things you aren’t great at, so you can focus on what you actually do best.”

Flashback: Advice to a Younger Jill

If Jill could time-travel back to 2016 when the company was just a stack of paperwork on a kitchen table, here is the unfiltered advice she would give herself:

• You actually do know what you’re doing. Imposter syndrome is real, especially in a male-dominated field. Trust that your leadership skills are enough.

• Embrace the pivot. No two projects, clients, or days are going to look the same. Flexibility is your ultimate superpower.

• Outsource the draining stuff early. Don’t spend hours frustrating yourself over taxes or marketing if you can afford to hire an expert to do it in twenty minutes.

Key Takeaways for Your Own Business Journey:

1. Own your unique background. It gives you a perspective your competitors don’t have.

2. Delegate before you burn out. You can’t scale a business if you’re stuck doing data entry.

3. Build a network of experts. Surround yourself with people who fill your skill gaps.

Want to hear the full story? Catch the entire conversation with Jill Maenner on the latest episode of the Not Your Typical Business podcast.

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