Two years ago, I was fortunate enough to meet Stephanie Dailey — someone I had actually been following on Instagram for quite a while. Through our conversations as a custom home builder in Louisville, Kentucky, I learned about an incredible opportunity where women from all across the United States came together to build a home… built entirely by women.

As part of that event, there was a marketing professional there named Mollie Elkman. While watching the build take place, she became inspired by what all of these women were accomplishing together. By the end of it, she had the idea to create a children’s storybook called The House That She Built.

While I was there, I purchased one of the books, and I instantly fell in love with everything it stood for.

The message is simple but powerful — inspiring young girls to realize they can build too.

Not only as builders, but as general contractors, plumbers, electricians, drywallers, carpenters, architects, designers, project managers… anything they dream of becoming.

As many of you know, I have moments where I deeply miss having Jessie in my life. I often think about how much joy it would’ve brought me to include her in this world of building and design that I love so much.

Now don’t get me wrong — I am equally excited and thankful to have my son Hayden joining me in this business as our Project Manager. At the end of the day, it’s always been about family for me.

But becoming involved with the She Built Foundation felt like such a meaningful way to honor Jessie’s memory. To help spread the message that young girls belong in this industry too. That they are capable of creating, leading, designing, and building incredible things.

So now, I’m incredibly honored and excited to officially be a She Built Ambassador.

While I’m just beginning this journey, I already know it’s going to be something very special.

One of my very first events was visiting a local Girl Scout troop. I had the opportunity to share my story with them — how I became a builder, what my day-to-day life looks like, and what it’s like being a woman in construction.

Then I got to read The House That She Built to them.

Afterward, they asked the BEST questions. Their curiosity and excitement were honestly amazing to watch.

Then came the fun part.

I brought supplies like graham crackers, pretzel sticks, marshmallows, gummies, frosting, and other treats, and we challenged them to build their own houses out of the materials.

And let me tell you… their creativity was incredible.

Some tried building two-story homes. Some focused on making the strongest foundation possible. Others experimented with different “materials” to hold everything together. Every single design was unique, and it was so fun watching their little minds think through structure, stability, design, and creativity without even realizing they were learning real building concepts.

Moments like that are exactly why this foundation matters so much.

What’s really amazing is that this isn’t just a one-time event or idea. The She Built Foundation has created real programs and opportunities for young girls to explore construction and design careers in a fun, approachable way.

At the end of the Girl Scout event, the girls even earned a special She Built patch through the program.

There are also curriculum opportunities for schools from Kindergarten through 3rd grade, giving teachers tools to introduce construction, architecture, engineering, and design into the classroom at an early age.

And honestly… Once I started thinking about all the possibilities, my mind didn't stop spinning with ideas.

I’m so excited to continue growing this journey and sharing it with all of you throughout the year.

I’d love to bring young girls out to some of our job sites so they can see firsthand what I do as a General Contractor — but also meet the electricians, drywall crews, carpenters, plumbers, designers, and all the incredible tradespeople who make a home come to life.

I’d love to host events at tile and design showrooms where they can create mood boards and learn about selections. Or take them to a local lumber yard to build birdhouses or small projects with their own hands.

There are truly endless opportunities to inspire confidence, creativity, and possibility.

And I’m just so thankful to now be part of something that is doing exactly that.

So keep following along.

I’ll be sharing future events, fundraisers, community opportunities, and ways we can all help support the mission of getting more young girls excited about building and design.

And the best part?

This is only the beginning.

Mollie is already working on more incredible books like The Car That She Built and The House She Designed, and I cannot wait to see where this movement goes next.

Because building isn’t just about homes.

It’s about building confidence.

Building dreams.

Building opportunities.

And building the next generation.

🦋 Nikki