Following college and a background in digital marketing, Imani Gray changed course and founded Gwendolyn’s Construction in 2022. Inspired by his handyman father, Imani started the business to focus on residential construction.
The early days of Gwendolyn’s Construction were characterized by learning and exploration. In addition to learning from his father, Imani took advantage of the external resources available to him, beginning with support from the Pitt Small Business Development Center (SBDC). He was then encouraged to enroll in Riverside Center for Innovation’s BizFIT program, business training focused on those in the construction services industry. This decision marked a pivotal step in his entrepreneurial journey, providing him with the tools and insights necessary to succeed in the competitive worlds of residential and commercial construction.
Starting a business in construction revealed many surprises for Imani. He encountered the barriers to accessing bid opportunities and that opening some of those doors were harder than others. Additionally, he learned the nuances of contracts and documentation and the critical importance of developing a robust network. Recognizing the need to expand his connections, Imani joined Community Power to Prosper, a program designed to build on the foundation laid by the first two tiers of BizFIT. This move was strategic, aimed at broadening his network and enhancing his business setup.
Imani credits Community Power to Prosper with providing essential benchmarks and a level-setting framework, enabling him to compare his business with similar enterprises. The program also served as a connection point with alumni, including Tina Daniels, a BizFIT–CP2P 2020 graduate, who has been a key figure that has helped him forge valuable connections and learn from her experiences in the construction business world.
Looking to the future, Imani’s next goal is to scale up Gwendolyn’s Construction. He is targeting larger bids and jobs, aiming to expand the company’s footprint and impact. His advice to those considering enrollment in Community Power to Prosper is to actively participate in the classes, noting that the engagement level directly correlates with the knowledge one can gain.
