Leaders and rising stars, in their own words

At HBSDealer’s recent Top Women in Hardware & Building Supply event, several honorees were asked to share a few words of personal wisdom during the awards ceremony.

The list of topics included mentors, advice and meaningful aspects of the industry. Here are some of the highlights:

Ellen Erlenbusch, Dakota County Lumber
It's all about the people, right? My customers are the best customers. I'm sure you all say that. But mine are just the best. 

I started in this industry a little under three years ago and—you know, this is a hard industry to get into, right? I came from a finance background, and I didn't know anything about this industry. But they embraced me, our customers supported me, they trusted me, and we have the best relationship now. It’s been an amazing experience. My team and my coworkers are amazing, too. We make it fun every day.

Cicely Ware, Do it Best
This could really be a bad thing for giving me a mic right now [audience cheers]. 
But first of all, I wanna say thank you guys. This is an awesome event, and I really wanna thank Do it Best. I also want to thank my boss, my team, my best friend, Cherie, who's here too. And my boss Chris Beach, who's an advocate for me. He has stood by me. He's helped me through a lot and he's taught me so much.

Charla Lang, Metrie
In my life and my career, I have defined myself by being fiercely independent. In this room full of powerful women, I imagine many of you are the same. But in the last year or two, I've actually faced more significant challenges, both in my career and in my personal life. And the most powerful lesson I think I've learned is how to ask for help.

I think we misunderstand vulnerability as weakness. And what I've learned is that vulnerability is actually strength. Being vulnerable requires you to have courage to have confidence by embracing and exposing one’s inner self at the risk of being judged. 
It also fosters authentic relationships, which are so important, and it builds trust because you're trusting someone else to help you. It allows others to collaborate and contribute and innovate alongside you. But most importantly, vulnerability is really where the growth happens. And so I encourage you guys all to actually let down your guard a little bit as powerful, strong women, because you're here and you belong.

Junyi Eng, Arrow Fastener
I want to thank my CEO, Roberto [Izaguirre], and also my boss, Dave Donaldson, for their incredible support and encouragement.

So, it's truly an honor to be recognized this way, especially after less than two years with the company. So, and also for all and to all of you phenomenal women in this room, let's just celebrate tonight for all we accomplished.

Holly Kutcher, UFP Industries
The best advice I received was from my mentor and dear friend, Don James, who recently retired. 

What he always challenged me to do was to look at how to read a room and how to command a room.  We all know that business is fluid. You may walk into a meeting expecting one outcome, and something else occurs. But when you really are intentional and read the room, then you're able to pivot and get your message out. That's when people will stop and listen and hear what you have to say.

And in terms of commanding a room, I think it's really important to have thoughtful contributions. You want to really think through what it is that you want to say, whether you're at a board meeting, on a sales call, at an operations meeting or if you're just in the field, continue to master that skill of learning how to communicate effectively with strong conviction, while also being relatable and actionable. And when you do those two things, I'm confident that you'll succeed.

Huda Khan, CertainTEED Gypsum
If I had to sum up why I love my job, it would be empowerment along with the pride I take in the work I do. It’s about breaking barriers, building meaningful connections and showing that diversity drives success in our industry.  Women make up only 10.9 percent of the construction workforce, and to be here tonight is both a privilege and a reflection of the progress we continue to make. It shows how far we’ve come and reminds me of the importance of representation. This recognition is for every woman pushing boundaries in our industry. Together, we’re paving the way for the future.

Sarah Colpitts, Koopman Lumber
They gave me three topics to choose to speak on. But I’ve been going against the grain since I started nine years ago working with my father in a lumber yard. So, my advice to you, as a woman in the industry, is to carve your own path. Be you. Be tenacious. Don’t ever become complacent, because the moment you do, you will become replaceable. Everyone is waiting for you to just drop the ball, and be, ‘just a girl’ So, you need to be better at what you do than everyone else around you.

Our contributions should be met with the same recognition and respect that we grant to others. That is our standard, and we should demand nothing less. Respect should be a starting point – not an end goal.

This goes out to all the people who say ‘men do it better.’ I challenge all of you women to be the hardest working, most prepared, most confident and knowledgeable person in every room, whether it be in the office, in the yard or on the jobsite. Settle for no less than excellence, and the world shall be yours.

Afton Yount, Ridout Lumber Company
If you had told me a year ago I would be up on stage celebrating and sharing my story, I would have taken off running. So, here's to facing our fears!

 Meeting so many remarkable individuals in this field reminds me of the importance of pushing ourselves out of our comfort zones. That’s where the magic truly happens—when we dare to take risks and embrace challenges.

It’s important to remember that not every day will be perfect. Life has its rhythms of ebb and flow, and it’s in navigating these ups and downs that we find our greatest lessons. Each experience, whether good or bad, is an opportunity for growth. Embrace these lessons, for they shape us into the leaders we aspire to be. Together, we can create a future where women in hardware—and in every field—continue to break barriers and inspire generations to come.

Bree-Anna Maxwell, Weyerhaeuser
You all are a phenomenal sight tonight. Thank you.

Thank you to my superhero, my big sister, and to every woman who has been part of my journey – those who have stood behind me, pushing me forward, those who have stood beside me, who knew that I could do it and those who have lit the path in front of me. 

Thank you to each and every woman in this room, whether a sister, a mentor, a support system, a role model, a rising star or a nominee. We have all been all of these things for ourselves and for others at some point in our professional and personal lives. And I know none of us would be here tonight without someone else in one of those roles for us.