Adelante Construction Group

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jessica Wolak, President, and CEO of Adelante Construction Group, located in Chicago, IL, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

We are a certified woman and Hispanic-owned turn-key specialty contractor serving the commercial and government markets. Our customers include a diverse range of public and private sector clients needing safe, smart construction solutions.

Tell us about yourself

I am a proud Chicagoan raised on the city's southwest side and a UIC Law School graduate. Before starting Adelante in 2018, I worked as a construction attorney, facilitating projects across the country. My experience in construction and engineering firms inspired me to put my own vision into action. The vision was to rebuild the infrastructure of the communities of the City of Chicago. As a woman and Hispanic business owner, I value maintaining an experienced, diverse, and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities in which we serve. I consider myself a constant learner and am a huge proponent of continuing education in the field. I am a graduate of the HACIA/ComEd Future Energy Jobs Act Contractor Training program, the ComEd Diverse Energy Efficiency Service Provider Incubator Program, as well as the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment is performing projects that positively impact the communities of the city I call home. Some of our recent projects include the Green Era Renewable Energy and Urban Farming Campus. Adelante provided electrical construction services on this innovative project, which is a redevelopment effort in the underserved Auburn-Gresham area on the south side of Chicago. The nine-acre site will include a 7-acre farm and 13,000-square-foot greenhouse, allowing for year-round food production, STEM youth education, and training for local farmers and gardeners, serve as an incubator for green entrepreneurs and implement innovative technology in the form of an anaerobic digester.

Another notable project was the Fuller & Dubois Elementary Fire Alarm Systems – where we serviced bundled elementary schools furnishing and installing intrusion detection systems, emergency call and rescue systems, fire detection, and alarms. Projects like these reflect our core value of community improvement. They are something I am especially proud of as they leave the infrastructure in disinvested areas better than before.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

Starting your own business and transitioning from employee to employer takes a tremendous amount of self-belief. There is an inherent risk in being an entrepreneur, and unforeseen setbacks and obstacles can be especially scary when you are responsible not only for yourself but also for others' livelihoods.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Understand the value of mentorship both as a mentor and mentee, and know that you can serve in both roles regardless of the stage of your career.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: http://adelanteconstructiongroup.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adelanteconstructiongroup
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adelanteconstructiongroup/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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