Small Business Spotlight: BlueTee Construction

Jennifer Washington leveraged Clark's Strategic Partnership Program to establish a solid foundation for expanding her business.

Jennifer Washington has always faced challenges knowing that what she learned along the way would only expand her capabilities. This mindset fueled her seemingly nontraditional path into commercial construction. By age 30, Jennifer had owned and renovated five homes. She also helped family and friends with renovation projects, which planted a seed in her mind that she could grow this emerging passion into a full-fledged business. 

In 2018, Jennifer founded BlueTee Construction, which focuses on interior finishes. She spent the first year in business expanding her network and gaining exposure to the industry. Even in those early days, she aspired to build a company rooted in integrity and transparency, with superior customer service. Despite her resolve, she did not receive a single contract award that first year. 

A resilient lifetime learner

Jennifer focused on continuing education courses until she reached a pivotal moment. “I remember being on a break in a training class when I refreshed my email and found out that BlueTee received its first contract award for a $100,000 project. I was ecstatic. In that moment, I knew my life would change.”

She walked away from that project proud of what she accomplished and empowered with important lessons learned, such as hiring for multiple skill sets and project management experience. 

During this period, she discovered Clark Construction’s Strategic Partnership Program (SPP). She credits SPP with enhancing her approach to estimating, identifying the best business opportunities, and positioning BlueTee for greater lines of credit. “Clark leaders have been cheerleaders for BlueTee since I enrolled in SPP. They provided a platform and connection to opportunities within the construction industry that I otherwise would not have been part of,” said Jennifer.

Showing up and delivering

Jennifer and her team recently celebrated BlueTee’s fifth anniversary. Since 2018, the company has completed more than 25 projects in various market sectors, including higher education, healthcare, commercial, and federal. Her company supported Clark in delivering Pod 6 for the Smithsonian Institution and Innovation Center at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. Today, Jennifer and her staff manage an expanding portfolio with five projects either under construction or in development.

A self-described “winner” and “finisher,” Jennifer knew how important it would be to build out a team that embraced those same ideals and values. As a small business owner, Jennifer is not short on perseverance, and her employees also rally during challenging periods. “Instead of being overwhelmed, I sit down with my team, set our priorities, and come up with a manageable plan. Seeing what they’ve accomplished at the end of a week helps them realize that they are winners, too!”

Creating a positive mark on the industry

As a native Washingtonian, Jennifer is proud of the legacy that she is building with BlueTee and its contributions to the city's rich architectural fabric and its workers. Her goals for the next decade include ramping up the company’s workforce by hiring additional local, women, and minority talent and funding employee development opportunities. 

Confident about BlueTee’s outlook over the next decade, Jennifer remains steadfast to the pillars that brought her success thus far: operating with integrity and transparency, providing the best customer service, and consistently exceeding client expectations. While the daily responsibilities of running a successful business can often feel like managing a checklist, she is reassured that each accomplishment helps position BlueTee for greater long-term success.