Erica Alexis, Founder, Owner, General Contractor & Lady Builder at Bridgeline Construction

Erica Alexis is founder, owner and a general contractor for Bridgeline Construction in Culver City, California. Alexis was inspired to go into the field by her grandfather, who was her best friend and one her greatest influences. She initially entered construction as a way to feel closer to him and to continue the family legacy he helped build with her great-grandfather. 

“What started as a connection to my grandfather ultimately became a purpose of my own,” noted Alexis. “What continues to motivate me today is seeing the impact of what we build. There is something incredibly rewarding about taking a vision that once existed only in someone’s mind and turning it into something real that people can live in, work in, gather in and enjoy. Construction gives you that rare sense of instant gratification: You can physically see what your work has created. Legacy and impact are why we continue to strive in this field.”

In the early days, she had the opportunity to renovate Simply Wholesome, a community staple that was also one of her favorite restaurants growing up. “Being able to come back as a builder and contribute to a place that had been part of my own childhood felt like a full-circle victory,” she said. “Another defining experience was being exposed to the ground-up construction of the LAX Airport police facility. Seeing the entire building process firsthand — particularly the complexity of the electrical systems — sparked my interest in expanding my career into the electrical field.”

These days, she is most proud of work directly connected to community impact. “Helping rebuild homes for seniors affected by the Altadena fires reminds me that construction can help restore stability, dignity and a sense of home after tremendous loss,” she said.

“Our work with the nonprofit LA Más renovating apartment buildings with the goal of preserving housing and reducing displacement and gentrification gives that same sense of purpose. These experiences remind me that builders do more than construct buildings. We have an opportunity to preserve communities, rebuild lives and create places where people feel they belong.”

LA Más has been helpful to Alexis in advancing her career. “LA Más works to prevent displacement, preserve affordable housing and help longtime working-class residents remain rooted in their neighborhoods,” she explained. “We have had the opportunity to grow alongside this mission with the support of organizations including LA4LA, The Center by Lendistry, Self-Help Federal Credit Union and LACAHSA. Together, we are demonstrating how developers, contractors, nonprofits, community organizations and financial partners can work collectively to preserve housing and create more affordable opportunities for Los Angeles residents. For us, the work is bigger than renovating apartment buildings. It is about helping families stay in the communities they helped build and doing our part to make Los Angeles a more affordable place to call home.”

One piece of advice she’d give her younger self is this: “I know you may love construction and have a passion for building, but if your goal is to become a successful business owner, you have to learn the business just as much as you learn the trade. Understanding finance, contracts, cash flow, estimating, operations, leadership and how to manage people is what ultimately allows your talent as a builder to become a sustainable company. Being great at construction can make you a great builder, but understanding business is what will help you become a successful construction business owner.”

To better support and retain women in construction, Alexis advises industry leaders to “hire women and give us the opportunity to prove ourselves. I started by volunteering for a contractor who eventually paid me and four years later signed off on the experience for my contractor’s license. That opportunity helped shape where I am today. To retain women, make sure they feel encouraged, respected and accepted. Eliminate sexual comments, flirting and assumptions that women cannot do the work. Give us the opportunity, show us we belong and let our work speak for itself.”

“To foster the next generation, representation matters. Young women need to see women of different races, backgrounds, ages and body types succeeding in this industry. When women can see themselves represented, they can begin to believe there is a place for them here, too.”

When she’s not working, Alexis is working out, spending time with family and friends, dancing salsa and tango, and traveling.