Seymour says construction is always evolving and since
no two projects are alike, you have to take something from
every job, every co-worker and every client. Every client
gives her things to strive for and things to admire, she says,
as do the people she works with on a continuous basis.

“Seeing other women succeeding always gets me in-
spired, and I’m lucky enough to have many influential
women around me – whether they are succeeding in career
or family or physical training – it’s something to admire and
inspire.” Lesa Lacey, for instance, is currently CHBA (Canadian
Home Builders’ Association) Fraser Valley president. “That
to me is the epitome of a woman succeeding right there. I
know there are quite a few very powerful women involved
with the CHBA and that is awesome to see.”
She says she loves the variety of the work – that no two
days are ever the same and no two homes are the same.

Building homes in unique styles, working closely with
clients and maintaining that contact even after they move
into the home are all the best parts of the work.

Seymour says she hopes she brings some balance to
the team through her focus on details and organizational
skills. She says, since many times women are involved in
making the decisions when it comes to a new home or ren-
ovation, she has the opportunity to connect with them in a
different way.

“I think often a woman can feel overwhelmed dealing
with technical aspects that she has no knowledge of and
doesn’t understand. I believe they feel more comfortable
knowing that as a woman, I can see that and guide them
through that – while at the same time being able to answer
all of her husband’s/boyfriend’s more technical questions
and requests. I definitely think this is a totally different as-
pect to what it would be if there were a man in my place.”
That fits in with Seymour’s belief that no job should be
for “her” or for “him” but more about who would bring
something and add to that position. “Who can do the job
and who can succeed in that position... if you can’t see
yourself being an asset and promoting yourself and the
company, then what’s the point?”
For Seymour, the long hours and learning the discipline
required to take time off and away from work have been
her biggest personal challenges.

As is the case for many in the industry, there have also
been difficult financial times. Seymour says when the econ-
omy crashed in 2008, Lacey, along with the rest of the
Fraser Valley, experienced tough times. “People weren’t ren-
ovating or building new homes and those who were had
builders stretching themselves way too thin and underbid-
ding to the point where it was creating financial strains.”
The company had to adapt and come together to learn
the best way to progress forward and what had to be done
differently. “I’m proud of all of those moments of turning
the overwhelming moments into opportunities. It forced
our team to come together and succeed together. Who we
are as a team today is something to be proud of for sure.”
Her advice to anyone considering a career in the field is
to work hard and believe in yourself. “We will all have our
moments of weakness where we think we can’t do it but
nobody ever succeeded without sacrifices and determina-
tion. Take the hard times and learn from them to better
yourself and eventually everything will turn around.”
Lacey Developments has been recognized with several
prestigious awards in the last few years – including 2017
CHBA Fraser Valley Residential Renovator of the Year, 2016
CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence winner for
Best Whole Home Renovation, 2014 National SAM Finalist
and 2013 Georgie Finalist.

“I was heavily involved in all of these projects so it makes
the celebrations just that little bit more special. My other
success was getting my Canadian citizenship last year
which I am super proud of.”
LACEY DEVELOPMENTS LTD.

10811 Brooks Road, Deroche V0M 1G0
Phone: (604) 826-2215 Fax: (604) 814-2749
Email: info@laceydevelopments.com
www.laceydevelopments.com The Canadian Design and Construction Report — Spring 2017 – 49