Hey there Priscilla, 

As 2025 comes to a close, I find myself reflecting less on any single moment and more on the pattern of the year as a whole, because taken together, the work, the travel, and the conversations all pointed in a consistent direction.

This was a good year, and a substantive one.

It began in February at the International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas, where the conversations were already moving beyond surface-level growth talk and toward deeper questions about workforce stability, leadership capacity, and how businesses scale without creating unnecessary strain. While I was there, I met Tammie Ross, a builder from Memphis and the author of Breaking Ground, Breaking Glass Ceilings. That conversation was a turning point. Her perspective on discipline, longevity, and leadership in the trades pushed me to finally complete my Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification, something I had been circling for years and knew would sharpen how I support contractors in the field.

Midway through the year, I refreshed my logo and brand, not as a cosmetic exercise, but as a reset around how I actually work. The new mark reflects a boots-on-the-ground approach that is centered, grounded, and mission-driven, rooted in field work, real conversations, and practical systems that hold up under real conditions. It was important to visually reinforce what the work already looks like in practice: less noise, more substance, and a clear focus on helping contractors build businesses that function well beyond any single person.

Throughout the year, I spent a significant amount of time working inside my clients’ businesses. I was Boots on the Ground with two exceptional companies, worked one-on-one with dozens of owners, facilitated leadership trainings, and delivered presentations for hundreds of tradespeople. Across all of that work, the same themes kept showing up. Owners wanted clarity. Teams wanted consistency. Leaders wanted systems that reduced friction instead of adding complexity.

I also stepped into broader industry conversations. I was featured on the Super Human Podcast to talk specifically about Women in the Trades, a topic that continues to matter as the industry works to strengthen leadership pipelines and create environments where more people can build long, sustainable careers. Those conversations reinforced how closely workforce development, culture, and operational clarity are tied together.

In October, I traveled to Washington, DC, for several days of training with NAHB leaders during an unexpected government shutdown that underscored how important adaptability, planning, and long-term thinking are in an industry shaped by forces well beyond any one company’s control. Throughout the year, I also worked closely with employee-owned and family-owned businesses, where conversations around process, leadership, and continuity are especially direct and practical.

All of this informs how I am looking at 2026.

The observations and predictions I am sharing are grounded in nearly two decades of coaching and consulting, combined with what I am hearing from industry leaders and economists, and what I see every week inside real businesses. The market is likely to remain uneven. Labor will continue to demand attention. Expectations around professionalism, communication, and execution will stay high. At the same time, tools like AI, Lean process management, and more disciplined operating rhythms are becoming essential rather than optional.

If 2025 was a year of sharpening skills, tightening systems, and getting clearer about what actually works, 2026 is shaping up to be a year where those decisions begin to compound for the businesses willing to build on them with intention.

I pulled together a deeper look at the 2026 industry outlook on the blog, including what it means for contractors—you can read it here.

 
Wishing you a happy holiday season, a Merry Christmas to those who celebrate, and a strong start to the New Year. Looking forward to being back in the field with you in 2026.

Your Partner in Success - 
Priscilla

Here's some NEWS you can use!

 🤝 NETWORKING 

• 01.15.26 | 5:30 PM | Scarborough, ME – Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Maine “Builders, Beer, and Business” at Cowbell, focused on injury management and workers’ compensation requirements and resources.

• 01.21.26 | 5:00–7:00 PM | Falmouth, ME – Institute for Family Owned Business New Year Party at the Woodlands Club, open to all with RSVP required.

• 02.17.26–02.19.26 | Orlando, FL – NAHB International Builders’ Show, bringing together builders, remodelers, and industry partners from across the country.

📚  EDUCATION 

• 02.18.26 | IBS Education Session – Priscilla Hansen Mahoney will present Profitable Processes: Repeatable Systems to Grow Profits, Build Teams, and Work Lean at the NAHB International Builders’ Show.

• Many regional builder associations are expanding education in 2026 around leadership development, workforce retention, and process improvement, making winter a good time to review local calendars.

• NAHB and state associations continue to publish updated guidance on labor, safety, and regulatory changes heading into 2026.

💡 WISDOM 

• Breaking Ground, Breaking Glass Ceilings by Tammie Ross remains a strong read for anyone thinking about leadership, longevity, and inclusion in the trades.

• Several industry economists are signaling a flat-to-mixed construction outlook for 2026, reinforcing the importance of execution and operational discipline.

• Lean process management continues to gain traction in the trades as a practical way to reduce rework, stabilize schedules, and protect margin.  

👷‍♀️ SUPPORT 

• The Institute for Family Owned Business continues to offer peer groups, education, and resources for family-owned companies navigating growth and transition.

• Employee-owned businesses may want to review updated ESOP education resources and governance training opportunities heading into the new year.

• Workforce development grants and training funds remain available in many New England states, particularly for safety, leadership, and skills training. Schedule a FREE TRAINING NEEDS ASSESSMENT with Priscilla to learn more!