Hello Priscilla

Every so often I like to drop into your inbox with observations from the field, and here we are—at the end of August already. The air feels a little different, school buses are back on the roads, and you can almost sense fall projects waiting just around the corner. This time of year is always a season of transition, both at home and in business.

But alongside the usual back-to-school shuffle, I’m hearing a different kind of shift from the contractors I work with. Landscapers are noticing fewer calls. Arbor care companies have more gaps in their calendars. Design/build firms are watching projects stall as clients hesitate to sign. Even home improvement crews are finding that jobs aren’t booking up as quickly as they once did. If you’ve been wondering whether it’s just you, it’s not.

In my latest blog, I dive into what’s behind this slowdown—and what it means for trades businesses heading into fall. [Read more →]

As we soak up the last drops of summer, it’s a good time to look at the transitions happening both at home and in your business. What systems do you already rely on to get through busy shifts, and where could stronger processes help make handoffs and transitions smoother? If you’re looking for tools, I’ve got you covered—check out the NEWS section below for resources and downloads you can put to work right away.

In the meantime, take a deep breath—and I’ll see you in September.

Your Partner in Success,
Priscilla

Here's some NEWS you can use!

 🤝 NETWORKING

AGC Maine - August Tours & Pours
August 28th | 3PM | Sargent's Clean Water Project, Lewiston - Craft Brew Underground, Auburn

MaineBiz Outstanding Women in Business
September 10 | Halo at the Point, 20 Van Aken Way, Portland, ME
Kelly Flagg, Executive Director of Associated General Contractors of Maine (AGC Maine) is being honored!

Home Builders and Remodelers of Maine - 2025 Golf Tournament
September 11 | Nonesuch Golf Course
They are still accepting individual and group players, as well as sponsors!

Plan NH Fall Conference – “Built to Last: Reducing Impact, Maximizing Performance”
September 17, 2025 | 8:00 AM–12:30 PM | Concord, NH
A gathering of planners, architects, engineers, and development pros exploring trends like deconstruction, construction waste circularity, and energy efficiency. Includes breakfast and pending CEUs with AIA and APA.

Cheers to Networking (ABC Maine)
September 25, 2025 | 3:00–5:00 PM | Auburn, ME
A relaxed, in-person event for young professionals and sponsors in the Maine construction industry—great for building new relationships and tapping into the next generation of leadership

Maine ESOPs Fall Conference
October 14th | 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM | Hilton Garden Inn Auburn Riverwatch
Priscilla will be presenting "Living Company Values & Accountability" 

📚  EDUCATION

SHOP TALK: Diversification Strategies: Discussing New Revenue Paths for Builders and Remodelers
August 26th | 3 PM | Zoom
Join John Atlee of Water Doctors, along with members of the NAHB BMIT committee, for a live discussion on how to diversify your business and create new growth opportunities in today’s shifting market.

Worth a Listen: The Lean Builder by Joe Donarumo & Keyan Zandy
I’ve been recommending this fable-style book to ALL my clients!   It introduces Lean concepts through an engaging story that feels both practical and relatable. If you’re an audiobook listener, I especially suggest the Audible version—the narrator does a great job bringing the characters and lessons to life, making the principles of Lean easy to absorb and apply.

💡 WISDOM

“Change is the only constant in life. Our ability to adapt to those changes will determine our success.” – Benjamin Franklin

From the blog:  Wile E Coyote - Super Genius, and Super Resilient

👷‍♀️ SUPPORT

AGC Maine – Building Wellbeing for ME: Mental Health Summit
September 30, 2025 | Oakland, ME
A timely summit addressing mental health and wellbeing in the construction industry—critical support as workloads and stress levels change heading into fall.

Support Spotlight: NCCER
The National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER) sets the standard for workforce training in the trades. With nationally recognized credentials, portable certifications, and over 40 craft training programs, NCCER helps contractors build skilled teams and gives workers credentials that travel with them. nccer.org →