12 Huts and Counting for Army Veteran Jayme Rhodes

The stars aligned in Afghanistan, a hammer and blueprints forecasting the future for Army veteran Jayme Rhodes.

Rhodes, now commander of Serviam Construction, still collects double takes from industry trade workers. “They don’t believe I’m that involved in the business,” she said. “Then, I hear ‘wow, you’re the first owner I’ve seen onsite.’”

Rhodes is part of a segment on the rise -- roughly 1.1 million women-owned small businesses across the U.S.  represent a six percent growth in just two years, twice the growth rate of employer firms owned by men. Heading a construction firm makes her even more of an outlier in a male-dominated industry.

“We are increasingly seeing women leaders, like Jayme , serving at the helm in non-traditional businesses,” said SBA Western Pennsylvania District Director Dr. Kelly Hunt. “Each March, the SBA celebrates the accomplishments of our women entrepreneurs. We’re hosting in-person and online workshops throughout the month, helping women realize their dreams…whether it’s starting a business or breaking barriers with access to capital, counseling and special contracting set asides.”

For Rhodes, the path into entrepreneurship was unexpectedly forged under the dry, hot summers and cold, snowy winters in Afghanistan.

The U.S. Military Academy West Point graduate found herself deployed on a 15-month tour of duty overseeing construction of more than 12 huts for her fellow soldiers. “That was right after 9/11 occurred,” she recalled. “In Afghanistan, I was the project manager for those huts, or houses, each having up to eight small bedrooms - some with dining and laundry facilities, too.”

She no longer builds houses, but Rhodes still lends her expertise helping fellow veterans. That long-ago mission serving as the crux for small business ownership.

Her 10-year-old company and its core of 30 employees recently completed its largest contract to date: an $8 million, 16,000 square-foot expansion to the Altoona Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital. “I’m proud to have helped provide better facilities for our veterans…I’ve come full circle,” Rhodes said. “It’s important in society to help both our veterans and the VA.”

Success belies her humble beginnings as the sole employee in an apartment-based office. Her company bearing the military-related moniker Serviam, meaning “I will serve.”

“At West Point, they teach leadership. I wanted to do something for myself and came home as a service-disabled veteran and knew I could start my own construction business,” Rhodes added. “I heard  about the  SBA’s (U.S. Small Business Administration) Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Program, which was a fit for me.”

Accomplished through sole-source and set-aside contracts, the federal government's goal is to award three percent of all prime and subcontracting dollars to businesses in the disabled veterans’ business program each year.

Rhodes signed with the local carpenters’ union, became certified through the SDVOSB Set Aside Program, and visited the Saint Francis University Small Business Development Center (SBDC.) SBDCs are (SBA)- and state-funded entities helping entrepreneurs with no-cost counseling and low-cost training classes for every phase of small business development.

Using her Afghanistan experience and local, highly skilled construction workers, Rhodes bid on and was  awarded her first MATOC (Multiple Award Task Order Contract), contract: replacing a loading dock at the Altoona VA. The project was completed on budget and on time.

One project under her belt grew to many. Soon, Rhodes was able to hire a site superintendent. More hires followed -- eventually swelling to a team of 30. Rhodes now owns a building housing her company that boasts a permanent presence in upstate New York, and flush with contracting awards in Pittsburgh, Altoona and Lebanon, Pennsylvania.

She attributes Serviam’s continued prosperity to its employees. “The team in the field sets us apart; their skill set is impressive enabling us to deliver and get the work done,” she added.

Not only is Rhodes increasing employment opportunities throughout Blair County with good wages and benefits, but she’s also raising funds for her fellow veterans. “I worked with my service friends to create an annual running event called ‘Sweat for Vets,’’ she explained. “Each November, hundreds of runners raise money for area veterans. The funds stay local and are used to help our veterans find much-needed assistance.”

Rhodes, who returned home from the corporate world, often provides advice to entrepreneurs. “Once you find a niche, there’s nothing more rewarding than starting a small business and creating jobs,” she said. “But, first, reach out to your SBDC; they helped me immensely with a business plan and budget… and it’s free."