by Hanna Borg

Created on: June 11, 2008   Last Updated: September 27, 2011

I came from a poor childhood one in which I was actually very happy. My father never let us know we were without, but as I grew I knew I wanted more. I started out on the rocky side. 16 pregnant, low self-esteem and a drop out of high school and honestly I stayed in that destructive lifestyle for 10 years until one day I realized the man whom I married was behaving as if he would love to have me be a "kept woman" and that was not acceptable to me, so I packed up what little I had and left. Not only myself, but in-tow my two young boys ages 4 & 8 also left with me.

Out into this wide world that I had never really seen, unprepared, but seeking a dream. Soon after my divorce I decided it was time for me to make a decent wage to support my young ones at home. Since I had never really worked this proved a hard task, but one I was willing to tackle. I began at the bottom of the totem pole for a huge laser manufacturer and within one year had moved up four positions. That is when I realized that I was smarter than I had ever given myself credit for. With this new knowledge I felt I should return to school, which I did and graduated with honors.

With each bit of success I realized I could do much more and I did. After I finished school I met a man with a vast knowledge of concrete work who wanted a partner to begin a concrete company. Now obviously I knew nothing of concrete, but my confidence gained throughout the years pushed me head first in to this new venture. At first the company rolled along slowly, but definitely brought in enough income allowing me to stay home and raise my boys. Months turned into years and with each passing day the company's success grew. Eventually more employees were hired and after the fifth year the company had 10 employees and was grossing $1.8 million in revenue.

I look back now and revel in the thoughts of where I came from and how a small town girl with low self-esteem was able to rise above the stereotypes and reside at the head of a construction corporation. My business still flourishes today and with lots of hope, prayers and good wishes I don't see anything changing.

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