Beginning her career in communications, Victoria Erskine eventually made her way into the male-dominated field of commercial real estate then to a leadership position at a local construction company. 

As often occurs, Erskine’s career took unknown twists and turns from where she originally intended. Many people find themselves at a point in their career where they become comfortable and stagnant, but for Erskine, she still felt eager to learn and grow. After relocating to Asheville with a goal of working in a position where she felt happy and was able to evolve, she found herself in commercial real estate.

Originally from Ireland, Erskine understands the construction industry is one that is male-dominated, not just in the US, but in many places across the world.  Often working with contractors in her real estate role, she got to know Daniel Smith at Barring Construction, and became attracted to the people at the organization and admired the core values of the company. 

“I really liked what they were trying to do as a company and who they were as a company, and that’s why I transitioned to working here,” Erskine said. “Yes, it is a male-dominated industry, but I don’t think I’ve ever worked anywhere that really empowers you to speak up and encourages participation, and that’s something that’s been super refreshing as I’ve transitioned into this role.”

The company intentionally removes titles from team members, and despite working in certain roles, the leadership team all shares the same voice. This helps to shift away from gender stereotypes and the roles each plays within the organization.

“It’s something the owners are passionate about because they feel titles can sometimes alienate people,” Erskine said. “Especially in construction, everyone has an equal part to play, and speaking up is encouraged. It’s nice to actually see change and really help direct this company in this market in Western North Carolina as a female in this industry.”

Erskine is able to bring traditionally female qualities of multitasking and juggling various assignments while also remaining humble in her role. She notices this with many women in business, and in WNC, there is also an abundance of women-led organizations and experienced women ready to mentor and support other women along their business journey.

That support is mutual, as Erskine and Barringer Construction are supporters of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce’s WomanUP program. Erksine sits on the program’s committee, and enjoys the components of encouragement it brings to women in the community. She also helps organize women-led events for those in the construction industry. She is a part of the National Association of Women in Construction, which shares insights and perspectives of women working in this sector.

Sharing experiences and perspectives with other women in the industry is a priority for Erskine. She maintains an abundance mindset when it comes to potential clients, and is able to comfortably reach out to others in similar roles at competitor businesses in the market. She believes in information-sharing and remaining cordial, as everyone is trying to do their best work in their space.

“I came from a female-led industry prior to this work, and it’s interesting to look in hindsight at where you can be more calculated in how you make decisions and walk things through,” Erskine said. “You don’t have to always be cut and dry, and a woman’s perspective is encouraging in male-dominated work. This is not to say that our male counterparts don’t have the same skills, but it’s possible we bring more balance to the leadership table.”

While advocating for support of women in the construction industry or in business in general, Erskine also advocates for the male counterparts that champion their female colleagues. 

“It’s not always talked about when you have a supportive male colleague or male boss,” Erskine said. “We often hear about the negatives of male-led business, but I think it’s more encouraging if we can shine a light on those exhibiting good behavior in that way."

Though there is a massive deficit of women in construction businesses, Erskine sees many women running businesses related to this sector, as well as an increased number of women at various job sites. She sees a lot of mutual respect for and from women, and encourages young women beginning their careers to consider the opportunities in construction.

“There’s so much opportunity here for females,” Erskine said. “It pays well, and if you find the right company, you’re supported extremely well. Construction will always be needed, and with so many potential avenues, it’s easy to move from one area to another within the same sector to prevent long-term burnout. I came from a generation still experiencing very gender-specific roles in people’s careers, but there’s lots of room for females to do well in construction.”