Highlighting local businesswomen in the Pikes Peak region for Women’s History Month

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Ahead of International Women's Day on March 8, KRDO sat down with two local businesswomen who've overcome personal and professional obstacles to get where they are now.

Barbara Myrick, the owner of B & M Construction, told KRDO she's faced her fair share of challenges while making her way through the male-dominated industry of construction.

According to the National Association of Women in Construction, women only made u 10.9% of the entire U.S. construction workforce in 2022.

Myrick said owning a construction company was her father's dream, which was passed down to her. Being a veteran and growing up in a lower-income household, she's harnessed resilience that's allowed her to turn those dreams into a reality.

Now, she works with low-income families and other veterans.

She said her journey has had ups and downs, and it was a challenge getting people to respect her as a female business owner in the construction industry.

"One of my struggles is people being willing to work for a woman-owned company, especially a woman of color," Myrick explained.

Still, she stressed the importance of continuing to pioneer forward to pave the way for future generations.

"I want women to pull from their strength within and say I can do this," Myrick said. "Not to just move myself forward, but to move people and the community forward."

She also believes in the power of mentoring. Myrick frequently visits schools in lower-income communities to spread her message to children; that anyone can achieve their dreams if they work hard. As well as encouraging women to share their struggles with others.

"I want them to embrace and love who they are," Myrick said. "I want them to dream. No matter how hard it is to get there, you can get there if you work hard. Mentoring is important to me for young women. To share my struggles. I think sometimes we as women don't want to share our pain but that's how we help someone else along the way."

She believes by going into uncomfortable places and speaking up for women's rights is how we move forward.

"We have a passion, and passion is tied to emotions which get in our way," Myrick said. "I think we should be enthusiastic about where our journeys can go, and if it's lifting another woman up to move her forward, that's what we should do. I think we have to constantly remember we have to stand on someone's shoulders. I stood on someone's shoulders. I didn't get here because of Barbara. It was someone else that paved the way."

She credits the women in history who've come together to initiate change and break barriers.

"When you look at the course of history, women came together for voting rights, for civil rights," Myrick said. "When you look at the underground railroad, the homeowners that opened their homes up for slaves to go through. So many things that women do that we don't take credit for."

Kathy Dreiling, a co-owner of local catering collective The Picnic Basket, echoes Myrick's sentiments of trying new things and putting yourself out there.

"I think the important thing is not to be afraid to try," Dreiling said.

Both of these women are involved in the Southern Colorado Women's Chamber, an organization that helps support women and move them forward through networking. They say it has especially helped small businesses in the area grow.

They hold events every few days and encourage anyone who's interested to come by to check it out. Visit their website to find out more.