Willie Floyd Howard
Howard Construction Co.
Cincinnati, OH

For almost 30 years, Willie Floyd Howard worked for someone else. Now, he’s working for himself.

Three years ago, he opened his own construction company, offering cement and remodeling work. His daughter, Karen, performs secretarial duties. He operates the company out of his home.

“I wanted to do something I like on my own time and at my own pace without having to report to someone else,” said Floyd. “I also like making my own money.”

Now, Floyd has four employees. His sons, Kenneth and Kevin, help him out sometimes, but are not interested in working in construction. “They have other interests,” Floyd said.

He said it was not hard to get started. He had done construction work on the job and on the side for years, and he had made a lot of contacts. The next obvious step was to strike out on his own.

“Business is good,” he said. “Someone is always wanting a patio or a driveway or a patio touch-up.”

One of the most exciting aspects of the construction business, he said, is in outbidding other companies for a major job. And the worse is when problems occur in a job that he’s completed.

He said the business has been good to him. He’s managed to acquire some perks that come with success: a nice car, fine jewelry and a comfortable salary.

The work is “something I enjoy,” he said. “I get a chance to meet a lot of different people every day.”