Where family and business come first
Ashley Finnegan’s move to Greater Gainesville 10 years ago came with two important new job titles: Vice President of Marketing for Maven Construction Group and Mom.
The University of Florida graduate was a successful marketing executive in Tampa when her boyfriend proposed, and they decided to start a family. Leith Finnegan’s new construction business was thriving in his hometown of Gainesville. He had expertise in operations, while she had a master’s degree in marketing.
Today the professional partnership continues to support their personal goal of building a legacy company for their family.
Growing Business
Maven Construction Group is a licensed general contractor specializing in property restoration and reconstruction. The company restores commercial and residential properties after water damage, mold growth, fires, storms, floods and falling trees.
Understanding families’ needs has set their business apart. Unlike other companies, they self-fund all restoration jobs to avoid unnecessary delays. Clients do not have to wait for their insurance company to pay a claim before their work can begin.
Another arm of their business builds new construction homes, including a 24,000 square foot luxury home in Gainesville.
Growing Family
The company has grown alongside their family. Finnegan says running a business has its own pressures, but she is grateful for the flexibility. She makes sure to keep the workload manageable to maintain a healthy work life balance.
At home Finnegan enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and sons, Cortland and Callum, on their Micanopy farm. They have 40 animals, including cows, goats, donkeys, dogs and cats.
Growing Impact
As a mother of two elementary school aged children, Finnegan recently added another title. The busy working mom is the co-president of The Rock School’s Parent Teacher Organization (PTO).
“Supporting the PTO is serving the people that serve our children every day,” she said. “It’s always been important for me to use the gifts God has given me to give back, bring families together and support our school community.”
While she first became involved to spend more time with her children and their friends, she found the role gave her family even more.
Whether Finnegan is setting up a teacher breakfast, organizing a fundraiser or planning a classroom party, she is grateful her children see her volunteer her time and talents for their school. She also enjoys the opportunity to get to know the parents and teachers.
As part of her work life balancing act, Finnegan’s biggest challenge is not overcommitting. In order to evaluate how she dedicates her time, she looks closely at how the opportunity can serve her family or her business.
Her advice to other moms is to not compare yourself to others and remember there is a season for everything.
“We all have different circumstances, and we all want to put our kids first,” she said. “Make the choices that are best for you, your career and your family.”
By Jennifer Kennedy.