She has designed, built, and sold over $50 million in new homes throughout the Greater Gainesville community. Meet Kara Bolton, a multi-faceted entrepreneur, general contractor and University of Florida graduate.
Today, you can find her building affordable luxury homes in her exclusive community, Fairway Pointe at West End just north of Newberry Road near Jonesville, or at her latest project — a three-story, mixed-use building — in the Haile Village Center. Or, find her planning homes in the KBH Design Studio or participating in group fitness classes in her modern chic barre studio, Empowered Studios, LLC. You may also find her upstairs above the studios, decorating and sprucing up the apartments for her new tenants, young ladies attending graduate or professional school at the University of Florida.
Kara is an overcomer. After having her first child at age 16, Kara chose to raise her daughter and prioritize her education. During the summers, she recognized her passion for construction as she worked as a laborer to put herself through school.
During this time, her and her daughter lived in subsidized housing. Even then, Kara remained determined to build a beautiful life for her family. For her, that meant being responsible for her daughter, volunteering her time in the community and eventually growing her construction business in a male-dominated industry.
Kara Bolton Homes, Inc. has built hundreds of homes over the past 16 years. Kara navigated her small company through the Great Recession in the company’s early years. She still enjoys drafting, and her passion for construction is evident taking a stroll through the tree-lined streets of Fairway Pointe at West End.
This quiet residential community features well-crafted homes with white picket fences. Together with the help of her superintendent, Mike Hughes, they ensure quality workmanship in every home. All models feature open-concept, single-story, split bedroom floorplans with prominent entryways, plenty of storage and well-appointed kitchens and baths. To show her appreciation, these models were all named after women who have supported and inspired Kara throughout her career.
Just a few miles away in the Haile Village Center in Southwest Gainesville, Kara’s new building is home to Empowered Studio, Kara Bolton Homes’ office and two, three-bedroom rental apartments. “Empowered women, empower women” is written within a hand-painted mural of a phoenix on the wall inside the studio. Kara and studio manager, Amy Shinn, are focused on doing just that — empowering women.
Empowered Studio lifts women up, offering community and a workout to reignite women as they rise and cultivate outer strength and inner confidence. Eleven working professional women teach 25 classes weekly of barre, Pilates and yoga. The workouts are for all body types, fitness levels and ages. While the studio is designed for women, men are welcome to participate. She empowers men, too.
Education has been paramount for Kara, and she is continually looking for ways to help advance women. The two rental apartments Kara designed above the studios, were created for young women earning graduate degrees.
Both apartments feature abundant natural lighting and modern amenities, and they have a fully equipped gourmet kitchen and laundry, dining area, open gathering space for study sessions, reading room and a balcony ideal for studying. Each suite offers a private bath with large vanity, walk-in-shower and comes fully furnished with a desk, queen bed, dresser and floor mirror. The building is centrally located in this walkable community and is illuminated every night for safety.
To Kara, education and quality of life are both very important. She is a single mom to Cheyenne, 27, and Tyler, 16. She is a stepmom to Trinity, 22, and Evan, who passed away unexpectedly in March 2017 at 13.
After losing Evan, Kara’s perspective on life changed. Her focus has shifted from a “rise and grind” attitude to living an intentional life full of adventure. Kara places her trust in God, enjoying e-foiling, kiteboarding, practicing yoga on a stand-up paddleboard, jogging, sailing and biking. She celebrates and remembers Evan’s playful life and smile through her work and adventures. Kara Bolton Homes has pledged $100 for every home sold to the Evan T. Bolton Memorial Scholarship at the Rinker School of Construction at UF.
To Kara, being empowered means, “following your heart and dreams, taking risks, working hard, overcoming obstacles, rising up from past problems, being responsible, listening to your body, feeling independent and productive.” Her newest building provides a place for each woman to grow, learn and challenge herself to break boundaries, dispel stereotypes and add lasting value to her family and community.