This week, I’ll be traveling to Washington, D.C., for a truly momentous occasion: the installation of NHCA’s inaugural national board on June 12. This event is not only a major milestone in our growth and engagement within the construction industry—it’s also a powerful signal of the momentum we are building as a community. As we gather to celebrate, we’re also sending a message to the broader industry: Hispanic contractors and workers are organizing, elevating, and leading like never before.
But this moment is more than just symbolic. It’s also a beacon for those looking for direction in today’s difficult economic and political climate. The challenges facing small and minority-owned construction businesses right now—rising costs, tightened capital, shifting regulations, and political uncertainty—are very real. In times like these, inspiration is important. But preparation is essential.
That’s why this moment should also serve as a wake-up call to every Hispanic professional in the construction industry: it’s time to protect what you’ve built. It’s time to fortify your business and your future.
So what does that really mean?
It means reviewing your business structure to ensure it offers proper legal and financial protection. It means double-checking your insurance and bonding—not just to comply with contract requirements, but to protect your assets in case of unforeseen events. It means understanding your financial position—not just your income, but your cash flow, liabilities, and long-term exposure. And it means revisiting the contracts you’re signing to ensure they account for increased material and labor costs—costs that can quickly eat away at years of hard-earned growth if not properly negotiated.
In short: now is the time to think like a builder and act like a business owner.
The reality is that in today’s political environment, much of what’s happening nationally may feel out of our control. Yes, we must support our community members who are facing persecution, unjust policies, and discriminatory enforcement. But we must also take stock of what we can control: our businesses, our contracts, our teams, and our financial health.
We cannot afford to be passive. We must be proactive—defending what we’ve built for our families and preparing for what’s next. Because the pendulum will swing. And when it does, those who have protected and positioned themselves will be in the best place to lead, hire, and grow.
As we head to Washington, I carry a heaviness in my heart unlike anything I’ve felt before. But I also carry hope—held in hands of many, that are weathered yet strong, the same hands that continue to build our collective future.