The Magnolia Story

I am the proud daughter of a union master electrician. My father spent his career wiring buildings throughout the Puget Sound region, and his life’s work made a real, tangible difference in the world. He once hoped I might follow him into the trade and taught me what he could about the field. While my mind was never wired to understand electricity at the level required to make a career of it, his guidance gave me a deep, practical understanding of how buildings are constructed and how integrated systems work together. More importantly, he raised me to believe I could become anything I set my mind to. Growing up around the trades instilled in me a lasting respect for the skill, discipline, and hard work they bring to the job every day.

In the 1980s, my parents took a leap and started their own commercial/industrial electrical company. My mother served as president while my father ran the jobs. At a time when women were still carving out their place in the workplace, my mother was ahead of her time, leading a business with confidence and grit. I watched her grow the company from a small shop occupying half of our garage into a large flex space in the Auburn Valley, complete with multiple service trucks and a strong team of union electricians. From her, I learned the business side of things which came more naturally to me. I’m grateful I had a front-row seat to what successful entrepreneurship really looks like.

My parents’ journey gave me a compass that has guided my own career, from climbing the corporate ladder to building something of my own. Magnolia Project Partners is the natural culmination of everything I’ve experienced. It’s my opportunity to do what I love: work alongside businesses and the trades to create something tangible and meaningful and something I can be proud of.

Why “Magnolia”?

My wife and I started our life together in 2001, in the beautiful Magnolia neighborhood in Seattle. We have a small magnolia tree in our backyard in Beaverton, one that quickly became our first dog’s favorite place to rest. Over time, the magnolia became more than just a tree to us; it became a symbol of home, growth, and the life we’ve built together.

Magnolia trees are known for their strength and resilience. Their blossoms are remarkably hardy and are able to adapt and thrive in a variety of conditions, which makes them a natural symbol of perseverance, endurance, and quiet fortitude.

Spiritually, the magnolia flower is a gentle guide, reminding us to embrace vulnerabilities, celebrate strengths, and surrender to the present moment. They remind us to trust our inner wisdom, let go of the past and to step into a new chapter of life with vulnerability and resilience.