Winning Ideas from Winning Women
with Linda Holden

When Linda Holden earned her general contractor’s license in 1982, she was the only woman out of 435 contractors to do so. Her company, The Linda Construction Co. Inc., has been one of the Charlotte Business Journal’s top 25 women-owned businesses for the past three years. And, she is an energetic, vivacious woman with the drive and determination to make her dreams a reality.

While living in Binghamton, NY, work became a necessity for Linda, after a divorce in 1971 left her with two small children to raise on her own. While earning her degree at State University of New York Binghamton, she began her career in the construction industry as the executive director of the Southern Tier Home Builders Association in Binghamton. Here, she learned what is required when dealing with architects, plans, budgets, subcontractors and the associations necessary to see a building plan through to completion. She also met her future husband, Walter Holden, a successful contractor. When industry in Binghamton experienced a huge downturn after IBM relocated, she and Walt looked to other states where building and construction were still viable. They heard that the Charlotte area was beginning a building boom, so they moved to Concord in 1980.

Linda Holden

Although Linda and Walt started a construction company in Concord together, they realized that they each needed to work independently of the other. So, she established her company to concentrate on working with general contractors doing construction and demolition work for the government.

When the recession reared its ugly head in the early 90s, Linda looked for a way to keep her business from being negatively impacted. Always attuned to the economic business world, Linda decided that rather than compete for construction work, she would concentrate on demolition. That decision proved to be on target, and The Linda Construction Co. Inc. is now one of the largest demolition companies in the Charlotte area.

After the early years of discrimination as a woman in the construction business, Linda appreciates recognition from government agencies that seek to eliminate prejudice against women and foster their growth through various programs. She takes advantage of available programs from city and state governments to enhance business opportunities for her and other women-owned businesses. She has status as a “Historically Underutilized Business” with the State of North Carolina, a Small Business Enterprise classification with numerous cities in North and South Carolina, DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) certification for Charlotte/Douglas International Airport, and is certified by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council.

Linda and son, Gary.

Not only does Linda stay busy running a business, but she also participates in community affairs by taking an active role in the Northwest Area Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, the Tryon North Development Corp. and several advisory boards for small businesses. She is a charter member of the Charlotte Women Presidents’ Organization, a group of women who own and run multimillion-dollar businesses. She is very proud to have received the “Demolition Recycler of the Year” award from the Mecklenburg County Solid Waste Division for two consecutive years.

Linda knows that to be successful in any small business, she also needs a company presence in the trade organizations that support her industry. The Linda Construction Co. Inc. is a member of the American Subcontractors Association of the Carolinas, Association of General Contractors, Professional Construction Estimators Association, and National Association of Demolition Contractors.

Her determination, adroit business acumen, and belief in surrounding herself with the best employees for the job are obviously working. The company just moved to their new facility at 1801 North Tryon Street, where there is more room to grow for this rapidly expanding organization. Her willingness to share her expertise and help other small business owners makes Linda Holden one of the “good guys.”