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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (June 3, 2005)
16 jUSt OUI ’ ¡une X 2ÛÛ5 TrTîTTTTTTïlnew.s T ransforming . a C areer All-trans construction company gets the job done by Jaymee R. Cuti onstruction Tranformations, a Portland business meeting home and commercial building, remod eling and repair needs, prides itself in the ___ tlll-UBg Ivl.ltloll -Tip- T\<T’|'s it with c I k iig . The who run the him I Northwest Portland's all suites I I DOLltlOUB hOtCl • surrounded by world class restaurants • retro-hip decor • way comfortable king suites • fully-featured kitchens and wet bars • original artwork by local artists • convenient on-site parking • • located along a celebrated streetcar line • 503 224 0543 • 1 800 224 1 180 nw 21 st avenue <3> northrup • northrupstation.com CASH FOR CLOTHES • RED LIGHT • CASH FOR CLOTHES • RED LIGHT RED LIGHT • CASH FOR CLOTHES • RED LIGHT • CASH FOR CLOTHES ness and perform building and repair duties-a\ their gen der, tor once, is working to their advantage in the F jlglKt SH m K r BHB Angela Bey, have more than 50 years of combined construction experience. “We’re so var ied in our experi ences, each one of us brings some thing to it,” said Calvo. Besides build Simone Neall ing, remodeling and repairs, the company has spe cialties in historic preservation work, building additions that look as if they were part of the original design. The company aims to support the sexual minor ities community Laura Calvo that it has been strongly encouraged by. Construction Transfor mations is a Portland Area Business Association member and makes an effort to frequent queer- owned companies. It also relies on earth-friend ly methods and materials. The company, in turn, is active with projects from the greater Portland area—the busiest of Neall’s 35 years in construction. One of the com pany’s goals is setting an example of profes sional success to other trans people. male-dominated field of construc Angela Bay tion. Though women with power tools.are unique in them selves, this business has an extra element of dis tinction: Its all-female staff is transgender. “I do think it’s an advantage that it’s an all women-owned company run by all women,” said Laura Calvo, business manager. “We work with the homeowners to make sure they feel really comfortable. We have to go into their per sonal space, so they have to feel that you’re on their side. That’s one of the things that we do really, really well.” She added, “It helps that we do really good work.” Though the company is proud of its makeup, its primary focus is the quality of work. According to the business’s Web site: “At Construction Transformations, we are proud of our friendly, responsive work ing relationships with our cus tomers and our dependable, reliable and trustworthy crafts people. We look forward to pro viding you with the quality general con tracting and excel lent customer serv ice you deserve.” Construction Transformations formed in February and was conceptu alized to keep bread Constructions Transformations, a business owned and operated by on the table for its transgender women, made seamless additions to these houses. trans staff—a press ing challenge for those wishing to transition. “One of our core values is to show other According to Calvo, being trans cost her a law trans people and other women that it can be enforcement career with the Josephine County done,” said Calvo. “Good things come when Sheriffs Department. you’re able to express yourself the way you were “1 got outed at work in 1995, and it cost me meant to be.” in my career. Ever since then I’ve had to stniggle to make a living,” she said. For more information about CONSTRUCTION Calvo has skills in decorative ironwork. T ranformations visit The company’s owners, Simone Neall and www. cans true tiontrans formations. com.
