Meet Alycia Belle | Hollywood’s Woman of the Year

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alycia Belle and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alycia, other than deciding to work for yourself, what else do you think played a pivotal role in your story?
As I was creating Hollywood Handy Construction, Inc. and building my customer base, it included many residential clients. I then started increasing my business to include retails stores, studios, and office buildings. I realized that working with homeowners was an emotional and painstaking process, and I enjoyed a more transactional approach to construction. My strong communication skills, reliability, and resourcefulness was appreciated and rewarded by businesses. I am now a certified Woman-owned Business Enterprise specializing in commercial property construction and project management for offices, retail, studios, museums, hotels, restaurants, events, and apartment complexes. Most recently I am excited to share that Hollywood Handy Construction has been designated as an approved vendor of the Super Bowl LVI Business Connect program. We are one of 230 local diverse businesses in the Los Angeles area identified as a certified, experienced company approved to compete for contracts related to Super Bowl!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Hollywood Handy Construction, Inc. founded in 2012 is certified as a Women Business Enterprise (WBE) as a Commercial and Institutional Building Construction Contractor.  We specialize in commercial property construction, project management and event support in Los Angeles County. We pride ourselves in organized project management, fair pricing, quality craftsmanship, and meeting client deadlines. Our clients include; The Hollywood Museum and Historic Max Factor Building, The Grove, Westfield Malls, Disney, Fossil, Pink’s Hot Dogs, J Crew, Michael Kors, Theory, Old Navy, Fed Ex, Rodeo Drive, and several office spaces, retail, restaurants, real estate brokers, and property managers. I have reached this point in my career by accepting or at least considering every opportunity that presented itself to me. I listen, I’m honest, and I figure out how to get it done. I have embraced career changes and although I always have a plan, I adapt to pivoting when necessary. I use all of my past experiences to improve the present. I would never say that success is easy, however if you properly plan and you are honest with yourself about what you are good at, success doesn’t need to be exhausting. I truly believe that ultimate success in life is happiness and that measure is always evolving.

As owner, CEO and lead contractor, I have 10 years experience in commercial construction. I am a licensed General B Contractor and my budgeting and planning skills have advanced over this time and have become one of my strongest assets. Coupled with an innate ability to work with different people on a daily basis, while maintaining the highest level of detailed quality control has proven to be successful. I can easily multi-tasks and I adapt to changing scopes. My design skills are strong with a bachelor’s degree and background in textile science, and I apply these talents to construction materials, and color. My entrepreneur spirit helped me transition from a successful career in the film, television, and advertising industry where I worked as costume designer and celebrity stylist. I am also a leader of the Hollywood community and an advocate for woman owned businesses. Congressman Adam Schiff recently awarded me Hollywood’s Woman of The Year! I reside on the board of directors for the Hollywood YMCA, a dedicated member of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and a member of several committees including the Hollywood Economic Development Committee and the Hollywood Blvd. Street Closure Committee. I am a loving wife to my husband, a DGA first assistant director, and I am a proud mother to our four adorable children aged 4-12.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Los Angeles is a diverse mecca for endless entertainment! My ideal week long itinerary would consist of evenings at the Bourbon Room to experience Tarantino Live a brilliant musical theatre montage starring my talented friend James Byous, or stopping by the Catalina Jazz Club for some big band fun with friends Dave Damiani and Tamela D’Amico. Later swinging by Adults Only for a few cocktails and catching an intimate burlesque show at the Parlour Room. Trejos is awesome for either donuts or tacos. My favorite lunch for a quick healthy bite is Sweet Greens and since my BFF would be visiting from Boston, The Cat n Fiddle is a safe go to for a delicious chill meal. For some sushi we would definitely hit up Sugar Fish or if I’m entertaining a vegan, then I would wow them with sushi in little Tokyo at Shojin. I think the best lobster roll in town is at Lobster & Beer. No week long staycation is complete without a day in Malibu up the PCH where you park in a dirt lot and have to hike down to get to a stunning secluded beach.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have been fortunate to have so many incredible mentors. I continue to collect as many as possible because they all have different experiences and expertises . One person who deserves a huge Shoutout is Donelle Dadigan, the owner of the Hollywood Museum and Historic Max Factor Building. She has encouraged me as a contractor, fundraiser, and as a community leader. Her confidence in my abilities has motivated me to excel and continuously improve. I have been grateful to work with her in many capacities and for her trust in me to maintain her beloved historic building.

Website: www.hollywoodhandy.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodhandy/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hollywoodhandyinc

Image Credits
Jason Allen, Laurie Goldman, John Gile,