Meet Margaret White | Businesswoman & General Contractor

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

Hi Margaret, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Power2Workers was created to support local residents gain access to construction career pathways in on projects being built in their communities. Affordable housing being built across our city and county does require hiring local, targeted and transitional workers such as those dealing with barriers to employment such as homelessness or being a former foster youth.

I was inspired to found Power2Workers because I am an LA native and have been dismayed to see the changing landscape across our city, and raising rents. I have worked with these policies for several years from the general contracting/construction standpoint and wanted to make a change for the better.

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?
I got to where I am today with patience, consistency and dedication. I started in construction when I was twenty, as a temporary administrative assistant. I worked my way up to a project manager and this year, I got my general contractor’s license. As a single mom at twenty, it was not easy in a male dominated industry, balancing a career and single motherhood with my now 24 year old daughter. I overcame the challenges through hard work, dependability, ability to “woo” others and networking. As the board president of Power2Workers and the president of California Construction Compliance, a sister organization that focuses on labor compliance in affordable housing, I employ twenty-four people total, currently. I have learned that communication is key to a successful organization and that my most important responsibility is supporting others to develop a healthy work/life balance.

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?
First thing off the plane at LAX, In and Out! Next day, a hike at Griffith Park followed by a movie at the Mann Chinese Theater and a walk down Hollywood Blvd to see the Hollywood Walk of Fame stars followed by a late night dinner at Toi Thai. Then we’d go to my favorite place in the city, Venice. We’d check out the roller skaters, graffiti walls, lunch at the Sidewalk Cafe, then rent some bikes and ride them up to the Santa Monica pier. Next we’d take a trip to downtown LA. We’d start at the Broad Museum, take Angel’s Flight down the hill and check out Little Tokyo Mall, sushi at Sushi Gen followed by drinks at the Far Bar.

My best friend and I always fit in a spa day when she is in town, so we’d go to the Olympic Spa, or if we have our guys with us, WiSpa. We’d go to Leimert Park and if it was before 3/5/25, visit Ben Caldwell’s KAOS Theory, The Afrokosmic Media Arts of Ben Caldwell which is my favorite exhibit up now! Then check out Ora Cafe for a latte.

Beach day in Malibu at Zuma Beach followed by a sunset walk at Charmlee Park, also up in Malibu and a drive on Mulholland.

So many awesome things to do here in LA!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Brad Carson is who we call the godfather of local hire in Los Angeles. He is an LA County probation officer that was working in the Venice Oakwood area in the 1990’s. He realized that Jobs Create Peace and founded PV Jobs to serve as a partnership with the builders at Playa Vista, to ensure local, targeted and transitional residents were able to take advantage of construction job opportunities available to them through that development.

Website: https://www.power2workers.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/power2workers_/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/power2workers

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/power2workers/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/power2workers-los-angeles?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Power2WorkersMedia

Image Credits
Angela Torres and Delvon Purvis, Photographers