10/29/2026
Coming from a union background, I’ve always been a little skeptical of industry organizations. The whole “pay to play” mentality, the politics, and watching the little guys get overlooked while the bigger companies get all the opportunities? Yeah, I’ve seen enough of that.
So walking into this PCA event, I genuinely wasn’t sure what to expect. Was this even a space for someone like me? A one-woman operation trying to build something meaningful without losing sight of why I started?
But what I walked away with was something I didn’t expect.
REAL conversations. REAL connections. And people who genuinely want to see each other succeed.
Not once did I feel like I had to prove my worth based on the size of my business, how many employees I have, or how much money I bring in.
Instead, I felt seen, heard, supported, and inspired.
And THAT is what this industry needs more of.
Because whether you’re a one-person operation or running a crew of 50, we all deserve a seat at the table.
I’ve always said COLLABORATE, DON’T COMPETE. And this experience reminded me just how powerful that mindset can be when people actually put it into practice.
To the PCA members who took the time to have genuine conversations with me, thank you. You reminded me why building community in this industry matters so much. 🫶🏼
The best thing we can build in this industry isn’t always something we can put a price tag on. Sometimes it’s each other.
