Facebook group launched to fill gap for women working in, or interested in getting started in, the shed industry.
Built by Her: Women in Sheds & Structures was created to fill a gap I noticed in the industry—a dedicated, supportive space specifically for women working in or interested in getting started in the shed and portable building world.
I am a woman in business myself, owning and operating Elite Structures a shed sales lot located in Chillicothe, Ohio, and working alongside my husband Devon and his shed hauling business, Elite Transport, as a team. Through firsthand experience, I’ve personally seen how our industry can be very male-dominated and how women, even as owners or decision-makers, can often feel/be overlooked and underestimated.
Those experiences played a major role in inspiring this group for me. I wanted to create a space where women in the industry feel safe, heard, respected, and supported—a place where they don’t have to justify their role or expertise and can openly ask questions and connect with other women who understand the unique challenges and opportunities that come with working in this industry.
The group includes women from all areas of the shed industry—sales, delivery and hauling, operations, marketing, manufacturing, ownership, and those just getting started. Its purpose is centered around encouragement over competition, knowledge sharing without gatekeeping, and creating meaningful educational connections that help women grow personally and professionally within our field while feeling supported.
The idea for the group really came together during a drive home from Sevierville, Tennessee, after a shed delivery Devon and I had been on. On the ride back home, I found myself reflecting on my own experiences in the shed industry and on conversations I’d had with other women in sheds who shared similar experiences and challenges yet didn’t always feel comfortable asking certain questions within the traditional shed sales Facebook groups.
I realized this was something that had been on my heart for a long time, and I decided it was time to stop thinking about it and finally create the space I wished had existed sooner.
Once it launched, the response we received was overwhelming and grew to over 100 members within the first day or two. This confirmed there was a real need for a space like this. My goal is for Built by Her to remain a positive, respectful, and industry-forward community that not only welcomes but uplifts women while also strengthening the shed industry as a whole.
Susan Frair, known in our industry as “The Shed Gal,” has also been an early and meaningful source of support for me. From the beginning, she warmly welcomed me, openly shared insight and recommendations, and offered encouragement as a fellow woman in shed sales. She now serves as a co-administrator of the group, actively helping to maintain a supportive and safe environment while welcoming new members and offering supportive conversation within the group community.
Women in the shed and structures industry can join by searching “Built by Her: Women in Sheds & Structures” on Facebook and requesting access. The group is private to help maintain a supportive and safe environment specifically for women in the shed and structures industry, and all members are asked to follow simple community guidelines focused on respect, collaboration, and encouragement.
My hope is to continue growing this women-centered community into something truly meaningful—a space that provides lasting value, connection, and support, and reminds women in the shed industry that their work truly matters and that they belong here.
