Fostering Success
Amy Carnrick acquired Foster Plumbing in 2018. A veteran business owner, she is proud to lead Foster Plumbing as a female-owned specialty contractor. Amy’s determination despite overwhelming obstacles cannot be overstated and her success is evident in every area of the business.
When businesses shut down during the pandemic and the work-from-home era began, Amy pivoted her business. She began targeting municipalities to sustain the business and expanded into other types of work such as ground up construction. Amy worked hard to reach out to customers not only in Denver, but across the country, to capture higher profit margins from out of state general contractors. As a result, she doubled her business in 2021 and continues to achieve significant growth.
Amy has utilized several SBA loans to help her along the way, including an SBA 7(a) loan to acquire the business, an SBA 504 to purchase her building, another SBA 7(a) loan to purchase equipment, in addition to PPP and EIDL loans for potential working capital shortfalls, to pay off higher interest debt, and purchase updated equipment.
Amy has also achieved Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) certification through the SBA, Women-Owned Business (WBE) certification through the Women's Enterprise National Council and is certified locally and nationally as a Woman-Owned (M/WBE), Small Business Enterprise (SBE), and Emerging Business Enterprise (EBE).
This year, Amy gained the honor of being named the SBA’s Small Business Person of the Year for Colorado! She was recognized at the National Small Business Week awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.
Amy has worked tirelessly to pave the way for other women entrepreneurs working in a male-dominated field. Amy started an apprentice program and pays for apprentices to attend trade school. She focuses on hiring female apprentices and showcases her business as a model for others.
Amy believes confidence is key for women as they build their careers, whether they work in the trades or any other field.
“Now is definitely the time for women, and its been a long time coming”