Banner Business Sponsored by The Boston Foundation
As the first Black woman-owned restoration business in the Commonwealth, Altavise Chinn is on a mission to restore the world — one building at a time.
Chinn built her company, L5 Restoration LLC, from the ground up to be the successful business it is today.
“I would say growing up, I always did little jobs but nothing serious. And then, I actually worked for a male, [and] it was a different type of experience, working with somebody and also being a woman, a Black woman. So, I just decided that I wanted to start my own business and take the initiative to take it seriously and not getting told you’re fired or you can’t do something. So I understand my own business,” she said.
It was one of her first projects that sparked the fire for Chinn to start her own business.
“I went in somewhere in Massachusetts, and an elderly lady needed help moving something. And I went out there, and all I had to do was move a fridge and then move a back burner. I told her I didn’t want any money for it because I felt bad. And she was like, ‘No, I insist.’ That just sparked me to realize that there’s so many people out there who own homes and stuff, and they don’t really have the strength, energy, or time to take on certain projects in their home. So for me, helping the elderly, veterans, first-time homebuyers, people with disabilities, I really found a passion in helping them have a love for their properties again,” she said.
A finished renovation by L5 Restoration. BANNER PHOTO
She then began taking on painting and cleaning jobs, but once she put together her first deck she liked to see her transformations.
“I’m really starting to like seeing the before-and-after pictures [of] the transformations. And then, I did my first full restoration of a unit. One of my property owners had three houses, and they had three units inside of the house. And I went and restored everything from the ceiling to the floor. So we did the ceilings over. We did the floor over. We stained that property. We stained the floor. It was just all beaten up and all broken, and then I was told to go in and just restore it so they can rent out the unit again, and then that’s what inspired me to be able to give people a place to stay,” she said.
When asked if she had a favorite restoration project, Chinn said all of her restoration jobs are meaningful.
“I wouldn’t say one, but just being able to transform units, so people can have a place to stay is important to me. The housing crisis is bad, as is the homeless crisis. So I just feel like the more units I do, the property I restore is helping someone else have a place to stay. So that means a lot to me. And then also, I personally feel that the property owner should utilize every part of their property, and they shouldn’t have a room that’s not being used. So it means a lot to me to give people access to parts of their house that maybe they’re not able to fix,” she said.
She also started reaching out to local churches to see if she could do restoration projects for them.
“I recently just restored a kitchen for a church. And it was really bad. It was abandoned. … I haven’t released a picture of these before and after, but that was really meaningful because now they actually have a food pantry that they do, so now they’re able to use that kitchen in ways to help communities. So, I feel like that project is really meaningful,” she said.
While she loves working on restoration projects, Chinn acknowledges that one of the challenges that she has had to overcome as a Black woman in construction is finding her voice.
“Being a Black woman in construction, [there are] not a lot of role models, if that makes sense, around me. … I feel like a challenge is just accepting myself in these spaces. I know, for women in general, working on construction sites for men … it’s something that is growing, but it’s not seen much often. And then I own my business but actually work in it, too. I do the work. So, I think that’s a challenge just being a Black woman in construction,” she said.
Chinn also received her second master’s degree in construction management at Wentworth Institute of Technology, which she said helped her business tremendously.
“I really wanted to make sure that I’m running my business professionally and giving my property owners the best that I have to offer them. So I went, and school is very important to me. Education is really important. I believe it’s one of the top construction management schools in the country, and I really learned so much in understanding the process,” she said.
“Most of my classmates that are female, which is a lot — there’s probably, like three of them —they’re more on the managerial side, and I own my business, but also work in it. So I feel like just having the confidence to go into more of the hands-on parts of it …you will grow in this industry, so even though you might not know much working in a team, you’ll start getting better and use this stuff,” she said.
“I remember when I first started, I was so scared to use a power tool. But then I just [was] like, ‘Okay, this guy’s doing it, pretty sure I can take it on. Let me at least try.’ I had someone there to make sure that I was being safe and everything. And now I have a whole storage of tools and they are all pink — my favorite color,” she added.
Chinn also spoke about why Black women need to be in the construction industry despite the challenges.
“Well, I personally feel like it shouldn’t deter a Black woman to be in this industry. There’s a lot we offer. I know for me personally, liking to pay attention to details, seeing something, and having the confidence to help and change for the better is important. I feel a little bit of hesitancy when you talk about construction. But it’s not all hard. And one thing I did learn from … [the] Institute … I learned that everything’s done with a team. So, it’s not like you’re taking on anything by yourself. And I feel like, if anyone could do it, so can a Black woman. It may seem like it’s a lot for us to step into, [but] just give it a chance. I feel like we will benefit a lot from being in the construction industry, paying attention to details, and working together to get a problem solved; it gives you a lot of confidence afterward. During the process, it may be a lot, but then when it’s done, you look back and you’re proud of what you did and accomplished,” she said.
“Some projects I did, I can go by and see them still finished. It just makes me proud, like I did that. It’s definitely a confidence builder, and I don’t think Black women should take it as something to be nervous about; more of just an open opportunity for us to find another way of excelling. So, I would love for Black women to get the chance into construction more,” she added.
For the future, Chinn is working on incorporating more Black women and women of color into her business; however, right now, she does all the work on her own.
She also shared her long-term goals for her company, which include her company becoming global so she can go to other countries and help them with restoration projects.
However, she says it is near and dear to her heart to help in the state, especially in disadvantaged communities.
“I was born in Massachusetts…and I would like to help with the housing crisis, the homeless crisis, and minority [and] disadvantaged communities. I feel like my business — I see it going to help out more disadvantaged communitie, like that means a lot to me, and also the elderly and veterans.”
Chinn is also working on a partnership to help incarcerated individuals and wants to speak at schools to encourage students to consider careers in construction.
She advises Black women and women of color who may be interested in getting into the construction field.
“Construction is a very big umbrella. There are so many things you can do in construction. I remember one time I had a project where I had to change doorknobs. And I think that’s a fun thing, too, in my business, that no product is the same. Some women may be more comfortable … on a painting job, or maybe changing outlet covers … what I’ve learned is you can try it on your stuff. Don’t do a big job where you want to waste the material, but in your house, you just see a way to maybe do the floors over or something like that. Just start small, and then once you feel comfortable moving forward, go for it. Don’t, don’t be scared,” she said.
Lastly, she spoke about her feelings about being the first Black woman-owned restoration business in the state.
“It’s still shocking me every day. … Even though I might be the first, I would like it to be many people after me. So, it’s kind of inspiring,” she said.
