Holliday’s Construction & Locating Founders Michael and LaShon Holliday.

Holliday’s Construction & Locating installed flooring from the second floor to the rooftop terrace and lounge for the 249-room Hilton Alpharetta Atlanta.

Holliday’s Construction & Locating (Holliday’s Construction) is a general construction company with headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. Services include flooring, drywall, electrical, plumbing, roofing and framing. Projects involve new construction, interior buildouts, rehabs and repairs for both commercial and residential customers.

“Our mission is to provide our customers with the highest level of quality construction and locating services at fair and market-competitive prices,” says LaShon Holliday, CEO. “We don’t put our own twist on their ideas. We build it the way they want it.”

LaShon and her husband, Michael Holliday, President of the company, have known each other since their high school days in Chicago. “I’ve always enjoyed working with my hands,” says Michael. “Construction was a natural fit for me.” LaShon’s interest in the industry started with helping renovate her mom’s big basement. “I thought, ‘Oh, this is easy.’ I started learning different skills, including how to drive a backhoe and use a jackhammer,” she says.

LaShon’s dream was to become the owner of a construction company. She regularly encouraged Michael to take that big step: “Let’s start our own business and work for ourselves!” As Michael recalls, LaShon “got in my chest” to press the point. They started their construction company in Chicago nearly a decade ago. They moved the business to the Atlanta area in 2018, fulfilling a longtime goal of relocating to be closer to family in Georgia.

Constructing Atlanta’s Growth

“Many people have dreams of the businesses they want, the homes they want. We’re committed to helping our customers translate those dreams into reality,” says LaShon. “We make sure to fit the project to the budget and expectations while performing the work properly and professionally.”

A recent project they’re particularly proud of is being a part of the ground-up construction of the Hilton Alpharetta Atlanta on Windward Parkway. “This is a high-end property. We gave the building a totally different look among other hotels in that area,” Michael says. The Holliday’s Construction team performed exterior and interior work, including installation of flooring from the second floor to the roof terrace and in the lounge of the 249-room hotel.

As enjoyable as that project was for the team, it also came with challenges beyond their control. The weather didn’t cooperate; Michael recalls significant rain during the project. “We just kept moving. Some weeks we worked six or seven days to complete tasks on time,” he says. In addition, there were COVID-related challenges resulting in temporary delays. After an outbreak of the virus at the project, the team was tested while the site was thoroughly cleaned and sanitizing stations were installed. “We weren’t able to access the site for about five days. Once we were back on the job, we followed all guidelines to keep everyone safe. We made it happen, and we had fun on this project,” he adds.

Another challenge was when the company was hired to renovate and reroute water pipes in the food prep and kitchen areas of the RaceTrac gas station in Union City, Georgia. It’s open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Because it never closes, the team had to perform the work to minimize disruption for customers and employees. The scope of work required taking up the floor, installing new pipes and pouring concrete. “We would start around 7 p.m., after their busier drive-time hours, and work through the night,” Michael says.

Other projects of note include roof installation for the rehabilitated Bolton Road sewage pumping station for the City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management.

Their latest and largest project kicks off this fall in Manchester, Georgia. The project includes construction of 108 new homes.

Accurate, Timely Infrastructure Location

Locating services are an integral part of Holliday’s Construction’s business. Before the first shovel hits the ground, underground infrastructure must be located to ensure the work and workers don’t come in contact with or damage electric and fiber optic cables or gas lines and water pipes. “With so many projects underway in the Atlanta area, our customers need to complete utility location quickly to avoid delaying projects,” LaShon says.

“There are not enough locators to keep up with industry demand,” she notes. “We have the expertise to provide this service.” She previously worked for a Chicago engineering company and was responsible for their locating projects, from ordering flags and wands to managing budgets and invoicing. She also learned how to do the locating work herself. Michael previously performed locating and surveying work for a subcontractor.

Team Culture of Inclusion, Growth, Integrity

“Discrimination is simply not allowed in our company,” LaShon says. “We make sure everyone on our team is a success in life as well as with us.”

She and Michael both believe in giving people second chances to learn, grow and excel. They reward employees, including providing bonuses, for their hard work and loyalty—attributes which help the company expand and which lead to more opportunities.

“We value our integrity and have great relationships with our subs, because we want people to know we are about quality and value,” LaShon says.

Their “go-to guys” all know their work, inside and out. Dorian Tennison is their concrete guy. Elgin Newson is the top welder. Kevin Morrison and Timothy Johnson are all-around project managers. “We do a lot of mentoring,” says Michael. “Our more experienced guys like Kevin and Antonio Clark, another concrete guy on the team, show the younger guys the ins-and-outs of the business. The mentoring helps them learn how to do things correctly and assures they won’t take short cuts. We don’t like to leave anyone behind,” he says.

“We want everyone to learn how to do everything,” LaShon adds. “Developing experience and knowledge eventually equips them to train others. It also positions them for promotion, as our business grows—and they become eligible for bonuses, too.”

Michael and LaShon have established Holliday’s Empowerment Program, a 501(c)(3), to provide training classes in welding, drywall and flooring for employees and others who want to learn these trades.

“Everyone on our team is OSHA 30-certified,” says Michael. “We make sure our people get the training ahead of projects, from drywall and plumbing to electrical and framing. For example, we’ll bring in a licensed, certified electrician to conduct the training and help our people get certified. It’s good for our employees to add credentials and industry certifications to their resumes.”

The company participates in local community giving events, frequently donating supplies—from diapers and baby formula to masks and sanitizers during the COVID-19 pandemic. They are supporters of the FreeWishes Foundation, a nonprofit organization that curates events and programs to encourage and empower youth and senior adults in the metro Atlanta area.

Building with the End in Mind, and the Future

“I’m excited about seeing the end results of our work. To drive past a business or home and say, ‘We built that!’ The thrill never gets old,” Michael says.

The Holliday duo manages their company for the long term, as the first generation of a long-running, family-operated business. “This company is not just for us,” says LaShon. “We look at this as a legacy for our kids and our grandkids. They have five adult children and, currently, “eight-point-five” grandchildren. (One was on the way at the time of this interview.)

“We want to remain family-oriented, and we make sure that our kids understand the business and our mission,” LaShon says. “We want our children and theirs to be prepared to continue the family business.”

Recently, LaShon was sitting at her desk, looking at building plans. “Our youngest grandchild, Promiyce, pointed her little finger at the drawings and said, ‘OK, Nonee, you have to add these numbers together!’ She looks and pays attention! Even though she is just 8.” It looks like the future of Holliday’s Construction may well be in very good hands.