Sky Kolade has cemented herself as an authority in the building industry and her latest achievement is yet another contribution to the 29-year-old’s business success.
The Gold Coaster has secured a coveted spot in Pro Builder Magazine’s 40 Under 40 list for 2023.
Sky spearheaded the growth of two companies by the age of 20. In 2014 she went on to establish the Association of Professional Builders (APB) alongside her father, Russ Stephens. Nine years on, the pair has built a business that coaches and supports more than 650 builders across Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States.
Earlier this year APB was included in the AFR’s Fast Global List, which celebrates Australian companies that are delivering real commercial growth in international markets.
“To be recognised in this way is incredibly humbling, but the work we do every day is so important and I’m just glad we’re making a difference,” Sky says.
“The number of builders we’ve saved and helped turn their businesses around has been the real win. That’s what Russ, and I and the APB team like to celebrate.”
Sky is a proud member of The National Association of Women in Construction. Her latest list recognition follows on from her inclusion in the 2023 Top 100 Women in Construction.
And while the construction industry has long been male dominated, she said it was satisfying to see so many women co-directing, partnering and owning building companies.
“I’m incredibly proud of what I have achieved in the past decade or so,” she said. “I’m a big believer in ‘know your stuff, know what you’re talking about’ because gender and then certainly age becomes much less of an issue.”
As you’d expect Sky’s biggest fan is her business partner, one of Australia’s leading industry figures.
“I can’t believe it’s been nearly 10 years since Sky and I launched APB. It is an honour to work alongside her every day,” Russ said proudly.
“Sky has been crucial to growing the business and I know I speak for both of us when I say we have plenty more education and mentoring to do well into the future.”
ABOUT ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL BUILDERS
The Association of Professional Builders is a leading business coaching service for custom home builders in
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