How Estefania Roa Used Her Construction Career to Become a Changemaker

Estefania Roa worked a secure banking job. She knew the ladder to climb and the career path ahead. Her stepfather, on the other hand, learned his employer, L.B. Hall Enterprises, was filing for bankruptcy.

He wanted to save the company and knew just the person to handle administration and finances.

“I knew it wasn’t going to be [easy]. I concentrated on the idea of the future and of giving it a chance because I knew there was a possibility,” says Roa.

It’s been 11 years since she accepted the role, and today Roa sits at the helm of L.B. Hall as president and owner. 

Her journey of saving the company, and then purchasing it, was the fruition of Roa’s aspirations, and her faultless resilience. 

A New Country and Life

At 14, Roa worked her first job at L.B. Hall, filing paperwork and answering phones. She had recently immigrated from Mexico to Chicago and just learned she was pregnant. It would be a job followed by a series of others: cleaning homes, babysitting, sales.

“I had to do any work I had,” Roa says. “I was never granted the opportunity to have an education because I had my son so young, and I had to work full time.”

She didn’t know what her future could entail, and absent parents left Roa without a strong foundation.

Learning to Lead

At 27, after securing a role with Chase as a personal banker, Roa traded that future for the opportunity with L.B. Hall as its vice president.

But unlike her 14-year-old self, this time, she was prepared to build a future of endless possibilities. Roa tried, and failed, then tried and tried again.

“We had to pretty much change the model of the company, from the way that we were bidding, providing customer service, and advertising,” says Roa. “And more than anything, the way we were providing quality work.” 

Roa’s most influential changes to the business were to herself. After year five at L.B. Hall, she wanted to quit, frustrated with continued problems and stress.

“Then I asked myself, ‘Am I really doing everything that I have to do in order to make this work?’” she remembers.

My main focus has never been only financials. My goal is to be able to develop leaders, to help people, to employ more families.

Endless Possibilities 

Roa admits that she had yet to properly step into her leadership role. As a young mother, she was dedicated to supporting her son and herself.

Now, she had the chance to serve as support for others and become the mentor she never had. Roa immersed herself in leadership coaching and education.

“My main focus has never been only financials,” she says. “My goal is to be able to develop leaders, to help people, to employ more families.”

A Servant Leader

Roa is now in the business of developing leaders within the different departments at L.B. Hall. One of those leaders happens to be Oliverio, her 22-year-old son, who has goals of running the company.

“He pretty much grew up with me and saw how I failed in certain things, but I think he’s also proud of the work that I’ve done because he’s seen how much effort I put into just changing myself,” says Roa.

And to complete Roa’s full circle moment, she also started a nonprofit, Hola Happy Foundation, which provides personal mentorship and scholarships to young single mothers.

“I want to be that person because I wish somebody would have shown up in my life to say, ‘This is not permanent ... Do not tag yourself as I got pregnant young, and this is all that in life. There’s more.’”