Chelsea Husum: Breaking Barriers in Construction and Life

Thomas Helfrich

✂️Cut The Tie to Everything Holding You Back✂️ InstantlyRelevant.com systemizes your business growth using LinkedIn | Host Top 5% Global "Never Been Promoted" Podcast | Author "Cut The Tie"

Published Dec 18, 2024

The soft hum of construction equipment, the smell of freshly cut concrete, and the satisfying rhythm of building something from the ground up. For Chelsea Husum , founder of American GPR and Coring, this isn’t just a job—it’s her life. But Chelsea didn’t start here. Her journey into construction wasn’t a carefully laid plan; it was a leap of faith. A former high school Spanish teacher, she traded her classroom for construction sites and built her own company from scratch. Today, she’s not only leading a thriving business but also inspiring others as a bestselling author and speaker. Her story is about grit, reinvention, and finding freedom on her own terms.

Let’s dig into what Chelsea shared with me during our conversation—lessons that hit home for anyone who’s ever thought about carving their own path.

1. Create Your Own Playbook

In the construction world, sticking to the status quo is often the default. Not for Chelsea. When she launched American GPR and Coring, she decided to flip the script. Her team uses ground-penetrating radar to ensure concrete structures are safe for drilling—high-stakes work requiring precision and trust. But Chelsea’s leadership style is what really sets her apart.

“I decided early on that I wasn’t going to treat my team like numbers,” she told me. “I pay them for a full 40-hour work week, even if there’s a slow day. Nobody else does that, but for me, it’s about building loyalty.”

This approach doesn’t just create happy employees—it creates a business culture people want to stick around for.

2. The Pivot Isn’t Always Pretty

Before Chelsea was running her own construction company, she spent ten years teaching Spanish. By her final year, she was ready for a change but wasn’t sure where to go. Job applications went unanswered, and it felt like a door was closing. Finally, an opportunity came along: office manager at a construction firm. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was a foot in the door.

“I cried a lot those first few months,” she admitted, laughing. “I had no idea what I was doing. I’d Google things, ask a million questions, and just figure it out. It was messy, but I learned so much.”

That “messy” start gave her the foundation she needed to launch her own company. Her first year in business? $17,000 in revenue. Fast forward to today, and she’s clearing over $700,000 annually. The lesson? You don’t have to know everything to start—you just need the guts to begin.

3. Be Real, or Be Forgotten

If there’s one thing Chelsea doesn’t have time for, it’s pretending to be someone she’s not. Her book, Real Vibes Only: Unapologetic Confessions of a Hot Mess Mompreneur, lays it all out—parenting struggles, business failures, and the chaotic beauty of building a life on your terms. She doesn’t sugarcoat anything, and that’s exactly why her story resonates.

“So many people feel like they have to hide the hard stuff, but honestly, nobody’s perfect, and nobody’s got it all figured out. I just decided to own my story and put it out there.”

Authenticity is a strategy. Whether she’s speaking on stage or leading her team, Chelsea’s openness connects her with people in a way that polished perfection never could. If you’re out there trying to build something, remember this: People don’t connect with facades. They connect with real.

4. Build the Life You Want—Right Now

Chelsea’s not about sacrificing everything now for some hypothetical future. She’s intentional about creating a life she actually enjoys, and her business is built to support that. Need proof? She once ran her entire company remotely for ten days while vacationing in Italy.

“I wanted to wake up on my 40th birthday in Italy, so I made it happen,” she said. “I work hard when I work, but I also take time to enjoy my life. Skiing on a Tuesday? Why not? That’s the kind of freedom I wanted when I started my business.”

For Chelsea, it’s not about working less—it’s about working smarter. She’s crafted her schedule to focus on what matters, whether that’s her family or her next big business move. It’s a simple idea but a powerful one: If your work doesn’t support the life you want, what’s the point?

5. Celebrate the Little Wins

Entrepreneurship is a rollercoaster. There are big wins, sure, but most days are made up of small victories. Chelsea’s learned to celebrate those moments—the first client, solving a tough problem, or even just getting through a chaotic Monday.

“I used to create chaos for myself, Every email felt urgent, every call had to be answered immediately. Now, I’ve learned to slow down and appreciate the progress, even if it’s small.”

Celebrating the little things doesn’t just make the journey more enjoyable; it keeps you motivated for the long haul. It’s a reminder that success isn’t just about hitting massive milestones—it’s about appreciating the steps along the way.

Conclusion

Chelsea’s journey is a reminder that you don’t need to follow someone else’s path to find success. You can write your own rules, take messy first steps, and build something incredible—on your terms.