“Women are even more increasingly determined to support one another and to champion each other; to believe we can do anything, be anything. Now, when you look at the streetscape, especially in this remarkable city of Calgary, and the quality of entrepreneurs, women are everywhere. We are making a massive difference, and it is no longer a man’s boardroom. It is an equal-opportunity world, and you have to believe that and hold it true and operate in the world, today, like that.” – Allison Grafton
At the Calgary Influential Women in Business Awards, we celebrate the leaders in our community who are helping advance women in business and leading the charge for diversity in the workplace. This year, we are honoured to present Allison Grafton with the Small and Medium Enterprise Award, recognizing her trailblazing work establishing a luxury custom home-building company while championing other women to rise into leadership roles.
Before becoming the founder and sole owner of Rockwood Custom Homes, Allison Grafton was an investment banker. In 2009, she decided to take the leap and change careers. She felt ready to run her own company and was inspired to find ways to improve the residential construction industry.
“When you see an opportunity to make an industry better, to be one of the leading people, it’s not going to be easy; it’s going to be really, really hard because 95 per cent of people don’t want to change,” she says. And it’s with hard work that Grafton has grown Rockwood Custom Homes into a team of 35 employees collaborating with over 500 contractors.
Taking Risks With Guidance
“I really hope that women look to myself and other women who are thriving and making a difference in their industry and community, knowing that the risk is worth taking when you’re going to have significant growth. You never truly know if you can or if it’s going to be a success, but never let that stop you.”
Grafton is a risk taker, but she listens to her gut instincts for guidance. She also trusts and values her mentors, who help ensure her decisions are balanced and thoughtful.
“If you can listen to mentors, you’re going to do really well. You don’t have to listen to exactly what they tell you to do, but you must listen to their words of wisdom around how you might do better.”
Values to Carry You Through
“Honesty, integrity, accountability: those are really the key values that make a massive difference in being an exceptional leader and making a change in any level of industry.”
Grafton knows the world of an entrepreneur is ever-changing, and what once worked may not always work. Though pivoting is necessary, she advises aspiring entrepreneurs to keep their values intact throughout the journey. As a mentor to many women, her advice is simple: work hard and believe in your success.
“Anybody can make a difference with their ingenuity, intelligence, work ethic, loyalty and courage.”
Grafton sees the importance of giving back, too. She’s sat on various boards and been involved with different organizations and initiatives, like YW Calgary and the Dress for Success program at the Making Changes Association. She supports various youth mental health initiatives at the Alberta Children’s Hospital and the Fraser Institute and contributes to multiple foundations.
A Woman of Influence in Calgary
“To be a woman of influence in the city of Calgary is remarkable, as it’s a city of women who are remarkably intelligent and independent.”
Grafton says she’s honoured to receive the Small and Medium Enterprise Award and that it comes with immense responsibility to continue on the path she’s forging. With her exceptional leadership in business and involvement in youth mental initiatives and women’s organizations, there is no doubt she will continue to make a difference in Calgary and beyond.
Please join us in celebrating Grafton’s outstanding contributions to business and her efforts to support and inspire women on their journey to success.