In this episode of Fireside America, Ryan Robbins sits down with Pat Miller — a powerhouse in commercial construction, Amazon bestselling author, and widow-turned-entrepreneur — to tell the raw and powerful story behind her rise in a male-dominated industry.
Pat shares how she went from building some of the most well-known landmarks in Brick Township, NJ, alongside her late husband Ray, to facing a devastating personal loss, financial ruin, and a corrupt insurance battle — and still managing to rebuild her business bigger than ever. With sharp wit and unfiltered honesty, Pat discusses union politics, what it’s like being a woman on job sites, and how the trauma of her childhood gave her the resilience to carry on.
This episode covers:
What it’s like to lose a spouse and run the business alone
The harsh truth about insurance companies and widow benefits
Rebuilding multi-million dollar contracts from the ground up
Being a woman in commercial construction
How trauma from childhood can shape your grit as an adult
Integrity, reputation, and hard-earned trust in business
Stories from the job site — from cat porn to lawsuits
Mentorship for women and why more young girls need to consider the trades
Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, business owner, widow, or young woman breaking into male-dominated industries, this episode will remind you that life may knock you down — but you can always build back stronger.
Timestamps
0:00 – The Toughness You Can’t Teach: Pat’s Early Life & Values
5:15 – Growing Up in Old Bridge, Keg Parties & High Honors
10:45 – Losing Her Husband & Carrying the Business Alone
14:20 – Building Brick Township: Krispy Kreme, Best Buy & Home Depot
18:30 – $186 Widow’s Benefit: What Unions Don’t Tell You
22:00 – Lawsuit Nightmare: When Insurance Won’t Defend You
26:40 – Starting with $100 and a Layoff Check
31:05 – Raising Two Boys, Running a Company & Reinvesting in Tools
35:10 – Being a Woman on Construction Sites: Proving Them Wrong
42:20 – Mentorship, Vocational School Visits & Calling for More Tradeswomen
48:00 – Life After Loss: Grief, Gratitude, and The Filing Cabinet Mentality
55:00 – Final Wisdom on Integrity, Self-Awareness & Owning Who You Are
Tags:
Pat Miller, women in construction, commercial contractor, rebuilding after loss, widow entrepreneur, Brick Township NJ, construction industry, union politics, integrity in business, female leadership, mentorship for women, commercial real estate, grief recovery, business after spouse death, insurance battle, lawsuit survival, New Jersey builder, inspirational women, jobsite stories, blue collar success, women in trades, Amazon best seller, overcoming trauma, Fireside America podcast