DHI Canada Honours Our “Women In Construction” - Amber Winters

AMBER WINTERS, DHT, DHC

MANAGER, JIM’S LOCKSMITHING

DHI MEMBER SINCE 2019

WHAT WERE YOUR CHILDHOOD AMBITIONS?

I wanted to be a lawyer with a big office.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB?

My “first” job was going on service calls with my dad on Saturday mornings. My “first paying” job was as a summer student at a museum sharing the local history including the Dionne quintuplets.

WHAT LED YOU TO OUR INDUSTRY?

My dad started his own locksmithing business in 1988. As the oldest child, I was working at the kitchen table with him, taking apart locks, when I was about 7 years old. I would say that being around locks and keys was what led me to this industry.

WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST PROFESSIONAL MOMENT?

Achieving my DHC credential, so far.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE?

While going back to school has been hard, working in a male-dominated industry has been even harder. Convincing some people that I do more than just answer phones has been challenging while working in this industry. Some people would wait for hours for one of the guys to come back to have a key cut. Why is it so hard to believe that a woman can take something apart, fix it and put it back together again? Even today, after working in the business for almost 25 years, I still get asked if there is a technician on site.

WHAT’S YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE?

I can lose myself in a book for hours and hours, and it’s better than watching TV.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BOOK/MOVIE?

I fell in love with “The Sound of Music” at my grandma’s house. I watched it so many times with her that the VHS tape wore out!

WHO DO YOU CONSIDER A MENTOR OR HERO?

A hero to me is someone who is courageous and who has sacrificed. My father is my biggest hero. He was courageous to leave his job with two young kids at home and start his own business. He sacrificed many hours of family life in order to build, with integrity and hard work, a reputable company that has lasted more than 30 years. He continues to provide advice and support and works hard for the family business that many of us are a part of.

WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED?

Take a breath. I don’t have to carry the world on my shoulders.

WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU NEVER RECEIVED?

Actions speak louder than words. Show the disbelievers that you can do that task or that job, and do it correctly and to the best of your capabilities.

HOW HAS YOUR INVOLVEMENT WITH DHI SUPPORTED YOUR CAREER?

Being from Northern Ontario doesn’t give you a lot of options for meeting people in the industry. One of the first DHI contacts I made led to a contract for installation work.

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