Young, enthusiastic and vibrant, Roxy Ross; an InvoTech client is taking on a male dominated career with gusto.

Ross, 29, a qualified trade tested plumber is the founder and Managing Director of Rob Ross Services cc. Her business is a small emerging construction company which seeks to break mindsets and barriers in the construction industry.

InvoTech is a Durban University of Technology innovation business incubator. The Incubator prides itself on developing entrepreneurs and bringing in the innovation X factor to differentiate and create a comparative advantage for businesses. Ms Ross is working with InvoTech to develop a computer interface system to create greater efficiency in the construction industry. It is her ambition to become skilled in software development and develop new solutions for the construction industry.

“I grew up in Newlands East where I had the ‘privilege’ of experiencing the difference between government schools as well as semi private schools. This also in some way influenced my thinking patterns towards striving and accomplishing things that were not usual in the eyes of many. Because I’ve always been strong, ambitious, courageous and determined like my father, I knew that an office job would not bring me fulfillment or unlock my full potential,” said Ross.

Ross named her company after her father, Rob Ross who was also in construction. Ross said she made this discussion to continue her family name as her father only sired daughters – five including her. “Through my father, I learned that being in construction could be profitable but that I’d also sweat and work hard to earn my keep. Later, while working for construction companies where I gained experience, knowledge and motivation, my mind was set about the direction I would take,” said Ross.

Rob Ross Services cc – which has worked for various municipalities – offers a wide range of construction services including plumbing, carpentry, building, pipeline work and fabrication. The company is 100 percent black female owned and embraces Black Economic Empowerment strategies.

Ross said she sought InvoTech’s services because of its reputation as a reputable, approachable service provider offering assistance in consultation with business processes. “They (InvoTech) seemed best for companies like ours to connect. InvoTech has marketed Rob Ross Services cc well and have created possibilities with new ventures,” she said.

Because the company is female owned and does not “look the part”, Ross said her team constantly needs to convince others, especially clients of the company’s capabilities and strengths. This can often be frustrating, she said. “We are slowly overcoming challenges by showing our company strengths, strategies and good codes of BEE practices. I would definitely advise women to get into the construction industry because it will not only provide a good source of income but also adds to skills development and job creation as well as enhances our country in many avenues,” she said.

Looking to the future, Ross plans to break mindset barriers and prove that construction can and will be well established by female BEE owners nationally and internationally. “We also wish to empower women in the construction industry as well as provide skills development within our country. Since our artisans are always leaving we would like to offer good salaries as well, therefore keeping our artisans in our country,” she said.