What women (and men) can learn from Women in Post Frame

By Dani Sheehan. 

From experimenting with hybrid sales strategies to learning how to let go of control, the lessons shared during this year’s Meet N’ Greet reflect the real challenges contractors face today. 

The Women in Post Frame Meet N’ Greet, hosted by the National Frame Building Association (NFBA) at this year’s 58th Annual Conference and Expo, brought together professionals from across the industry for conversation, connection and candor. It offered a dual perspective on what it really takes to succeed in construction today that was rooted both in business strategy and in personal transformation. 

The business case: Why visibility and relationships still win 

When Randy Chaffee talks about business, it doesn’t feel like a strategy session. It feels more like a conversation with someone who genuinely loves people. That’s because, at his core, Randy builds relationships with everyone he meets. 

For decades, his career was built the old-school way: miles on the road, conversations over meals, handshakes that turned into long-term partnerships. And even as the industry has evolved, that part of his approach hasn’t changed, because in his words and in his actions, people are still the point. 

Like many contractors, Randy was suddenly cut off from the face-to-face interactions that had always fueled his business when the pandemic began. But instead of waiting for things to go back to normal, he found new ways to stay connected, through video, podcasts and social media, as a way to maintain and strengthen relationships. This journey became the foundation for his new book, “Asphalt and Algorithms: A Road Warrior’s Playbook for Winning Results in the Hybrid Sales Arena.” 

His message to contractors isn’t about choosing between old-school and new-school strategies. It’s about honoring both: 

• Keep showing up in person 
• Keep investing in relationships 
• Don’t underestimate the power of being consistently visible online 

Because at the end of the day, visibility is about staying present in people’s lives. And that’s really the heart of Randy’s approach: business is built on connection. 

The personal reality: What happens when control is taken away 

While Randy reminded us how to stay connected and visible in a changing industry, Linda Vap challenged us to look inward and ask a much harder question: what happens when the very thing you’ve built your identity around is suddenly out of your control? Together, they shared an important message about not only how we show up for others, but also what happens when we’re forced to show up for ourselves in an entirely new way. 

After a life-altering accident left her unable to run her company day-to-day, Linda was forced to confront something many leaders never fully examine: Who are you when you’re no longer in control? 

In this industry, when business and family are often intimately connected, this question hits close to home. The company often becomes your identity. Your purpose. Your proof of success. But Linda’s experience revealed the risk that often comes with that mindset. Despite building a strong team and systems over many years, she struggled to let go when it mattered most. And in that struggle, she uncovered a hard truth: empowering your team only works if you’re willing to trust them. 

Her journey highlighted a shift many leaders need to make: 

• From controlling to coaching 
• From doing everything to allowing others to lead 
• From identity in work to identity beyond it 

Where these messages meet 

Together, Randy and Linda painted a picture of what today’s contractors need to succeed: 

1 – Adapt your business: The way you sell, market and connect has changed. Embrace tools that expand your reach without losing your personal touch. 

2 – Evolve your leadership: Building a strong team is as much about trusting as it is about training. Growth often requires stepping back, not stepping in. 

3 – Separate identity from output: Your company is something you build, but it’s not who you are. The stronger your sense of self, the stronger your leadership becomes. 

4 – Stay open to change, even when it’s uncomfortable: Whether it’s adopting new technology or redefining your role, the contractors who grow are the ones willing to adapt. 

So much more than a meet and greet 

Events like this are exactly what the Women in Post Frame Chapter are designed to create. More than just a networking group, the chapter is building a space where women can: 

• Share real experiences 
• Learn from different leadership styles 
• Support one another’s growth in and out of the field 

The group also has a book club led by Emily “Mrs. Post Frame” Marshall, which meets again in May 2026 with a discussion of Randy’s new book. It’s another way to stay engaged, sharpen your thinking and connect with peers across the country. And leaders like Robyn Ommen and Emily Marshall are continuing to build momentum for women in post frame by introducing a Woman of the Year Award at next year’s conference.  

If there was one takeaway from this year’s event, it’s this: success isn’t just about what you build; it’s how you build it and who you become in the process. And for those who weren’t in the room this year, the message is clear: there’s real value in showing up. 

Learn more about NFBA’s Women in Post Frame Chapter and we hope to connect with you next year!