Company Name: Aspire Construction & Design
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Year Founded: 2017
Website: www.aspireconstructionre.com
Aspire Construction & Design, based in Atlanta, Georgia, has been named the CO—100 Top Honoree in the Micro-Business Leaders category.
This woman- and minority-owned commercial AEC (Architecture, Engineering, Construction) firm has thrived as a small, nimble business while providing first-class design-build services to small businesses. With a team of three, Aspire offers comprehensive architectural, engineering, interior design, and construction services under one roof to help its clients create or expand their brick-and-mortar locations.
A micro-business making a big impact
Despite being a micro-business, Aspire Construction & Design consistently delivers high-quality results that rival larger firms. In 2023, the three-person team generated nearly $1 million in revenue, and the company expects to grow through 2024 and beyond.
“We live each and every day with purpose and passion,” explained Amber Lawson, Founder and Principal of Aspire Construction & Design. "Our purpose and passion intersect and produce profit.”
Aspire’s small size allows the team to stay nimble and flexible, easily adapting to the evolving needs of their clients and projects. This agility has been a key factor in Aspire’s success, allowing the firm to take on complex projects while maintaining a bespoke attention to detail.
By leveraging creative problem-solving techniques and working closely with clients over extended periods — often 18 to 24 months — Aspire builds long-lasting, positive relationships with its clientele while ensuring every project reflects the needs and wants of the client and is executed to the highest standards.
“Our leadership is well-versed in construction, commercial real estate, and design, and shares that knowledge with others,” said Kambria Williams, Aspire’s Project Engineer. “At Aspire, we learn and are consistently fed knowledge of this ever-changing industry and are able to test our knowledge through application in several real-time projects.”
We live each and every day with purpose and passion. Our purpose and passion intersect and produce profit.
Amber Lawson, Founder and Principal, Aspire Construction & Design
A focus on client-centered innovation
Aspire Construction & Design has built its reputation by placing clients at the heart of every project. The company’s approach goes beyond simply executing a construction plan, instead creating tailored solutions that meet the specific goals and challenges of each small business.
“What a restaurant needs today and next year is radically different than what a product manufacturer requires,” said Lawson. “It is by approaching every client and every project on its own merits are we able to envision and transform physical spaces from four walls and a floor to a hustling, bustling hub of synergy and productivity to serve our clients, but most importantly our clients’ clients."
Lawson noted that she and her team are always thinking ahead — not just about how to solve today’s problems, but how to future-proof their designs for tomorrow. For instance, when a client needed to fit 15 apartments on less than 0.4 acres, Aspire didn’t see it as an obstacle but as an opportunity to demonstrate creative problem-solving.
By maximizing space efficiency without compromising the quality of design, Aspire not only helped the client meet their goals but also set a new standard for adaptive real estate development. The firm’s client-centered innovation ensures that each project is not just a construction job but a carefully thought-out solution designed to fuel business growth.
“We are invested in our clients’ success, which is why 93% of our business comes from referrals,” Lawson said.
Building assets while building community
Aspire Construction & Design is committed not only to building physical assets but also to building up its community. The firm is heavily involved in mentorship and educational programs for underrepresented students in the fields of architecture, engineering, and construction.
“We are builders — we build people, we build community, we build physical assets,” said Lawson.
One notable initiative is the company's leadership of a S.T.E.A.M. workshop for high school students, in collaboration with the United Way, to inspire future generations in architecture and construction.
Beyond educational efforts, Aspire has actively contributed to local projects that benefit the community. A recent example includes the design and construction of an educational facility for children with autism. Aspire’s commitment went beyond just completing the project; the company also donated an outdoor sensory space to the facility at no cost.
Most importantly, Aspire has created a sense of community within its own small team. Each person knows their contributions are valued, which can be especially impactful for minority women working in a male-dominated field like construction.
“As a Black woman working in America, it's easy to feel insignificant within your industry or company,” said Ayana Lawson, Aspire’s Office Engineer. “At Aspire, it couldn't be more different. Even when I was just an intern, decisions that I made have yielded direct impacts to the projects we managed. I feel as though my input is wanted, and the that work I do matters.”
With a strong foundation built on intentionality and community engagement, Aspire is well-positioned for continued growth as it leads the way in creating impactful designs for small businesses and their communities.
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Spotlight On
Aspire Construction & Design
Aspire Construction & Design is a commercial AEC firm founded by Amber Lawson in 2017, offering in-house design-build services for small businesses to design, renovate, and construct their brick-and-mortar locations. With a commitment to both building physical spaces and uplifting communities, Aspire focuses on providing a holistic real estate development experience while fostering mentorship and educational opportunities for underrepresented students in the fields of architecture, engineering, and construction.