In the press

The Wharf - 21 October 2004

All-woman building company takes off

Sisters are now doing it for others with the take off of Docks-based all female building firm A Woman's Touch.

Kerrie Keeling, a former investment banker at Canary Wharf's Citigroup, swapped her powersuit for overalls when to start her own painting and decorating firm last April.

"It's so nice to be my own boss. I enjoy it 98 per cent of the time. It is a huge cut in my income, but it's really good fun," said Kerrie.

A Woman's Touch is a team of four women - Claire Walker, Amanda Turvey, Kerrie and Neeta Hughes - with clients that include HSBC and Bank of America employees.

Kerrie, whose office is based in her Burrell's Wharf home, said: "There are not any real differences between males and females. It just so happened that the team are all women.

"Our philosophy is to do the opposite of what I dislike in builders I've encountered.

"We turn up, give quotes, don't take fag breaks and clean and tidu up after ourselves."

When Kerrie's parents found out about her career change they were disappointed, but soon realised the potential of the business.

But A Woman's Touch has been through its share of ups and downs, with some firms reluctant to entrust women with what is considered by some to be a man's job.

One customer refused to pay for an eight-month-long job leaving Kerrie to take them to court, a case she later won.

Kerrie is also finding time to take a National Design Academy interior design course. For details visit www.awomanstouch.org.uk.