Remodeling Through Inclusion

In the busy streets of Minneapolis, two remodelers—no, remodelists—are working to close the gender gap that is still present in the industry.

Susi Strothman and Tamatha Miller own Elea Healy, a full-service design-build firm they co-founded in 2022.

Strothman received her Masters of Architecture degree in 1999 and worked for 15 years as an adjunct professor teaching architectural structures courses. Miller received a degree in fine arts in the early 2000s and started her design career working in scenic design, fabrication art, and mural creation.

Miller’s work in local establishments honing her service/management skills led her to the remodeling industry, which in turn led to a career in project management where she met Strothman. After six years of working at a remodeling firm together, the two decided to strike out on their own..

The company name borrows from each other’s family history. Healy comes from Strothman’s great-great grandfather, Theron Potter (T.P.) Healy, who was a master builder in the Minneapolis area in the late 1800s. Elea is an acronym of Miller’s beloved late grandparents, Ellen Lucy and Elwin Alexander Kenyon.

Legacies of respected architectural achievements and inclusiveness made the decision to honor their families an easy one for Strothman and Miller. As their website claims, “We believe in doing the right thing for our clients AND for their houses. We believe quality of craftsmanship and materials AND quality of experience are paramount. We believe the reputation of our industry can—and should—improve through action and integrity.”

Modernizing Improves Endurance

An appreciation for history informs their view of remodeling, too. “I don’t like the idea of tear downs,” says Strothman. She believes remodeling an old house to fit today’s aesthetic is better because the home can “continue to endure.” She appreciates how homes have long, storied histories worth preserving and nurturing.

Leading Together As... Remodelists?

Strothman and Miller share leadership duties as co-owners, and thrive due to their opposing strengths. Strothman excels at numbers and design while Miller specializes in organizing systems and people management.

The two forego the term “remodeler” for a novel word they coined themselves: remodelist. A portmanteau of “remodeler” and “specialist,” it highlights how they are specialists and experts of their craft just as much as they are remodelers. It communicates that they are remodeling specialists.

The Importance of Inclusivity

As a women-owned business, a top priority for Elea Healy is promoting inclusivity and providing a safe haven for marginalized groups to break into remodeling. With many women and nonbinary staff, they provide opportunities for individuals who otherwise might not be as warmly welcomed into the industry.

“Part of the remodelist profile has to do with soft skills,” Strothman says. “It’s not only the knowledge of old homes. It has to do with the knowledge of being personable, approachable, responsible. All the things you really need to be trustworthy in somebody’s home.”

And they work hard to ensure  clients feel safe and heard. “There are  a lot of single women out there.  There are a lot of same-sex partnerships. People aren’t always comfortable with the ‘dude culture’ of contracting,” says Strothman.

While Strothman and Miller are giving women and nonbinary remodelers more opportunities, they want to push it further. Much of the industry is still male dominated, and they would like it to evolve into something more balanced and inclusive. Other voices and perspectives add value to the industry, and with the industry facing a labor shortage, Elea Healy hopes to inspire others of all backgrounds to join them. There is still work to be done, but they stay optimistic about the future.

“I think that the space has been calling out for change, and it’s coming,” says Miller. Strothman adds, “We need to be more open, not more closed if we’re going to grow the trades.”