 Judy
Box
While growing up on an Australian sheep ranch, Judy Box learned
to pound nails, grow food and sew her own clothes. After graduating
from medical school, she practiced psychiatry in Columbus, Ohio
for 25 years. On the side, she and her husband bought distressed
properties, which they rehabbed and retained as rental property.
When her husband retired from a sales career in 1996, Judy
was also ready for a change and left her psychiatric practice
to build homes full-time. Her company, Box Custom Homes of Marysville,
Ohio, now builds 10 - 15 homes in the $120,000 - $350,000 range,
using pre-built, stick-framed wall-panels.
In addition to building homes,
Judy owns a catering business and two construction-related
franchises. Judy and her husband
have two grown children: a son who is a chef at the MGM Grand
Hotel in Las Vegas and a daughter who is a symphony harpist.
Judy is sewing bridesmaid dresses for her daughter’s upcoming
wedding and her company will cater the rehearsal dinner. |
 Kathy
Walters
Kathy Walters and her husband began building homes in 1977
in Missoula, Montana. In 1981, they moved back to their hometown
(Des Moines, Iowa), where they built homes until moving back to
Missoula in 1991, where they built homes until their daughters
finished high school and college and started their own families.
In 2000, they moved home to Iowa and picked up where they had
left off 10 years earlier. Their firm, Marty Walter Homes, Inc.,
builds 25 homes a year ranging from $200,000 to $480,000. One
daughter and son-in-law currently work with them and their second
daughter expects to join them next year.
Kathy taught school for 13 years
before joining her husband in homebuilding and is also a licensed
real estate agent. Today,
she spends most of her time decorating specs, marketing and working
with homebuyers. Kathy’s main hobby these days is spending
time with her grandchildren. She and her husband spend their
winters in Florida. |
