Name: Jennifer Martell
Company or Organization: APEX Integrated Solutions, Inc
What is your job or role there? President and Owner
Where do you live? Granger, IN
How do you think that Bold Women of Business demonstrate being bold?
Bold women demonstrate being bold by not giving up. They don’t let the barriers in place stand in the way of them achieving their goal. If anything, the barriers fuel them to work harder.
Bold women are often defined by a number of descriptors. What top three would say most exemplify your personality?
Daring
Fearless
Bright
Please provide an example of when you feel you were at your very best in taking action on the job or in your role.
Being a woman in a predominantly male industry, you are constantly underestimated. I remember when Covid hit and we had employees working in California, where the rules and regulations included the possibility of being arrested if you didn’t have a mask. There were shortages on everything and I had to work with my team to work around the barriers and solve issues to keep our crews working because construction was considered essential. We ended up buying drums of Journeyman Distillery’s hand sanitizer and packaging it in honey bear bottles that we could get online and also hired people to sew masks that we could provide to our crews in every state we were working. It’s a weird example, but a time where we all had to pivot and get creative to address something no one was prepared for.
What’s the funniest thing that ever happened on your road to success?
The funniest thing was when I was sitting in a post bid meeting and was furthest away from the copier, but the gentleman we were meeting with looked at me and said he was sure I could do a better job making copies for the rest of the attendees. I smiled and did as I was asked, and, when he asked later if I was there because I typed up the bid form, I had the pleasure of telling him that I was actually there because I signed the bid form. Sometimes you just have to find ways to laugh through the madness. In that situation, his facial reaction and realization he has me make copies was priceless.
Who most inspires your personal drive for success every day?
My family are my inspiration. I want to make them proud, always be able to provide and show them there is value in hard work.
What is your best advice to women in Southwest Michigan looking to succeed, as you have, in business?
My best advice is to not let the barriers put in place stop you. Just keep pushing forward despite the roadblocks put in you way. There is always a way around them.
What does your selection to the ranks of the Bold Women of Business from Moody on the Market mean to you?
Honestly, being selected didn’t make sense. I feel like the group of women selected far exceeds my level of achievement and I am honored to be included. I guess it means people are watching even when you think you’ve managed to stay under the radar.
