In an industry where experience matters and relationships are everything, Sharon Maxwell has spent three decades mastering the art of construction and community building. As CEO of Bratton Construction, she’s weathered economic cycles, adapted to industry changes, and built a business philosophy around her company’s distinctive tagline: “We build people that build communities that build cities.” Now, through the Port of Seattle’s Business Accelerator, this seasoned entrepreneur has tapped into a renewed sense of purpose—infusing her company with fresh energy and strategic focus for its next chapter.
Photo of Sharon Maxwell via flysea.org
A Foundation Built on Community
Bratton Construction operates as both a general contractor and specialty contractor, licensed across Washington, Oregon, and Texas, with an impressive array of certifications including WESB, MBE, DBE, ESB, WBE, and WOSB. The company handles everything from new construction and renovation to tenant improvements across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.
But what truly sets Bratton Construction apart is Maxwell’s approach to business as community building. Known as “the 411 lady” because “everybody calls me—they say Sharon is everywhere,” Maxwell has cultivated a reputation that extends far beyond construction. People from various industries turn to her social media posts to “get the pulse on what’s going on,” positioning her as a connector and information hub in her professional ecosystem.
Lessons from a Veteran Who Keeps Learning
With nearly 30 years in the construction industry, Maxwell brings a unique perspective to professional development programs. “I’ve attended multiple of these technical assistance programs,” she reflects, “and there’s always something new to either remind you or refresh or just areas where you need to refine your business model.”
The Business Accelerator proved particularly valuable in helping Maxwell and her team ensure that their processes and systems were truly serving their business goals. “It feels like we are just making sure that all of the dots as far as our back office and our field crew and how the workflows—just really making sure that the processes and systems are actually doing what we need them to do.”
Two sessions particularly resonated with Maxwell. A sales and networking session reinforced her natural strengths while providing new frameworks for client engagement. “Listen to the client of what their problems are, and then coming back around with ‘I see how Bratton can help you,'” she explains, describing how the session refined her approach to problem-solving partnerships.
Equally important were sessions on financial and legal considerations. As Bratton Construction takes on larger projects and increasingly serves as the general contractor, Maxwell found value in understanding the complexities of managing clients, subcontractors, and project logistics while protecting her company’s interests.
The Power of Cohort Learning
One of the most transformative aspects of the program for Maxwell was the cohort structure. Drawing from her experience creating youth and young adult programs, she understood the value of peer learning networks. “The cohort for me is like the key—having your go-to partners, so to say, a team that you can bounce things off.”
This network became immediately practical. Maxwell and her team used their cohort relationships as a “training ground” to implement what they were learning. “We utilized that the whole time as we were looking for projects,” she explains. “We were able to put them as our A-team and send out our ITBs to say, ‘Hey, have you looked at this? Is this something that your company can provide us a quote for?'”
The cohort provided more than just business opportunities—it offered the peer-to-peer support that business leaders often lack. “As the CEO, you always go up, never go down,” Maxwell notes, referring to the need to seek advice from fellow business owners rather than burdening staff with leadership concerns.
Personal Renaissance and Renewed Vision
For Maxwell personally, the program came at a pivotal time. After navigating the challenges of COVID-19 and overcoming a personal medical issue, she found the accelerator program provided exactly what she needed: renewal and re-energization.
“It just kind of refreshed me and reignited what my passion has been the whole time,” she reflects. “When I started my career over 30 years ago, I seen the possibilities. This feels like a renaissance, and I can see the big picture—everything looks very doable.”
This renewed energy comes with the wisdom of experience. Maxwell has already proven the power of strategic planning and persistent execution. “Everything that I put in my first business plan from day one has already come true,” she shares. She’s now working on the fourth revision of that business plan, having achieved her 2012 goals and rebuilt to that level after taking a five-year sabbatical to complete three degrees.
Marketing Insights and Strategic Visibility
The program also reinforced Maxwell’s understanding of strategic marketing and visibility. LinkedIn analytics confirmed her content was consistently reaching marketing professionals, executives, and specialists—clear validation that her strategy was resonating. “Celebrate the little things and celebrate it as it happens. Use that in our marketing to keep us out in the forefront,” she advises, emphasizing the importance of regular visibility in building brand recognition and business relationships.
Proven Wisdom for Fellow Entrepreneurs
Maxwell’s advice to fellow DBEs reflects both her extensive experience and recent learning. Her recommendations are practical and systematic:
First, create a comprehensive plan. “If you can’t articulate it in writing, then you don’t have anything,” she states firmly. Share that vision with your team, no matter how small, and review progress weekly with specific goals.
Second, embrace networking as a regular discipline. Even attending just one meeting monthly provides value, and consistency matters more than frequency. Maxwell recommends committing to showing up regularly for a full year, collecting business cards, and perfecting your elevator pitch through practice.
Her fundamental motto encapsulates her approach: “Plan your work and work your plan.” This philosophy has guided her through multiple business cycles and economic challenges, proving its effectiveness over decades of application.
Looking Forward: Building on Strong Foundations
As Bratton Construction moves forward, Maxwell sees clear opportunities ahead. Bratton Construction is now well-positioned to scale into larger general contracting roles while continuing to offer its specialty services. The relationships and knowledge gained through the Business Accelerator are already yielding results, including winning a project with the Port of Seattle (though a technical issue prevented immediate execution).
Maxwell also sees an opportunity to broaden her community impact alongside business expansion. She’s planning to engage her cohort in outreach efforts to young people in CTAC areas, exposing them to opportunities in construction and business ownership.
A Testament to Authentic Commitment
What impressed Maxwell most about the Business Accelerator was the authenticity of the commitment from the Port of Seattle and program facilitators. “It’s not like a dog and pony show to say, ‘oh, we did a little bit of this,'” she observes. “I feel like we’re gonna get something out of this—some real work, real contracts, and a real relationship with the Port of Seattle and with the larger community.”
For a veteran entrepreneur who’s seen countless initiatives over three decades, this kind of authentic partnership is what drives enduring success—not just for businesses, but for the communities they serve. Sharon Maxwell’s journey through the Business Accelerator demonstrates that experience and learning are not mutually exclusive. Sometimes, the most valuable education comes from combining decades of hard-won wisdom with fresh perspectives and new relationships, creating the perfect conditions for a professional renaissance.