Today we’d like to introduce you to Pat Miller.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey is a story of two beginnings. The first was in 1995 when my husband, Ray, and I started our first company, RPM Construction, with just a $100 from his union layoff check and a shared vision. We built a life and a reputation in the trades together. However, our business went dormant for two years while Ray courageously battled cancer. After he passed away, I found myself at a crossroads: I could let that legacy go or I could rebuild.
I chose to rebuild. I started from absolute scratch to create Blue Diamond Construction. I had to re-establish credit, re-earn trust in a male-dominated field and prove that I could lead a firm on my own terms. Today, Blue Diamond is a certified WBE powerhouse that specializes in structural metal framing. That experience of starting over from zero is what fuels my work today as a best-selling author and host of the From Underdog to Entrepreneur podcast. I’m not just talking about resilience; I’ve lived the total reconstruction of a life and a career.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road I was traveling wasn’t just rocky; at one point, it completely disappeared. Re-entering the commercial construction world after a two-year hiatus and a personal tragedy was the ultimate “stress test.” I had to navigate the “boys’ club” of the trades while carrying the weight of grief and the pressure of starting a new entity, Blue Diamond, from the ground up.
There were no shortcuts. I had to prove my technical expertise in metal framing all over again to general contractors and developers. But those obstacles are exactly why I’m so passionate about founder advocacy today. I’ve faced the “worst-case scenario” and come out the other side with a best-selling book, Kicking Karma’s Ass, and a platform to help other founders realize that a dormant period or a major setback doesn’t have to be the end of the story — it can be the foundation for something even stronger.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At Blue Diamond Construction, we specialize in the “bones” of a building—structural metal framing and commercial carpentry. I’m known for being a leader who understands the technical nuances of the field because I had to build every aspect of this company with my own two hands.
What sets me apart is that I don’t just build structures; I also build resilient people. I’m incredibly proud of the fact that I didn’t just survive Ray’s passing — I honored our shared history by evolving into a mentor for the “underdogs” in every industry. I want to show the next generation that the trades offer a professional path that can withstand any storm.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I am a very spiritual person. I firmly believe that what you put out to the universe will come back to you.
It’s why my memoir is titled, Kicking Karma’s Ass. A lot of people think karma is this thing where you’ve done something wrong, so something bad happens to you as a result. Basically, you get what you deserve.
Wayne Dyer says, “How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours.”
And that’s how I look at it… you are responsible for you. If you put positivity into the world, positivity comes back to you.
In my book, I share how I used karma to rebuild my life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bluediamondconstructionnj.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluedmndnj/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepatmiller11
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thepatmiller11/
- Twitter: https://x.com/BluedmndNJ
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePatMiller11
