#WeAreSouthQueens - Venessa Sammy

This #WomensHistoryMonth South Queens Women's March is partnering with our friends at @itsinrichmondhill and Queens Economic Development Corporation to feature women business owners in Richmond Hill! First up, we're sharing the story of Venessa Sammy of Expert Building Violation Removal Services, located at 103-49 118th Street. Please like, share and engage with this post to uplift Venessa's story!

This series is the start of #WeAreSouthQueens, a larger project we are undergoing at SQWM to chronicle the stories and journeys of individuals who make our South Queens community what it is. Stay tuned!

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Venessa Sammy, President & CEO, Expert Building Violation Removal Services

Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Venessa and her parents migrated to New York City when she was in high school. Venessa's parents prioritized education for Venessa and her sister. She gained an education in Finance. Venessa worked in the corporate sector for approximately 15 years at which point she realized that her energy would better be expended on growing her own business instead of someone else's. She also recognized that there would be no glass ceiling or limit to growth if the business was her own.

What does a typical day look like for you?

"It's not predictable most times. It depends on the inspections. there are so many facets to this business. What we are is a services business. We work with the City directly in providing and obtaining approved plans, blueprints of actual plans of engineering reports, when there are infringements for codes broken, when there are violations for illegal basements, and more; we resolve these issues for the client. Basically what we offer is a one-stop-shop type of contract where we can provide you with everything you need to address your violating condition. Our schedule depends on whether we have several inspections, appointments and more."

What is your staff structure?

"I have two assistants but most of our staff work as consultants. They range from engineers, electricians, contractors and expediters. They work on a project-by-project basis."

As a woman-owner, what types of challenges have you experienced along your journey?

"I would say sexism has primarily been my greatest challenge. At first it is not something very visceral. But it exists and it happens in our minority community as well. It's even more highlighted when you're aware of it - when you have to work 10 times harder to be respected and taken seriously; So you have to operate on a different mode of thinking, behaving and even conducting business... This is a male-dominated field and many women that started off in this field are no longer around. "

How did you overcome these struggles?

"I would say by proving that you're just as capable as anyone else, regardless of your gender, or your disposition in any way. I guess for me, I have a philosophy: If I'm paid $10 for a service, I'll give you $50; I'll give you more in value. I think I've overcome all of my challenges by giving more in value than what I've been contracted to do and also by proving that I'm more than capable, That I go above and beyond."

What are your goals for the future?

"My goal for the future, with this business specifically, is to retire, it's to sell, to transition. I would say 'you don't own, the business owns you because there's always so many moving parts constantly. it's a never-ending process. the city is also always changing their regulations and their codes. So it's also staying educated, staying abreast of new material, new routes, new practices and processes."

What kind of advice would you have for young women entrepreneurs?

"My number one piece of advice for anyone, including younger women is to stop making excuses, r procrastinating. I could have found all the reasons why I wouldn't survive and succeed in this business, in this field. I didn't do that. I felt all the reasons to do it and how I can, just do it -- get up and try it. It's better to fail but tried than to never have tried. don't make excuses. give it a go at and believe in yourself. educate yourself."

Final thoughts?

"I think we need as women to come together and support each other professionally and personally. We need to encourage each other that it can be done and also possibly share our experiences so we can see that it can be done because a lot of women think 'we can't do this' or 'it can't be done.' But when we share with each other, things seem more possible."