It is Stephanie Battiston's 麻豆社国产baby, if buildings can be babies.
Battiston is the head of, which has just completed the Mid-Way project, in the industrial park.
According to Battiston, the project at 38924 Mid Way is designed to fill a critical gap in Squamish’s booming business sector, which has seen increased demand and below-average vacancy rates.
"This project stands out not only for its modern, tenant-focused approach but also for its women-led team breaking barriers in the traditionally male-dominated construction and industrial real estate industries," reads a news release about the project.
For Battiston, who is also the managing director of Westrock Property's leasing company, this is her first big solo build.
She is a young woman succeeding in a male-dominated business—industrial real estate and construction.
Even in her family legacy, Battiston Enterprises Ltd, she is following in the footsteps of her father and grandfather.
The leadership team at Lucina Enterprises is also primarily.
Taresse Christie is the development project manager, Victoria Gidziski is the senior commercial property manager.
This female leadership is still rare. In 2023,, according to federal government stats.
The Mid-Way project includes two buildings in a multi-tenant complex.
The 14 units range from 1,550 to 2,750 square feet (144 to 255 square metres).
Given the I-11 zoning, Battiston said there can be a mix of tenants, light industrial and commercial uses, and maybe even a doughnut shop.
"Trades contractors, but then there's also a zone [allowance] for yoga studios."
When Battiston was younger, she wanted to branch out and go to school, rather than rest on her family's laurels. She got a Bachelor of Business Administration at Capilano University and a Master's of International Business from the University of Hertfordshire in England.
She has also had her trading services real estate license since 2013.
She was born and raised in Vancouver, and currently lives in Whistler,
When she decided to go out on her own with her company, 麻豆社国产was an ideal spot to launch her first build, because she has always loved it here.
"Our headquarters is in North Van. So this is perfect," she said. "I have friends who live in 麻豆社国产and it is just so, so beautiful," she said, looking at the mountains out of one of the wall-to-ceiling glass windows in one of the offices in her building.
She said her personality brings a different perspective to the business.
"I have a little bit more of a creative side," she said.
And she guesses being a woman sometimes means you have a different approach.
"I like to be proactive and collaborate and talk to my team and see [their] ideas."
While this is her first solo project, she is no newbie.
"I started managing more renovations, so buying big buildings, splitting them up," she said.
While she has gotten plenty of respect and support from men in her family and in the industry, she has had to deal with situations where she is overlooked, literally, because of her gender.
She recalls showing up at a project with her boyfriend and having him be addressed as the authority when he isn't even in the business, she said, with a laugh.
"It's me. I'm the owner. Talk to me."
She said people's ideas should be listened to, regardless of their gender.
"Maybe this person, regardless of their gender, has a good idea. Maybe you should approach it with more curiosity and can we listen to them?"
On the positive side, she has seen strides being made in the construction industry from the times when her grandfather and father got their starts.
"They're trying to just be a little bit kinder and more supportive because mental health is such a big thing."
In addition to coming up in the family company under her dad, grandfather, brother and aunt, Battiston said her mom has been a role model.
"Mom's not involved in this business, but she's very entrepreneurial, and she's very similar to me. She's quite friendly and warm, and just—what you see is what you get," Battiston said, adding her mom owns a fitness studio.
"She's just so good at figuring things out and finding a way that she can do things in her own way, and she's always trying to grow. I think that's something that I've found—if I don't know something, I try to find a way that I can understand it and make it work for me."
Her advice for young girls
Battiston knows that representation matters. Her advice for young women coming up behind her is to know your worth.
"I would just say try not to let people put you down and deter you. It's hard, but it's so important to just kind of find what works for you. And your own unique style and perspective can come in handy," she said.
"I was always told I'm too sensitive or I'm too nice or you're being too friendly, and I always thought that was a negative thing, and so it took a long time for me to realize that it's actually a benefit. By being friendly, I create relationships, and I'm able to find different ways of approaching things that are actually beneficial to the end result."
Her other advice is not to be afraid to make mistakes and ask questions.
"Try to step outside of your comfort zone," she added.
"[But] don't just try to be someone you're not, just to fit in. There's probably strengths that you have that you just can bring in in a different way."
Find out more about Battiston's work at . Find out more about Battiston and her
This story is written in honour of International Women’s Day, coming up March 8.
