Empowering Women in the Tech Industry: Annette McDonald’s Journey from Mortgage Lending to Sound Masking Leadership

The tech industry, particularly in fields like communications and audio-visual solutions, has long been male dominated. However, women like Annette McDonald, the founder of GigaSpan Solutions, are paving the way for future generations by overcoming obstacles to carve out their own space in these industries. We met with Annette to discuss her journey, and it is truly a testament to resilience, innovation, and leadership.

A Bold Leap into Entrepreneurship

Annette’s story begins not in tech, but in the mortgage industry. As Vice President of Equity One Mortgage, she managed operations across the United States. However, with the economic downturn of 2008, Annette found herself at a career crossroads. Instead of retreating, she took a bold leap and transitioned into the communications cabling industry.

In 2009, after a year of working for a cabling communications company, Annette co-founded GigaSpan, a communications cabling contractor based in Colorado. The company has since grown to include various services, such as audio-visual solutions, sound masking, and paging systems.

Building a Business with Tenacity and Vision

Starting a business from scratch without outside capital is no small feat. For Annette, cash flow and hiring quality employees were the initial challenges. She and her husband relied on their personal savings to fund the company. “It seems like just yesterday,” she recalls. “We didn’t have any outside partners or investment capital. It was just our personal savings and credit.”

Without external investors, Annette and her husband had to self-fund everything, from day-to-day operations to employee payroll. The first few years were tough. They had only three employees at the start, and Annette was often in the field herself, even pulling cable at large venues like the Denver Broncos stadium.

Over time, as GigaSpan began to stabilize, they secured relationships with their bank, which eventually provided them with a line of credit. This crucial support enabled the company to manage cash flow more effectively and paved the way for its continued growth.

How Women-Owned Business Certifications Opened Doors for GigaSpan’s Success

The landscape has evolved since GigaSpan’s inception. Today, certifications for women-owned businesses, such as the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) and Women Business Enterprise (WBE) programs, offer access to new funding opportunities and resources that weren’t available when Annette first started. These programs now provide a range of support options that help women entrepreneurs overcome similar challenges with financing, making them an invaluable asset for businesses like GigaSpan.

For Annette- GigaSpan’s recognition as a minority and women-owned business and receiving these certifications, opened doors to new opportunities and partnerships. These certifications are key to her continued success, as they allow her to tap into programs that support women-owned businesses in securing government contracts and expanding their reach.

When asked about how these programs assist with financing, Annette explained that forming strong relationships with traditional lenders, like banks, is key. While GigaSpan didn’t rely on private equity, their banking relationships provided a much-needed safety net. “Those early years were difficult, but building trust with our bank allowed us to grow steadily.”

Slow Growth, Big Results

Despite the temptation to rapidly expand her business, Annette chose to grow GigaSpan at a slower pace, ensuring that her company could handle every opportunity that came its way. For example, in the early days of adding audio-visual services, the company was offered over $3 million in projects. However, recognizing that they didn’t yet have the capacity to deliver at that scale, they chose to grow the AV side of the business incrementally, hiring key roles such as sales managers, project managers, and engineers over time, and focusing on delivery a high-quality experience.

This disciplined approach has been a key factor in GigaSpan’s long-term success. Today, the company is well-established, with 51 employees and a thriving roster of clients, many of whom have been with the business since its inception.

Overcoming Challenges in a Male-Dominated Industry

Navigating a male-dominated industry posed unique challenges for Annette. Feeling like she lacked the technical background, she initially struggled to gain the respect needed to grow her business. However, through perseverance, practice, and relationship-building, she overcame these hurdles.

“I just kept going and kept communicating and became comfortable,” Annette shared, reflecting on the early days of learning to navigate technical discussions. Her growth came not only from her relentless pursuit of knowledge but also from building strong partnerships with manufacturers and industry mentors.

How Mentorship and Industry Support Fueled a Path to Success

Annette attributes much of her success to the support and mentorship she received from her husband, Jim, and key figures in the industry. One standout mentor was Traci from CommScope, who took Annette under her wing and helped her navigate the technical aspects of the business.

For women looking to break into the industry or start their own businesses, Annette has some invaluable advice: leverage available resources, such as industry certifications, networking opportunities, and business support groups. Programs like the SBA’s loan assistance and women-owned business certifications can make a significant difference in building a sustainable business.

How GigaSpan is Leveraging Technology for Future Expansion

As technology continues to evolve, Annette sees significant growth opportunities on the horizon. One of the most exciting developments in the industry is the rise of IoT (Internet of Things). With more buildings incorporating smart technology, the demand for advanced cabling, audio-visual solutions, and sound masking systems is increasing rapidly.

In Colorado, where GigaSpan is based, Annette predicts a boom in the construction of data centers, an area in which she hopes to expand her business. GigaSpan’s ability to adapt and grow with emerging technologies has positioned the company for a bright future.

Final Thoughts

Annette’s journey from the mortgage industry to running a successful communications and sound masking business highlights the importance of resilience, strategic growth, and continuous learning. Her leadership and tenacity have not only built a thriving business but have also opened doors for future women leaders in the tech and communications industries.

As the industry continues to evolve, businesses like GigaSpan are leading the way in adopting new technologies such as sound masking to create more comfortable and productive environments for employees. Learn more about how Giga Span’s audio solutions and Lencore’s sound masking solutions are shaping the future of workplace design.

Annette’s story is a powerful reminder that with the right support, mentorship, and perseverance, women can and will continue to lead in industries traditionally dominated by men.