For Vennicia Kingston, owner and president of Eagle Eye Construction Services, the grit, the dirt, and the hands-on journey are all parts of her story. As a minority and woman-owned business owner in Rhode Island, Kingston is helping to change what leadership in construction looks like.
Her path to entrepreneurship began in 2010, when she discovered Building Futures, a local initiative that connects people to careers in the trades. Upon graduating from the program, she was accepted into the Laborers Local 271 and began her apprenticeship on the bridge project in Pawtucket, RI. “I didn’t know much about construction going in,” she recalls. “I just knew I wanted to own properties and be able to do repairs on my own homes. But being out there in the dirt made me fall in love with the industry.”
Kingston worked in the field for several years, learning every aspect of the trade. She gained technical skills and a deep appreciation for the hard work and teamwork that drive the industry. In 2014, an on-site injury changed the course of her life. “That’s when I decided I needed to start using my brain instead of my body,” she said. It was a point that led her to consider how she could continue in construction in a new way.
In 2018, Kingston founded Eagle Eye Construction Services. The company began with small post-construction cleaning contracts and selective demolition projects. Her first union contract came around 2020, cleaning trailers two nights a week in East Providence, Rhode Island. “Those early days were tough. There were a lot of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches,” she said with a smile. “I was able to foster and build relationships by putting myself out there and making sure I showed up in certain rooms, shook hands, and let people know Eagle Eye existed and what we were about.”
Her persistence paid off. Eagle Eye began winning larger contracts, including the Rhode Island State Health Lab project in Providence, Rhode Island, the largest project to date for Kingston. “It pushed me to see how far I could go. Now that I know what I can handle, I’m ready for more.”
Kingston is always looking to expand and has ideas, including interim cleaning, portable restrooms, carpentry, and drywall, among others. “I don’t want Eagle Eye to be brought in just for the final clean,” she explains. “I want us to be involved through the project.”
Despite her success, Kingston is clear-eyed about the challenges that minority and women-owned businesses still face. Access to capital was one of the most significant hurdles to overcome in the early stages. Organizations such as the Rhode Island Black Business Association, the Rhode Island Women’s Council, and the Building Trades Council helped her navigate those barriers through small grants, loans, and mentorship. “Having people like Michael Sabatoni and Scott Duhamel stand by me and say, ‘She’s solid’ made a big difference.”
Today, as she expands her company, she is also advocating for more inclusive opportunities in the industry. “We need to be more creative about how we structure contracts,” she said. “If a small business can’t handle a whole project, maybe we can take on a portion. Maybe I can’t do ten floors, but I can do two. We need to find ways to make it work instead of saying it can’t.”
Through Eagle Eye, Kingston also works to create opportunities for people who might otherwise be left out. She often hires young mothers who find it difficult to make early job start times because most childcare programs don’t open until after 7 a.m. By giving them flexible opportunities and introducing them to union work when they’re ready, she helps them gain stability and access to benefits that can be life-changing. “When I got into the union, my pay doubled, and within a year and a half, I was able to buy my first home,” she said. “I know what that can mean for someone’s future.”
Kingston’s vision is to build a reliable, professional team that shares her values and commitment. “When contractors think about cleaning, site support, or selective demo, I want Eagle Eye to be the first name they think of.” The drive behind this is to create a “home” for her employees. “In the trades, you’re often bouncing from job to job, the job ends, you’re laid off, you’re at another company. It’s always nice when you have a home, when you know from year to year you’re going to be working. You can plan for your family, your life.”
Her motivation runs deep. “I’m my toughest critic,” Kingston said. “Now that this ball has been picked up, I’m such a stickler about making sure I don’t drop it. I feel like a lot of eyes are on me, my family, my employees, and their families—they depend on me. That’s my responsibility. I can’t drop the ball.”
Kingston has also become a role model for others, even if that wasn’t her original goal. “I didn’t think of myself as a mentor, but I know a lot of people look at what I’m doing and feel inspired,” she said. “They see me and realize there’s more they can do beyond working in the field.” She’s seen former colleagues start their own businesses or transition into roles in safety and compliance, inspired by her example.
For Kingston, success is not just about contracts and revenue; it’s about community and representation. When young women find out that I own a business and go ‘Hey, how can I come and work for you?’ that’s what I love, that’s what makes me feel good.” She’s helping shape a construction industry where everyone has the chance to belong and succeed.