Servicing the Whitsundays for 30 Years With Linda Berry, from Berry Excavations

Owner and managing director of Berry Excavations, Linda Berry, has seen it all. In a male-dominated industry, she’s stood shoulder to shoulder alongside her male peers and not only survived but thrived.

Servicing the Whitsundays for 30 years in civil construction, Linda has a team of widely experienced long-term local employees who specialise in developments, land subdivisions, roadbuilding, general earthworks and more, across Government, commercial and domestic sectors.

For a former clothing designer, it could be daunting to supervise 20 males when you're in your twenties and starting out in construction, but not Linda. In fact, she relished the challenge.  

“Sometimes you have to open the doors and forge your own path forward. While I would have loved to have a female mentor in my life, I ended up just finding my own way,” she says proudly.

But it’s not all about running a successful business and being in charge of several men for Linda, either. She loves seeing family and catching live music, too.

“I love catching up with family and friends and because I come from a family of musicians, I really enjoy music festivals, and live artists, or just listening to music.

While she didn’t have any female mentors, she is inspired by women who dare to challenge the status quo and break down barriers, as she explains.

“There are many inspirational women and men throughout history, but one standout for me is Amelia Earhart, who was the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. I am so inspired by her breaking down barriers in the aviation industry and encouraging women to pursue careers in male-dominated industries.”

For someone whose next adventure is in the Canadian Rockies and Wyoming on horseback, what advice would she give to a teenager wanting a similar career?

“Create clear and achievable goals and take action to get there. Back yourself and believe in your ability. Get support and good advice. Learn and educate yourself with books, podcasts, courses, and people working in your chosen industry.

“Most of all, own it! There will be challenges, so use those to learn and create change. But also remember to be kind to yourself as breaking barriers is sometimes uncomfortable.

What would you have done differently?

“I never look back, only forward. I’m always looking for better ways of doing things, but if I were to have done some things differently, then it wouldn’t have brought me to who I am today,” she states.

“Life is meant to be enjoyed. Surround yourself with people who support you and who bring you joy and be that person for them as well.”
What are you reading right now?

Napolean Hill – The Psychology of Wealth

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berryexcavations.com.au

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