With a background in interior design, construction was a natural path for Molly Pidgeon. After graduating from the Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, MA, where she focused on engineering architecture, Pidgeon took a risk and her thirst for knowledge led to her starting her own company in 2013.
Pidgeon & Co., based in Malden, MA, is a woman-owned, multi-million-dollar Construction Management and Design firm known for delivering tailored, full-service project solutions. The company blends expertise in interior design, architecture, engineering, and construction to manage and execute a wide range of building projects. Their services include construction management, design-build solutions, and facility renovations, with a strong focus on communication and collaboration throughout every phase.
“Business ownership just kind of came naturally to me,” Pidgeon says, noting that the majority of her co-ops at university took place at construction companies, due to her ability to expertly interpret building plans and submittals. “It was an easy transition into running projects and a company.”
Serving markets such as corporate offices, educational institutions, retail spaces, healthcare facilities, and hospitality venues, Pidgeon & Co. has built a reputation for quality, attention to detail, and a client-first approach. Though currently a regional contractor, Pidgeon & Co. also takes on clients outside of its typical business parameters.
Additionally, Pidgeon & Co. works with many nonprofits and the women’s economy. “Companies that are women owned and led tend to gravitate to Pidgeon, especially in those sectors,” Pidgeon says. “We have a large breadth of work, from boutique breweries and dispensaries, to light manufacturing, retail, and daycares.”
Breaking into the construction industry as a young, female entrepreneur hasn’t always been easy, but Pidgeon credits her success to a strong sense of self, and retaining its relationship focused outlook, no matter the circumstances.
“There are a lot of experiences that have gone into both business ownership and construction,” Pidgeon says. ‘It’s no secret that it’s a male-dominated industry; it’s an old school industry at that. As a young entrepreneur, you go in wide-eyed and you want to do a great job; you put your best foot forward and it doesn’t always land. It takes a special kind of person to actually want to work that hard to make something smoother than it has been before, and right now, we’re focused on building a badass team over here where diversity is welcome on all levels including our subcontractors. Diversity is top of mind.”
“I would love to say that you can be a wallflower in construction, but you can’t,” Pidgeon continued. “If you are passionate about something and you want to move into the field, you just have to be centered in yourself enough to know that you deserve to be at the table. Ask the questions and be curious, because the only way that you can prove yourself is to actually be exposed to it and show passion in your work and people will take you seriously. Of course, there are always people that won’t, but those aren’t your people and you just have to find the right fit.”
Pidgeon & Co. is guided by core values centered on building strong relationships, maintaining open and effective communication, and ensuring meticulous organization throughout each project. These values are reflected in their collaborative approach, where a team of experts from various disciplines—such as design, architecture, and construction—works closely with clients to deliver customized, cost-effective solutions. Their commitment to quality, transparency, and client satisfaction drives every aspect of their work, making these principles the foundation of their success in the construction and design-build industry.
Another core value is adaptability.
“We’re very big on showing up; we enjoy being accountable and getting things done, while having the adaptability to roll with the punches,” Pidgeon says. “Construction is notoriously a finicky industry, whether we’re dealing with lead time issues, or COVID shutdowns or discussions on tariffs. There hasn’t been a time in the duration of running this business that there hasn’t been some kind of large challenge that has been a staple in how the business has to operate. I think we’ve really shown our clients that through those times, we’ve had the longevity to still service them, through market fluctuations that others have simply not survived.”
“We’re very big on showing up; we enjoy being accountable and getting things done, while having the adaptability to roll with the punches.”
Affectionately calling herself an over communicator, Pidgeon says it’s important for her to translate her intentions with every client to ensure they understand the impact, in order to make well-informed financial decisions.
“We really pride ourselves on understanding a client’s vision, as well as an architect’s vision, because my perspective is always one coming from that final product and what we’re providing that leads up to that,” Pidgeon says. It’s that highly effective collaboration with her clients that has led to a surplus of repeat business, and it’s not slowing down anytime soon. “More than 50 per cent of our projects are negotiated contracts,” Pidgeon says. “This shows us that they trust us to do our job and bring the information forth to them.”
No matter the scope of the project, Pidgeon & Co. provides the same level of service to all of its clients, from pre-construction to certificate of occupancy. From the end-user to the architecture team, the parameters, as well as timelines, are thoroughly discussed with all parties. While some businesses shy away from talking about tricky topics, Pidgeon and her team value transparency, and that includes outlining those hard topics like risk, budget and realistic timelines. Throughout the duration of the project, clients are kept up-to-date via weekly or bi-weekly meetings, ensuring seamless coordination from start to finish.
“Somebody who was a very good mentor to me used to say, ‘hate me now or hate me later,’” Pidgeon says. “If it isn’t hurting the project or the situation, rip the Band-Aid off, put it on the table so everyone can talk about it and move on, versus waiting to a certain point when it turns into something larger and it has more impact. I would rather do this than be in a place where our clients wish we said something, but we didn’t.”
This mentality extends to the company’s team culture, where a “flock mentality” has been adapted, where open communication and shared responsibility are key to achieving project success.
Currently made up of a diverse group of individuals, Pidgeon & Co. promotes a team culture rooted in collaboration, inclusivity, and mutual respect. The team, or the flock, as they’re called, is composed of 15 people and growing. Loaded with fun pigeon facts, Pidgeon loosely models her team culture after the species.
“When the flock is in flight, whoever is tired will go to the back, or whoever knows the navigation of the area will lead,” Pidgeon explains. “They’re very adaptable at following the best person at the right point in time, so that’s how we like to manage as well. We want to put the person at the forefront who has the most experience; it’s important for us to step forward and step backward when it makes sense, and not follow that standard reporting structure of leaders always being at the head; let people shine within their role.”
Pidgeon & Co. also emphasizes professional development, encouraging ongoing learning and personal growth. Altogether, this approach creates a supportive and efficient work environment where both employees and projects thrive.
“My goal is to have a highly diverse team. I really am passionate about changing the landscape of construction and levelling the playing field from both a financial standpoint and exposure, making sure we’re working towards a more equitable future,” Pidgeon says. “We’re raising the bar for women in our field.”
