Stephanie Vanderbilt's entrepreneurial journey with Coastal Windows & Exteriors exemplifies the transformative power of small business development and mentorship. Starting in 2011 with no prior home improvement experience, Vanderbilt has grown her company into a respected regional exterior remodeling business serving Eastern Massachusetts, Southern New Hampshire, and Southern Maine. With initial guidance from the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (MSBDC), Vanderbilt focused on educating homeowners about energy-efficient upgrades. Her strategic approach and commitment to learning helped her navigate the challenges of launching a new business, ultimately leading to significant growth and recognition.
Today, Coastal Windows & Exteriors employs over 30 people and offers high-performance roofing and windows services. The company has earned multiple industry accolades, including the GAF President's Club Award and James Hardie Service Excellence Award. Beyond business success, Vanderbilt has embedded social responsibility into her company's core mission. Programs like Roof for Heroes and the Freedom from Want Thanksgiving Project demonstrate her commitment to community engagement and giving back.
As a woman-owned, family-run business, Coastal Windows & Exteriors represents a powerful narrative of entrepreneurial resilience, sustainable business practices, and women's leadership in the trades. The SBA's feature of Vanderbilt's story underscores her significant contributions to small business development and economic empowerment. This case matters because it illustrates how targeted support systems can enable individuals without industry experience to build successful enterprises that create jobs, promote energy efficiency, and strengthen community bonds. The implications extend beyond one company's success to show how mentoring programs can diversify business ownership and drive regional economic growth through sustainable home improvement services.
The recognition of Vanderbilt's achievements highlights the growing importance of women-led businesses in traditionally male-dominated industries like construction and remodeling. Her company's focus on energy-efficient upgrades addresses both environmental concerns and homeowner cost savings, positioning the business at the intersection of economic and ecological priorities. The community programs initiated by Coastal Windows & Exteriors demonstrate how businesses can integrate social responsibility into their operations while maintaining profitability, creating a model for other small enterprises to follow.
This entrepreneurial story carries significance for economic development policymakers, aspiring business owners, and communities seeking to foster local business growth. It shows how access to proper guidance and resources can transform an individual's business idea into a sustainable enterprise that benefits multiple stakeholders. The company's expansion across three states illustrates how small businesses can scale effectively while maintaining quality standards and community connections. Vanderbilt's journey provides a template for how entrepreneurship education and support systems can yield tangible economic and social returns for regions.
