2026 Women in CRE: Featured Woman-Owned Business - Craft Contractor, Inc.

Craft Contractor, Inc. is a woman-owned WMBE certified by SDO, specialty contractor based in Massachusetts. Founded by Indy Prates, Craft provides Painting, finish carpentry, wallcovering and window treatment for commercial construction projects throughout New England.

We work primarily on large-scale multi-residential, commercial, senior living, and educational projects, partnering with general contractors, developers, and construction teams to deliver quality work from preconstruction through completion. Our approach is hands-on and relationship-driven. We focus on communication, accountability, safety, and being a reliable partner to our clients and project teams.

Craft was built from years of experience in the construction industry and has grown through strong relationships, repeat business, and referrals. Our goal is to continue building a company known not only for the quality of our work, but for the people, professionalism, and commitment we bring to every project.

What inspired you to start your company, and what has shaped your journey as a woman business owner in CRE?
I was inspired to start Craft Contractor after spending more than ten years in the construction industry as a Project Manager. During that time, I learned not only how to manage projects, but how important relationships, trust, and communication are to getting a project successfully done. Eventually, I reached a point where I wanted to take everything I had learned and build something of my own.

Starting a company as a woman in construction has pushed me to be confident in my experience and comfortable taking risks. And the support from my colleagues is the most meaningful part of it.

What are you most proud of about the company you’ve built?
What makes me most proud is how Craft has grown while maintaining the values that were important to me from the beginning: quality work, communication, and treating people with respect. I am incredibly proud that we have built a company that earns its reputation through relationships, and a team that has become the solid foundation for our success.

What are you most excited about for your company and its future?
My goal for Craft is not simply to become a larger company. I want to continue building a company that has a reputation for being dependable and easy to work with. I want our clients to know that when they hire Craft, we will take ownership of our work and do everything we can to help their project succeed.

What does being a woman-owned business mean to you, and what perspective would you share with women considering starting a business of their own?
Women-owned is an opportunity to show that women can build successful companies and be just as capable, knowledgeable, and effective in this industry. I hope that my story encourages other women who are considering starting their own businesses. You don’t necessarily feel completely ready when you take the leap. At some point, you have to trust the experience you have gained, surround yourself with good people, and be willing to learn as you grow.

FOUNDED: 2024

HEADQUARTERS: Beverly, MA

SPECIALTIES: Painting, Finish Carpentry, Window Treatment

MARKETS SERVED: New England

WOMAN-OWNED SINCE: 2024

TEAM SIZE: 21 Professionals

WEBSITE: craft-contractor.com