Our story
Built on Resilience. Driven by Purpose.
Steadfast Construction is a Brooklyn-based, woman-owned general contracting company delivering premium interior carpentry and remodeling across New York City and beyond.
Our mission
Building More Than Spaces
Steadfast Construction was founded on a simple but powerful belief: that quality craftsmanship, honest relationships, and an unrelenting work ethic can transform any space — and any life.
We specialize in premium interior finishing carpentry with a focus on kitchen and bathroom remodeling, serving residential and commercial clients across New York City, Connecticut, and New Jersey.
As a certified MWBE contractor, we are proud to bring diverse leadership and community investment to every project we take on — from private residences to major public institutions.
Craftsmanship
Every detail matters. We hold ourselves to the highest standard on every job, every time.
Integrity
We say what we mean and deliver what we promise. No surprises, no shortcuts.
Community
We invest in the neighborhoods we serve, prioritizing projects that strengthen the communities that raised us.
Resilience
We were built through adversity. That foundation makes us stronger, steadier, and more committed to our clients.
Janiela Roachford
Founder & CEO
Programs & Credentials
- First-generation college graduate — B.S. Hospitality Management
- Goldman Sachs Black in Business — Cohort 8 (2025)
- Turner School of Construction — Building for the Future (2025)
- Fast Track Growth Venture (2025)
- NYC & Vicinity District Council — Building Jobsite Leaders (2025)
- ICIC Building for Growth (2026)
Meet the founder
Janiela Roachford
Founder & CEO
Janiela Roachford is a Caribbean-born entrepreneur, community builder, and two-time cancer survivor whose story is one of reinvention, faith, and relentless forward motion. Raised with the values of hard work and family that define so many first-generation immigrant households, Janiela became the first in her family to graduate college, earning both an Associate's and a Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management.
Long before she was pouring foundations, Janiela was running rooms. She built her career in New York City's fast-paced hospitality scene, managing two of the city's most iconic hotspots — Cafe Habana and Habana Outpost — mastering operations under pressure, developing a sharp eye for detail, and learning how to lead teams and delight demanding customers.
When the COVID-19 pandemic brought the hospitality industry to a standstill in 2020, Janiela did what she has always done in the face of uncertainty: she pivoted, and she built. With the support of her partner — who brings over 30 years of construction experience — she launched Steadfast Construction, born out of necessity but driven by vision.
A mother and grandmother, Janiela leads with the resilience of a woman who has faced cancer not once, but twice, and chosen both times to rise. She approaches leadership the way she approaches recovery — with discipline, faith, and an unwillingness to quit. Today, Janiela Roachford stands as a model of reinvention for entrepreneurs, survivors, and working mothers alike.
Our journey
Six Years of Steady Growth
Steadfast is Founded
Launched in Brooklyn during the height of the pandemic, Steadfast Construction is born from a vision of financial independence, generational wealth, and premium craftsmanship.
First Public Contracts
Steadfast earns its first subcontractor roles on public projects, establishing a reputation for quality and reliability with institutional clients.
MWBE Certification — NYC & NYS
Steadfast receives Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise certification from both New York City and New York State, opening doors to major public sector work.
NYCHA & CUNY Projects
The company completes landmark projects for NYCHA and CUNY, including community center improvements at Brownsville and Van Dyke Houses and work at Hunter College's historic Kaye Playhouse.
Port Authority Certification
Steadfast earns MWBE certification from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, expanding its reach to regional infrastructure projects.
Leadership & Growth Programs
Janiela completes Goldman Sachs Black in Business Cohort 8, Turner School of Construction, Fast Track Growth Venture, and ICIC Building for Growth — investing in the company's next chapter.
Why Steadfast
What Sets Us Apart
Woman-Owned & MWBE Certified
We bring diverse leadership to every project and meet certification requirements for NYC, NYS, and Port Authority contracts.
Hospitality-Grade Service
Our roots in hospitality mean we treat every client with the same care and precision we once gave to New York City's most demanding guests.
30+ Years of Combined Experience
Janiela's management expertise paired with her partner's three decades in the trades gives Steadfast a rare combination of business acumen and field mastery.
Community-First Approach
We prioritize projects that strengthen the neighborhoods we serve — from public housing to historic institutions — because we believe in building up, not just building.
Certifications & credentials
Certified. Trusted. Proven.
MWBE — New York City
NYC Department of Small Business Services
MWBE — New York State
NYS Empire State Development
MWBE — Port Authority of NY/NJ
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Goldman Sachs Black in Business
Cohort 8 — 2025