Inspiring Conversations with Alycia Belle of Hollywood Handy Construction

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alycia Belle.

Alycia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story is not the traditional story of a General B Contractor but as an entrepreneur who has pivoted throughout my lifetime to seize opportunities, secure survival, and follow my passions. I was raised outside of Boston, and as a young adult fresh out of college, I couldn’t wait to get to New York City. I planned to pursue a career in costume designing and I cold called Saturday Night Live. I got the job as their costume design intern. It was quite the introduction to hard work and the exciting world of celebrities. I continued to work at the highest level of celebrity styling and costume design before anyone knew what a stylist was! High-end advertising, commercials, film, and television with legendary photographers and directors.

For 15 years, I worked in costume designing and styling in Los Angeles film, television, and advertising industry. It was quite the life of glamour, chaos and long strenuous work hours. Over this time, I also was blessed with four back-to-back pregnancies was raising four small children in Hollywood. I became involved in my son’s Jesuit preschool at Blessed Sacrament on Sunset Blvd. The Jesuits realized I had special talents, and they offered to train me in fundraising. I thought they were crazy, but they told me to pray on it. I did, and I then dove into a world of fundraising and philanthropy. Not looking back. It was so wonderful for my family to have me around more and to utilize my communication skills while supporting education and community homeless outreach in Hollywood. Over the next 7 years as a side hustle, I built my construction company, Hollywood Handy Construction. I became a licensed General B Contractor, the business has continued to grow and is currently my main focus.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the darkest times in my life was when I lived in NYC during 9/11/2001. I was safe in my apartment in Columbus Circle that morning, lucky not to have started my day as usual down at Century 21. I remember we tried to be strong for each other and our city. It was the aftermath that no one talks about; we all starved for a year. I almost got evicted because no permits were given out, no agencies or celebrities were working in New York. The city offered us all access to mental health services, and that really helped. I learned to be resilient, and I am grateful to the people of NYC for that.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am proud to announce that Hollywood Handy Construction has been awarded The Los Angeles General Contractor of the Year Award for 2023! As a local company that enhances the positive image of small businesses through service to their customers and our community. I am a certified Women Business Enterprise (WBE), and I advocate for other Women-Owned Businesses. Hollywood Handy Construction specializes in commercial property construction, project management, and event support throughout Los Angeles County. This year has been especially rewarding, and we have been working with the United Way to renovate homeless shelters all over the Los Angeles area. It feels great to make an impact to enhance the facilities that our city’s most vulnerable utilize for basic needs such as housing, showers, security, and community. I think it’s safe to say that I’m also the best-dressed contractor in LA.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I attribute my success to taking risks and pivoting. You must take risks to challenge yourself, push your limits, and see how far you can go. I took a risk moving to New York City, then moving to Los Angeles, having four children in Hollywood, leaving a successful career in the film and television industry, starting a construction company and I would do it all over again. Taking risks has been rewarding, and exciting as well as the fear of failure has driven me to continuously learn and improve.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.hollywoodhandy.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodhandy/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hollywoodhandyinc

Image Credits
Jason Allen, Dave Sobel, Sukanuk Rattanasen