Minority & Women-Owned Business Spotlight

The M&WBE Spotlight Program was created to recognize local entrepreneurs who are vital to the City of Charleston’s economic growth and award them for their achievements in developing both their businesses and supporting their communities. Eligible businesses must be registered with the City of Charleston’s M&WBE Program to be nominated.

Nominate your business here: M&WBE Spotlight Nomination Form

The City of Charleston is honored to recognize Distinct Builders as our Quarterly M&WBE Spotlight!

Distinct Builders Certificate

  1. Ruth Jordan

    Minority Business Enterprise Manager
    Email Ruth Jordan
    Phone: 843-724-7434
    More Information

Distinct Builders LLC

Distinct Builders Katie Throckmorton Headshot

Owners: Catherine "Katie" Throckmorton

Email Address: katie@distinctbuilders.net

Address: 3204 Carmel Bay Drive Mt. Pleasant, SC 29466

Phone: 843-452-2295 

Website: distinctbuilders.net

How long have you been in business? 5 years

Number of employees: 1, all others are subcontractors


Please give us a brief description of the business: 

Distinct Builders LLC is a 100% woman owned and operated general commercial construction company. The company started as a residential remodeling, additions and commercial upfit company and has grown to include new home and commercial building construction company. We are participating in the revitalization of the Liberty Hill development which is the oldest former freed slave community in the Charleston area. We are pursuing more opportunities to build affordable housing, local, state and federal construction projects.

What is your business philosophy/mission statement?      

Our company follows the Golden Rule. We offer excellent service and we back up our work. Our goal is to complete projects on time, within budget and with the highest quality we can offer per project. It is our desire to be the best company, not the largest, not the least expense or the fastest.

Why does this business deserve to be a M&WBE Spotlight Business?

I am grateful to be a successful business owner in a male dominated field. It is my responsibility to help other women and minorities grow in confidence so that they can realize they have the same opportunities to live their dreams too. They are me and I am them. I believed I could so I did. So can they.

Growth: How has this business grown since its establishment (in employees or revenue)? What is the vision and potential for growth in the future?         

The company started as a residential remodeling, additions and commercial upfit company and has grown to include new home and commercial building construction company. We are pursuing more opportunities to build affordable housing, local, state and federal construction projects.

What activities does your business engage in to support the broader community? For example: hiring veterans, charity work, volunteerism, etc.

Our team of subcontractors are diverse in age, sex, ethnicity, and skill levels which includes Army veterans and legal immigrants from many countries. We are participating in the revitalization of the Liberty Hill development which is the oldest former freed slave community in the Charleston area. We participate in Habitat for Housing builds and we have plans to building a mentorship program for veterans, second chance people, and youth.

What sets your business apart from competitors?   

We believe we can raise the bar of professionalism in the construction industry through inclusion, high standards, and our insistence to treat our clients the way we want to be treated. We pay our subcontractors consistently and we value rewarding workers who go above and beyond. We return all phone calls, emails, and text messages. We show up to meetings and commit to the highest quality of work we can provide. We always back up our work. Everyone makes mistakes but we correct ours. We do the right thing all the time.

What's one valuable lesson you've learned that you would share with other business owners?

I hire exceptionally skilled people. I don't need to know everything but I do need to surround myself with others who do. Put everything in writing and have clients, partners and subcontractors sign all detailed agreement. We deserve to be paid for the work we do. Doing the right thing all the time is the only way to truly be successful.

Tell us an interesting and fun fact about your business:  

I am the licensed general commercial contractor and owner of the business and my husband works for me. When we meet with clients most men say that all wives are in charge regardless of their titles.

Previous Spotlights: