In the 92nd episode of Simply Business, host John Jennings sits down with Sheri Darby, President of Walker Mechanical, to unpack what it really takes to step into the top seat, turn around a struggling business, and lead in a male-dominated industry.

Sheri shares how she moved from CFO to President inside an employee-owned (ESOP) mechanical contracting firm and why she walked into the boardroom during a rough patch and said, “I think I can fix this.” From there, she takes us through the reality of rebuilding: stabilizing the company, reshaping bidding practices, and resetting a culture that sometimes cared more about “beating the competition” than making money.

You’ll hear:

How ESOPs work as an exit strategy and as a way to create long-term ownership for employees

Why Sheri believes great leaders don’t have to live in the technical details but must trust the experts on their team

The tough mindset shift from “we’ll win the job at any cost” to “we only win the jobs that build a healthy business”

What it’s like to be one of the only women in the room in construction and mechanical contracting and how Sheri earned a seat on her industry’s board

How transparency, financial clarity, and honest conversations helped Walker Mechanical get “right-sided” and profitable again

What’s next for Walker: acquisitions, geographic expansion, and building a pipeline of young talent

If you’re a business owner, leader, or aspiring executive especially in construction, trades, or any project-based business this conversation is a practical masterclass in leadership, courage, and simplicity.