“My greatest challenge is that the days don’t have enough hours,” said AnnaLee Todd, owner and president of EHT Enterprises, a construction company in Port Orchard.

Because her company is five years old, she is required to wear many hats. Hats include chief financial officer, lead estimator, public relations and project manager.

“EHT Enterprises deals with all types of projects, including commercial remodeling and building from the ground-up,” Todd said. “We are an 8(a) company, a minority, women-owned business.”

The Small Business Administration offers the 8(a) program, which qualifies small businesses to compete for 8(a) government contracts. The 8(a) qualification is good for nine years. Seven years are focused on developing the company. Two years are spent on graduating the company into the business world.

Getting into the 8(a) program takes preparation and hard work. Todd started working on qualification in 1998. She spent months completing paperwork, talking to government agencies and educating herself. EHT Enterprises qualified in Sept. 2001.

“Although the company has completed only one 8(a) project, subcontractors are seeking projects with 8(a) companies, affording EHT a diverse base of talented workers,” Todd said.

EHT Enterprises has successfully bid and completed about 100 projects in the last two years. Projects include the interior of the Resource Center at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and converting a room into office space at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center.

Todd has prepared for diversified construction. She completed a salmon and streams course and a wetland course at Washington State University — later winning the bid to clean up Nick Lagoon, near Seabeck. She completed a small business executive education program at the University of Texas, sponsored by the Small Business Administration.

“A successful business will always put huge demands on the owner,” Todd said. “I am very lucky to have a small circle of very talented and dependable employees. They are the ones that help me stay in balance and keep my sanity.”.