By the time Keira Harkin made that cold call, she had already spent a decade building her company from scratch, self-taught, self-driven, and entirely self-funded, with no safety net and no blueprint beyond her own determination. She had renovated and built homes, refined her skills, and earned a reputation. But in 2008-2009, as the economy collapsed, life shifted in an instant.
Newly a mother and under intense personal and financial pressure, she found herself borrowing $35 to buy baby formula, a moment that quietly broke her open. “I had to pause, gather myself, and wipe away the tears,” she recalls. “But then I picked up the phone.”
On the other end of that call was her first large-scale project: a $600,000 remodel, by far the biggest job she had ever taken on, and greater than her company’s total annual revenue in any given year prior. She was awarded the job. Delivered the job. And from that moment on, she stopped looking back.
“That was the moment I decided to fully commit to becoming the best builder I could be, taking on complex, meaningful work, and trusting that I belonged right where I was.”
From Grit to Growth: A Crucible for Leadership
What followed was more than a decade of steady growth, deep learning, and ongoing transformation, not just in Keira’s technical skillset, but in her evolution as a leader. She poured herself into refining her craft, scaling her business, and embracing increasingly complex projects that demanded both precision and vision.
Like many small business owners, she navigated the turbulence of COVID, balancing shifting markets, material delays, and the emotional toll of leading through the unknown.
But the most profound test came in 2022, when Keira was diagnosed with breast cancer. Over the next 18 months, she underwent eight surgeries, including a near-fatal infection that left her physically depleted but mentally sharper than ever.
“One moment I was reviewing floor plans with a client, the next I was being prepped for surgery,” she says. “But I didn’t let on. I was surviving…physically, mentally, and professionally.”
At the same time, cracks began to surface within her team. What had once seemed on the path to becoming self-managing began to unravel. In the interview, Keira was clear: this wasn’t just about wrong fit people, it was a wake-up call that culture, clarity, and trust don’t happen by default. They must be built intentionally and led courageously.
Those hard-earned lessons reshaped everything. Today, Old Town Design Build is smaller by design, stronger in alignment, and grounded in the kind of leadership that only comes through fire.
That chapter became a personal crucible and a professional turning point. It deepened her commitment to doing work that matters, with people who care.
“I came out of it more clear than ever: I want to build fewer projects, with more meaning. I want to work with people who align with our values. And I want to create a company where everyone from clients, employees, and trade partners can grow into who they’re meant to be.”
Building Better, Building Differently
Recognized for its forward-thinking approach, Old Town Design Build specializes in Passive House building science, historic preservation, and bespoke custom homes—consistently delivering performance well beyond current national standards and ahead of Colorado’s future energy mandates.
But for Keira, technical mastery is only part of the story.
At one point, the company had grown to 20 employees. Today, they’re intentionally lean with a small, high-performing team aligned in purpose, pace, and values.
Lean by design. Led with purpose. Positioned for impact.
“Growth for me isn’t about headcount or square footage,” Keira explains. “It’s about choosing the right people, the right clients, and the right kind of work.”
A Culture of Purpose and Possibility
A cornerstone of Keira’s leadership is providing the opportunity for people to discover their Unique Ability and the work they’re naturally great at and energized by. One of her proudest examples? An employee who joined the company with no formal financial background and, through mentorship, ownership, and a growing passion for numbers, stepped into something far greater.
Today, she not only leads Old Town Design Build’s forecasting and financial operations, she does so with a level of insight, ownership, and impact that far exceeds the experiences the company had with high-paid CFO or COO roles. Her dedication and delivery are extraordinary, and her results make a real, measurable difference in the company’s direction and success.
Keira’s passion for people extends beyond her team. She’s a strong advocate for elevating the trades and creating career pathways for young people who may not see themselves reflected in traditional professions.
“College isn’t the only route to success,” she says. “The world needs master craftsmen, critical thinkers, and relationship builders. My goal is to create opportunity and to be the kind of leader I wish I’d had.”
What Winning Means
For Keira, being named one of Colorado Companies to Watch isn’t just a milestone, it’s a message.
“This award affirms that success doesn’t have to follow the conventional playbook. It can be heart-led, relationship-driven, and rooted in unwavering integrity.”
And while the homes she builds may stand for generations, it’s the lives she touches along the way that inspire her most.
“The homes we build may stand for generations, but for me, real success is seeing the people around me rise. If a client feels more grounded, a team member steps into their purpose, or a trade partner grows their own business because of something we created together, that’s the legacy I care about most.”