When you meet Aida Massie, owner of Discovery Construction LLC, one thing becomes immediately clear: she carries the strength of her Panamanian roots and the vision of her entrepreneurial family into every project she takes on. The daughter of a carpenter, and surrounded by a community of entrepreneurs, Aida grew up with business in her DNA. She now channels that legacy into creating space for women and diverse professionals in one of the toughest industries to break into: construction.
“I wanted to enter the construction industry 20 years ago,” Aida recalls. “Back then, there wasn’t enough support. Today, there are more opportunities, more networks—and I finally decided to take the risk.”
In 2021, she launched Discovery Construction LLC, a certified WBE, WOSB, MBE, DBE, SBE, CBE, and SLBE specializing in demolition, carpentry, remediation, abatement, and emergency maintenance. Her firm has since become a trusted government-awarded contractor, serving agencies and commercial clients across the region.
But the path wasn’t easy. “I didn’t know one person, and I didn’t have any mentors,” Aida says. “After a bunch of ‘no’s,’ I finally received one yes—from the District of Columbia Department of Buildings. That contract changed everything, and I’m still with them to this day.”
Heritage as a Guiding Force
Aida credits her Hispanic and Caribbean heritage with shaping her leadership. “I am truly my ancestors’ wildest dreams. I don’t take that for granted,” she says. “I know I have opportunities that others may not, and I’m determined to run this race for all of us.”
Finding WBEC NY DMV: Love at First Sight
Her journey with WBEC NY DMV began with a chance introduction while bidding for a project. “When I first heard about WBENC, I didn’t even know what ‘WBE’ meant,” she laughs. “But once I connected, it was love at first sight. Out of all my certifications, this is the one that brings small businesses together. Everyone cheers you on, no matter what stage you’re in.”
One of her most vivid memories came in 2024 at a business expo: “I came across the booth for WBEC NY DMV and met Deena, Caroline, Vanessa, and a few other ladies. I told them I was newly certified. They came around the table, gave me the biggest hug, and cheered for me. Right then and there… I knew I was home!”
Another milestone came at the WBEC Greater DMV 25th Anniversary Gala: “It was the most life-changing event I’ve ever gone to. I had a chance to cheer for our exiting president, Ms. Sandra Eberhard, on her retirement and met my Capital One family.”
Through WBENC certification, Aida has gained not only relationships that led to contracts, but also community. At the WBENC Conference in New Orleans this past June, a stadium renovation project opened up for her firm after a major construction company recognized her WBE certification. Beyond deals, she says the relationships have been transformative: “From Andy Ramos in Amplify Latina, my family at the Capital One SAGE program, my amazingly compassionate mentor Ann Ramakumaran, and my entire WBENC family… my heart is overjoyed. I am no longer in uncharted waters. These ladies are truly my lighthouse.”
Finding WBEC NY DMV: Love at First Sight
Her journey with WBEC NY DMV began with a chance introduction while bidding for a project. “When I first heard about WBENC, I didn’t even know what ‘WBE’ meant,” she laughs. “But once I connected, it was love at first sight. Out of all my certifications, this is the one that brings small businesses together. Everyone cheers you on, no matter what stage you’re in.”
One of her most vivid memories came in 2024 at a business expo: “I came across the booth for WBEC NY DMV and met Deena, Caroline, Vanessa, and a few other ladies. I told them I was newly certified. They came around the table, gave me the biggest hug, and cheered for me. Right then and there… I knew I was home!”
Another milestone came at the WBEC Greater DMV 25th Anniversary Gala: “It was the most life-changing event I’ve ever gone to. I had a chance to cheer for our exiting president, Ms. Sandra Eberhard, on her retirement and met my Capital One family.”
Through WBENC certification, Aida has gained not only relationships that led to contracts, but also community. At the WBENC Conference in New Orleans this past June, a stadium renovation project opened up for her firm after a major construction company recognized her WBE certification. Beyond deals, she says the relationships have been transformative: “From Andy Ramos in Amplify Latina, my family at the Capital One SAGE program, my amazingly compassionate mentor Ann Ramakumaran, and my entire WBENC family… my heart is overjoyed. I am no longer in uncharted waters. These ladies are truly my lighthouse.”
Growing Through Cohorts
Aida has strengthened her leadership through WBEC NY DMV’s Amplify Latina program and the Capital One SAGE Business Advice program, both cohort-based learning and peer support models. These experiences gave her practical tools, mentorship, and a circle of accountability. It’s why she encourages more WBEs to take advantage of them: “I wish more women took advantage of the cohorts offered by WBEC NY DMV.”
Standing Tall in a Male-Dominated Industry
As one of the few women leading in construction, Aida knows resilience is part of the job. “You need determination, courage, and the ability to give yourself grace,” she explains. With WBEC NY DMV, she also feels prepared to adapt to market shifts, whether it’s learning about sustainability certifications or staying ahead of new industry standards. She says, “Through WBENC, when something happens we are informed and educated on how to make adjustments. Learning about sustainability and becoming sustainably certified is a prime example. Whatever is coming down the pipeline—we are ahead of it.”
What’s Next
Looking forward, Aida sees expansion on the horizon. “WBENC has instilled in me the knowledge I need to prepare for this next level of construction. I’m ready for what’s ahead.”
And she continues to bring others along: “I even brought my sister and sister-in-law, both of whom have small businesses, to the WBENC Conference in New Orleans. They were so inspired, they decided to get certified too. Don’t miss this opportunity—you’ll find a sisterhood like no other.”
For Aida, entrepreneurship isn’t just about contracts or growth metrics. It’s about legacy, representation, and opening doors so that more women can claim their place in industries where they’ve been overlooked. And through WBEC NY DMV, she’s proving what happens when determination meets community: opportunity is built, brick by brick.