From nurse to manufacturing sector: ACTC alum’s journey of faith and family

Published on Oct 29, 2024

In the heart of Grayson, Emily Baier embodies the spirit of resilience and adaptability. 

A proud East Carter graduate of the class of 2011, Baier’s path has taken unexpected turns, leading her to a thriving family business and a life rich with lessons learned along the way.

Born and raised in a close-knit family, Baier lived at home until she married her high school sweetheart, Johnathan, in 2013. As a first-generation college student, she earned her Associate Degree in Nursing that same year from Ashland Community & Technical College, a decision rooted in a fascination with the human body and a desire for stability.

Yet, despite her passion for nursing school, the realities of the profession felt misaligned with her true calling.

"When I was younger, I believed that to stay local, I had to either be a teacher or be a nurse and there was no way I could imagine teaching all day.” Baier said. "Deep down, I knew I wasn’t following the path I was supposed to be, even so much that I spoke with classmates during nursing school and told them I would be quitting nursing as soon as I started having a family."

Baier did exactly that. After becoming a mother to her oldest son in 2015, she made the decision to walk away from her nursing career. 

From 2019 to 2024, she dedicated herself to homeschooling her two sons.

She said it was during this time that she realized the depth of the skills she had gained through her nursing education: prioritization, quick decision-making, and customer service. 

“All of these skills were introduced while I was in nursing school and skills that I will be able to take all through my professional career,” she said. 

The Baier family began exploring long-term rentals to offset the costs of her staying home. With the support of her parents, they made their first investment, and Johnathan honed his construction skills on various projects. 

This experience culminated in the self-build of their own home in 2020, a feat that sparked the idea of running a construction business.

In early 2024, they hired a handyman to help with their expanding rental business, but it soon became clear that Baier was destined for a larger role. 

Her vision for their new business, JE Baier Construction, quickly blossomed. 

As demand grew, they expanded their services to include electrical and HVAC through JE Baier Precision, LLC. They now operate out of a dedicated building in Grayson, bringing together their various ventures under one roof.

While juggling multiple businesses and family responsibilities can be daunting, Baier says her approach is rooted in faith and flexibility. 

“Balance is actually something I’m not great at, but we do our best,” she said. “We grow and learn every day. There are calendars everywhere and they have all business and personal things written on them.”

With their boys actively participating in the family business, Baier has created an environment of learning and growth.

“Just the other day, I was writing up some invoices and I had to do some math, so I had my oldest get a calculator and do it with me,” she said. “He naturally gravitates towards the business side of things. My youngest has a brilliant mind, but he likes to be out and about getting his hands dirty. He is always going to jobs or bids when he can.”

Looking ahead, Baier is excited about the future. "We have big plans for our business. Our goal is to be a one-stop shop for our clients. We want to build strong relationships and provide a fantastic experience from the first phone call to the final handshake."

Above all, Baier says her story is one of faith: faith in her decisions, faith in her family, and faith in her journey. 

"I stepped out in faith at every turn," she said. "Some of the steps along the way were very scary, but it has paid off because I stepped in to the role that I know God has planned for me.” 

Written by: Megan Smedley