Stories

Wed, 08 Apr 2026

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 The construction boss who built a new life after three years in prison

Traci Quinn, who was jailed for a drugs offence, has transformed herself and set up a successful firm.
Traci Quinn, a Chicago-based woman, has turned her life around after spending three years in prison. She was arrested in 2016 for transporting cannabis into Tennessee, despite having legally purchased it in California. While incarcerated, Traci claims she felt a calling to start a construction company on her release. After being freed, Traci set up Pink Hats in 2020, specializing in redevelopment work in Chicago's poorest communities. Despite having no experience, she faced sexism and racism as a black woman in the male-dominated industry. Undeterred, Traci took construction classes, joined mentorship programs, and sought help from non-profit groups to overcome her lack of business skills. With the support of her daughters, who are now part of her main team, Pink Hats earned $1 million in 2025. The company specializes in sustainable building materials, such as hemp insulation, and has renovated several homes for marginalized communities. Traci's ultimate goal is to create transitional homes for women coming out of prison, where they can learn trades, gain financial literacy, and purchase the property. Traci credits her journey with helping her daughters grow professionally and personally, saying it's been an "amazing" experience. She has received praise from industry leaders, who note that she is helping reshape the construction field as a role model for women and minorities.