The entrepreneur’s path is rarely straightforward and predictable. It is very often filled with surprises around every corner and things that are outside of one’s control, and yet it proves to be a deeply rewarding and fulfilling endeavor for countless brave adventurers. The journey into the world of entrepreneurship is also one of great diversity, with every individual having a unique story of what drove them to pursue their dreams.
Jill Maenner began her career working for Frederick County Public Schools after receiving her degree in Elementary & Middle School Education. In the evenings she would sit down to dinner with her life partner Mark Buchholz, an established and well-respected leader in Frederick’s commercial construction industry, and they would share about their workdays. It was here where Jill’s entrepreneurial spirit began to germinate. “It didn’t take long for me to realize that life in a classroom has MANY similarities to life on a jobsite,” Jill recounted. The idea began to grow over the years, and when paired with Jill’s desire to find a side-hustle to supplement her income, her journey into entrepreneurship was inevitable.
In 2016 Mark proposed Jill become co-founder of Ternion Builders, with her focusing on the “behind-the-scenes” responsibilities of running a small business while Mark leveraged his expertise to manage the field operations. Jill continued to teach full-time and Mark taught a “Introduction to Building Trades” class at Frederick Community College in the evenings.
A few years later during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Jill took the final exam of Mark’s course to ensure the online interface worked properly and was thrilled to discover she had scored a 96%, a real demonstration of her deep knowledge of the construction industry. Such an achievement proved to be a huge confidence boost for Jill, “This was a big AH-HA moment for me and a turning point for the company as I took a more visible and active role in Ternion,” she explained. She officially made the transition into the President role, setting off a new period of growth and success for the company.
Ternion Builders celebrates their 10-year anniversary in 2026, having become a trusted local resource in general contracting, site development, historic preservation/renovation, and LEED Certification. “From a 100,000 square foot base building out of the ground to a 5,000 square foot tenant suite build-out...big or small...we build it all,” Jill enthusiastically described.
At the heart of Ternion Builders lies a deep interest in seeing the Frederick community grow and thrive. This passion can be seen in-part through their motto, “Where craftsmanship and karma intersect.” Jill explained, “We believe people receive the energy they put out into the universe in kind, so we deliver an exceptional level of service knowing most of our clients are our neighbors, too.”
Jill and Mark love living and working in Frederick County, and after a decade in business, “we have a deeper appreciation for our community and its support of small businesses, minority owned businesses, and woman owned businesses. The Frederick area is uniquely ripe with resources geared toward those three groups. Our professional networks and our personal networks blend and grow every day.”
The future is bright for Ternion Builders. Over the next five years they aim to triple their annual volume, as well as grow their team to maintain an exceptional level of customer service. Additionally, they hope to expand their client base and portfolio of built spaces, further establishing themselves as a premier construction company in the region.
When asked what advice she would give to someone looking to begin their own entrepreneurial journey, Jill delivered sage wisdom:
1. Don’t hesitate – do the thing. The best gift you can give yourself is an investment in your own dreams and growth.
2. Once an idea for a product or service takes shape, guard your energy so you’re spending most of it working toward YOUR dream...not someone else’s.
3. Sign every check/Authorize every transaction. This ensures you – as the business owner - always know where each dollar goes or comes from & prevents surprises.
You can learn more about Ternion Builders by visiting their website, or by engaging with them on Facebook.
Are you looking to start your own business adventure, or are you a business owner looking for resources, networking, and assistance? The Frederick County Office of Economic Development is here to help. Check us out at our website.