M and S Contracting, LLC in Williamsport is a full-service contracting business that continues to grow in the area.

The family-owned and operated business provides a host of services for residential and commercial projects, both large and small.

Jamal and Melodie Shaw officially began M and S Contracting, LLC in 2018.

They have worked on a number of commercial projects, including projects for Dollar Tree stores, Family Dollar, Dollar General, and FNB. The commercial projects consist of vanilla box construction and complete store fixture set ups.

The business also does residential projects including remodels of bathrooms and kitchens, flooring installation, drywall/finishing, interior and exterior painting and more.

Last year, the business experienced a devastating blow when Melodie’s husband, Jamal, passed away unexpectedly on Christmas Day.

“We intend to keep our business relevant and thriving in his honor. Now more than ever, it is important that my husband’s legacy lives on through the business that he poured his blood, sweat and tears into,” Carter-Shaw said.

Jamal had over 25 years of experience in the construction field, much of which he attributed to his uncle’s tutelage as a young man learning the trade.

“Family was and will always be very important to Jamal and I — our family has always had something to do with moving our business forward. Family is still involved, including his son JJ; his uncle Bertdell Shaw; his father, Jeff Mitchell; his brother, Jerome Shaw; and his mother, Pamela Mitchell. Everyone who has worked with us, we consider family,” Carter-Shaw said.

Jamal was said to have a strong work ethic and a variety of skills and experience that he passed onto Melodie, his employees, and to other subcontractors.

He taught Melodie finishing work, which she now specializes in, while also running the business.

“He taught me so much. I still marvel at the fact that he had mastered so much while still such a young man. He was a man on a mission — always learning and bettering himself. He instilled that in us. This is a part of his legacy that lives on in each of us,” Carter-Shaw said.

M and S have built a strong customer base with returning clients, which helped the business survive the pandemic and economic uncertainty.

Melodie ensured that the business will continue to maintain high standards for all present and future projects.

“My philosophy is we always go above and beyond and we only do projects that we can be proud of. No project is complete unless our customers are satisfied. I am committed to keeping things safe, orderly, neat, and clean and everyone that works with unknowns and adheres to these standards. We say what we are going to do and then do it — Integrity is so important,” Carter-Shaw said.

As a minority-owned business, the challenges they face have also continued to make the business stronger.

“We face challenges breaking into the local market and expanding our network. Now we are a double minority owned business. We have to be even better; we have to work even harder and will always go above and beyond — providing that extra level of service. This sets us apart from our competitors. It’s an asset that we will continue to build on,” Carter-Shaw said.

As M and S Contracting continues to grow, Melodie looks forward to the ways in which they hope to expand.

“It’s been my dream to put together an all women’s crew. I’ve had several women who have worked for us throughout the years. I would always tell Jamal, I’m gonna have an all women’s crew that can do everything we can do, they will call us Mally’s Angels. We would laugh — now it’s a real prospect,” Carter-Shaw said.

Another facet of expanding their business includes helping hard-to-employ individuals and those transitioning from prison to learn new and sustainable skills and trades.

“Our apprenticeship would provide on-the-job training that would assist people bettering themselves and contributing to the community. We are working to realize the vision that Jamal and I shared,” Carter-Shaw said.

“I am confident that we now have an angel to keep us on task and moving forward,” Carter-Shaw said.

M and S Contracting is open and available for your next residential or commercial project.

Spring is coming so get a free estimate for any interior or exterior painting or drywall projects, when you refer to this article.

For more information regarding our services email mandscontracting570@gmail.com or call 570-772-1591.