Building a Business, One Paver at a Time: How Kiwi Pavers Became a Trusted Name in Outdoor Living
Written by Heather Anderson
Kate McLean never expected to trade high school classrooms for outdoor patios, but life had other plans. After 20 years as an educator, a series of personal and family challenges led her to take a leap of faith, leaving teaching behind to co-run Kiwi Pavers with her husband, Regan. Now, the duo is transforming outdoor spaces across Contra Costa County, bringing honesty, craftsmanship, and a personal touch to every project.
What motivated you to make the career change from teaching to co-owning Kiwi Pavers, and how has it impacted your family?
I loved teaching, but as my twins started struggling in school, I realized they needed more of me. We were navigating autism diagnoses and dealing with the school district, all while I was working full-time. Then, in 2017, my husband, Regan, suffered a freak accident at the beach and broke his neck. That was a turning point. While he recovered, he studied for his contractor’s license, and in 2018, I left teaching to help him build the business. It wasn’t easy, but it allowed me to be there for our kids while also creating something new with my husband. Looking back, it was the best decision for our family.
Your husband, Regan, is from New Zealand. How has his background influenced the business?
Regan came to the U.S. with nothing—just $20 and a backpack. He had no formal education or work experience, so he jumped into construction. He worked hard for over 20 years, learning everything he could. His work ethic and determination have been the backbone of our business. He’s hands-on with every project, making sure clients get exactly what they were promised. His friendly, down-to-earth personality (and let’s be honest, the accent doesn’t hurt) helps him build great relationships with customers.
“I also see more husband-and-wife business teams in this industry, and the women behind the scenes are often the ones running the show.”
Teaching for 20 years must have given you valuable skills. How has that experience helped you run Kiwi Pavers?
Teaching is all about organization, problem-solving, and managing personalities—skills that translate perfectly into running a business. I handled big budgets and logistics in my leadership and AVID programs, so running finances and operations for Kiwi Pavers felt like a natural shift. Teaching also made me an effective communicator, which is crucial when working with clients. Plus, teachers have to adapt constantly, and that flexibility has been invaluable in business.
Regan’s accident was a life-changing event. How did it lead to starting your own business?
It was terrifying. We were at the beach, and he was out in the ocean, enjoying the waves, when one hit him just right—or just wrong. The powerful force sent him tumbling, and when he tried to stand, he couldn’t. His body wasn’t responding. Two incredible women from The Mamahood community—complete strangers at the time—rushed to help, pulling him from the water as we all realized something was terribly wrong. The panic in that moment was overwhelming. He was rushed to Stanford, and miraculously, despite breaking his neck, he wasn’t paralyzed. But his recovery took a year and required two major surgeries. That time changed everything for us. Life is short, and we knew we wanted more control over our time, our future, and how we spent our days. So, we took the risk and built something of our own.
Being a woman in the construction industry can be challenging. What has your experience been like?
It can be lonely. I’ve had to work harder to be taken seriously, but once people see my role in the business, that changes. I love working with our female clients—let’s be real, they’re the ones making the final decisions! I bring a unique perspective, thinking about details like safety lighting for elderly parents or how to make a space more functional for families. I also see more husband-and-wife business teams in this industry, and the women behind the scenes are often the ones running the show.
What are some key benefits that clients can expect when they choose Kiwi Pavers?
Honest pricing—our price is our price. No hidden fees, no aggressive upselling. Many big companies operate like marketing machines, charging double and then pushing unnecessary add-ons. We don’t do that. We also keep our promises—if we say we’ll finish in a week, we do. Communication is a priority, and we stand by our work. If something goes wrong, we’ll come fix it. Our goal is to make outdoor living more enjoyable for families, no matter their budget.
You say no job is too small. What does a small job look like?
A lot of companies won’t touch anything under a certain square footage, but we do. A 200–500 square foot patio is a great starting point for someone looking to upgrade their outdoor space. We always find time to fit in smaller projects between larger jobs.
Can you share a memorable project that stands out?
We recently completed a $400,000 backyard project in Orinda that started with just a driveway. It expanded into a massive outdoor transformation—two driveways, a pool deck, retaining walls, patios, artificial turf, landscape lighting, and a firepit. The best part? The clients are incredible, and some have even stayed in touch long after the project is completed. Seeing families enjoying their outdoor spaces, gathering with loved ones, and making memories in a space we helped create is why we do what we do.
Are there any important partnerships that have helped grow your business?
Yes! The Brickyard, a major supplier, refers everyone to us. That’s a huge endorsement. We also work closely with Belgard, one of the top paver brands. They’re even featuring one of our projects in their national portfolio, which is an exciting milestone for us.
Your business proudly serves many areas. What do you love about working in Contra Costa County?
We get to work on everything from small, cozy patios to high-end estate projects. One thing that’s important to us is fair pricing—we don’t charge more just because a client lives in a certain zip code. Whether it’s a $5,000 or $500,000 project, we give the same attention to detail and customer service. Plus, the weather here makes outdoor living a huge part of people’s lifestyles, so we love helping families create beautiful spaces they can truly enjoy.
Your children love to “help” with construction projects at home. How does the family aspect of your business influence its future?
We’re not necessarily building a legacy that our kids are expected to take over, but we do want to teach them the value of hard work. Our 15-year-old son works with Regan in the summers, doing labor work and learning the trade. More than anything, we want them to be self-reliant. Regan’s philosophy is, “If you’re willing to work hard, you can learn anything,” and we hope to instill that in our kids.
How can someone get in touch for a quote?
The best way is to call or text us directly. Regan personally answers the phone and can provide a free estimate on the spot. You can also visit Kiwi Pavers to email us or learn more.
Connect with Kate and Regan McLean on Instagram or Facebook.
You can also find Kate and Regan McLean on The M List, The Mamahood’s searchable database of mom-recommended resources, or connect and collaborate with them inside The Club membership for women founders.