The two good things that came out of my marriage are my children, and skills I've learned from my x.

You first need to determine what you can contribute: cash, good credit, management skills, financial skills, knowledge, etc. 

With your background in accounting and a father who is a contractor it sounds like you have some good skills starting out. 

If they are laid off, are their skills transferable to other industries.

It's not for non highly skilled workers, but you'll want to make sure you have insurance to cover those workers and not rely strictly on licensed contractor's insurance policies.

Tailor your resume to demonstrate that you have the skills required to succeed in the field - customer service, decision making, conflict resolution, budgeting, accounting, etc.Don't give up.

You have been welcomed by great minds diversely skilled and wicked smart colleagues. 

I highly recommend doing a flip first with an experienced person, maybe you have some skills that the other person doesn't have.

If you are confident in your ability to come up with a workable/financeable plan that meets the group's goals for location, cost and aesthetics and the local political/planning goals then you might be able to bring this to fruition. 

I don't know if organization skills are genetic.