“Because of IMPACT’s Contractor Development Course, I feel like I’m more in control these days.” 

That’s what Kelly Roden says today about running her own business, Roden Iron, located in Milaca, Minn.

Five years ago, Brian Roden, a Journeyman Ironworker with Local 512 (Minneapolis and St. Paul), and his wife Kelly, decided that they had enough experience in the construction industry—and enough motivation—to successfully start and run their own steel erection company. Yet, at the beginning, Kelly didn’t feel “in control.”  In fact, she wondered whether she and her husband had bitten off more than they could chew.

We were much less organized then, scrambling to find jobs to bid on and how the bidding process worked,” Kelly explained. We weren't billing until the job was completed and expected payment immediately.  We didn’t understand the change order process, our cash flow was a mess and I think we just took on too much work."

Sensing that they needed more training and experience, Brian and Kelly participated in a groundbreaking new course offered through IMPACT: the Contractor Development Course.

First offered in 2011, the Web-based course consists of a series of 12 sessions focusing on need-to-know topics for Ironworkers interested in becoming Contractors.  The information is also valuable (and available) to existing Contractors looking for information to grow their business. 

A fledgling Ironworker Contractor, Brian and Kelly’s company fit into the category perfectly.

“Taking the class definitely affected our bottom line,” Kelly said.  “I have a better understanding of the billing cycle, I know what my terms are on getting paid, I make sure invoices are correct and all change orders are done properly.  And I know that within six weeks I should be paid—and if I haven’t received payment, I know to push it.”

Thanks to IMPACT’s Contractor Development Course, Roden Iron is now expanding into North Dakota.  “The course prepared us for expansion into another state.  I felt like instead of sailing blind, I had a blueprint. The course gave us the confidence to go in there, get all the licenses and start working,” Kelly said.

Brian and Kelly Roden’s success can be yours too—if you have what it takes to become an Ironworker Contractor. 

Self-study Contractor Development courses are available NOW.  Sign up on the IMPACT website at bit.ly/contractor_development.