Bloomington, Indiana – Trade professionals in Bloomington now have an opportunity to gain practical business skills that can transform the way they run their companies, thanks to a new course offered through TradeWins and Ivy Tech Community College. The program, titled Business Foundations for the Trades, is an eight-week, in-person course designed to help tradespeople move beyond the job site and start thinking like business owners.
Many skilled tradespeople spend years mastering their craft but never receive training on how to manage the business behind the work. From bookkeeping to team leadership, understanding the operational side of a contracting business is essential for long-term growth and stability. The new course addresses that gap by focusing on the foundational elements that make a contracting business profitable and sustainable.
“Many tradespeople are highly skilled at the work but were never taught how to run the business behind it,” said a TradeWins representative. “This course focuses on building the foundational structure that supports profitability, growth, accountability, and long-term stability.”
The program is led by experienced trade business owners and members of TradeWins, a local blue-collar collective dedicated to helping owner-led contractors build businesses that function without relying entirely on a single person. The course is structured to provide hands-on instruction, practical insights, and immediately applicable strategies that participants can use in their own businesses.
Participants in the program will learn how a successful trade business is structured, how roles and responsibilities should be defined, and which numbers really matter for growth and accountability. In addition, the course covers creating simple processes for delivering work, establishing weekly meeting rhythms, clarifying business values, and setting long-term, one-year, and 90-day goals. By the end of the eight weeks, tradespeople gain the tools needed to run their businesses more efficiently and confidently.
“This hands-on course helps trade professionals move from jobsite thinking to business ownership thinking,” said the program organizers. “Participants leave with a clearer understanding of how to run their business, not just work in it.”
The course is designed for a wide range of participants, including trades professionals considering business ownership, small business owners, crew leaders, supervisors, and managers preparing for leadership roles. No prior business education is required, making the program accessible to anyone who wants to understand the operational side of running a contracting business.
Business Foundations for the Trades will begin on March 24 at Ivy Tech Community College in Bloomington, Indiana. Classes are scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM. The cost is $600 per participant, and registration is currently open through Ivy Tech’s Career Link Workforce Training platform.
The course promises to equip tradespeople with actionable skills that can immediately impact their businesses. By understanding financial management, team organization, and effective workflows, participants can create companies that thrive, even without constant personal oversight.
TradeWins emphasizes that this type of training is vital for anyone looking to grow a contracting business while maintaining a healthy balance between work and life. By teaching tradespeople how to structure their businesses, track meaningful metrics, and create repeatable processes, the program helps set the stage for long-term success.
For those interested in learning more or registering, detailed course information is available on the Ivy Tech website, and participants can sign up directly through the registration page. With a combination of hands-on instruction, expert mentorship, and practical tools, this program offers trades professionals in Bloomington a rare chance to gain the knowledge and confidence needed to lead thriving businesses.
Participants are encouraged to seize the opportunity to move from skilled worker to successful business owner, applying the lessons learned in class to real-world projects and company growth.
Course Information and Registration Links:
Course Information Page
Registration Page
