Any company that has two or more family members in leadership roles, and in which the family retains a majority of the ownership or control of the business, is classed as a family business. Family businesses are fundamental, driving local, national, and global economies.
Below are some of the key statistics regarding family-owned businesses and their place in the US economy.
• 60% of the US workforce is employed by a family-owned business.
• Family-owned businesses are responsible for creating 78% of all new jobs in the US.
• Family businesses are contributing more than half (57%) of the total US GDP.
• Just under 20% (19.3%) of US firms are family-owned.
• Of the family firms that reported an annual growth rate of more than 10% in the year 2018, more than 80% also reported having a clear sense of purpose and agreed on values within their business.
• Almost three-quarters (74%) of family businesses report a strong sense of culture and values.
Source: startupsanonymous.com
Family-owned businesses are the backbone of the American economy. The greatest part of America’s wealth
lies with family-owned businesses. According to the US Census Bureau, family firms comprise 90 percent of all business enterprises in North America. According to Family Enterprise USA , over 90 percent of family businesses feel that what sets them apart from non-family firms is a long-term investment philosophy, commitment to employees and suppliers, and contributions to their communities.
Many family firms boast distinct, competitive values that result in more than just gains. What truly drives
“It’s not about us being bosses, but leaders of IWA. This school is an educational necessity providing students a great opportunity to succeed. It’s been an extraordinary experience for us to watch our parents build IWA into something great, with continuous expansion. And as we continue to broaden our knowledge, our parents trust that we will lead with integrity.”
many family businesses is the sense of connection and identity the owners and their family members feel with the business. A stellar example of a long-standing, strong, family-owned enterprise is
the Industrial Welding Academy (IWA), a respected establishment that continues to meet the industry’s demand for welders, providing higher education in welding.
Since 2007, Andre Horn, founder and CEO and Miranda Horn, vice president, have been dedicated to teaching students the in-demand trade of welding built on their motto of “Integrity With Attitude.” Before founding IWA, Andre worked for several major industrial companies, and as a Certified Welding Educator (CWE), he has more than 30 years of training experience in the welding industry. Miranda possesses more than 2 decades of workforce development and management experience, being a valuable element to IWA’s foundation.
Family businesses leaders focus on the next generation, not the next quarter. And the Horns leading this fam-
ily-owned business prepares not only students, but also the next generation of IWA leadership with their children, Desiree and Dalton Horn showing passion and gaining first-hand experience to be successful in continuing the IWA legacy. “I am more than honored to continue the legacy my parents have created from the ground up. For them to even consider passing the torch to me really means a lot. I get the privilege to keep this legacy alive and impact the community the same way my parents did,” said Desiree. “IWA is the perfect place to come for those needing a second chance. Regardless of your background, welder qualifications are based on hands-on training and work ethic. Here at IWA, we focus on book knowledge and handson training that you will need in the field,” expressed Dalton.
Though you may not realize it, welding shapes our communities and everyday lives. And IWA is proud to be instrumental in shaping the lives of the next generation working in this career. From construction to manufacturing, the demand for welders remains strong. Salaries are also good, given that many jobs in this arena don’t require an extensive education, with some making a six-figure income. IWA is not just about preparing students for a job, but a career and fulfilling life, conveying the great value of integrity and discipline upon its students.
The nation’s aging infrastructure requires the expertise of welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers to help rebuild bridges, highways, and structures. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers is projected to grow 3% from 2019 to 2029, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Recent statistics from Data USA show the number of people employed as welding, soldering, and brazing workers has been growing at a rate of 4.98%, from 580,520 people in 2018 to 609,457 people in 2019. Zippia’s current findings in regards to the welding profession found that the most popular places for welders are in Texas (Houston areas) and Oklahoma (Tulsa areas).
Under the direction of the Horns, Desiree, Dalton, the staff, and instructors are all strategic when it comes to the day-to-day operations and curriculum so the student body feels more like part of a family, beyond the traditional teacher-student setting. This learning environment is distinct and effectual, perpetually producing graduates who are the future generation of leaders in the welding profession and in their communities. “IWA changes the lives of our students by teaching them the valuable skill of welding. And we don’t take it for granted that we are in a city with one of the highest levels of employment in the welding field in the country. Yes, our students have the advantage in that instance, but we understand that the highest level of training needs to be available in order for them to secure gainful employment. IWA is
about opening doors for young welders to be the best through our quality welding training environment. When our students gain the confidence career-wise, that also extends into their personal life, building self-esteem. And that is one of the best things to witness.” Andre said.
The academy’s achievements would not be possible without the IWA educators and support staff. “You can give students requirements, but do they have the tools to meet those demands? I am thankful that IWA’s instructors are providing those necessary tools for our students to succeed in their education
ciplines all across the country. Working with welders of all levels and companies of all sizes, IWA’s certified welding instructors have more than 50 years of experience in the welding industry.
Ever growing, with a location in Houston and expanding in 2018, with a school now in Beaumont, both stateof-the-art welding schools accommodate an industry-leading student-teacher ratio of 15:01. Training spaces are designed to resemble the job settings in realistic welding conditions and environments. Students are each assigned a welding machine and welding booth
“Miranda and I are proud of the achievements of IWA, but we are training our children, Desiree and Dalton, to build upon the foundation that we have laid. Learning the business and what it takes to run a successful school, also earning the opportunity to lead IWA is what will sustain the IWA legacy. Our family and the IWA staff and instructors are dedicated to the philosophy that one’s ability to earn a meaningful income is based on their dedication to learn marketable skills. This is based on our ‘Integrity With Attitude’ motto. IWA stands on that now, and with our children one day taking over the reins, I have no doubt this academy will continue to stand on that for years to come.”
IWA proves to be a worthy driving force in educating our next generation of welders, recently holding their Annual Student Welder Certification Day, hosting aspiring welders from Houston and the surrounding areas to test for certifications at their Houston location. “This annual event was especially important, being that we all have had to overcome challenges brought about by COVID-19. Our students, instructors, and staff had to adapt as well, and we understand that. But we are still here and applaud everyone for pushing through to not only continue to keep IWA a success, but to shine the light on our students who worked so hard and deserved this day. This annual day would not have been possible without AWS, our sponsors, proctors, community partners, instructors, staff, and the high school instructors who brought their students to participate,” expressed Miranda.
“IWA as a family-owned business has been invaluable to elevate my leadership skills. I would not have received this type of hands-on training anywhere else. My mom and dad definitely expect the best from my sister and I, so they continue to raise the bar, teaching us every facet of the business, also nurturing our management and business skills,” Dalton said. Desiree added, “There are not many women in this industry, so my mom is an exceptional example of making your mark as a woman in this maledominated field, owning your position so it makes a great difference for those who come after you. My brother and I have a strong sense of the IWA values, understanding that it is about more than profits, but a place of purpose to serve the students who desire and deserve a second chance.”
Andre and Miranda embracing strategies that put the students first, also emphasizing social responsibility, is a legacy they proudly pass on to Desiree and Dalton. The Horns have built IWA into more than just an academy, but a family-run operation preparing students to be productive assets in the industry and in their communities. It’s a great legacy that will remain standing for years to come, remaining the bridge connecting those needing a second chance to a successful career in this industry.
Desiring to meet the steady demand for welders, IWA has future plans to open additional facilities throughout the city and state. For more information about IWA, please visit www. iwatraining.com or email mybestwelding@iwatraining.com.
Sources:
and in the real world after they graduate from IWA,” Miranda said. IWA CWEs are credentialed by the American Welding Society (AWS), the multifaceted nonprofit organization advancing the science, technology, and application of welding and related dis-
during the course. IWA providing individual booths for students allows them to strengthen their skills received individually as well as collectively. IWA remains committed to providing the superior training and education that is in line with current welding industry needs.
• Startupsanonymous.com
• Familybusinesscenter. com
• Family Enterprise USA • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Data USA
• Zippia • US Census Bureau Family Owned Businesses Retrieved January 2019: (https://www.inc.com/encyclopedia/family-ownedbusinesses.html).
Fallon, N. Focus on Family Is Key to Long-Term Family Business Success. 2014. Business News Daily. Retrieved June 2014: (http://www businessnewsdaily.com/6567-managing-family-business. html).
Fernandez-Araoz, Iqbal, Ritter. Leadership Lessons from Great Family Businesses. Retrieved May 2015: (https://hbr.org/2015/04/leadership-lessons-from-greatfamily-businesses).
—Andre Horn, founder & CEO and Miranda Horn vice president, the Industrial Welding Academy
