It Starts With Us

Are members committed to using women and minority owned businesses ourselves? Are members doing the same thing as the GCs and using your traditional options because it is easier or cheaper? Are members asking AWC to fight for you and yet don’t check your own resources used? “It Starts With Us” is the brainchild of Barb after realizing the importance of putting our money where our mouth is.

The AWC membership is filled with extraordinary contractors, suppliers, service providers and resources. Whether you need subs for your projects, supplies for your business, home renovation contractors, or are seeking trusted consultants, chances are there’s an AWC member who can help. As of 2022, we will showcase members using members – not only to recognize the commitment but to provide a “reference” for others looking for member services. Share with us how you are stepping up to the challenge.

I challenge you all to truly commit to this tribe we call the AWC. Be intentional in both your professional and personal endeavors and not just on a project with goals. This is how we make change – It Starts With Us.

Members Using Members

Click on a story below to read more about each member to member experience, projects and recommendations.

MN Demolition Company – 2 WBOs

In January of 2024, Devi James, president of Minnesota Demolition Company, solicited quotes from two AWC trucking companies for a building demolition project in Brooklyn Center. "We hired Quad E...

Bit Roads – GR Promotions

Heidi Sedlacek, Communications Manager at Construction Associate Member Bituminous Roadways, shares her It Starts With Us Story about using Assoicate Member Jennifer Crowder and GR Promotions: "I...

Joe Zandlo – 3 Members

Associate Member Joe Zandlo of Minneapolis Financial Group took Barb’s challenge to be intentional on using the AWC members for personal projects: "I recently took on a home renovation more...

AWC – Sites for Builders

AWC decided to use Associate Member Patrick North, owner of SitesforBuilders.com to help reimagine our new website: "Patrick with Sites for Builders joined AWC in 2021 and immediately dove in...

RJM Construction / MN Street Works

Construction Associate Member, RJM Construction, reports on utilizing WBO Member, Minnesota Street Works:"Several of our Superintendents have reached out to Minnesota Street Works for sweeping...

J&L Steel Erectors / 3 Members

Founding AWC Member, LouAnne Loewen of J&L Steel Erectors, shares her It Starts With Us Stories from this year: MC Tool & Safety: "It was great to work with Erika. We needed several changes...

J&L Jobsite Solutions / 3 Members

Founding AWC Member, LouAnne Loewen of J&L Jobsite Solutions, shares her It Starts With Us Stories from this year: Air Fresh Industries: "We have used Air Fresh on many of our sites. When I...

Gunnar Electric / 4 Members

Gunnar Electric shares how they have hired a number of their fellow AWC members to get the job done:Stay Shaw with Boyum Barensheer was hired to review yearly financials for Gunnar.Joe Zandlo with...

InSite Contracting / MC Tool & Safety

Vice President Kendra Kron, with InSite Contracting, shares how her business partners with fellow board member Erika Scherman of MC Tool & Safety:"InSite has worked with MC Tool & Safety the...

Dulas Excavating / GM Contracting

Crystal Dulas shares how her company, Dulas Excavating, works together with fellow member GM Contracting:"Over the years, Dulas Excavating and GM Contracting have collaborated on a number of...

Kristi Marsh / O’Neill Electric

Member Kristi Marsh hired O'Neill Electric to install some new light fixtures in her personal home: "I own a 1941 home that we have up been gradually updating over the last 6 years. I met Ashley...

MN Demolition Company/SitesForBuilders.com

Devi James, Minnesota Demolition Company, hired Patrick North, SitesForBuilders.com, to help redesign her new website:"As I transitioned my company from Scrapbusters to Minnesota Demolition Company,...

Erika Scherman / Creations Cabinets

Board Member Erika Scherman hired Creations Cabinets for a personal kitchen project. See photos of completed work below: "Maelei and her team did a wonderful job on our kitchen cabinets and...

T. Scherber Demolition / MC Tool & Safety

T. Scherber tapped MC Tool & Safety as their new vendor for PPE supplies: "After hearing the AWC promote committing to member utilization, I had a team meeting to go over the AWC vendor list for...

Quad E Companies / 3 WBOs

Quad E Companies utilizes three women owned businesses on Lakeville Public Schools Project:"During the summer of 2021, Quad E was awarded Lakeville Public Schools projects. Quad E Companies proudly...

HanSon Custom Crushing / Minneapolis Financial Group

Joelynne Hanson with HanSon Custom Crushing hired Joe Zandlo with Minneapolis Financial Group to create and manage a retirement benefit for her office staff: "At HanSon I was looking to improve the...

How Can You Help?

Search our Members FIRST next time you need a resource. Get to know our directory of members who provide a service you hadn’t considered. If someone asks you for a referral send them to our directory. Send your employees, your friends, your family to our directory of exceptional resources.

BE INTENTIONAL! IT STARTS WITH US.

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