Secret to Success: Seeking Opportunity with Brandy McCombs, owner of IBC

Brandy McCombs, owner of International Builders and Consultants (IBC), joins host Kelly Scanlon to discuss her entrepreneurial journey, how she's grown the company, and her latest expansion.

Brandy had entrepreneurial aspirations from a young age. Growing up in a small town in southeast Ohio, she watched her father and grandfather run their companies. After working in restaurant management, she decided to move to Florida in search of additional opportunities. She became the restaurant manager of Sundial Beach Resort on Sanibel Island.

After several years, she knew she needed to change careers. So, she explored the construction industry.  In 2000 she worked for the largest MEP contractor in Southwest Florida’s HVAC new construction service department.  After five years in the subcontracting world, she moved onto the general contracting side as an interior superintendent helping condominium associations build out their tenant spaces.

With the experience and knowledge she acquired, Brandy founded International Builders & Consultants in 2009. With the economic downturn, she decided to move to an area where there would be more opportunity for her company. Her research led her to Kansas City.  IBC has became a “household” name for its quality craftsmanship as trim carpenters working for various general contractors. And in 2014 Brandy discovered a business opportunity that would require adding a separate division to IBC. As she'd done throughout her career, she didn't hesitate to pursue it. As a result, Brandy has added a new division that does flagging and traffic control for projects, including the Kansas City StreetCar.  Recently, IBC added a new location to house the traffic division.

Be sure to listen to all the episodes of Smart Companies Thinking Bigger in the archives.