Family Business Done Right: The Bear Iron Works Story
In this episode of Celebrating Small Family Businesses, we sit down with Mike and Roggen Frick, the father-and-son team behind Bear Iron Works, a fast-growing manufacturing company serving the civil construction industry nationwide.What started as a few handmade rock screens turned into a full-scale operation—launched during COVID—built on trust, clear roles, strong culture, and smart systems. Mike and Roggen share how they’ve grown Bear Iron Works while working remotely, applying corporate principles without losing the heart of a family business.This conversation is full of practical insights for family business owners, contractors, and anyone navigating growth without sacrificing relationships.In This Episode, We Discuss:How Bear Iron Works got started—almost by accidentTurning a side hustle into a scalable manufacturing businessLaunching and growing during COVIDSeparating family roles from business rolesRunning operations remotely without losing quality or cultureCash flow challenges and the shift to e-commerceApplying corporate principles in a small family businessBuilding trust across generationsWhat’s next for Bear Iron WorksAbout Bear Iron WorksBear Iron Works designs and manufactures heavy-duty equipment for the civil construction industry, including grizzly rock screens, bedding boxes, concrete washout tubs, tracking pads, and more. Their products are built in the U.S. and shipped nationwide.🌐 Website: https://bearironworks.net💸 Listener DiscountUse code CELEBRATE for 5% off your entire order.Connect with Bear Iron WorksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bearironworks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BearIronWorksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bearironworks/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bearironworksTimestamps00:00:00 – Introduction to Bear Iron Works and the Frick family00:01:00 – How Bear Iron Works first got started00:02:00 – Building grizzly rock screens during college00:04:00 – Restarting the business during COVID00:05:00 – Early growth and first major customers00:07:00 – Running the business remotely00:09:00 – Separating family and business roles00:12:00 – Growing up in construction and learning in the field00:15:00 – Standing out in the construction management world00:16:00 – Being offered buyouts—and saying no00:18:00 – Cash flow challenges during rapid growth00:20:00 – Moving to e-commerce to stabilize cash flow00:23:00 – What Mike and Roggen have learned about each other00:25:00 – Trust, leadership, and letting the next generation lead00:27:00 – Applying corporate principles...
