The TradeWins Collective is where Bloomington small businesses and the local experts who support them work together to build stronger businesses. Local programs often focus on startups or large employers. This is for the established small businesses in between. It is free to join. Bring a business issue or idea, and leave with a clear next step.
An Issue Session is a free evening where local business people work through real business issues together.
Meet local business owners and leaders, and the local professionals who want to help them succeed. It starts with getting to know each other, so you know who is around and who to turn to when something comes up, whether it is a quick question or a bigger challenge.
Local experts and business people share what they know about the business side most owners were never taught, from numbers and meetings to people and processes. You leave with practical things you can start using right away, in your own business and on your own team.
Then put it to work. Bring a real business issue or idea and the room works through it together, owners and professionals alike. You leave with a next step you can take yourself, a better question, or the right person to talk to, and help is there if you want more.
Free Issue Sessions, plus workshops with event-specific pricing for local business people.
Jay NelsonI built RCV Roofing, Siding & Gutters from the back of my car, and for years every question came back to me. In 2017 a business coach showed me how to build the company around the work. It changed my business and my life, and I later sold a company I was proud of. Helping other local owners get that same shift is now the work I care about most. Not every owner can hire a coach. Every owner should have somewhere to learn this.
Jay Nelson, founder
Built and sold RCV Roofing, Siding & Gutters. Business coach to local owners. Long-time managing co-owner of AJ Nelson Properties (land and rentals) and Starview Homes (residential home builder). US Army veteran.
Read Jay's storyA business that can run without its owner is easier to operate and better prepared for a future transition.
of businesses put up for sale never sell.
Exit Planning Institute / SCORE, 2021of an owner's net worth is tied up in their business. Owner dependence puts retirement and family security at risk.
Exit Planning Institute, 2025of owner exits are forced by death, disability, divorce, disagreement or distress.
Exit Planning Institute, 2019of U.S. small businesses have no employees at all. Most of the market is just the owner.
SBA Office of Advocacy, 2026of small business owners say they're fully prepared to hand over ownership. Four in ten plan to retire within 10 years.
Chase, 2026Buyers want clear roles, useful numbers and repeatable processes. A trainable team makes the business easier to run, easier to sell and worth more.
Owners who plan ahead have more choices.
Know what to build, choose a tool, then make it a habit.
The building blocks behind the work: numbers, meetings, processes, values, roles and problem-solving.
A tool makes an idea usable: a scorecard, checklist, process or plan. Use what helps; skip what does not.
Repeat small actions: check the numbers, follow the process and own the next step. Set a regular time to review what is working, choose one clear action and follow through. At the next check-in, look at what changed, learn from it and adjust. Small, consistent steps turn ideas into progress.
Owners, managers and leaders of businesses under $5 million in annual revenue, from solo owners to teams of about 25. Any industry. Bring a business issue or idea you want to explore or solve.
Get startedAccountants, bankers, HR professionals, insurance agents, marketers, attorneys, educators and business coaches like us. Teach a session, host, or support local learning through our network of local experts.
Support local businessThe TradeWins Collective is our local community of small businesses under $5 million in annual revenue and the people who support them.
Each month, we recognize a local company helping make this community stronger.
We invite local professionals and companies to teach, host or support a session.
Support local businessTradeWins hosted an Issue Session with the Greater Bloomington Chamber on October 6.
1431 W Kirkwood Ave., Bloomington, Indiana. Opening early 2027 as a permanent home for TradeWins and local small-business learning, with rooms sized for small teams.
Roughly 50 parking spots. Phase 2 will follow once Phase 1 is established.Ask about the Hub
Come check out the next session, or start with a conversation.