IPC International Community magazine an association member publication
Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1531444
IPC COMMUNITY 14 WINTER 2025 business was going overseas," she says. "The writing was on the wall." Barbara credits her staff for the success of the company. "I've had people here for 20 to 30 years with me," she says. "Without them, nothing would be possible. Most of my employees are women; the company has Women Business Enterprise Certifica- tion (WBENC). We are very proud of that." Mid-America Taping and Reeling exhibits at many trade shows, including annually at IPC APEX EXPO. "IPC APEX EXPO is so well done, and they sup- port women in business," Barbara says. "It is by far our best show. So many of our customers attend, and we get to see each other. The networking is incredible." What does Barbara Pauls do when she is not running her business? In addition to spending time with her family—she is the mother of five and grandmother of four—Barbara loves to paint. "It is very relaxing to me, and I can get lost in it," she says. "I also love to read." Raising her children while running a business made for a very busy juggling act, and Barbara kept each child with her in the office for their first year, creating a nursery in a small office next to her own. "Between me and my husband, we were juggling kids like crazy, and when I look back, I wonder how we did it," she says. Four of her children currently work for the company. Barbara's experience bal- ancing work and family led her to create a flexible and family-friendly workspace for her employees. "We are like a family," she says. We just try to take care of each other." Barbara's Abundant Life