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From the Desk of...

Jennifer Kayden:

A Disabled Vets Journey
From Homelessness to President
of Budding High-tech Company

Jenny Kayden (Lt) and Sandra Aulbrook (Rt)

IAM Unlimited, LLC

Navy veteran Jennifer Kayden, who not long ago was a homeless single mom, today is president of her own high-tech company.

Kayden created IAM Unlimited Inc. last year with business partner and longtime friend Sandra Aulbrook.

The company, based in Mundy Township, Mich., specializes in electrical power distribution systems for businesses and government. It also offers a wide variety of safety equipment and products.

Kayden and Aulbrook, at least for now, are the company's only two permanent employees. All others are independent contractors, hired as needed for jobs all over the country. Kayden says her Navy experience helped prepare her for operating a business.

"The most important thing is to believe in yourself and your abilities," she said during a recent interview at IAM's modern headquarters building. "Being in business is sort of like being in the military. You have to work with your team."

With her husband, Aulbrook also owns another business, American Safety & Equipment Inc., which is affiliated with IAM Unlimited and headquartered in Flint, Mi. Aulbrook joined Kayden to create IAM Unlimited with the goal of helping Kayden achieve greater financial independence.

"If you can teach somebody, and impart your knowledge, that's the best gift I can give my friend," Aulbrook said.

Kayden grew up as "an Army brat," moving with her military mom from post to post. After high school, she joined the Navy and served on the U.S.S. Prairie, a Dixie-class destroyer tender, from 1987 to 1990 as a data systems technician.

While she was in the Navy, she got pregnant, and then left the service to care for her daughter. It wasn't always easy. With no car for transportation, Kayden took a variety of minimum wage jobs, while living with her mother and later in a motel. When her daughter was 5 years old, Kayden got married and she and her husband had two more children together.

When that 12-year marriage abruptly ended in 2004, Kayden suddenly found herself homeless with three kids and no job. She had met Aulbrook at church several years earlier, and they had become friends. It was Aulbrook who opened up her house to Kayden and her three children. Aulbrook also helped her friend get a job with a floral shop. Other church members also pitched in to help out.

Looking for more permanent housing, Kayden learned about the VFW National Home for Children in Eaton Rapids, south of Lansing.

The non-profit community was established in 1925 to care for the children and families of U.S. veterans of foreign wars. Located on more than 600 acres, it is a neighborhood you might find in any small town with homes, service buildings and recreational land.

Because Kayden's maternal grandfather was a veteran of World War II, she qualified to live at the National Home with her three children.

They were provided with a two-story, furnished home, clothing and money for living expenses. While living in Eaton Rapids, Kayden landed a job in Lansing helping people with their passports. She also is taking business classes at Davenport University. She appreciates all of the help she has received at the VFW National Home, but knows that her stay there is limited to three years, and her time is almost up.

After Aulbrook learned that disabled veterans qualify for preferences on state and federal contracts government, she called Kayden, a service disabled veteran, about joining forces and going after some of those contracts.

Aulbrook said she asked Kayden, "How would you like to be partners with me? Learn. I'll help you and you'll have your own company."

It was an offer too good to turn down. So, with some help and advice from the Flint office of the Procurement Technical Assistance Center, they developed plan for IAM Unlimited, incorporated and went into business. The pair are frequent attendees at VetBizCentral’s events, including Vets Night Out where they take advantage of networking opportunities.

Their business plan includes donating some of their profits to help local charitable organizations and veterans groups. Kayden also hopes to raise enough money to build a home at the VFW National Home that could accommodate someone with physical limitations. Aulbrook is upbeat about the future of IAM unlimited, but acknowledges it will take a lot of hard work.

"We're going to knock doors down. We're confident in our people, our products and our abilities. We have everything we need to succeed."

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

IAM Unlimited Inc.

Where: 5055 Pilgrim Road
Mundy Township, Michigan 48507

Phone: (810) 333-9033
Fax: (810) 238-8601

Web site: iam-unlimited.com

President: Jennifer Kayden
Director: Sandra Aulbrook

Services: IAM offers electrical and power distribution systems and iinfra-red testing.

Products: A complete array of green safety products, including electrical interlocks, machine guarding, lockout/tagout disconnects and valves as well as a complete selection of safety clothing and personal protective equipment.

Carl Stoddard
Maj. MIARNG (Ret.)

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