In this episode, we dive deep into the SBA Mentor Protégé Program, a transformative initiative for small businesses eager to dominate the federal marketplace. I’m joined by Kanika Perkins, a powerhouse with over 16 years of federal service. As a former contracting officer and now the deputy director of this groundbreaking program, Kanika shares insights into how over 1,900 active agreements are unlocking billions of dollars in opportunities for small businesses nationwide.

Kanika was introduced to me by none other than Jackie Robinson Burnett, another legend on this show. Together, we explore the strategic moves small businesses need to scale—like avoiding costly mistakes, building capacity, and forming the right partnerships. Whether you’re trying to turn $200K in revenue into multi-million-dollar contracts or simply understand how to maximize your federal contracting potential, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. Tune in to uncover the secrets to thriving in the federal marketplace!

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaperkins2008/ 

SBA Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/us-small-business-administration/

Website: https://www.sba.gov/  

Email: s[email protected] 

In this episode of the Daily Windup, Diane Dempsey shared tips from her experience in supplier diversity. She discuss the importance of streamlined processes for small businesses and how they can affect change in their field. With this, she is able to impact the bottom line in her role and can affect change through leadership. She emphasizes the need for small businesses to have processes in place that are streamlined and trigger regular updates.

Diane also suggests that small businesses need to pay attention to marketing and follow-up, and to have processes in place to respond to requests from clients. She recommends that small businesses set up scripts and train their staff on how to use them to be more responsive. Listen to this episode now!

In this episode, Joshua Atkinson talks about the benefits of project management certification. He emphasizes that certifications help upskill individuals and make them more attractive to employers, although there is no guarantee of a higher salary.

However, in certain industries such as cybersecurity and government contracting, certification has become mandatory. The guest also highlights the importance of project management in various industries such as healthcare, IT and software, insurance, and construction.

Project management certification can give individuals a competitive edge in the job market, but its value depends on the cert and the industry. So if you want to learn about the importance of project management in various industries and how certification can help individuals succeed in your careers, tune in now!

In this episode, Lori and I talk about the common mistakes businesses make while bidding for government contracts. Lorie stresses the importance of being prepared before submitting proposals, having a bid or no bid concept, understanding rules of engagement, and reaching out to the right people.

She advises businesses to cross out any inaccuracies in proposal writers' work and to be patient in obtaining government contracts. We also emphasize aligning the contracts with the long-term strategy of the organization and leaving contracts that do not align. Listen now to learn more!

In this episode, we talk about the importance of marketing research for small businesses. Attending industry days is one of the best ways for small businesses to approach capture managers and to learn about future opportunities. We also have Diane Demspey, Director of Small Business Programs, who shares valuable insights on how small businesses can succeed in the government contracting space.

Dianne discusses how the company she works for supports small businesses by introducing them into their supply chain, engaging them at the draft RFP level, and including them in their subcontracting plan. She stresses the importance of marketing research for small businesses, as every single agency posts their forecast. This episode hopes to encourage small businesses to attend industry days and approach capture managers. Tune in now!

In this episode, I speak to Lori Smith about CCN, which stands for Community Care Network, the VA's way of sending patients out into the community when they're not able to treat them internally. CCN establishes the largest independent healthcare network of independent contractor providers, and Lori volunteered to do region four.

Later, she ended up getting the whole program, and with that, they took over the contract admin or the post-award aspect of it. This episode offers insight into the CCN and how it works so tune in to learn more!

In this episode, we share tips on how small businesses can succeed at conferences. Diane Dempsey talks about and emphasizes the importance of understanding the competitive environment, identifying and highlighting one's capabilities, and avoiding embellishments. She also advises to be prepared when attending conferences by signing up for matchmaking early, knowing where large businesses are located, and having business cards ready.

Additionally, she suggests that small businesses should say the name of their company three times in their elevator pitch and consider including both traditional business card information and QR codes. With over 90,000 employees, Dianne speaks from experience and offers valuable insights for small businesses seeking to make the most of their conference opportunities. Tune in to this episode now!

In this episode of the Govcon Giants Podcast, we have a special guest Leslie Faircloth, a dynamic small business advocate working with the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWC TSD). Leslie and her team are responsible for creating over $100 million in small business opportunities annually, all while supporting NAWC TSD’s mission of maintaining 98% operational availability on 18,800 training devices across the globe.

Join us as Leslie shares practical advice on aligning your business capabilities with Navy procurement needs, navigating the government contracting space, and the critical role of persistence in becoming a standout prime contractor. Packed with actionable insights and inspiration, this episode is a must-listen for small businesses ready to make an impact in federal contracting.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-faircloth-53219b37/

Website: https://www.navair.navy.mil/nawctsd/ 

Company Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nawctsd/ 

In this episode, we talk about Lori's experience working with FEMA. She shares how she applied for a GS 12 position with FEMA as a favor to their mother, but was offered a GS 13 supervisory position by her former boss instead. She also discusses the nuances of working with FEMA, including planning and posturing for disaster response.

You will learn insights for small businesses if you are interested in breaking into doing business with FEMA. They emphasize the importance of planning and posturing for disaster response, and suggest that small businesses focus on building up their capabilities to respond to disasters. So if you are interested in working with FEMA, particularly if you are a small business owner, this episode is for you. 

In this episode, we have Lori Smith, the CEO of Acu-Elligent LLC. Lori shares her expertise in government contracting, to educate on how you can efficiently and effectively do business with the government. Her organization, Acu-Elligent, aims to dissolve the myth surrounding government contracting and help people navigate the contracting process with ease.

Lori talks about her experience in federal service for 41 years, culminating in her role as the Director of Acquisition Services for the Community Care Network program. She oversaw the implementation of contracts servicing all veterans throughout the US and its territories. Lori also facilitated the build-out of clinics in Dunphy and Fairfax and served as an adjunct professor at the Community College of Southern Nevada.

Lori emphasizes the importance of understanding the rules of engagement when it comes to government contracting and provides listeners with valuable insights on how to succeed in this industry. Tune in to this episode now!