Govcon Giants

First IG live with special guests Laurie joins us and talks about building a world class business, guest legendario ask questions about canceling a client and transferring the information to another.

Today's guest, Ramsey Smith, BS Chemistry, Ph.D in Atmospheric Chemistry. Was a Postdoctoral Fellow at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GFSC) where his research spanned the areas of laboratory atmospheric chemistry to ground based remote sensing of planetary atmospheres. Today he is the CEO/Founder of Geaux Innovation Agency - provides strategy, R&D, and commercialization services for science and technology-based entrepreneurs, ecosystem builders and investors.

In today's episode we discuss how he helped engineers and researchers find opportunities both then and now.

Bobby Brown, CEO of Broco Oil is a FT firefighter and manages to build a Veteran-owned small business company of the year in 2019. For all those that think you have to pick between a FT job and growing a business think again. Bobby says that 80 – 100 hour weeks are normal. Not one to run away from hard work that's all he ever knew. He actually says that he just puts his head down and just works hard. One thing that sets him apart from competitors is he puts his face out in front of the company. You will get him or one of his employees to show up to your location. This story goes in many directions, we take you from Broco Oil servicing hurricanes and disaster relief efforts, summer camps, posting on IG, how he acquired his latest facility and the hidden treasure that came with the purchase.

Starting with an old fuel truck and $25,000 SBA loan him and his wife went to work building Broco Oil. No banks would approve him, so he hustled his way to success. Today the company has more than 35 trucks and 50 employees. He is one of the humblest guests I've interviewed this year. Let's give it up for first responder and Govcon Giant, Bobby Brown.

Ronnette Meyers founder of JLAN Solutions story mirrors that of many entrepreneurs who got their first start from their parents. But unlike those who have severed ties, grew apart or could no longer work together, her and her mom hatched out a plan to increase their net worth, build generational wealth and capitalize on a skill set they had acquired over the previous decade. While growing out her mom's multi-million-dollar firm, JMA Solutions. Mom and daughter got together and said how can we grow bigger, do more, help others in greater numbers. The solution; separate into two different organizations.

Today Ronnette and JLAN is off to the races and has made a name for themselves winning the DC Chamber of Commerce 2020 Women in Business and Washington Business Journal 2020 Minority Business Leader honoree. Today's episode highlights her upbringing with a single mom, the opportunities afforded to their family via the military, her upbringing in Germany, building her mom's business, launching JLAN and investing in Hotels, Broadway shows and Condo's.

In today's episode, we feature our guests, Eli Smith, the son of a Black Panther, following two weeks of racial tension and protest across America. After the death of Mr. George Floyd, I thought this would be the great episode to follow considering that Eli Smith, a black business owner has not only built one successful business, but he's built multiple successful businesses across the country. And he's changing the idea of what people view Black Americans as in terms of their success and in terms of what we can accomplish despite all obstacles, Eli Smith, ESmith, Contractors, SGTR. He is now also in spite of everything, building his own development in Syracuse, New York, where it was formerly a waste site.

I hope that you enjoy today's episode. As we transform the minds of people, we share with him the story of how he found his partner and how various programs help change his life and shape who he is. On top of all that we talk about race, because again, this is the time that we're dealing with and the situation at hand. This may be difficult for some people to hear, but it is a candid conversation. And I think that it needs to be heard. Mr. Smith talks about how, when he started his company cleaning out basements in New York, the only people that would work for him were people of color, were felons or people who needed sometimes second, third, and fourth chances. I think we all could use an extra chance. Hope you enjoyed today's episode.

Today's guest, Margot Dorfman is the CEO of the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce (USWCC). A not for profit trade association that she founded back in 2001.

Their focus is economic growth for women and small businesses; access to capital, affordable benefits like healthcare. What makes USWCC different from other organizations as per Margot is that they are sponsored by the interests, aspirations, and needs of our members — not by big corporate sponsors who would moderate our voice or blunt our independent work. This independence powers our ability to always say and do what is right for our members. Women-led. Progress for all.

In today's episode we talk about:

• What makes Margot Dorfman tick?
• How USWCC has evolved and grown over the years?
• What keeps you up late at night pondering?
• Do you have any aspirations to become the SBA administrator? ▪Her five simple steps to grow your business?
• How Best in class is hurting small businesses
• When do you feel like the fight will be over, when _______ happens

Ms. Sonia Mundra is the President of Chenega Analytic Business Solutions (CABS), a newly 8(a) certified, Alaska Native Corporation (ANC). As President, Ms. Mundra manages strategic partnerships, business development and company operations. CABS provides Administrative, Enterprise IT, Training and Intelligence professional services for the federal government.

Ms. Mundra volunteers her time and expertise for various organizations, to include CompTIA, ISACA, PMI, and NCMA. She was recently recognized by DCA Live as a "Top 40 Federal Entrepreneur" for her efforts and accomplishments in the federal contracting community. She also received a 2018 Stevie "Women in Business" Award for her contributions to Chenega and the small business community at large.

Christoph Mlinarchik, is an attorney, professional instructor, consultant, an expert witness who has provided opinions and reports, research concerning damages, key findings, and case strategy for complex contracts litigation.

Today, we discuss when to suggest evaluation factors, federal acquisition institute, lowest price technically acceptable, tradeoff source selection, AF Space Command and his new book, Government Contracts in Plain English.

Today's episode features serial entrepreneur Stephen Halasnik.

Over the last 25-years, Mr. Halasnik has built 7 companies in the $5 to $20 million annual revenue range. His businesses have covered a wide variety of industries; staffing, finance, software and real estate.

Today's interview is a little different. We are bringing you someone who has created a formula for scaling companies to the $10M revenue mark. This is great for us small businesses out there to learn what it takes to build a scalable brand.

In this special episode we hear what new ideas are resulting during this Pandemic.