Episode 8 features an interview with Sonya Kay Blake, President and CEO of The Valley Economic Alliance. The Alliance serves businesses, educational institutions and community organizations of all sizes to achieve economic vitality and prosperity in the greater San Fernando Valley region and has worked with Metro on engagement for projects such as the G Line (Orange Line) and now the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit (ESFV LRT). Blake shares her journey from the east coast to the west coast, and how she weaved her art gallery dreams into guiding California entrepreneurs at the local and state levels to now leading the charge at The Alliance.

#DBE
#entrepreneur
#smallbusinessowner
#emprendimiento

Episode 7 features interviews with Abbigail Brown, Owner and President of CPM Logistics, and Teresa Maxwell, DBE Compliance Officer at Skanska. Abbigail is a dynamic leader who works tirelessly with communities to promote increased education, awareness and project expectations for federally funded transportation projects to assist DBEs, especially marginalized groups at federal, state and local levels. She leads Caltrans Alternative Delivery, is a member of the Caltrans Construction Innovative Task Group and facilitates the Caltrans District 4 Mentor-Protégé Program. With over 20 years of experience in the heavy/civil construction industry, Teresa is a strong advocate for diversity. She oversees Subcontractor Economic Inclusion programs and leads training on workshops and events to engage DBEs. She is dedicated to fostering inclusive workplaces and creating opportunities for diverse subcontractors to contribute to projects in communities in which they live and work. 

#DBE
#entrepreneur
#smallbusinessowner
#emprendimiento

En honor al Mes de la Herencia Hispana, el Podcast 6.7 presenta un episodio que destaca a dos invitados, Diana Layseca, Gerente Senior de Desarrollo de Negocios de Bess Utility Solutions, y Ernesto Trías, Director y CEO de Parthenon Corporation. El episodio, en español, muestra la visión de cada invitado sobre su experiencia laboral en el programa DBE y cómo las pequeñas empresas, que pueden ser operadas por hispanohablantes o principalmente en español, pueden participar en el programa DBE y encontrar éxito.

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Podcast 6.7 features an episode spotlighting two top guests, Diana Layseca, the Senior Business Development Manager for Bess Utility Solutions, and Ernesto Trias, Principal and CEO of Parthenon Corporation. The all-Spanish episode showcases each guest’s insight about their DBE work experience and how small businesses, which may be operated by Spanish-only or primarily Spanish speakers, can participate in the DBE program and find success.

#DBE
#entrepreneur
#smallbusinessowner
#emprendimiento

Episode 5 features an interview with Ramon Ortiz, Director of Certification and Economic Development at Metro. Ramon focuses on creating opportunities for small businesses to provide goods and services on the numerous agency projects, and works to ensure Metro remains in compliance with regulations governing the DBE, SBE, and LSBE programs. With 20 years of experience working with small businesses, Ramon shares how he discovered the industry and provides valuable advice on how to get started with contracting, some success stories, and an in-depth look into the continuing evolution of the certification process.

#DBE
#entrepreneur
#smallbusinessowner
#emprendimiento

Episode 4 features an interview with Sharon Coleman, founder of Coleman Construction. Coleman’s background includes commercial, governmental and institutional projects, as well as design build, housing restorations and more. Sharon currently serves as the President of the National Association of Minority Contractors, Southern California Chapter (NAMCSC) and Vice Chair for Metro’s Transportation Business Advisory Council (TBAC). Sharon details her entry into the world of construction, shares the experiences that helped her grow her company into the thriving business it is today, including tips for success for prospective entrepreneurs, and explains the importance of giving back to the community. 

#DBE
#entrepreneur
#smallbusinessowner
#emprendimiento

Episode 3 features interviews with Bill Hadley, Vice President of Skanska and Systems Integration Manager for SFTC, and Danielle (Dani) George, Estimating Engineer for SFTC. With over 35 years of experience, the majority of Bill’s career has been on Metro transportation projects. He has done extensive work on 10 projects comparable to the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail project. Bill has a thorough understanding of Metro’s system and keen awareness of the importance of early outreach and engagement with small businesses.  Dani is an expert on Metro bid documents and the BuildingConnected platform that is used by SFTC to invite contractors to bid on the ESFV LRT project. She shares her knowledge of working with small, local and disadvantaged subcontractors - guiding them toward success through the bidding process. 

#DBE
#entrepreneur
#smallbusinessowner
#emprendimiento

Episode 2 features an interview with Ernesto Trias, Principal and CEO of Parthenon Corporation. Parthenon provides project controls staff augmentation on the ESFV LRT project. Parthenon Corporation became certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) in 2011, and Ernesto’s industry experience has led to numerous opportunities to work with LA Metro and other high-profile agencies. Ernesto is a native Angeleno and proudly shares his family’s humble beginnings as his motivation to succeed. He provides insight on getting through the DBE Program process, how his family history helped him achieve his goals and his keys to becoming a successful business owner.

#DBE
#entrepreneur
#smallbusinessowner
#emprendimiento

Episode 1 features an interview with Diana Layseca, the Senior Business Development Manager for Bess Utility Solutions. Bess will conduct the potholing on the ESFV project during preconstruction. The company recently graduated from the DBE Program and Diana is often asked by other small businesses for tips on how she does her networking, how she grows the business, how to approach people in construction and how to market effectively.  She is smart, witty and a great source of information for those interested in not only getting through the DBE Program process, but how to build their business with limited resources and take it to the next level.

#DBE
#entrepreneur
#smallbusinessowner
#emprendimiento