Month: May 2025

In this episode of The Daily Windup, join us as we explore the inspiring journey of Daphne and Jose, two successful entrepreneurs in the field of architecture and interior design. They take us back to the beginning of their entrepreneurial adventure, where they found themselves facing uncertainty and fear of failure.

Daphne shares her bold decision to start her own firm in 1996, with just a dream and determination to succeed. Despite the challenges of being a new mother and having no experience in running a business, she took the leap and secured her first opportunity with a loyal client.

With hard work and the support of a key contract with American Airlines, their business began to flourish, leading them to various other exciting projects in different sectors. Tune in to hear how they built their dream against all odds and how the fear of failure drove them to success. Don’t miss this empowering episode of The Daily Windup!

In this episode of The Daily Windup,we bring you the inspiring story of Jamecee Pinkney, a successful entrepreneur based in Northern Virginia. We dive into her journey and the challenges she faced while trying to gain recognition in the competitive world of federal procurement.

Jamicee shares how he met me at a conference in Nashville, where we discussed the importance of giving credit to talented individuals who often go unnoticed. With a passion for promoting other entrepreneurs, Jamecee found himself in a position to showcase hidden talents and help them gain the recognition they deserved.

Join us as we explore Jamis Pinkney’s background, his journey from a chemistry graduate to a successful entrepreneur, and how he navigated the government contracting industry. Listen now!

Welcome back to another episode of The Daily Windup. Today our guest shares valuable insights on hiring and compensation, particularly when it comes to attracting and retaining top talent. We explore the idea of offering fair salaries, especially to younger professionals fresh out of college, and the benefits of providing regular raises based on performance and growth.

In this episode, we discuss the importance of being nimble and flexible as small businesses in setting our own policies and procedures, unlike larger corporations. Our guest emphasizes the need to follow the money and stay informed about government forecasts and market trends. We learn how focusing on specific areas such as professional services, data analytics, cybersecurity, and niche training opportunities can be lucrative in the government contracting realm. Join us as we uncover strategies for success in government contracting, talent acquisition, and identifying core competencies. Don’t miss this episode of The Daily Windup!

Welcome back to another episode of The Daily Windup, your go-to podcast for insightful conversations with successful entrepreneurs. Today, we explore the uncharted territory where government contracts intersect with the world of crypto and blockchain. Strap in for an idea-packed session!

Our guest highlights the need for collaboration between the innovative minds driving the crypto revolution and the government’s demand for advanced cybersecurity solutions. We dive into the concept of “idea sex,” where the fusion of ideas from different industries can birth revolutionary concepts. By bridging the gap between small businesses and the crypto world, we can tap into the expertise of top programmers and technology experts who can address critical cybersecurity challenges faced by the government.

In today’s episode, we delve into the essence of successful small businesses. Our guest sheds light on a key factor that sets them apart: passion. Small business owners who start a company because they truly love what they do and consider it their life’s purpose are the ones who make a remarkable impact.

We discuss the importance of understanding that acquiring an 8(a) certification is just the beginning. Rather than expecting customers to come knocking, it’s crucial for 8(a) companies to proactively engage with potential clients. Through meaningful conversations and a genuine understanding of customer needs, these businesses can demonstrate how they can provide valuable solutions. We debunk the misconception that government agencies are obligated to use 8(a) companies solely due to small disadvantaged goals. Instead, the focus should be on showcasing expertise, superior quality, competitive pricing, or unique capabilities that make them the preferred choice.

Are you positive that you have the best financing in place? Ever question the charges or fees you’re paying? Do you know what is industry standard versus excessive. Recently I had our partner Encore Funding look at 3 of my students previous agreements with finance companies and found many ways that they had been taken advantage of. For far too long this has become the industry norm and now with a trusted ethical company on our side we can rest assured that we are getting the best overall rate. Visit encoregov.com to have them review your current agreements at no charge to see if in fact we can help you keep more money so you can focus on what matters most, growing the business. 

In this episode, I’m on-site at the City of Miami Procurement Event talking with Alejandro Irizarry from AtkinsRéalis, a global engineering and program management firm doing billion-dollar work across local, state, federal, and even international projects. Alejandro breaks down how small businesses can plug into massive public infrastructure opportunities—from capital improvement and ARPA-funded projects in Miami to managing futuristic developments like The Line in Saudi Arabia. If you’re a small business ready to provide niche services like public engagement, inspections, surveying, or design work, this episode will open your eyes to just how valuable your piece of the puzzle is.

Alejandro shares how AtkinsRéalis actively partners with small businesses to meet compliance requirements and boost project delivery. We discuss how firms can register as vendors, get pre-positioned, and align with city budgets and capital plans. Whether you’re in Miami-Dade or anywhere in the U.S., there are ways to join their team and serve as consultants on everything from seawall redesigns to transit system upgrades. Bottom line: if you want in on real work that’s transforming cities and nations, this episode’s for you.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alejandro-g-irizarry-velez-pe-pmp-84b48998/ 

Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atkins/ 

AtkinsRéalis Vendor Registration Page To partner with AtkinsRéalis as a small business or consultant: https://www.atkinsrealis.com → Look for “Register as a Vendor”

City of Miami Vendor Registration Local small businesses must also be registered with the city and/or county to be eligible to work on local projects. https://www.miamigov.com/Services/Procurement/Vendor-Registration 

On today’s episode, we dive into the importance of two critical investments for small businesses: business development and proposal development. I sit down with a guest who shares invaluable advice for business owners, emphasizing the need to allocate resources to these key areas as they directly impact revenue generation.

We discuss the challenges of finding skilled business development professionals and proposal writers and provide insights on effective recruitment strategies. Networking and leveraging platforms like LinkedIn emerge as powerful tools for identifying individuals with a proven track record and a history of success. We explore the value of nurturing young talent, mentoring them in business development or proposal management, and even sending them through training programs like Shipley’s to enhance their skills.

Tune in to The Daily Windup and discover actionable steps to bolster your business development and proposal efforts. Remember, investing in these areas can unlock doors to new opportunities and drive your company’s growth. Catch you tomorrow for another insightful episode!

In this episode of The Daily Windup, we talk about the essential roles of accountants and attorneys in a business’s success. Our guest emphasizes the importance of understanding financial statements, cash flow management, and the language of finances to effectively run a business.

We also highlight the significance of having legal guidance when it comes to insurance, company formation, and decision-making. Our guest shares their personal experiences with leveraging resources, including friends, family, and nonprofit organizations, to access accounting and legal services in the early stages of their business.

Lastly, we talk about the value of internships and professional organizations in shaping our entrepreneurial journey. Listen to this episode now to learn more.

In this episode of The Daily Windup, I interviews a guest who shares insights into the role of a small business advocate within a larger company. Our guest highlights their responsibilities, which include helping small businesses learn about their company, supporting capture managers during proposal processes, and identifying capable small businesses to form teams for bidding on projects. Emphasizing the importance of networking and connecting small businesses with potential customers or partners, even if it may not directly benefit their own company. The guest also underscores the significance of government small business representatives in guiding small businesses through the complex procurement process.

The conversation sheds light on the challenges small businesses face in accessing relevant information and finding suitable opportunities. In this episode, we give you practical advice on reaching out to government small business representatives and leveraging their expertise to navigate contract opportunities. Discussing the importance of understanding the procurement landscape within agencies and installations and suggest ways for small businesses to uncover potential customers and forge connections.

In this episode of The Daily Windup, I interview a guest who shares their career journey from being a software developer to transitioning into business development in the government contracting industry. The guest discusses their experience managing a CSO (Customer Service Operations) and how it led to an opportunity to work for a government contracting company.

We delve into the process of joining an 8(a) company that was graduating from the 8(a) program and acquiring CMMI Level 3 certification, which ultimately attracted the attention of GDIIT (General Dynamics Information Technology). We also got insights into the motivations behind GDIIT’s acquisition of the company they worked for, including the value of the acquired company’s CMMI certification and its strong presence in the civilian market.

Also we talk about our guest’s own aspirations of future acquisition and passing on the business to their sons. We also highlighted the importance of mentorship and the mentors who played a pivotal role in their transition from program management to business development, learning how to craft effective pitches for different audiences, and gaining confidence in their abilities.