Author: Eric Coffie

In today’s episode, we delve into the powerful mindset of billionaires and the key lessons I learned from reading books written by these successful individuals. There is importance in having a definite purpose when reaching out to mentors and there is a fundamental difference between regular people’s thinking and the extraordinary mindset of billionaires.

Drawing examples from Steve Schwarzman’s book, I highlight the mindset shift required for massive success. I also share the significance of pursuing worthy fantasies and avoiding small, comfortable endeavors that may hinder long-term growth. By embracing a mindset focused on achieving significant goals, I encourage you to challenge yourself and aspire greatness.

In this episode of The Daily Wind Up, we dive into the importance of persistence and strategic partnerships for entrepreneurs. Highlighting the value of staying committed and continuously reaching out to potential partners, I share my own experiences of calling multiple times until I received positive responses. I also talk about the need to maintain a professional and respectful approach while understanding that busy professionals have their own priorities.

I also discuss the significance of understanding the challenges faced by the individuals I contact and avoiding taking things personally. Building successful business relationships requires consistent effort and highlights the rewards that come with perseverance.

In this episode, we dive into the world of bid opportunities and how they can benefit small businesses. Emphasizing the importance of assisting the government with market research, as it directly impacts the success of small enterprises. We take a step-by-step process using sam.gov, the government’s database, to identify early-stage opportunities before they become public bids.

By accessing source of sought notices, I explain how small businesses can proactively position themselves in front of potential government contracts. Also, by actively participating in the government’s market research process, small businesses can not only increase their chances of winning contracts but also advocate for the inclusion of small enterprises in procurement opportunities. Don’t miss out on this action-packed, informative episode of The Daily Wind Up now!

In today’s episode of The Daily Windup, we share the inspiring story of a determined entrepreneur who stumbled upon her first government contracting success, Angela Chamberlain. Inspired by Eric’s advice, she delved into government contracting and found a remarkable opportunity related to fitness training for the military.

Undeterred by her lack of experience in construction, Angela identified a gym owner with the perfect skill set to pursue the government contract. Listen now as Angela reflects on her remarkable journey, filled with unexpected twists and the realization that government contracting is within reach for anyone willing to seize the opportunities.

In this episode, we emphasize the importance of expanding your network to create new opportunities. We highlight how increasing your network will lead to connections with successful entrepreneurs, CFOs, investment bankers, and professionals in various fields. I also share insights from a recent networking event where I interacted with finance experts, commercial real estate professionals, and city officials.

Networking opens doors to partnerships, access to funding, and valuable knowledge sharing. So connect with others, engage with communities, and reach out to experienced individuals for guidance. By expanding your network, you can enhance your net worth and tap into government contracts and grants that face a shortage of qualified contractors. Tune in to this episode of The Daily Wind Up to learn how expanding your network can unlock new opportunities and transform your entrepreneurial journey.

I had an eye-opening conversation with one of my students last night, and it reminded me of a major misconception in government contracting—many of you think you must have certifications to win contracts. That’s just not true! People are out here scaring you into thinking that without an 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB certification, you don’t stand a chance. But let me tell you, there are plenty of lucrative opportunities that don’t require any certification at all.

In this episode, I break down five specific ways you can sell directly to the U.S. government without jumping through bureaucratic hoops. From product sales on platforms like DLA DIBBS and Unison Marketplace to logistics, catering, and even cybersecurity, I’ll show you how others are winning big by thinking outside the box.

We also talk about a major wealth transfer happening right now—baby boomers selling off their government contracting businesses, and how you can use SBA-backed financing like SBIC and 7(a) loans to acquire these businesses and step into an already-profitable government contractor role. Plus, I share insights from real-life entrepreneurs who have scaled their businesses beyond certifications. If you’re still stuck in the old mindset that certifications are the only way to succeed, this episode will change the game for you. Stop making excuses, start thinking bigger, and let’s get to work.

In this episode of The Daily Windup, we discuss various aspects of government contracting. From emphasizing the impossibility of a single person knowing all the contracting offices and buying offices in the government to recommendations for government contract attorneys.

We also touch upon the DOE webinar and the importance of understanding the information presented. Generally, I advise businesses to ensure you are procurement ready. Listen now as we simplify government contracting, share valuable lessons, and offer actionable advice to entrepreneurs.

In this episode of The Daily Windup, host Eric Coffie engages in a conversation with a Jeff Stutzman, a cybersecurity expert and entrepreneur. Jeff shares his journey, starting from his work at the DOD Cyber Crime Center to building a collaborative Information Sharing environment for defense contractors and banks. They discuss the evolution of cyber attacks, emphasizing their increasing sophistication and the shift towards more user-friendly tools. Jeff also reveals his decision to become an entrepreneur and highlights the challenges faced in the cybersecurity industry, particularly regarding the diminishing value of cyber threat intelligence. 

Join me and Jeff in this insightful episode as we explore the fascinating world of cybersecurity, from its early days to the present, while uncovering the entrepreneurial journey of Jeff and the strategies employed to navigate the evolving landscape.

In today’s episode of The Daily Windup, we have Chrissy Farrington who shares her journey as a military spouse and how it has shaped her professional experiences. As a military spouse, Chrissy discusses the challenges of not having control over where and for how long they move. Initially working in education as a teacher and director of academic programming, Chrissy transitioned into the world of government contracting and grant writing.

Chrissy highlights the parallels she discovered between teaching and proposal writing, emphasizing the importance of process, strategy, and communication in both fields. She talks about her decision to volunteer for nonprofits and gain experience in grant writing while balancing her role as a military spouse and a mother of three young boys.

Tune in to this insightful episode as Chrissy shares her valuable experiences and provides an inspiring perspective on finding professional fulfillment amidst the challenges faced by military spouses.

In this episode of The Daily Windup, I interview Austin Tsosie, a successful entrepreneur with a remarkable journey, starting with him sharing his experience of growing up on the Navajo reservation in New Mexico. He discusses the impact of the sawmill closures, which led his family to move off the reservation. Despite the challenges, his father instilled in him and his twin brother the importance of education and success in fields like medicine, law, and engineering. Fascinated by computers and programming,  Austin pursued a career in IT, navigating the evolving landscape of network engineering and software development.

Tune in to this inspiring episode of The Daily Windup to hear how Austin’s journey unfolded, from the challenges he faced to the pivotal moments that shaped his path as a successful entrepreneur in the IT industry.