“I know they will do great work to eliminate the barriers that exist for too many of our nation’s veteran and military family entrepreneurs,” said SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman.
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On November 4, the
Prestamos Women’s Business Center hosted by Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc., located in Phoenix, AZ, hosted their grand opening. The keynote address was delivered by Natalie
Madeira Cofield, Assistant Administrator for the Office of Women’s Business Ownership.
Register for the SBA’s First Innovation Ecosystem Summit
Are you an entrepreneurial support organization? Join the SBA for the inaugural Innovation Ecosystem Summit, taking place virtually on November 15-17, 2021. This summit aims to help you learn from and connect with other Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs)
in the STEM/R&D space. What can you expect from this event?
- Three days of collaboration with fellow ESOs from across the country
- Curated content and programming – keynotes, fireside chats, and ask me anythings (AMAs)
- How to help your entrepreneurs access government funding
- A chance to help shape and build the lab-to-market community
Register
Today
Women’s Veteran Owned Business Finds Success in Winning Government Contracts
Dedication, commitment, leadership, strategic thinking, adaptability, team collaboration, and a willingness to seek answers are among the attributes of a successful small business owner. They are also the character traits the military strives to develop in
soldiers, which is why so many veterans succeed in business. Alicia Hernandez is one such veteran who has built a thriving business from the ground up.
Since opening in 2009, DAP Construction Management, LLC, has earned over $40 million in revenues through general construction services and management contracts across 14 states. A self-avowed quick learner, Alicia reached the rank of Captain in the Army and earned her Airborne wings, all within four and half years of service. For combat actions during operation Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf War, she was awarded the Bronze Star. Her duties left her with PTSD and an 80% disability rating from the Veterans Administration.
Undaunted, Alicia pursued a life-long dream of receiving a Master’s in Architecture. Her persistence and desire held her in good stead as she worked in design and planning career fields and gained experience in the construction industry. Alicia eventually found herself working for an 8(a) certified construction firm from Texas with a mandate to open an office in Arizona. True to form, she sought advice from experts and found the Arizona district office of the SBA.
Alicia started DAP Construction Management and never looked back. She quickly earned multiple contracting licenses. Today, the company offers a wide range of services to industrial office, retail, hospitality, municipal, and federal government projects in the southwest, northwest, and mid-west regions of the United States. Federal contracting is a large part of DAP’s business and, as an SDVOB, WOSB, 8(a), HUBZone certified business, it has proven to be very competitive in winning government contracts. The firm is dedicated to employing veterans and supports public outreach for large infrastructure projects that impact minority and socially disadvantaged populations.
The Secret to Success – “Tenacity. Keep moving forward. Diversify,” stated Alicia, “Use the tools that SBA offers. I wouldn’t have gone into business without the help SBA made available and the advantages it offers. Don’t pay for anything related to government contracting as the SBA offers assistance for free.”
Are You a Service-Disabled Veteran Small Business Owner? Consider Contracting with Uncle Sam.
The federal government aims to award 3 percent of all federal contracts to service-disabled veteran-owned businesses (SDVOSB) each year. In fact, SDVOSBs received 4.28 percent of all federal contracting dollars in 2020.
Government contracting offers tremendous financial opportunities for veteran-owned small businesses, but it can be difficult to compete in the federal marketplace. SBA and its local resource network help set veteran entrepreneurs up for success no matter where
they are in their government contracting journey – whether they’re just starting out or ready to expand their services within the federal government sector. Learn More |
Eligible businesses that allow employees to get a COVID-19 vaccine can receive a tax credit. Partner with a vaccine provider to host an
on-site vaccination clinic. | Find
a vaccine provider.
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