Unveiled: GovCon Stories

In this eye-opening episode, we delve into the critical role of legal support in the government contracting (GovCon) landscape. Our special guest, Cherylyn Harley LeBon, a seasoned lawyer and partner at Womble Bond Dickinson, sheds light on the challenges businesses face when lacking access to experienced legal assistance. We explore the profound impact that a deficiency in legal expertise can have on contractual decisions and negotiations within the GovCon realm. Cherylyn shares invaluable insights into why securing proper legal counsel is not just beneficial but absolutely vital for navigating the complexities of government contracts. Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting your journey in GovCon, tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the legal nuances that can significantly shape your success in this arena.Links:●     Request to join the Hive39 Community on Linkedin●     Help spread the word about Unveiled: GovCon Stories●     Do you want to be a guest or recommend a topic that you would like to learn or hear about on the podcast? Let us know at https://forms.gle/WWEQ9A29DPff2Jb19Sponsors:Twenty39 – simplifying the complexity in pursuing government contracts: https://www.twenty39.comIf your business is considering government contracting and need expert advisory, business development, proposal management, and/or operations support we are here to help. We provide end-to-end enablement for pursuing government contracts.Hive39 Community: https://twenty39.com/hive39-community/An inclusive online community for GovCon Small Businesses and Consultants to learn, share, and grow. Receive free resources to support your business in pursuing government contracts; and meet new partners, identify small business relevant events and cost appropriate vendor resources, stay up to date on policy and legal changes impacting small business, and share 1099 and partnership opportunities. Join today!

In this episode, we have the pleasure of hosting Mr. Ronnie McGhee, the owner and principal of R. McGhee Associates. With over three decades of professional experience in architecture, Mr. McGhee specializes in new construction, rehabilitation of existing buildings, and restoration projects. His extensive portfolio includes notable works like the Washington Harbor and various landmark properties, such as the John Adams and Thomas Jefferson buildings at the U.S. Library of Congress. Notably, he served as the architect for the National Register-listed and award-winning Historic African American White Law Hotel and Apartments, as well as the Mary Church Terrell House Restoration for Howard University. Throughout his career, Mr. McGhee has focused on sustainable design for libraries, residences, and schools, incorporating sound construction practices and contributing to positive urban development. Tune in today to hear more about Mr. McGhee's GovCon story.Links:●     Request to join the Hive39 Community on Linkedin●     Help spread the word about Unveiled: GovCon Stories●     Do you want to be a guest or recommend a topic that you would like to learn or hear about on the podcast? Let us know at https://forms.gle/WWEQ9A29DPff2Jb19Sponsors:Twenty39 – simplifying the complexity in pursuing government contracts: https://www.twenty39.comIf your business is considering government contracting and need expert advisory, business development, proposal management, and/or operations support we are here to help. We provide end-to-end enablement for pursuing government contracts.Hive39 Community: https://twenty39.com/hive39-community/An inclusive online community for GovCon Small Businesses and Consultants to learn, share, and grow. Receive free resources to support your business in pursuing government contracts; and meet new partners, identify small business relevant events and cost appropriate vendor resources, stay up to date on policy and legal changes impacting small business, and share 1099 and partnership opportunities. Join today!

Everyday thousands of companies contemplate or make the decision to pursue opportunities for growth in the U.S. government contracting market. With so many options and opportunities to startup and grow a business...Why GovCon? Today we’re going to hear a new origin story about how one small business founder made the decision to start her business in GovCon, the labyrinth of processes she must navigate, and lessons learned along the way.Nikki Rogers is the CEO and founder of the Bladen Group, a small GovCon based in the DC Metropolitan Area, and provides management consulting services with a focus on organizational transformation for government and commercial clients. Their core competencies include Strategic Assessments and Planning, Executive Advisory Support and Governance, Organizational Change Management, Leadership Training, and Program and Project Management.Nikki is known for her ability to manage challenging clients, foster collaboration across disparate teams, and develop innovative solutions that drive successful outcomes for her clients; and as the founder and CEO of The Bladen Group has built a reputation as a trusted advisor, skilled communicator, and compassionate leader.She holds degrees from North Carolina A&T State University and UNC - Chapel Hill. She is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP ®) and Change Management Advanced Practitioner (CMAP); and as an involved community member serves as the Board Chair for Washington Improv Theater, Advisory Board member for the UNC -Chapel Hill Director Diversity Initiative (DDI), and Program Committee Co-chair for Leadership Fairfax Institute (LFI).●     Check out the Bladen Group’s podcast “Women Thriving in Business”●     Request to join the Hive39 Community on Linkedin●     Help spread the word about Unveiled: GovCon Stories●     Do you want to be a guest or recommend a topic that you would like to learn or hear about on the podcast? Let us know at here https://forms.gle/WWEQ9A29DPff2Jb19 ●     Bladen Group Website: https://bladen-group.com/Sponsors:Twenty39 – simplifying the complexity in pursuing government contracts: https://www.twenty39.comIf your business is considering government contracting and need expert advisory, business development, proposal management, and/or operations support we are here to help. We provide end-to-end enablement for pursuing government contracts.Hive39 Community: https://twenty39.com/hive39-community/An inclusive online community for GovCon Small Businesses and Consultants to learn, share, and grow. Receive free resources to support your business in pursuing government contracts; and meet new partners, identify small business relevant events and cost appropriate vendor resources, stay up to date on policy and legal changes impacting small business, and share 1099 and partnership opportunities. Join today! 

Getting that first award is one of the most exciting opportunities for a small business in government contracting. For new entrants or companies that have been struggling to get their footing in the government contracting and that first opportunity can seem like an almost impossible task. On this episode we discuss a couple of foundational elements, technical credibility and focus on a target market, to getting that first contract and continuing to develop your brand to sustain growth government contracting (GovCon).Director Calvin Mitchell was appointed to Senior Executive Service as Director of the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) in 2021. Mr. Mitchell is responsible for implementing the Department’s small business procurement programs across the $2.8 billion procurement operation; and implementing policies and initiatives throughout the Department to ensure that all socioeconomic categories of small business are afforded opportunities to compete for contracts. Prior to the OSDBU, Mr. Mitchell was the Deputy Director of Contracts and Acquisitions Management (CAM). As CAM Deputy Director, in the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), he was responsible for overseeing the work of four contracting divisions that provide operational procurement services to the Department of Education. ●     Check out Conversations with Cal on YouTube.●     Register in the U.S. Department of Education Small Business Database Registration Portal●     Request to join the Hive39 Community on Linkedin●     Help spread the word about Unveiled: GovCon Stories●     Do you want to be a guest or recommend a topic that you would like to learn or hear about on the podcast? Let us know at https://forms.gle/WWEQ9A29DPff2Jb19 Links:●     U.S. Department of Education Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)Sponsors:Twenty39 – simplifying the complexity in pursuing government contracts: https://www.twenty39.comIf your business is considering government contracting and need expert advisory, business development, proposal management, and/or operations support we are here to help. We provide end-to-end enablement for pursuing government contracts.Hive39 Community: https://twenty39.com/hive39-community/An inclusive online community for GovCon Small Businesses and Consultants to learn, share, and grow. Receive free resources to support your business in pursuing government contracts; and meet new partners, identify small business relevant events and cost appropriate vendor resources, stay up to date on policy and legal changes impacting small business, and share 1099 and partnership opportunities. Join today!

Today’s discussion is on understanding how known and unknown changes can impact your business and how to prepare. "Change is inevitable. Growth is optional." — John Maxwell. There are so many moving parts to navigating government contracting; and sometimes you can't control or anticipate the change. In those cases Ms. Maya Angelou says it best "If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude." We will discuss several of these topics on todays’ episode.●     Request to join the Hive39 Community on Linkedin●     Help spread the word about Unveiled: GovCon ●     Do you want to be a guest or recommend a topic that you would like to learn or hear about on the podcast? Let us know at https://forms.gle/WWEQ9A29DPff2Jb19Links:●     8a Business Development Program●     SBA HUBZone Program●     Continuing Resolution Definition Appropriations Watch – FY2023 ●     Cybersecurity MATURITY Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 ●     Request to join the Hive39 Community on LinkedinSponsors:Twenty39 – simplifying the complexity in pursuing government contracts: https://www.twenty39.comIf your business is considering government contracting and need expert advisory, business development, proposal management, and/or operations support we are here to help. We provide end-to-end enablement for pursuing government contracts.Hive39 Community: https://twenty39.com/hive39-community/An inclusive online community for GovCon Small Businesses and Consultants to learn, share, and grow. Receive free resources to support your business in pursuing government contracts; and meet new partners, identify small business relevant events and cost appropriate vendor resources, stay up to date on policy and legal changes impacting small business, and share 1099 and partnership opportunities. Join today! 

If you look at self-help GovCon videos on social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram you see the many “Make Millions in GovCon” ads and videos all the time; and you can make a lot of money; especially through partnering with other companies. However, this commonly used mechanism is not as easily leveraged as it seems. The potential to be rejected is very real. Today we’re going to hear a story about how one small business founders’ ability to overcome repeated rejection in government contracting.Guest Bio:Romeo Gardner III is a Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP) with over 20 years of experience in the IT field including working at the White House Communication Agency supporting President George Bush Jr, President Barack Obama, Vice Presidents, and the White House Staff. Recruited from the White House, Romeo went to Microsoft as an Engineer working in various roles for the organization before founding his own company to work with Microsoft as a partner and reseller. His mantra "to be a conduit over a container" supports his passion in being an Adjunct Professor at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg Virginia teaching Cybersecurity focusing on the CISSP exam by ISC2.Call(s) to Action:●     Request to join the Hive39 Community on Linkedin●     Help spread the word about Unveiled: GovCon Stories●     Do you want to be a guest or recommend a topic that you would like to learn or hear about on the podcast? Let us know at here https://forms.gle/WWEQ9A29DPff2Jb19Links:●     Nehlos Company Website●     Nehlos FB PageSponsors:Twenty39 – simplifying the complexity in pursuing government contracts: https://www.twenty39.comIf your business is considering government contracting and need expert advisory, business development, proposal management, and/or operations support we are here to help. We provide end-to-end enablement for pursuing government contracts.Hive39 Community: https://twenty39.com/hive39-community/An inclusive online community for GovCon Small Businesses and Consultants to learn, share, and grow. Receive free resources to support your business in pursuing government contracts; and meet new partners, identify small business relevant events and cost appropriate vendor resources, stay up to date on policy and legal changes impacting small business, and share 1099 and partnership opportunities. Join today!