Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Karla Williams, Founder of GovCon Academy, located in Ashburn, VA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I help companies identify opportunities to sell their products and services to the US government. I then help them to qualify for these opportunities based on their ability to fulfill the requirements.
Finally, we help them write compliant, concise, and compelling proposals that win contracts and grow their business. We work with companies that have a defined offering and that are performing on government and commercial contracts. We host webinars and symposiums geared to helping companies scale and grow in the government contracting market.
We are developing a self-paced curriculum to help start-ups position themselves to win their first government prime or subcontract.
Tell us about yourself
I fell into government contracting after college. I worked in numerous contracting shops for DOD and then left government services to be a VP of contracting for an IT company whose primary customer was the US government. Once there, I discovered my passion - and skill - for winning new business. And I love what I do.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Helping scores of companies win in excess of $150 M in contract awards with the US government.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Finding good people to fill out my team.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Recognize that the freedom of working for yourself is overstated. You are trading a "boss" for a passion that survives only if you meet the needs of many "bosses" - your customers.
- You will make mistakes. Don't beat yourself up for them but learn from them.
- Fail fast. Every product or service offering won't be a success. But you won't know until you try - so fail fast so you can move on to other ideas that will be successful.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://govconacademy.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/govconacademy/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamkarlawilliams/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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