Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Robert Marraro, procurement specialist at Del Mar College APEX Accelerator, located in Corpus Christi, TX, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Del Mar College APEX Accelerator assists business owners and businesses of all sizes in learning more about and obtaining more business from local, state, and federal government agencies.
Tell us about yourself
I am a Procurement Specialist who assists Del Mar College APEX Accelerator’s rural clients in the 13 counties outside of the city of Corpus Christi, Texas. I am a Certified Procurement Professional and Certified Public Manager and have been in the public sector for 14 years with the Corpus Christi Independent School District, Corpus Christi Police Department, Education Service Center, Region 2, and Harris County Department of Education, where I was responsible for several large procurement projects, some of which were grant-funded. I am knowledgeable about disaster government contracting and all aspects of educational and municipal procurement regulations, from writing RFP/RFQs to helping bidders write and evaluate winning bid proposals, assisting with the contract award process, and vendor management. In the past, I was a Mentor with SCORE Corpus Christi to small businesses and now serve as a Subject Matter Expert to non-profit organizations. I was also a Certified Verification Assistance Counselor with the Veteran’s Administration, where I assisted veteran-owned entrepreneurs in obtaining their small business certification.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My past business ownership was limited to my own part-time freelance consultancy and as a network marketer for two different brands. My biggest accomplishment was being able to assist clients in areas where they really needed help from an expert and had a great outcome in overcoming their challenges.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things is the constancy of change and how the economy and marketplace are continually evolving. Being able to recognize these, be flexible enough to go with the flow, and handle whatever is thrown at you are essential to success. Not to mention all of the constraints business owners face as a result of funding issues, regulations/compliance, and human resource/hiring/retaining talent.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Know your market and customers.
- Be flexible.
- Know when to say when.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.delmar.edu/ptac/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/delmarcollegeptac
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/del_mar_college_ptac/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rebsnrob
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/40jnjZ9
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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