Learning in the Journey: Stories about Taking the Bold First Steps to Find Your Destiny

 “I'd only intended to spend one semester [at PGCC], but I found the experience extremely nurturing and chock-full of academic opportunities that I decided to stay.” –Tameisha Henry, U.S. Diplomat   

 
It’s astonishing how taking a simple step forward in our journey can impact our entire life’s path, and take us on a ride we couldn’t possibly design were we left to our own devices.  In Paolo Coehlo’s novel, The Alchemist, a king speaking to the character Santiago tells him that, "When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it."

While a powerful statement, it is also thought-provoking and reminded me that everything we send out to the universe inevitably returns to us—positive and negative. And in moving that sentiment further along in my mind, it caused me to think about a young woman I had the good fortune of meeting. She is the epitome of a seeker, and her resourceful nature has helped her uncover an entire world of opportunities that have made her academic path nothing short of remarkable.   As a smart high school student, Tameisha Henry made a singular decision that would chart an exhilarating course for success. Several innocent but fateful hiccups, however, prevented Tameisha from applying to a four-year institution in high school, so she decided to begin her college coursework at Prince George’s Community College.

 Preparing for takeoff!

After pow-wowing with the American University graduate, I felt inspired and knew that I had to share her story. Awards, honors, accolades and racking up degrees is impressive, but what makes Tameisha’s story so fascinating is her mindset. She lives in a “big picture” state of being, and fully understands the importance of embracing the right opportunities at the right time. She’s unique, extremely bright, and a fun conversationalist—but mainly, she’s just very down to earth and pretty much just wants live on purpose. And that makes her very cool! 
  

 Here's her story: 

 J: What did you want to be when you grew up?
T: I had all the same dreams as most people. I wanted to be a ballerina, a lawyer, a doctor and a bank manager, among other careers. Growing up in Barbados my exposure to the breadth of the world's job market was very limited but my dreams were largely TV-fueled. 

 J: Was government, public policy, politics, etc. always part of your game plan?
T: Government and diplomacy was definitely NOT always part of my game plan. I moved to the United States and studied Business Administration at PGCC, and later at American University, and figured I'd work in that field. However, the DC/MD/VA area had different plans for me. While the Peace Corps was not traditionally a popular job for my fellow business students after graduating, it was a popular path for many of the students from AU's School of International Service. The Peace Corps' Small Enterprise Development volunteer program allowed me to meld my business training with my passion for service and launched my international career. Several jobs and a master’s degree later, here I am - a U.S. diplomat. 

 J: Who influenced you as a child, teenager or even know as an adult, to strive and work hard to achieve your dreams?
T: My parents are my biggest motivators. I am the living, breathing evidence of countless sacrifices on their part and I am eternally grateful to them. My parents gave me a legacy of working hard that I strive to embody. My sister is also a huge motivator for me. She lives a life of purpose, driven by her personal barometer of success and integrity and I aspire to have her sense of self one day. 

 J: As a bright, enterprising young lady, why did you choose a community college as part of your academic journey?
T: I happened across PGCC along my academic journey. I moved from Barbados to the United States late in the summer intending to enroll in high school but the Maryland Department of Education reviewed my transcripts from Barbados and recommended I go straight to college. By then I had missed the application period for four-year universities so I went to PGCC which has late-summer admissions. I'd only intended to spend one semester but I found the experience extremely nurturing and chock-full of academic opportunities that I decided to stay. I was very fortunate to be accepted to the Honors Academy and later received a scholarship to go to American University so, by far, that was one of the best decisions I'd ever made. 

 J: What was your major, favorite course(s) and/or professor while here at PGCC?
T: I finished my A.S. in Business Administration at PGCC. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at PGCC but, by far, my work for, and later relationship with, Dr. Melinda Frederick was the most rewarding. I studied the works of Machiavelli and others with her - my first introduction to politics and leadership. 

 J: How has having a diverse education (PGCC, four-year institution) influenced or impacted you as a professional woman?
T: My time at PGCC gave me some of my closest friends, caring mentors and an experience that is unmatched. Unlike many four-year institutions, my classmates at PGCC were of diverse ages, professional experience and even nationalities. I felt incredibly nurtured in that environment. Moving on to a four-year institution with the academic foundation I received at PGCC was an ideal path for me. I think my time at PGCC, and later AU, showed me I could be effective in multi-cultural, diverse settings - a skill that I have relied heavily upon in my professional life. 

 J: What advice would you give a young student contemplating college? Same question, but an adult desiring to go back to school?
T: College is a significant investment and I think far too many young people do not appreciate this fact. I would advise a young student to look inwards before looking at schools. What do you want to do? What kind of job/lifestyle do you want to have? How do you plan to pay for school? After identifying the things most important to the student only then would I suggest surveying what schools are out there and what they have to offer. Sometimes, based on circumstances, a community college makes more sense than going straight to a four-year school. An adult going back to school is likely more sure of what they want to get from their education so my advice would be to survey the available schools widely to ensure the most bang for your buck. 

 J: Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?
T: This is an interesting question. I joined the Foreign Service specifically so my life would be dynamic and unpredictable. I don't know where I'll be but with my passions and interests rooted in service and working abroad I can see myself in the State Department for many years to come. 

 J: What is your favorite food(s)? Places to travel? Hobbies?
T: I love to eat! It's hard for me to pin down a favorite cuisine of meal. Now that it's getting colder I have been eating a lot of pho which is a Vietnamese soup I fell in love with when I worked in Vietnam last summer. My favorite place to travel will always be Barbados. I feel at home there but can also enjoy the beautiful island as a tourist would. I love to read so that is definitely my hobby. I also love cooking and experimenting with fusion cuisines. 

 J: Last or best book you have read?
T: I'm moving to Sri Lanka next year for work so I have been slowly making my way through relevant Sri Lankan literature. The book I'm reading is Anil's Ghost by Michael Ondaatje and it is set in late twentieth century civil war Sri Lanka. ^ 

  

Questioning media is Part of National News Engagement Day

Michael Ray Smith, Ph.D., Professor

A quip from Michael Ray Smith, Ph.D.
Professor, Palm Beach Atlantic University

Florida

Today is National News Engagement Day, a good time to think about the journalism of hope and ways to engage readers and viewers.

That term isn’t original with me. It came from Al Neuharth, founder of USA Today and author of “Confessions of an S.O.B.” The journalism of hope is old-school journalism that says as a vigorous free press increases, accountability and reform increase.

That’s the spirit behind National News Engagement Day, a month before Election Day, Nov. 7. Sponsored by Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, the day is receiving attention from journalism educators and media organizations across the nation. Two critical issues are at stake.

Issue 1: Awareness includes discerning between the questionable role of public relations as a part of the news model in some editorial operations.

Pew Research recently reported, “One of the greatest areas of revenue experimentation now involves website content that is paid for by commercial advertisers–but often written by journalists on staff–and placed on a news publishers’ page in a way that sometimes makes it indistinguishable from a news story.”

Known as native advertising, the trend is catching in legacy media with eMarketer predicting that native ads spending will reach $2.85 billion by the end of 2014.

Issue 2: The journalism of hope includes the idea of teleos, what the ancients said is the goal of this life, which is to seek the good.

A group of us in AEJMC have joined the idea of seeking the Good with sympathetic objectivity, an idea that former Christianity Today senior editor Carnes pioneered. As journalism educators, we talk about the need to get it right and the number one duty of a journalist: Accuracy. We teach students the ethic of consulting themselves first before weighing into an article. Prayerful preparation can make all the difference.

We teach them to train their news antenna to wiggle over news that may be missed by others such as the beach-side baptism of nearly 100 people in September by a downtown West Palm Beach Church. We applaud the work of the mainstream when it covers religion on page one as the Sept. 30 Wall Street Journal did with its Tamara Audi piece, “Tough Choice for Iraq’s Christians: Fight or Flight.”

The ultimate goal is to report information for the good of the community to help the community flourish.

The twin concerns of the encroachment of public relations into the news content and the wariness of coverage of faith in the marketplace are two areas where we can improve in journalism. We can seek the Good as part of the free flow of information for a healthy democracy. It doesn’t have to be bad news for the sake of bad news; it can be gritty reports of power abuses that will lead to reform.

The journalism of hope boldly speaks to power to do the high calling of the teleos of fourth estate: To make the powerful accountable and reform more likely.

Engage the news today and participate in the extraordinary power of the free press to make a difference for the good of the order.

More about Michael Ray Smith:

A professor at Palm Beach Atlantic University, Michael Ray Smith worked as a journalist for a number of newspapers including the Atlantic Journal-Constitution and author of the 2014 book, “The ABC List of Feature Ideas". Visit his site at http://writingtipsthatwork.com or contact him at School of Communication & Arts, Palm Beach Atlantic University,  MichaelRay_Smith@pba.edu.

Work Hard...and Succeed: PGCC Student is Making All the Right Moves

Think school doesn't pay off? Think again. Meet the 2014 Maryland Tourism Education Foundation (MTEF) Scholarship Recipient, Ms. Marilyn Ann Cox. She turned her passion into a position that is poising her for power moves (gotta love alliteration!). And if you think she's resting on her laurels and deciding to joyride her way through her new corporate position, think again. This enterprising lady is working diligently toward a master's degree in international business. #watcherhergo

                                                View the entire story here!

#WINNING: Small Business Enterprises are Proving to be MVPs in the ‘Big Business’ Game

By Jennifer Colter

I caught up with several business owners who participated in the Center for Minority Business’ Local Minority Business Enterprise (LMBE) Accelerator Program. Their paths have all been unique…until now. Meet the Accelerators who are changing the game of business success.

Small businesses come in many shapes, colors and industries, and as for their owners, the palette consists of individuals from every cultural, economic and educational background imaginable. There is, however, one very important and common trait that weaves each member of the entrepreneur’s club together; passion. Having a bright idea is great, but if you don’t have the chutzpah to put that idea into motion…and even more audacity to pursue the abundance of resources available to help small businesses grow, then you, still, just have a bright idea.

Enter the Center for Minority Business Development (CMBD).

Designed to level the playing field in the Prince George’s County business community, the Center for Minority Business Development was launched by the Peterson Companies as a way to bridge the gap between contract opportunities and minority-owned firms who have been traditionally underrepresented. By enrolling in the Local Minority Business Enterprise (LMBE) Accelerator Program, business owners are placed on the winning track with access to services like on-site technical assistance and personalized training that builds the capacity to compete in the big business arena.

Since 2009, business owners who have successfully completed the LMBE Accelerator program have seen their enterprises escalate to new levels along with their client rosters.  It has been their tenacity, hard work and skills that have gotten them this far, but it’s their unbridled passion for their crafts that truly makes them successful.

Who are the Accelerators?

Successful entrepreneurs and active community members, Ardania and Lindwood Williams
of Lendana Construction Company are making a mark on and off the court.

Linwood P. Williams is the owner of Lendana Construction, a family-owned company specializing in masonry work with headquarters in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. As president of a certified, minority-owned enterprise, Williams is more than familiar with what it takes to operate a successful company in the Nation’s capital. Although this burgeoning company is classified as a “small business”, their impressive client roster, work ethic and ability to successfully acquire and manage large-scale projects graduates them to the big business arena.

I had a chance to sit down with Mrs. Ardania Williams, Vice President of Marketing for Lendana to learn more about her journey as an entrepreneur preparing for the next level.

·  From where does your passion for masonry/construction originate?

For 32 years as a union bricklayer, Linwood Williams, Sr., worked on some of the most well-known, high-profile buildings in Washington, D.C.  He also built his family’s home from the ground up.  Despite the steady work, he always held on to the dream of owning his own business.  The opportunity finally came after our son, Linwood Jr., attended University of Maryland Eastern Shore for 2 years and decided to enroll as a brickmason and completed his apprenticeship program.

·  What was the turning point in your career (or business) that made the light bulb go off, and you realized you needed to find a concrete resource to take your company to the next level?

The family founded Lendana Construction Company, LLC., in 2006, which is based out of Linwood and Ardania Williams’ Upper Marlboro home and specialized in masonry work only. Linwood Williams is owner, Ardania, is vice president of marketing and development; Linwood Jr., is project manager; and daughter, Ramona Prescott handles human resources and assists in business development.  While at a local networking event Ardania heard about a promising new initiative at Prince George’s Community College and PGCC and Lendana Construction later connected.  PGCC established the Center for Minority Business Development (CMBD) in 2009 with a $5 million grant from the Peterson Companies.

·  Share with me one major "takeaway" you received from the program?

CMBD’s Accelerator Program offered training, consultation and technical assistance for 18 months at NO COST!! They provided us with everything we needed to go out and win construction bids. We worked with paper and pencil, we are now proficient in QuickBooks an innovation that has made life easier and business operations more efficient thanks to CMBD.  We were the second graduating class.

·  What would you tell aspiring construction/masonry professionals about entering your field and considering [one day] venturing out on their own?

We married in 1981, we received some special advice from our minister, “as long as you have a theme, a dream and a team, you will always be successful.”  Never lose sight of your passion, believe in yourself and you “MUST BE INTO-IT” all the way.  We continue to be humble, our faith in God and our family support is most important to us.  We give back to our community and have been recognized for our generous support!  Our journey will continue for our granddaughters to take the business to the next level.

·  When clients approach you, what are their main projects or needs?

For Lendana it is brick, block and mortar that’s who we are, we specialized in masonry and we stay in our “lane”, is what we like to say,  it’s enough construction work in Prince George’s County in the next 5 years for all construction trades, we only want a “small portion” in order to continue to stride.

In April 2013 we began work on the new Tanger Outlet Mall at National Harbor, a joint venture with CF Masonry in Baltimore that provided us with added support and resources. The Tanger Outlet opened November 2014.  We would love an opportunity with MGM Destination Resorts, Prince George County Regional Medical Center and other upcoming projects in the County.

·  How did the CMBD Accelerator Program prepare you to go after contracts, new/bigger clients, etc.?

Again, after undergoing the rigorous screening process we joined the program in October 2010, which provided access to a series of educational modules designed to strengthen management skills, improve back office operations, meeting industry standards and embracing cutting-edge technologies.  Through instruction in areas such as cost estimating and procurement, the program delivered practical advice on how to do business in Prince George’s County. 

·  What has been the key to your success?

“Networking, Networking and Networking,” building relationships with your customers/clients and know what they expect of you and be “on time with past performances, scheduled meetings and more importantly than anything bid proposals due time and dates.”

· Give me three words to describe your overall experience in the CMBD Accelerator Program?

WONDERFUL, EXCITING, AND REWARDING!!!

If you would like to learn more about Lendana Construction Company, please visit lendamasonry.com or call (301) 499-4849.

Thinking Outside the Box

I think from birth we are conditioned to think inside a realm that is realistic to everyone around us. We are conditioned to conform to what is known to be the "right way" to live our lives in order to grow up to be respectable citizens. That's all fine and good...but...1957 called and it wants its demure, quiet, cookie-cutter, status quo-life back! 

In the real world--or--the space in which the rest of us reside, we are screaming and beating our fists in the air denouncing the be-like-everyone-else mindset. For those with an entrepreneurial spirit the size of a mustard seed, just getting by and waffling in mediocrity won't cut it. To live totally free and purposeful, you must think outside the box. Know that what's safe and normal is quicky become passe--and SO not cool!

If you have a desire to do or be or create something groundbreaking, odd or dare I say, unique, then you darn well better man up and do it. Think outside the box and start living, working, playing, existing in a space that is designed for only you. Once you realize just how AWE-SOME (in my Miz voice) you are...you just may start to realize just how far you can AND WILL go!

Envision. Think. Execute. 

#WINNING: Small Business Enterprises are Proving to be MVPs in the ‘Big Business’ Game

I sat down and talked with several business owners who participated in the Center for Minority Business’ Local Minority Business Enterprise (LMBE) Accelerator Program. Their paths have all been unique…until now. Meet the Accelerators who are changing the game of business success.

Small businesses come in many shapes, colors and industries, and as for their owners, the palette consists of individuals from every cultural, economic and educational background imaginable. There is, however, one very important and common trait that weaves each member of the entrepreneur’s club together; passion. Having a bright idea is great, but if you don’t have the chutzpah to put that idea into motion…and even more audacity to pursue the abundance of resources available to help small businesses grow, then you, still, just have a bright idea.

Enter the Center for Minority Business Development (CMBD).

Designed to level the playing field in the Prince George’s County business community, the Center for Minority Business Development was launched by the Peterson Companies as a way to bridge the gap between contract opportunities and minority-owned firms who have been traditionally underrepresented. By enrolling in the Local Minority Business Enterprise (LMBE) Accelerator Program, business owners are placed on the winning track with access to services like on-site technical assistance and personalized training that builds the capacity to compete in the big business arena.

Since 2009, business owners who have successfully completed the LMBE Accelerator program have seen their enterprises escalate to new levels along with their client rosters.  It has been their tenacity, hard work and skills that have gotten them this far, but it’s their unbridled passion for their crafts that truly makes them successful. 

 Who are the Accelerators?

Monte Richards,  P.E., CEO, M-R/Innoveers, LLC

Monte Richards is the president and founder of M-R/Innoveers, LLC, with headquarters  in Upper Marlboro, MD.  As a professional engineer and president of a certified, minority-owned enterprise, he is more than familiar with what it takes to operate a successful company in the Nation’s capital--not to mention in one of the world's hottest and most lucrative industries. I had a chance to sit down with Mr. Richards to learn more about his journey as an entrepreneur preparing for the next level.

Read on and see first-hand why this ambitious and laser-focused professional is quickly becoming a heavy-hitter in the game of big business.

From where does your passion for engineering/design/project management originate?  

I’ve had an aptitude for the sciences and mathematics throughout my secondary school education.  I learned about the engineering profession from my high school guidance counselor, Mr. Charles Pittman at I.C. Norcom High School in Portsmouth, VA.  I was awarded a full scholarship to the School of Engineering at Howard University and the rest is history. 

What was the turning point in your career (or business) that made the light bulb go off, and you realized you needed to find a concrete resource to take your company to the next level? 

That light is constantly on and off.  It is always my desire to grow my business.  However, I must admit that I have been guilty of thinking that I know how to solve all of my business problems.  As I’ve gained experience as a business owner, I’ve learned that it is wise to seek the counsel of those that have expertise in other areas such as business development, branding, etc.  for assistance.

Share with me one major "takeaway" you received from the program? 

I’ve learned that there is a significant number of resources provided by the County and entities such as the CMBD that are available to Prince George’s County business owner’s at little or no cost to aid us in growing our businesses.  Carl Brown and his staff are truly committed to not only strengthening the technical and administrative capacities of Prince George’s County based businesses, but also they are committed to enhancing the image of Prince George’s County based businesses to include professional services providers as well.

What would you tell aspiring engineers/project managers about entering your field and considering [one day] venturing out on their own? 

My advice is to gain at least 5-7 years of experience in your field of endeavor to develop technical, administrative, and business development skills prior to starting your own business.  Also, be prepared to put very long hours into the business for several years.  Establish line(s) of credit with lending institutions prior to incurring business debt.  

Be prepared to accept rejection for lack of past performance success stories until your client base gets to know you a lot better.  Narrow your focus on a few markets and narrow your focus on the services that you provide (i.e. establish a reputation for excellence at a few things rather than mediocrity at a large numbers of services).  Keep your promises to your clients!  Don’t be afraid to serve as a subcontractor for a while before tackling the challenges of being a prime contractor.  

Finally, make sure that you and your client both understand and agree upon the services to be provided and when those services will be delivered.  A misunderstanding in this regard can ruin a relationship with your client.

When clients approach you, what are their main projects or needs? 

Generally our clients need assistance with defining their problems and then assistance with a strategy to solve that problem.  Engineers are trained to be rational thinkers and, by default, problem solvers.

How did the CMBD Accelerator Program prepare you to go after contracts, new/bigger clients, etc.? 

The CMBD program has assisted us by enhancing the technical skills of our staff members.  Additionally, the CMBD program has provided us assistance with business development and marketing assistance as well.

Give me three words to describe your overall experience in the CMBD Accelerator Program? 

Rewarding, necessary, appreciated

To learn more about M-R/Innoveers, LLC, visit www.mrinnoveers.com  or call (301) 669-0960.

About Monte Richards, CEO: http://mrinnoveers.com/aboutus/aboutus.php

Random. I know....

...but DO GREAT WORK TODAY!

#takecharge #LetsGo #UrARockStar

MAKE YOUR PASSION YOUR POSITION

FREEDOM IS...LIVING PURPOSE-FULLY...LOVIN WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU DO!

No tips or smart articles about how to execute better media relations, craft compelling pitches, or place a great article. Not today. Today I just want to share a very simple thought with all of you. Are you in love with your future? I am...so much that sometimes I can't sleep at night because I'm so anxious to see what tomorrow brings. I suppose you could say that I'm passionate about my life.

The word passion gets thrown around so freely and frequently...like "love" or "bling" (I hate that word!). But I have difficulty finding a word that accurately expresses how I feel about my life and where it's headed. This may sound strange, but the reason I'm so gung ho about myself is because I'm doing things I genuinely enjoy doing. Nope...I didn't hit the lottery. I'm largely referring to my career and the network of people with whom I associate. I do pr...well...most of you know this already because I've pretty much incorporated it into my name. "Hi, I'm Jennifer...I do pr!" What I'm saying is that I am working in the field that moves, exhilarates and challenges me--and almost daily opens me up to new experiences, people and information. And I get paid for it--therefore affording me opportunities to travel and see places many have only experienced through pictures. This is what freedom feels like for me!

So my initial question remains: Are you in love with your future? If you get up everyday excited about what you're going to tackle at the office each day, proud that a news producer wants to interview your client, gushing because your pitch resulted in an appearance on FOX news, or elated because your client just performed in a show with David Guetta and it's featured on a top entertainment blog, then you understand where I'm coming from.

Life is too short to go through each day praying for it to be over. Dig deep inside yourself and find something that moves you--energizes you and makes you feel taller than Shaq. It's there. It's in all of us. You have a purpose and it's your responsibility to cultivate and nurture it so that you can be all you're destined to be. Find your passion and fall in love with your future. I give you my word that you won't stop smiling once you do...even on the days when life reminds you how hard it is. Fall in love with yourself and live your wildest dreams...your life depends on it!

#WINNING: Small Business Enterprises are Proving to be MVPs in the ‘Big Business’ Game

I sat down and talked with several business owners who participated in the Center for Minority Business Development’s Local Minority Business Enterprise (LMBE) Accelerator Program. Their paths have all been unique…until now. Meet the Accelerators who are changing the game of business success.

Small businesses come in many shapes, colors and industries, and as for their owners, the palette consists of individuals from every cultural, economic and educational background imaginable. There is, however, one very important and common trait that weaves each member of the entrepreneur’s club together; passion. Having a bright idea is great, but if you don’t have the chutzpah to put that idea into motion…and even more audacity to pursue the abundance of resources available to help small businesses grow, then you, still, just have a bright idea.

Enter the Center for Minority Business Development (CMBD).

Designed to level the playing field in the Prince George’s County business community, the Center for Minority Business Development was launched by the Peterson Companies as a way to bridge the gap between contract opportunities and minority-owned firms who have been traditionally underrepresented. By enrolling in the Local Minority Business Enterprise (LMBE) Accelerator Program, business owners are placed on the winning track with access to services like on-site technical assistance and personalized training that builds the capacity to compete in the big business arena.

Since 2009, business owners who have successfully completed the LMBE Accelerator program have seen their enterprises escalate to new levels along with their client rosters.  It has been their tenacity, hard work and skills that have gotten them this far, but it’s their unbridled passion for their crafts that truly makes them successful.

 Who are the Accelerators?

Photograph by Michelle Chin of M.O. YOU Studios
http://moyoustudios.com/

Kathy Dixon is the owner of K. Dixon Architecture, with headquarters based at the National Harbor. As a professional architect and president of a certified woman-owned, minority-owned enterprise, she is more than familiar with what it takes to operate a successful company in the Nation’s capital. I had a chance to sit down with Ms. Dixon and learn more about her journey as an entrepreneur preparing for the next level.

From where does your passion for architecture originate?

My interest in architecture stems from a number of factors as far back as elementary school.  I loved playing with “Legos” and “Lincoln Logs”.  I was already good at freehand drawing and by high school age I was good at math and geometry.  I think all those things naturally came together for me in pursuing architecture as a career.  My father also worked as a civilian architect for the US Army Corps of Engineers so perhaps it’s also in my blood.

What was the turning point in your career (or business) that made the light bulb go off, and you realized you needed to find a concrete resource to take your company to the next level?

I initially started my company over ten years ago and was doing it on a part-time basis.  When I finally started to work for myself full-time, about three years ago, I knew I needed more resources to make the company successful.  In my case I knew that having a strong network was as important as signed contracts. Because we were in a recession, I felt it was a good opportunity to take advantage of resources that would help me when the economy began to rebound. 

Share with me one major "takeaway" you received from the program?

Much of the knowledge I gained was based on the idea of equipping your business not for the company that it is today, but for the company that you want it to be in the future.  This perspective only helps as the business grows and gains momentum.

What would you tell aspiring architects about entering your field and considering [one day] venturing out on their own?

I would encourage them to create as wide a network as possible through involvement with professional societies, local organizations, county officials and other colleagues to assist in expanding their market reach.  Being licensed, certified, experienced, etc. is necessary, but it’s the relationships that one establishes that really makes the difference regarding how many projects you are able to win.

When clients approach you, what are their main projects or needs?

It really depends on the client.   If it’s a residential client then they typically require more from us than a commercial client.  A residential client will need to be walked through the design and construction process from start to finish including programming, conceptual design, etc.  However a commercial client may only want permit set drawings and nothing more. 

Some clients come to us for construction documents, but others will only be at a stage of ordering a Feasibility Study to determine if their property or project is realistic.  We have also completed pro bono architectural design work for non-profit organizations which needed professional services, but did not have the resources to secure them.

How did the CMBD Accelerator Program prepare you to go after contracts, new/bigger clients, etc.?

The Accelerator program kept us informed of new developments and new legislation in the county.  It informed us of the processes and procedures we need to complete in order to take advantage of the opportunities.  On a task level I was able to enhance my skills, for example, using tools like QuickBooks via many of the free professional training courses in which we were able to participate including marketing, accounting, and federal contracting.  The instructors for the courses were experts in their respective fields and the information that they distributed to us was invaluable.  The professionals from Washington Concepts, Inc. Optimization Solutions, and Krendall Orren and other firms, shared their knowledge and advice with us and helped our cohort become better business people.  The business consultant assigned to me, Kelvin Jeter of Krendall Orren, was particularly helpful in guiding me though tasks that would help the business to receive large contracts like applying for business lines of credit.  Most importantly, the leadership of CMBD including Carl Brown and Dennis Smith were sincere and generous in their efforts to assist growing local and minority-owned businesses.

Give me three words to describe your overall experience in the CMBD Accelerator Program?

Professionalism, Networking and Camaraderie

To learn more about K. Dixon Architecture, visit www.kdixonarchitecture.com or call (301) 364-5053.
About Kathy Dixon, CEO: http://www.kdixonarchitecture.com/about-us/

***Stay tuned for more success stories from the Center for Minority Business Development**