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?
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| 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.