Sirena Moore-Thomas is a “mompreneur,” author, and business strategist. She is the CEO and Founder of The Highmark Group LLC, a management and federal contracting and consulting firm that has partnered with industry leaders, former procurement officers, and sought-after consultants to support businesses looking to provide goods and services to the federal government. Sirena is also a speaker and executive coach whose entrepreneurial proficiency has been recognized by several accolades, including Philadelphia's Top 40 Under 40 and SBA Region 3 Young Entrepreneur of the Year. She is the author of Water Walker: How to Embrace Uncertainty and Do What Seems Impossible and hosts the B.M.W. Life Podcast.

Sirena joins us today to outline how you can get federal government contracts without writing a single proposal. She differentiates between state and local government contracting and federal contracting. She defines the Simplified Acquisition Procedure (SAP) and specifies the ways the federal government buys products and services. Sirena also reveals the best government agencies to go after for contracting and underscores why going for government contracts at the federal level is a great way to expand a business.

“Go to where the money resides—and the money resides at the federal level.” - Sirena Thomas

This week on SmallBizChat Podcast:

• The genesis of Sirena’s entrepreneurial journey
• Why federal contracting is a powerful way to expand your business model
• Getting started with federal contracting
• The Simplified Acquisition Procedure and how the federal government buys contracts
• How to find buyers in the federal government
• How to find government purchase cardholders online
• Why federal contract vehicles are not necessary for small contractors
• A reasonable sales cycle or timeline for pursuing federal contracts
• Making the hard, frightening phone calls
• The best government agencies to seek out for contracting
• The best small business advice and old-school marketing tip Sirena has received

Resources Mentioned:

• sam.gov
• usaspending.gov
• iThoughts App
• Book: Who Not How: The Formula to Achieve Bigger Goals Through Accelerating Teamwork by Dan Sullivan

Connect with Sirena Thomas:

• Sirena Thomas Website
• Mission 500k
• The Highmark Group LLC
• The B.M.W. Life Podcast
• Book: Water Walker: How to Embrace Uncertainty and Do What Seems Impossible
• Sirena Thomas on LinkedIn
• Sirena Thomas on Instagram
• Sirena Thomas on Facebook
• Sirena Thomas on YouTube

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