Brainz Magazine Exclusive Interview
Dr. Karwanna D. is an award-winning Small Business Expert who specializes in Government Contracts. She’s the founder of She’s Got Goals, LLC and the Trillion Dollar Secret to Government Contracts. As a 20+ year business vet who has successfully built two small businesses of her own, Dr. Karwanna teaches small business entrepreneurs how to grow their business with government contracts so they can have consistent income, and get paid top dollars by the 1 largest purchaser of services in the US without chasing customers.
Over the past couple of years, this Government Contracts Strategist has helped over 200+ business owners generate upwards of 6 million dollars and grow in revenues. Karwanna’s been featured on CBS, NBC, FOX, Star Tribune Business, Best Business Digest, SBA SBDC, Ticker News, The LIST TV Show, and more and has shared the stage with major leaders including Les Brown, Trent Shelton, Dr. George Frazier, Stacia Pierce and others.
Can you tell us about your work and how you ended up where you are today?
My work revolves around empowering entrepreneurs and small business owners to achieve their goals and succeed in their business ventures. I help individuals turn their aspirations into reality, just as I did with my entrepreneurial journey. Over two decades ago, I took the bold step of quitting my well-paying full-time job to pursue my passion for photography. I started a small photography business, after a decade of working tirelessly in a 9-5 job, day in and day out, and missing precious moments with my children. I wanted to have more control over my workday and be in a position that would allow me to determine what my workday would look like and be present for my children.
I ultimately struggled in the first few years in business; I was spending more time chasing customers than I did running my business and actually getting paid. Working 50 to 60 hours a week and barely making $20k to 30k a year. What changed my life and my business forever was when I learned about government contracting and that the government is obligated to spend on small businesses. Women-owned and minority-owned businesses can have a golden ticket to win lucrative contracts. When I leveraged my business, turning my disadvantage to my advantage, I went from barely making 20k a year to winning my first-ever contract for $70k working 2 hours per day for only 28 days of work.
Now, I use my story and experience to empower other entrepreneurs, shape the right mindset, motivate them to see their boundless potential, and bring those qualities to the forefront to stand boldly on their purpose.
What kind of audience do you target your business towards?
I've always wanted to make a change ever since I was young. I grew up in a poor urban community, and I always wanted to give back to my community, I just didn't know how. I learned now that it takes money to make a change, and I can only do so much on my own. That's why I want to empower people, regardless of where they come from; they can make a difference, and having a business and government contracting is the bridge to that change. So, anyone who's willing to be coachable and take action on things they want to achieve in life. I believe in the principle of BE, DO HAVE. You need to BEcome the person who will DO the necessary action to HAVE the things you want to have. So I strive to provide guidance and support to those seeking to excel in their ventures and who want to unlock the power of government contracting to achieve their goals.
You emphasize the importance of trying new approaches and not sticking to what isn't working. Can you provide an example of a situation where you had to pivot or make a significant change in your business strategy to achieve better results? What lessons did you take away from that experience?
Yes. If you want something you never had, you need to do something you never did. In business, we were taught that you need to bootstrap your way to success and that you need to wait 5 years before you will have a profitable business. I did that. As I said, I ultimately struggled in my early years in business because I thought that's how business should be. Until I met this black billionaire who told me about government contracting and that flipped the switch for me. As I did my research, I learned that you don't need to wait five years to have a profitable business; you can literally land a lucrative government contract in your first 30, 60, to 90 days in business. One good government contract could literally be worth 10 years of revenue.
Is there something special that keeps you motivated?
My family is number one, and witnessing the transformation in the entrepreneurs I coach. Their success stories, the growth of their businesses, and the realization of their goals are incredibly rewarding for me. Knowing that I can be a catalyst for their success and make a positive impact on their lives is what fuels my motivation every day.
Can you tell us about your step-by-step system?
I have a system I call BCMP.
Business Foundation: Ensure your business has a strong foundation. Have all your documents in order and legally compliant. This includes having the necessary licenses, insurance, and organizational structure.
Certifications: Acquire certifications such as 8(a), WOSB, SDVOSB, HUBZone, etc., to gain a competitive edge. These certifications will be your golden ticket to winning government contracts. Government agencies are obligated to spend a certain percentage of their budget on businesses under these categories.
Marketing: Have your capability statement in order and get in front of contracting officers of government agencies and build relationships with them. So anytime they have contracts that fall within your wheelhouse, they will call you first if you're on top of mind.
Proposal: Craft a persuasive, compliant proposal when responding to an RFP. Demonstrate your understanding of the project, approach, and pricing strategy. Address all evaluation criteria and consider professional bid writing assistance if needed.
How do you recommend women entrepreneurs prioritize and manage these different aspects effectively daily, especially when they have various responsibilities in their personal lives?
Balancing business and personal life is indeed challenging, particularly for women entrepreneurs who often have various responsibilities. I recommend setting clear boundaries between work and personal life. Delegate tasks when possible and explore effective time management techniques. Prioritize the most critical tasks daily and allow for flexibility to handle personal responsibilities.
One book that has had a profound impact on my approach to business and personal effectiveness is "Make Today Count" by John Maxwell. I absolutely love this book because it taught me how to truly focus on what matters in my business. In the fast-paced world we live in, it's all too easy to become overwhelmed with emails, phone calls, and unexpected situations, which can lead to unproductivity. Maxwell's principles in the book helped me learn how to prioritize what's important and delegate tasks that I don't necessarily have to handle personally, allowing me to be more effective in my daily efforts to get things done. His theory is based on solid principles, and I've found that applying these principles has been a game-changer in ensuring that I make the most of each day and stay on the path to success.
What are your current goals for your business?
For over two decades in the business world, and with nearly a decade of experience coaching entrepreneurs on achieving business success and creating generational wealth by leveraging government contracts, we are thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of Dream Achiever Business College University, expected to debut next year. Our university is designed to provide in-depth knowledge of business principles and success strategies that enable rapid business growth and prosperity, in contrast to the traditional learning curve that spans over five years or more.
Dream Achiever University holds full accreditation, and in all our courses, training programs, and coaching sessions, you'll earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) applicable toward degrees. You can pursue a bachelor's degree, a master's degree, or even a Ph.D. through our programs or opt for individual courses that grant certificates of completion, all of which contribute to your college education journey. Our university will offer comprehensive training and courses on topics such as obtaining grants, exploring various tax-advantaged investment strategies, and learning to protect and grow your income while you sleep. Dream Achiever University aims to bridge the gap between having a dream and turning that dream into a successful reality.
This level of knowledge is poised to empower entrepreneurs across the nation, ultimately reducing wealth disparities by instilling financial literacy that generates tangible results and secures prosperity for generations to come.
Thank you, Dr. Karwanna D., for sharing your insights and experiences with us today!
Learn more at www.GovConChallenge.com, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube.
