Elizabeth Wear
On March 16, 2022, for National SBDC Day, PVM, Inc. and Pole Star were visited by representatives from Pinellas County Economic Development (PCED). The meeting took place at the Maritime Defense and Technology Hub, where the group discussed the growing St. Petersburg Innovation District, and how initiatives like the Hub are good for businesses and good for the city.
PCED is actively involved with cultivating the economy of St. Petersburg, FL by promoting professional growth among locals as well as community roots for businesses big and small. Business Development Manager Yolanda Goodloe took a keen interest in the Hub’s requirement that tenants participate in mentoring programs for local residents.
Asked what advice he has for up-and-coming entrepreneurs seeking to work in the government space, founder and CEO Pat Mack replied, “It’s not a sprint. You’re going to hear ‘no’ a lot.” He went on to explain that the key factor in any government contractor’s long-term success is in building strong relationships, both in the public and the private sectors. “If you come onto a job as a subprime contractor, and you do a great job, they’re going to remember that. It’s all about letting the customer define a job well done, and then striving to meet and exceed that.”
Relationship-building was a recurring theme throughout the visit; one of the Hub’s biggest attractors for its tenants is how the space incentivizes forming connections. PVM and Pole Star are one such ideal match; both work with big data in the maritime landscape, and the companies are already in talks to collaborate.
National SBDC Day occurs on the third Wednesday of every March and celebrates the role that Small Business Development Centers have in helping everyday Americans flourish. First observed in 2017, the holiday serves as an opportunity for the offerings of Development Centers to gain visibility for burgeoning entrepreneurs, as well as an incentive for consumers to patronize their own favorite small businesses.
If you have questions about PVM’s mentoring opportunities, or if you are interested in collaborating with us on your project, contact us today!