The Virginia MBDA Business Center, operated by the Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council (CRMSDC), is one of 40+ Business Centers funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). We are the only federally-funded entity dedicated exclusively to helping Minority Businesses Enterprises (MBEs) gain access to federal contracting opportunities, capital, key contacts and business intelligence to compete to win federal contracts successfully. We facilitate sustainable relationships for MBEs with federal agencies and prime contractors. Our Business Consultants are specialists who have the knowledge and practical experience needed to run successful and profitable businesses.

Catch the Replay of the Press Conference, and Ribbon Cutting aired on November 9, 2021. The Virginia MBDA Business Center is historic. It is the first one in MBDA’s 52-year history.

Tune in!

Here’s What You’ll Get In This Episode

[01:36] Meet Sharon Pinder and Tommy Marks of the Virginia MBDA Business Center

[02:39] Tommy Marks, Director of the Virginia MBDA Business Center

[04:49] Sharon Pinder, the President and CEO, Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council (CRMSDC)

[09:23] Ying Mcguire, President and CEO, National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC)

[12:08] Congratulatory message by Governor Ralph Northam, Governor of Virginia

[13:10] Bo Machayo, on behalf of the Regional Director, U.S Senator Mark Warner

[14:25] Victor Hoskins, President & CEO of Fairfax County Economic Development Authority 

[16:59] Dominique Milton, President & CEO Carolina’s-Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council 

[18:32] Tommy Marks’ former job and what he hopes to bring to the table 

[19:30] Tracey Wiley, Business Consultant at Virginia MBDA Business Cente

[20:05] Benefits you get when joining the Virginia MBDA Business Center 

[23:47] Miguel Estien’s speech- the acting National Director, Minority Business Development Agency of the US Department of Commerce 

[32:18] Presenting a $2 million support to CRMSDC and ribbon-cutting session

[32:56] Wrap-up call to action

• Integrity is key to maintaining business relationships
• You can control your response, but you can’t control how people act
• Rome was not built in a day, and it didn’t fall in a day, so take your business one step at a time
• When giving your price or rate, never sell yourself short; give them everything about how you built the rate and what comes with it.
• Quitters never win, and winners never quit.
• Always be willing to learn because there is no one rule book on how to be an entrepreneur or professional.

Connect with MBDA

Website: https://www.mbda-virginia.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mbdavirginia

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mbdavirginia/