Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Gladys Kidd Participates In ICABA'S Business Forum



On September 26, I participated as one of four panelists of Successful Entrepreneurs discussing two of the most impactful lessons learned in running their businesses.   Other panelists included:  Lorna Owens, Basil Bernard and Courtney Cunningham.

The business forum was sponsored by ICABA, (Identify, Connect, Activate the Black Accomplished), at the University of Miami Executive Education Center and was attended by a large number of black entrepreneurs and professionals.





In June, I released a book "Small Business Playing Big: The Game of Government Contracting." The book was written to encourage and motivate those that share a dream of owning their own business and to provide information and resources to help small businesses grow.  

The book is about my journey as a small business owner, the challenges I faced and the strategies used. It also shares “Lessons Learned.”

Among the lessons learned that had a major impact on our business are:


BUILDING STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIPS

Building Strategic relationships is very important to small businesses. It helps extend your organization's reach through partnerships, alliances, joint ventures and sub contracting agreements.

In seeking relationships:

A.  Choose partners that add to the strength of the team
B.  Select partners with experience and solid track record. Do your due diligence
C.  Seek out partners with strong financial background.   


A good example of building strategic relationships was the team that helped us win our first major contract with the Florida Department of Transportation, a partnership of three (3) women owned businesses.   

First off the team was diverse comprised of one Anglo firm, one Hispanic and an African American firm, which was representative of our multi ethnic, multi cultural community.

One of the partners was with Ryder. She brought lots of experience and the financial capability to help us qualify. The Hispanic firm had prior experience with the agency and knew the important players.

Our firm brought the added diversity needed to make the team work, and we had the capabilities to produce multi-lingual and multi-media materials.

The partnership was successful because it helped us win the contract and that open many doors for us.


PROFIT FROM BEING A PRIME CONTRACTOR

My second Lesson Learned was that of profitability. Being a prime is profitable and can help you grow your reputation and your business.  

After working for FDOT for several years, we bid and won a contract as a prime contractor to provide public Involvement Services for the Reconstruction of Biscayne Blvd./ US 1 from Broward County Line to 135th Street.  This is a major accomplishment for a small business because as the prime you assume added responsibilities and liabilities. You are responsible for the success or failure of the project. Because the buck stops with you.

The contract was for multiple years and this worked out to our advantage providing the necessary revenues that helped us grow our business.

My personal experience is that running your own business can be one of the most exciting and productive journeys that you will ever experience. 


6 Reasons to Start Your Own Business

Each year, thousands of new businesses are started and there are some great reasons for starting a small business. Even in a tough economy, starting a business of your own still offers many benefits. If you’re on the fence and trying to decide if you should start a business, here are a few reasons to go ahead and take the risk.

Reason #1 – Control Your Own Career
Reason #2 – Better Job Security
Reason #3 – The Earning Potential is Unlimited
Reason #4 – Make Your Own Schedule
Reason #5 – Do Something You’re Passionate About
Reason #6 – Enjoy Challenging Yourself

Starting a small business is an excellent choice for many reasons. From being your own boss to achieving financial freedom, there are many benefits to enjoy along the way. While becoming an entrepreneur takes hard work, building something of your own and realizing your dreams makes the effort worth it.

So, for all you dreamers still sitting on the fence, now is the time. In today's economy' starting your own business could be more than a dream. It could be your economic survival.  

So for some people it starts with a dream, I want to be my own boss!

Or for others the need to start your own business may result out of necessity:

·      Tired of looking for that special job in today's economy

·      Got laid off because of the recession

·      Tired of working long hours for someone else   

·      Retired and seeking a new career path


Start small and grow your business. There are many resources available today to assist you. Don't forget that marketing your business is important, if they don't know you exist, or they can't find you, they can't use you.

And as Oprah Winfrey said: "The big secret in life is that there is no big secret. Whatever your goal, you can get there if you're willing to work.”

Also remember:  You cannot win a race if you are not running.







Tuesday, August 7, 2012


E-MAIL PRESS RELEASE

FROM:        Kidd/Ammons, LLC, P.O. Box 908, Lake Worth, FL 33460, USA

CONTACT:    Gladys Kidd, Tel.  305-904-9857, Email GladysKidd@att.net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Working With The Public Sector Is Theme Of New Book Just Released, Designed To Educate Small And Growing Businesses  

 

Miami, FL  August 7 … Gladys Kidd, President and CEO of Gladys Kidd & Associates, Inc., has today announced the release and availability of “Small Business Playing Big: The Game of Government Contracting,” designed to educate small and growing businesses about starting and operating a business.  It also covers the opportunities available to do business with the government at the local, state and federal levels.

The book, “Small Business Playing Big: The Game of Government Contracting”, is available on Amazon.com.  The price of the book is $19.95 and the Kindle version is  $9.95.

According to the book’s author, Gladys Kidd,  “the book was written in a conversational tone and shares her professional journey as an entrepreneur. It also includes survival techniques, strategies and lessons learned over three decades of running a business."

“The book, which includes advice for those starting out on the business train for the first time, offers further tips on how to start a home based business to how to raise capital.”   She points out that the book is loaded with practical advice based on homespun wisdom and time-honored truths.

The heart of the book is really the personal stories about lessons she learned working in the public sector.  “The lessons learned section,” she noted, “is illustrated with road signs to point out that government contracting can be compared to driving on a very crowded superhighway.  It can present many challenges and detours, but on the plus side it offers many opportunities.   

In addition the book features a glossary for Small businesses, as well as a section of Motivational quotes by national business leaders.

Kidd, firmly believes that currently the government has provided far more programs to help small businesses than in the past.  Today there are many resources available provided by the Small Business Administration and other agencies. 

In addition to running her public relations and marketing company,  Ms. Kidd is the author and publisher of  “Hope for Tomorrow - A Motivational Book" released in 2011.   

For further information about the new book, "Small Business Playing Big: The Game of Government Contracting," please contact: Gladys Kidd, at Kidd/Ammons, LLC, Publisher;  P.O. Box 908;  Lake Worth,  FL.  33160 or E-Mail GladysKidd@att.net

Small Business Playing Big: The Game of Government Contracting [Kindle Edition]
http://tinyurl.com/SmallBizPlayingBig-kindle

Small Business Playing Big: The Game of Government Contracting [Paperback]http://tinyurl.com/SmallBizPlayingBig-paper


Wednesday, June 20, 2012

E-MAIL PRESS RELEASE

FROM:        Kidd/Ammons, LLC, P.O. Box 908, Lake Worth, FL 33460, USA

CONTACT:    Gladys Kidd, Tel.  305-904-9857, Email GladysKidd@att.net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Gladys Kidd, South Florida Marketing Consultant, Releases New Book, “Small Business Playing Big in the Game of Government Contracting”!


Miami, Fl. June 12....Gladys Kidd, a South Florida public relations and marketing consultant, has announced the release of "Small Business Playing Big,  The Game of Government Contracting," a new book educating small and growing businesses about starting and operating a business and the opportunities available to do business with the government at the local, state and federal levels.

The book is designed to educate and inspire small business operators to seek out opportunity and profit through government contracting.  The book is sold on Amazon for $19.95 and the Kindle version for $9.95.

Asked why she considers this book critical in these economically challenging times, Ms. Kidd answers, “Small business is BIG business. Small businesses have been, and continue to be, the driving force in the growth and development of our economy.

“Contrary to popular belief, there has never been a better time to seize opportunities available for small businesses.” said the enterprising Kidd. “Statistics show that, in spite of the current economic challenges, the government remains the largest purchaser of goods and service in this business sector.”

"Small Business Playing Big: The Game of Government Contracting" offers powerful advice on starting a home-based business and raising capital.  It is written in a conversational tone for the novice as well as the experienced manager who wants to access the government marketplace and win small business contracts.

Ms. Kidd shares her professional journey as a successful entrepreneur including survival techniques, strategies for success, and lessons learned over three decades as an entrepreneur.  “The heart of this book is found in the personal stories I share about my experiences, successes and challenges throughout the years building a successful business through work in the public sector,” noted Kidd.

The book serves as a roadmap to success, comparing government contracting with navigating a congested superhighway. According to Kidd, “Working with the government presents many challenges. It also offers wonderful opportunities. This book helps readers successfully maneuver the system to reach their ultimate destination.”

About The Author:

Gladys Kidd owns and operates Gladys Kidd and Associates, a public relations and marketing firm, in Miami for over thirty years.   Today, Ms. Kidd, a Panamanian native, is a savvy businesswoman involved in several projects. In 2010, she published "Hope for Tomorrow”, the first of a series of books that provide readers with optimism and inspiration. In her most recent book, Small Business Playing Big,  the Game of Government Contracting, Kidd shares some basic and advanced techniques, strategies and best practices of operating a business and discusses important lessons learned in winning and managing government contracts.

Small Business Playing Big: The Game of Government Contracting [Kindle Edition]
http://tinyurl.com/SmallBizPlayingBig-kindle

Small Business Playing Big: The Game of Government Contracting [Paperback]http://tinyurl.com/SmallBizPlayingBig-paper

For further information, please contact: Gladys Kidd, at Kidd/Ammons, LLC, P. O. Box 908, Lake Worth, Fl. 33460, or email: GladysKidd@att.net.