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From page 148... ... 148 Introduction and Methodology The study team conducted in-depth interviews with 27 firms as part of the study. Two interviewees were owners of "DBE-graduated" firms and 25 were owners of DBE-certified firms. Read the entire page →
From page 149... ... Qualitative Information from Successful DBEs Regarding Business Success 149 • A white female owner of a DBE-certified specialty services firm commented that she purchased the firm in the early 1990s with a $40 down payment and a payment plan for the balance. She added that she pre-paid in order to reduce the interest charges on the plan. Read the entire page →
From page 150... ... 150 Compendium of Successful Practices, Strategies, and Resources in the U.S. DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program • The Asian American male owner of a formerly DBE-certified professional services firm, who "graduated" from the program, reported that he started his firm in the early 2000s. Read the entire page →
From page 151... ... Qualitative Information from Successful DBEs Regarding Business Success 151 • The white woman owner of a DBE-certified specialty contracting firm reported using her credit cards to finance her business start-up. • A Native American female owner of a DBE-certified specialty contracting firm reported that at start-up she initially had a mentor/investor who died immediately thereafter. Read the entire page →
From page 152... ... 152 Compendium of Successful Practices, Strategies, and Resources in the U.S. DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program • An African American male owner of a DBE-certified construction firm stated, "To purchase the business, we . Read the entire page →
From page 153... ... Qualitative Information from Successful DBEs Regarding Business Success 153 • The Hispanic American male owner of a DBE-certified professional services firm remarked that he faced challenges hiring qualified staff. • The Native American male owner of an MBE/SBE/DBE-certified construction firm reported that finding qualified employees and customers caused challenges for his firm at start-up. Read the entire page →
From page 154... ... 154 Compendium of Successful Practices, Strategies, and Resources in the U.S. DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program to do it and then they'd say, ‘Oh, we couldn't get a DBE to do it.' They wouldn't give you any time to bid them. Read the entire page →
From page 155... ... Qualitative Information from Successful DBEs Regarding Business Success 155 used to be more geared towards utility type work and selling water or sewer or storm drain. That was the majority of what we used to do. Read the entire page →
From page 156... ... 156 Compendium of Successful Practices, Strategies, and Resources in the U.S. DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program • The African American female owner of an MBE/DBE-certified professional services firm reported that her largest contract was with the state DOT for $2 million. Read the entire page →
From page 157... ... Qualitative Information from Successful DBEs Regarding Business Success 157 • An African American male owner of a DBE-certified construction firm reported that his firm "stepped right into" middle and large-sized contracts because they were "doing a lot of public works." He added, "When we started out at the collapse of the housing market, most of the stuff we were trying to do was public works. Either university work [or] Read the entire page →
From page 158... ... 158 Compendium of Successful Practices, Strategies, and Resources in the U.S. DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program • A white female owner of a formerly DBE-certified specialty contracting firm, who "graduated" from the program, reported that her firm works in both sectors. Read the entire page →
From page 159... ... Qualitative Information from Successful DBEs Regarding Business Success 159 • An African American male owner of a DBE-certified construction firm reported that he works in both sectors but noted that he chooses projects that do not require extensive financing. He added that most of the contracts he has in the public sector are subcontracting roles on DOT projects. Read the entire page →
From page 160... ... 160 Compendium of Successful Practices, Strategies, and Resources in the U.S. DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program • The African American female representative of an African American male-owned MBE/ DBE-certified specialty contracting firm indicated that the firm performs mostly in the public sector as a subcontractor; however, they occasionally are hired as a prime on private sector projects. Read the entire page →
From page 161... ... Qualitative Information from Successful DBEs Regarding Business Success 161 • The Hispanic American male owner of a DBE-certified professional services firm said that his business is successful because he makes "a fairly good salary." • The African American female owner of an MBE/DBE-certified professional services firm said that being in business for 20 years and employing 10 people is evidence of her success. • The white female owner of a formerly DBE-certified specialty contracting firm, who "graduated" from the program, reported that her business is successful because they make a profit and they have funds to reinvest in the firm to expand product lines. Read the entire page →
From page 162... ... 162 Compendium of Successful Practices, Strategies, and Resources in the U.S. DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program • The white female owner of an SBE/DBE-certified professional services firm commented that "some DBEs really rely on others for their success. Read the entire page →
From page 163... ... Qualitative Information from Successful DBEs Regarding Business Success 163 supported him nicely, that he has a "dog-headed nature" and that he shows up every day. He mentioned that the support by his clients has also helped his company be successful. Read the entire page →
From page 164... ... 164 Compendium of Successful Practices, Strategies, and Resources in the U.S. DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program • The white female owner of a formerly DBE-certified specialty contracting firm, who "graduated" from the program, reported that a key to her success is understanding work scope and the specifications of projects as well as "knowing the rules to play by." Relationships, Professionalism, Ethics, and Repeat Customers as Keys to Business Success According to many interviewees, a common factor to business sustainability and success is relationship-building with customers and others. Read the entire page →
From page 165... ... Qualitative Information from Successful DBEs Regarding Business Success 165 model is to offer services that have never been offered before and said that the "uniqueness" of their offerings contributes to their success. • The African American female owner of an MBE/DBE-certified professional services firm reported that repeat customers and "dedicated, reliable and quality employees" are keys to success. Read the entire page →
From page 166... ... 166 Compendium of Successful Practices, Strategies, and Resources in the U.S. DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program • The white female owner of a DBE-certified consulting firm said, "Since I work in [consulting services] Read the entire page →
From page 167... ... Qualitative Information from Successful DBEs Regarding Business Success 167 • The African American female owner of an MBE/DBE-certified professional services firm reported that it was never unclear whether her firm would achieve success. • A white female owner of a DBE-certified special services firm commented that she was unsure for a very short time whether she would be successful. Read the entire page →
From page 168... ... 168 Compendium of Successful Practices, Strategies, and Resources in the U.S. DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program • An African American male owner of a DBE-certified construction-related firm reported that growing his business was important. Read the entire page →
From page 169... ... Qualitative Information from Successful DBEs Regarding Business Success 169 • The Asian American female owner of a DBE-certified specialty contracting firm said that she has two competitors that are "big business." She said, "We are the only women-owned small business doing what we do in the state. Read the entire page →
From page 170... ... 170 Compendium of Successful Practices, Strategies, and Resources in the U.S. DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program • An African American male owner of a DBE-certified specialty contracting firm commented, "I am more successful based on the type of work we are capable of doing. Read the entire page →
From page 171... ... Qualitative Information from Successful DBEs Regarding Business Success 171 • An African American female representative of an African American male-owned MBE/DBEcertified specialty contracting firm indicated that the firm is sometimes used to meet a DBE contract goal. She said, "It depends. Read the entire page →
From page 172... ... 172 Compendium of Successful Practices, Strategies, and Resources in the U.S. DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program "The DOT has DBE goals, but [they're] Read the entire page →
From page 173... ... Qualitative Information from Successful DBEs Regarding Business Success 173 • A Subcontinent Asian American male owner of a DBE-certified professional services firm reported that they are successful at securing work on projects with goals. He added that they are often invited to work on prequalified projects as a subcontractor. Read the entire page →
From page 174... ... 174 Compendium of Successful Practices, Strategies, and Resources in the U.S. DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program • The Hispanic American male owner of a DBE-certified professional services firm said that knowledge of "bidding, contract law, estimating, operations, marketing, accounting and finance" make a firm more successful than others. Read the entire page →
From page 175... ... Qualitative Information from Successful DBEs Regarding Business Success 175 One business owner reported that none of his firm's revenue is from projects without goals: • When asked what percentage of his firm's work comes from projects with no DBE contract goals, the African American male owner of a DBE-certified specialty contracting firm reported, "Zero." Firm's Success (or Not) at Obtaining Prime Contracts from State DOTs Certified firms described their ability to obtain prime contracts with their state DOT. Read the entire page →
From page 176... ... 176 Compendium of Successful Practices, Strategies, and Resources in the U.S. DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program • The Native American male owner of a DBE-certified specialty contracting firm reported that the firm does obtain work from customers not operating certification programs. Read the entire page →
From page 177... ... Qualitative Information from Successful DBEs Regarding Business Success 177 Range of Peak Annual Revenue Since Business Start-Up Business owners reported on their peak revenue since they started their firms. In most cases the peak is substantially higher than their start-up revenue. Read the entire page →
From page 178... ... 178 Compendium of Successful Practices, Strategies, and Resources in the U.S. DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program and split it up. Read the entire page →
From page 179... ... Qualitative Information from Successful DBEs Regarding Business Success 179 from the program. Read the entire page →
From page 180... ... 180 Compendium of Successful Practices, Strategies, and Resources in the U.S. DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program • The white female owner of a formerly DBE-certified specialty contracting firm, who "graduated" from the program, stated, "We have profit margins we want to maintain versus [only focusing on] Read the entire page →
From page 181... ... Qualitative Information from Successful DBEs Regarding Business Success 181 vehicles through Ford Motor Credit Company. She added, "We have [a] Read the entire page →
From page 182... ... 182 Compendium of Successful Practices, Strategies, and Resources in the U.S. DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program • An African American male owner of a DBE-certified specialty contracting firm stated that if he were near exceeding the annual limits of the program, he would "graduate." He commented, "I would be a major player. Read the entire page →
From page 183... ... Qualitative Information from Successful DBEs Regarding Business Success 183 Knowledge of Business Assistance Programs and Business Success Most state DOTs offer business assistance programs and support services to DBE-certified firms to assist them in their growth and success. Business owners indicated having general knowledge of assistance programs and the services that the programs provide. Read the entire page →
From page 184... ... 184 Compendium of Successful Practices, Strategies, and Resources in the U.S. DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program • A Native American female owner of a DBE-certified specialty contracting firm said that she has been a certified DBE since 2005. Read the entire page →
From page 185... ... Qualitative Information from Successful DBEs Regarding Business Success 185 • An African American female owner of a DBE-certified professional services firm stated that the founding and growth of her firm would have been different without the DBE program. • When surveyed, the white female owner of a DBE-certified construction firm said that her firm would likely have sold or merged with another business if it weren't for the DBE program. Read the entire page →
From page 186... ... 186 Compendium of Successful Practices, Strategies, and Resources in the U.S. DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program like I said, the first jobs I got wasn't because I was a DBE. Read the entire page →
From page 187... ... Qualitative Information from Successful DBEs Regarding Business Success 187 • When asked about future business growth, the Hispanic American male owner of a DBEcertified professional services firm indicated that certification will not be important to his future business success. Business Assistance Programs That Were Useful/Helpful to the Firm Business owners described business assistance programs that they utilized and felt were helpful to their firms' success. Read the entire page →
From page 188... ... 188 Compendium of Successful Practices, Strategies, and Resources in the U.S. DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program Types of Business Assistance Programs That Are Not Particularly Useful Many business owners commented on business assistance programs that are no longer helpful or important to their business success. Read the entire page →
From page 189... ... Qualitative Information from Successful DBEs Regarding Business Success 189 • An African American male owner of a DBE-certified construction firm stated, "I would include working with people on how to get work besides DOT work, so that they work in the entire industry rather than just DOT. I would include cash flow management, so that people understand from the very beginning how cash flow works in things like retainages . Read the entire page →
From page 190... ... 190 Compendium of Successful Practices, Strategies, and Resources in the U.S. DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program Challenges to Future Business Success Business owners discussed factors that challenge future business success. Read the entire page →
From page 191... ... Qualitative Information from Successful DBEs Regarding Business Success 191 • An African American male owner of a DBE-certified construction firm reported, "Clearly, [it's] getting more profitable work. Read the entire page →
From page 192... ... 192 Compendium of Successful Practices, Strategies, and Resources in the U.S. DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program • The Asian American female owner of a DBE-certified specialty contracting firm reported that a firm similar to hers that she has worked for has "graduated." • The white woman owner of a DBE-certified specialty contracting firm reported that she knows of one firm that "graduated" and then returned to the DBE program. Read the entire page →
From page 193... ... Qualitative Information from Successful DBEs Regarding Business Success 193 • The Native American male owner of a DBE-certified specialty contracting firm stated that his firm is in need of a DBE loan program. He said, "I look at it as mobilization. Read the entire page →
From page 194... ... 194 Compendium of Successful Practices, Strategies, and Resources in the U.S. DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program • The Hispanic American male owner of a DBE-certified professional services firm indicated that the prequalification requirement that team members be on his payroll at the time of bidding is a barrier. Read the entire page →
From page 195... ... Qualitative Information from Successful DBEs Regarding Business Success 195 to . Read the entire page →
From page 196... ... 196 Compendium of Successful Practices, Strategies, and Resources in the U.S. DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program • When asked what state DOTs or other groups can do to help DBEs be more successful and competitive, the Hispanic American male owner of a DBE-certified construction firm said, "Figure out how to get more available DBEs, or lower the goals." • An African American female representative of an African American male-owned MBE/DBEcertified specialty contracting firm said companies that "blatantly discriminate against African American companies" should be "barred," and noted that the firm has documented evidence of such discrimination. Read the entire page →

From page 148...

... 148 Introduction and Methodology The study team conducted in-depth interviews with 27 firms as part of the study. Two interviewees were owners of "DBE-graduated" firms and 25 were owners of DBE-certified firms.