(This column originally appeared in the Inquirer)
Getting projects from the commonwealth can be challenging for many small businesses. But a mentoring program from Pennsylvania’s Department of General Services is designed to help.
The 12-month program, which is in its second year, offers “mentors” to a select group of eligible businesses to help them not only apply for state contracts, but to also run their businesses better. During the course of the program, participants learn best practices from their assigned mentors, are introduced to more networking opportunities within Pennsylvania’s vendor community, and get personalized guidance from their mentors to meet their business goals.
Mentors are experienced business owners who volunteer their time to help their small-business protégés. Each is required to have received at least one contract of more than $300,000 from the commonwealth in the past three years. Their job is to provide guidance, support, and valuable insights to help their protégés improve their business management and contract bidding skills, which could be useful in acquiring additional business.
“The Mentor-Protégé Program isn’t a handout,” said Lt. Gov. Austin Davis in a news release. “It’s a helping hand for small-business owners and entrepreneurs that are based right here in Pennsylvania.”
The program is also open to businesses located outside of the commonwealth looking to work on local projects.
The program is overseen by Erica Patterson, deputy secretary for Pennsylvania’s Bureau of Diversity, Inclusion, and Small Business Opportunity. She said both protégés and their mentors benefit from the experience.
“The benefit for the protégé is that they gain an opportunity to learn from an experienced prime company or supplier and use that relationship to become a prime vendor as well,” she said. “For the mentor, it allows them to share their wisdom, their guidance and coaching experience and at the same time build relationships across the program with new suppliers.”
This program is structured in a way to help mentors and protégés build a strategic partnership while coaching other small businesses that are looking for opportunities within the state.
Montez Parker, the owner of Parker International Security in York, participated in the program’s first cohort, which graduated last May. He said the program clearly explained how to do business with the commonwealth and gave him practical steps for securing contracts.
“They taught me where to go and fish,” he said.
Participants that graduated in May focused on IT services, business development, procurement readiness, leadership, and strategic planning. The second cohort has already begun their program.
Participation in the program requires an application and matching process. Each annual cohort focuses on targeted industries, and the structure now includes virtual and in-person engagements.
First-year participants saw their applications for commonwealth projects were processed more quickly, in as little as two business days, compared to a monthslong process previously, according to the department.
Christian Brown, owner of Three-12 Solutions, said his company recently won a $25 million contract with the commonwealth after completing the program. “We now also receive new opportunities as a certified Small Diverse Business,” Brown said in a Department of General Services news release.
The 12-month program includes monthly check-ins and targeted workshops.
Participants must be:
- verified as a Small Diverse Business or Veteran Business Enterprise by the Department of General Services
- be in good standing with the state
- have a minimum revenue of $150,000 in the prior business year
- be a for-profit businesses
While this program is only open to Small Diverse Businesses or Veteran Business Enterprises, the administration stressed that it also provides resources for all small businesses regardless of ownership.
There are other requirements, and interested business owners can begin the prequalification process for next year’s cohort on the department’s website.
Patterson expects the program will continue after the current cohort graduates in May, but there are no firm commitments.
“A mentor opens doors of wisdom while a protégé brings fresh vision,” she said. “Together they strengthen small businesses, foster innovation, and build a stronger future for Pennsylvania.”
Parker said the program broadened his understanding of how his company’s services could support multiple sectors.
“I learned different ways my firm could provide services to different customers,” he said. “The advice I received has helped me grow my business to almost 10 employees from just a few.”
