Best Hubzone Podcasts (2025)

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Why Contracting Officers Aren't the Real Decision Makers 9:47

Play Pause

7h ago9:47

9:47

In this episode of the Federal Help Center Podcast, Randie Ward breaks down the critical difference between tactical and strategic contracting. Randie walks through how experienced contractors identify expiring contracts, research incumbent awards, and uncover the real people behind the requirement—before the RFP ever hits SAM.gov. The episode rein…

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307: After 32 Years as a CONTRACTING OFFICER, Here's Why Most Small Businesses LOSE with Shelley Hall 1:01:42

1d ago1:01:42

1:01:42

In this episode of the Govcon Giants Podcast, Eric Coffie sits down with Shelley Hall, a former warranted contracting officer with 32 years inside the federal government and now VP of Client Services at Skyway Acquisition Solutions. Shelly shares a rare behind-the-desk perspective—from her time supporting Air Force and Space Force missions to helpi…

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Why Most SAM.gov RFPs Are TRAPS (And How to Avoid Them!) 9:09

2d ago9:09

9:09

Not every RFP on SAM.gov is worth chasing—and bidding the wrong ones can drain your time, money, and momentum. In this Federal Help Center episode, Ryan Atencio breaks down how to spot "pre-wired" solicitations, why ultra-specific requirements are often a warning sign, and how smart contractors win by understanding the end user, not just the contra…

1
The Federal Contracting Mistake That Keeps You INVISIBLE! 8:00

3d ago8:00

8:00

Federal contracts aren't won by chasing contracting officers or blindly responding to solicitations—they're captured by getting to the customer first. In this episode, Ryan Atencio explains how large integrators lock in work by identifying key stakeholders, shaping requirements early, and turning services and supplies into unbeatable solutions. Fro…

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Why the "BORING" Government Contracts Quietly Make the MOST Money 7:26

6d ago7:26

7:26

Professional services may get you in the door—but supplies are often how you scale faster inside federal agencies. In this episode, Ryan Atencio breaks down why selling services as supplies can dramatically reduce friction, shorten buying cycles, and unlock easier revenue. From packaging services into supply contracts to exploiting the government's…

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The SIMPLEST Government Contracting STRATEGY Most Contractors Overcomplicate 6:22

7d ago6:22

6:22

In this episode of the Federal Help Center Podcast, we have Ryan Atencio, a former Army Special Operations veteran turned government contracting insider, to break down how federal contracts actually get created, evaluated, and awarded. Drawing from years spent as the end user, COR, and technical evaluator, Ryan pulls back the curtain on why supplie…

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306: Veteran Entrepreneur Strategies: Why Doing It Alone Cost Him $100K with David Pere 1:04:13

8d ago1:04:13

1:04:13

In this episode, Eric sits down with David Pere, a veteran entrepreneur and real estate investor, for a brutally honest conversation about the real price of trying to do business alone. David breaks down how skipping mentorship led to six-figure losses, failed flips, lawsuits, and years of unnecessary stress—mistakes that could have been avoided by…

1
Most People Fail in GovCon Because They Never Leave the House 9:03

9d ago9:03

9:03

In this episode, Eric breaks down how fast your situation can change in government contracting when you stop letting your current circumstances define your future. He shares the real story of going from financial desperation to landing a multi-million-dollar subcontract by taking responsibility, showing up consistently, and positioning himself wher…

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SAIC VP Exposes How Small Businesses Actually Get In the Door 9:20

10d ago9:20

9:20

In this power-packed conversation, Eric sits down with Shawn Kingsberry, VP of Cybersecurity & Treasury Account Executive at SAIC, one of the largest integrators in federal contracting. Sean explains exactly when small businesses should approach primes, how their small business intake process works, and what capabilities large primes are actively l…

1
97% of Small GovCon Businesses Will Fail When Funding Returns — Don't Be One of Them 10:11

13d ago10:11

10:11

If you're a small business tired of losing to the same primes, submitting proposals into a black hole, or waiting for 8(a) magic that never arrives—this episode is your wake-up call. Eric sits down with four real former federal contracting officers who awarded contracts for AI weapon systems, billion-dollar construction, and tech transformation pro…

1
You Got 8(a)... Now What? Why No Contracts Are Coming 12:42

14d ago12:42

12:42

In today's episode, Eric sits down with Venus Quates, President & CEO of LaunchTech, to unpack the real truth about certifications—how they open doors, how they fail you when you rely on them alone, and why hunger and capability win long-term. Venus shares how she landed her very first state contract by responding overnight, expanded the work, unde…

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305: AI Is Coming for Your Job: Why Most Workers Won't Survive Without New Skills with Justin Vianello 1:09:58

15d ago1:09:58

1:09:58

In this episode of Govcon Giants, Eric sits down with Justin Vianello, CEO and equity partner at SkillStorm, to unpack how federal agencies and large integrators can stop recycling the same expensive talent and start building net-new cleared technologists. Justin shares his global journey from chartered accountant at PwC to scaling multiple compani…

1
Stop Wasting Your 20s: The 7 Skills That Actually Make You Rich 15:38

16d ago15:38

15:38

In this reflective and brutally practical episode, Eric reveals the seven lessons that turned his messy, uncertain 20s into the foundation for multiple million-dollar businesses. From mastering high-value skills to buying back his time, building quietly, learning real money math, and valuing relationships, Eric walks through the decisions, mentors,…

1
The Government Doesn't Care About Your Small Business—Here's How You Win Anyway! 8:39

17d ago8:39

8:39

In this brutally honest episode, Eric tears down the myths that keep small businesses broke and frustrated in government contracting. He breaks down why the system was never designed with small businesses in mind, how weighted goals inflate the government's success numbers, and why relying on SAM.gov or SBA programs alone will keep you invisible. E…

1
You're Approaching Primes Wrong—SAIC VP Reveals What Actually Works! 9:44

20d ago9:44

9:44

In this power-packed conversation, Eric sits down with Sean Kingsbury, VP of Cybersecurity and Account Executive for the Department of Treasury at SAIC, to reveal exactly how small businesses can partner with one of the biggest integrators in the game. Sean breaks down when to approach primes, how SAIC vets potential partners, the role of their sma…

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If You Don't Know About Vendor Pools, You're Losing Money Every Month 13:10

21d ago13:10

13:10

In this episode, Eric Coffie breaks down one of the most overlooked—but most powerful—entry points in government contracting: local vendor pool contracts. Using Miami-Dade County as an example, Eric shows how pre-qualification pools work, why they offer low competition, and how one of his students used this exact method to go from $0 to $90,000 per…

1
304: From Zero GovCon Experience to Buying a 20-Year Federal Contractor with Mario Antwine 45:15

22d ago45:15

45:15

On this episode of the GovCon Giants Podcast, Eric sits down with Mario Antwine, Yale and Howard grad, M&A strategist, and new owner of Pearl Interactive Network, to break down how a finance guy bought an eight-figure federal contractor and is now scaling it like a private equity platform. Mario shares why he targeted GovCon specifically, how he ac…

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Why Your Community Is Your Greatest GovCon Advantage 8:03

23d ago8:03

8:03

In this episode of The Eric Coffey Show, Eric reflects on why he left Florida to plant himself in the heart of federal activity—because real opportunity often sits closest to the fire. Joined by seasoned former senior executives from NIH, USDA, and major federal organizations, the conversation touches on the importance of showing up, investing in c…

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Why Your Federal Meetings Aren't Working — Harsh Truth Ahead! 9:10

24d ago9:10

9:10

In this episode of The Eric Coffey Show, Eric is joined by Danielle and Amy for a tactical breakdown on how small businesses can still win—even in a slow, uncertain GovCon climate. They share real-world strategies on how to secure meetings with federal officials (including the "red dress recognition trick"), why tenacity beats desperation every tim…

1
Why Your Capability Statement Is Quietly Costing You Contracts 9:05

27d ago9:05

9:05

In this episode of The Eric Coffey Show, Eric sits down with Danielle, Amy, and Diane to break down the most overlooked moves small businesses should make during slow periods in GovCon. The panel shares actionable strategies on strengthening your brand visibility on LinkedIn, fixing the gaps inside your capability statement and pitch deck, refining…

1
The #1 Reason Small GovCon Firms Fall Behind During a Shutdown 9:14

28d ago9:14

9:14

In this timely episode of The Eric Coffey Show, Eric sits down with Danielle and Amy to unpack what small businesses should be doing right now as the shutdown slows federal acquisition. They break down the practical moves contractors can execute today—strategic partnerships, diversifying into state and commercial markets, staying visible online, an…

1
303: The Hard Truth: Your Market Doesn't Know You (or Trust You) with Tony Gray 1:03:36

29d ago1:03:36

1:03:36

In this episode, Eric sits down with Tony Gray from the Global Business Development Association to completely reframe what business development really is—and why most companies get it wrong. Tony explains how he built the Business Development Body of Knowledge after years of struggling to "break into BD," why traditional labels like B2B/B2C/B2G are…

1
One Wrong Subcontractor Cost Them Everything—Here's How They Survived 7:32

1M ago7:32

7:32

In this episode of The Eric Coffie Show, Eric sits down with longtime student-turned-power player, Randy Ward, to unpack the real-life wins, losses, crises, and comebacks behind her remarkable GovCon journey—including how she landed $17M in contracts during COVID, survived a rogue subcontractor who tried to sabotage her, and how relationships insid…

1
life’s Too Short to Stay Mad 2:35

1M ago2:35

2:35

A short Thanksgiving message from Edward M. Fortin, creator of the HUBZone Workforce Club. A reminder that life’s too short to stay angry, and if you haven’t talked to someone you love in a while… today might be the day.By edwardsx

1
Listen! If You Wait for the Shutdown to End, You Already Lost 8:51

1M ago8:51

8:51

In this episode of The Eric Coffie Show, Eric challenges listeners to stop waiting for the shutdown to end and start preparing now—because when the government reopens, only the ready will win. He breaks down why agencies like DoD, CIA, FBI, and DHS are still fully funded and still awarding contracts, and shares real examples of entrepreneurs who ar…

1
The Scary Truth: Why Most Small Businesses Aren't Ready for Real GovCon Opportunities 8:53

1M ago8:53

8:53

In this episode of The Eric Coffie Show, Eric reveals why so many small businesses struggle in GovCon—not because opportunities are scarce, but because most aren't procurement-ready when it counts. He highlights how high-level relationships with major primes like SAIC, Encore Funding, Collins Aerospace, and federal agencies open doors to subcontrac…

Hubzone Podcasts

1
Govcon Giants

Eric Coffie

1
THE WARNING — The Official Broadcast of the HUBZone Workforce Club (HZWC)

edwardsx

1
Why Contracting Officers Aren't the Real Decision Makers 9:47

1
307: After 32 Years as a CONTRACTING OFFICER, Here's Why Most Small Businesses LOSE with Shelley Hall 1:01:42

1
Why Most SAM.gov RFPs Are TRAPS (And How to Avoid Them!) 9:09

1
The Federal Contracting Mistake That Keeps You INVISIBLE! 8:00

1
Why the "BORING" Government Contracts Quietly Make the MOST Money 7:26

1
The SIMPLEST Government Contracting STRATEGY Most Contractors Overcomplicate 6:22

1
306: Veteran Entrepreneur Strategies: Why Doing It Alone Cost Him $100K with David Pere 1:04:13

1
Most People Fail in GovCon Because They Never Leave the House 9:03

1
SAIC VP Exposes How Small Businesses Actually Get In the Door 9:20

1
97% of Small GovCon Businesses Will Fail When Funding Returns — Don't Be One of Them 10:11

1
You Got 8(a)... Now What? Why No Contracts Are Coming 12:42

1
305: AI Is Coming for Your Job: Why Most Workers Won't Survive Without New Skills with Justin Vianello 1:09:58

1
Stop Wasting Your 20s: The 7 Skills That Actually Make You Rich 15:38

1
The Government Doesn't Care About Your Small Business—Here's How You Win Anyway! 8:39

1
You're Approaching Primes Wrong—SAIC VP Reveals What Actually Works! 9:44

1
If You Don't Know About Vendor Pools, You're Losing Money Every Month 13:10

1
304: From Zero GovCon Experience to Buying a 20-Year Federal Contractor with Mario Antwine 45:15

1
Why Your Community Is Your Greatest GovCon Advantage 8:03

1
Why Your Federal Meetings Aren't Working — Harsh Truth Ahead! 9:10

1
Why Your Capability Statement Is Quietly Costing You Contracts 9:05

1
The #1 Reason Small GovCon Firms Fall Behind During a Shutdown 9:14

1
303: The Hard Truth: Your Market Doesn't Know You (or Trust You) with Tony Gray 1:03:36

1
One Wrong Subcontractor Cost Them Everything—Here's How They Survived 7:32

1
life’s Too Short to Stay Mad 2:35

1
Listen! If You Wait for the Shutdown to End, You Already Lost 8:51

1
The Scary Truth: Why Most Small Businesses Aren't Ready for Real GovCon Opportunities 8:53