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Less is More When You Want to Be Known for Something
A long list of services can show what your business is capable of, but it can also leave buyers guessing when to call you. That’s especially common among small businesses. You have staff that is capable of more, but should your business offer more just because the skills exist? Here's the scenario: A property manager attends a networking event and mentions that a medical office tenant needs a new cleaning company. Someone at the table immediately says, “I know a company that

Deonna Barnett
8 hours ago3 min read


The Contract Opportunities You May Be Missing
Before you conclude that opportunities in your market are scarce, consider how that buyer announced the work and what it would have taken for the opportunity to reach you.

Deonna Barnett
Nov 62 min read


Who Gets the Opportunity as Columbus Grows? Community Says Not Small Businesses
During our recent Big Table conversation, “Who Gets the Opportunity as Columbus Grows?”, participants wrestled with the difficult question: Are local small businesses actually growing alongside Columbus?

Deonna Barnett
Oct 82 min read


NAWBO Columbus Candidate Forum Puts Small Business Issues in the Spotlight
Access to capital, government contracts, childcare, healthcare costs and the growing impact of data centers were among the issues discussed as candidates for state and federal office gathered for the NAWBO Columbus Candidate Forum.

Deonna Barnett
Oct 24 min read


New Changes to the SBA 8(a) Program Announced
Read more about the changes affecting the SBA 8(a) certification program.

Deonna Barnett
Sep 252 min read


Where Small Businesses Get It Wrong When Connecting with Buyers
Buyers need to better understand the problem your company can solve rather than the roster list of services you offer.

Deonna Barnett
Sep 183 min read


How to Build Past Performance When You Haven't Won a Government Contract Yet
If you have been successfully serving commercial, nonprofit, educational, or other clients, you may already have more relevant experience than you realize. Here's how to document, position, and build upon it.

Deonna Barnett
Sep 113 min read


SBA’s Proposed Size Standard Changes Could Reshape Federal Contracting for Small Businesses
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has proposed significant changes to its small business size standards that could expand the number and size of companies eligible to compete for federal small business opportunities.

Deonna Barnett
Sep 53 min read


Aventi Issues Digital Marketing Services RFP
August 17, 2026 - Aventi Enterprises is seeking qualified digital marketing professionals and firms to respond to its Digital Marketing Services Request for Proposals (RFP). Proposals are due Friday, September 4, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. ET.

Deonna Barnett
Aug 171 min read


Aventi Releases its Client Portal 2.0 with New Features for Bid Search Clients
The updates, unveiled during the company's July 2026 Product Update webinar, represent the latest phase of Aventi's ongoing investment in technology to support businesses seeking sustainable contract growth.

Deonna Barnett
Jul 242 min read


The FAR Is Being Rewritten: What Government Contractors Need to Know
The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), the rulebook that governs how the federal government purchases goods and services, is undergoing its most significant overhaul in decades. The federal government spends more than $750 billion annually on contracts, and the FAR establishes the policies that agencies and contractors follow throughout the procurement process.

Deonna Barnett
Jul 202 min read


Columbus City Schools Connects with Local Businesses to Prepare for the 2026–2027 School Year
More than 100 local business owners, entrepreneurs, and community partners gathered for the Columbus City Schools (CCS) Summer Vendor Outreach Event to learn how to do business with one of Central Ohio's largest school districts.

Deonna Barnett
Jul 52 min read


How to Find Contract Opportunities That Are the Right Fit for Your Business
Many growing businesses approach bidding reactively. They search random databases, rely on broad keyword alerts, or pursue opportunities simply because they are available. The objective is not to win just one contract, but to build a repeatable contract growth pipeline.

Deonna Barnett
May 233 min read


How Many Bids Should a Small Business Pursue Each Quarter?
The strongest contracting businesses treat bidding like a strategic sales process, not a reactionary scramble. Here's how successful companies are building a smarter contracting pipeline.

Deonna Barnett
May 154 min read


The Messy Middle: Why Growing Businesses Struggle to Win Contracts
At this stage, businesses are no longer small enough to operate informally, yet they are not large enough to have dedicated departments focused on business development, proposal management, finance, or operations. This creates significant execution gaps that make government contracting particularly difficult.

Deonna Barnett
May 93 min read


Understanding the Anti-DEI Clause in Government Contracts
The “anti-DEI clause” has begun reshaping how businesses engage with the federal government

Deonna Barnett
Apr 43 min read


The SBA 8(a) Program Is Changing: Here's What You Need to Know
In recent months, the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program has undergone one of its most significant shifts in years. Increased scrutiny, enforcement actions, and tighter eligibility requirements have raised concerns among small businesses leading many to ask: Is the program still worth it?

Deonna Barnett
Mar 294 min read


What is an RFI?
While it does not result in an immediate contract award, an RFI plays a critical role in shaping future opportunities and positioning your business to win them.

Deonna Barnett
Mar 252 min read


Aventi Partners with EPiC Learning Today to Strengthen Small Business Sales & Contract Readiness
For the second consecutive year, Aventi Enterprises is partnering with EPiC Learning Today to support small business growth through the Smashing Your Sales Goals Velocity Accelerator. The continued collaboration equips entrepreneurs with the skills needed to strengthen their sales performance while expanding their access to government and corporate contracting opportunities.

Deonna Barnett
Mar 82 min read


Updates on the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program
The U.S. Department of Transportation issued an Interim Final Rule (IFR) that fundamentally alters the DBE program’s eligibility criteria. The key change removes the longstanding race- and gender-based presumptions previously used to classify individuals as socially and economically disadvantaged. As a result of the IFR, state UCPs are currently instructed to remove DBE participation goals from affected contracts until revisions under new standards are complete.

Deonna Barnett
Feb 162 min read
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