Welcome to the SDVOSB Forum – Let’s Build Something Bigger Together

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admin

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Hey everyone,
I’m Frank – the creator of this forum and a fellow Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (SDVOSB) owner. I launched this space because I saw a real need for a community where veterans and those who support veteran-owned businesses can connect, share resources, and grow stronger together.


A little about me: I’m a service-disabled veteran with an 80% disability rating. After my military service, I built my company Media Pillars, a digital agency offering website design, SEO, digital marketing, hosting, and social media management. I’ve been running it solo since 2015, supporting 40+ clients and delivering high-quality results without outsourcing. I’m certified as an SDVOB in New York, registered on SAM.gov, and currently investigating programs like GSA schedules, HUBZone certification, and federal contracting to take things to the next level.


This forum is a place to:


  • Network with other SDVOSBs
  • Learn how to navigate certification processes
  • Share tips, tools, and opportunities
  • Support each other in both business and life

Whether you’re just starting out or already running a thriving veteran-owned business, I’d love to hear your story. Post your intro, share what you do, and let’s build something bigger – together.


Glad you’re here.

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— Frank
Founder, SDVOSB Forum
Owner, Media Pillars LLC
 
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Good morning. I'm Adam. I own J&R Tool, Inc. We are a machine shop that caters to and specializes in DoD work. We have been in business for 30 years and currently have 15 employees. We are SBA certified SDVOSB and VOSB and also qualify as a Native American Owned Small Business. We are located 10 miles from the 3rd largest Navy base it the world and build everything and anything for the Navy, Marine Corps, and even the Army sometimes.
 
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Big_ Injun said:
Good morning. I'm Adam. I won J&R Tool, Inc. We are a machine shop that caters to and specializes in DoD work. We have been in business for 30 years and currently have 15 employees. We are SBA certified SDVOSB and VOSB and also qualify as a Native American Owned Small Business. We are located 10 miles from the 3rd largest Navy base it the world and build everything and anything for the Navy, Marine Corps, and even the Army sometimes.
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Very nice, do you have a website we can check out?
 
Good morning, I'm Adam Baker, and I own a SDVOSB company called Open Buckle. Open Buckle holds my franchise Schooley Mitchell, which is what I do most of my work under. Schooley Mitchell is like DOGE, except we're more of the scalpel to their sledge hammer.

We don't have any federal experience as of yet, and to be honest, it's been a bit of a back burner issue simply because of the complexity of trying to work with the government. They traditionally don't request proposals for the kind of work that we do. For instance, one of our areas we look at is telecom. But we don't just negotiate new rates. We use software to determine usage patterns and then line that up with rates the carriers are offering that often times aren't advertised. Then we go back and make recommendations to our clients on where they can save money without sacrificing service levels.

We do this in the areas of telecom, waste, credit card processing fees, shipping, fuel, utilities, supplies, printers, and software. My website can be found here: https://www.schooleymitchell.com/office/abaker/government-savings/

I've completed the Veteran's Institute for Procurement START program, I'm certified as SDVOSB in Pennsylvania and VFBE in Ohio. I'm registered in SAM.gov and my BHAG is to work with the VA.

Thanks for putting this together Frank, I look forward to meeting other members.
 
Adam Baker said:
Good morning, I'm Adam Baker, and I own a SDVOSB company called Open Buckle. Open Buckle holds my franchise Schooley Mitchell, which is what I do most of my work under. Schooley Mitchell is like DOGE, except we're more of the scalpel to their sledge hammer.

We don't have any federal experience as of yet, and to be honest, it's been a bit of a back burner issue simply because of the complexity of trying to work with the government. They traditionally don't request proposals for the kind of work that we do. For instance, one of our areas we look at is telecom. But we don't just negotiate new rates. We use software to determine usage patterns and then line that up with rates the carriers are offering that often times aren't advertised. Then we go back and make recommendations to our clients on where they can save money without sacrificing service levels.

We do this in the areas of telecom, waste, credit card processing fees, shipping, fuel, utilities, supplies, printers, and software. My website can be found here: https://www.schooleymitchell.com/office/abaker/government-savings/

I've completed the Veteran's Institute for Procurement START program, I'm certified as SDVOSB in Pennsylvania and VFBE in Ohio. I'm registered in SAM.gov and my BHAG is to work with the VA.

Thanks for putting this together Frank, I look forward to meeting other members.
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Hey Adam – welcome aboard, and great to have you here!


Your approach with Open Buckle and Schooley Mitchell is super sharp — love the “scalpel vs. sledgehammer” analogy. That level of detail and data-backed decision-making is exactly what most businesses (and agencies, frankly) need when it comes to reducing operational costs. The fact that you're doing this across such a wide range of areas — from telecom to waste and shipping — makes it easy to see how valuable your services could be in the federal space, even if it doesn’t fit the traditional RFP model.


I hear you 100% on the complexity of government contracting. It’s not always about direct solicitations — sometimes it’s about positioning, partnerships, and getting in as a strategic cost-saving subcontractor to larger primes. With your VIP START training, SDVOSB certifications, and SAM.gov profile already in place, you’re ahead of the game compared to most.


If there’s ever anything I can help with — whether it's refining your government-facing messaging, optimizing your site for procurement decision-makers, or just brainstorming strategy — feel free to reach out. Excited to see where you take this next!
 
Morning, my name is Conrad Weiland. I started Owyhee Civil a year ago with another veteran friend of mine. We are a civil construction firm based out of Idaho.
We have been networking with some larger companies lately to try to pick up their DBE work. The municipalities are not very strict about DBE fulfillment around here, so we are learning that it is not really that beneficial of a certification. We are seeing a lot of smaller federal projects get posted as small business set-asides or have no DBE requirements. Civil construction is trending towards oligopoly. We are starting to look at becoming more of a travel-based firm to explicitly chase vet set-asides. We love what we do and are looking forward to getting involved in some larger projects.

Thanks for putting this forum together, I was just talking to a friend of mine about something like this.
 
Conrad said:
Morning, my name is Conrad Weiland. I started Owyhee Civil a year ago with another veteran friend of mine. We are a civil construction firm based out of Idaho.
We have been networking with some larger companies lately to try to pick up their DBE work. The municipalities are not very strict about DBE fulfillment around here, so we are learning that it is not really that beneficial of a certification. We are seeing a lot of smaller federal projects get posted as small business set-asides or have no DBE requirements. Civil construction is trending towards oligopoly. We are starting to look at becoming more of a travel-based firm to explicitly chase vet set-asides. We love what we do and are looking forward to getting involved in some larger projects.

Thanks for putting this forum together, I was just talking to a friend of mine about something like this.
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Hey Conrad — welcome, brother, and thanks for jumping in!


Awesome to see another veteran-led team in the civil construction space. Owyhee Civil has a great foundation, and I totally hear you on the DBE side — it can be hit or miss depending on how seriously the local agencies take their participation goals. It sounds like you’ve got the right mindset though: adapt and pivot toward the lanes where veteran-owned status carries real weight.


The shift you’re considering — going mobile to chase VOSB/SDVOSB set-asides — makes a ton of sense, especially with the volume of infrastructure and facilities work coming out of agencies like the VA, USACE, and even local military bases. If you need help navigating SAM, capability statements, or just making the site and branding speak the right language to attract primes and contracting officers, I’d be glad to connect.


Appreciate you being here. This forum is all about exactly what you're talking about — real convos, real opportunities, and real support from folks who’ve walked a similar path.
 
Afternoon,
I am Matt Harvey, and the owner of Little 6 out in Arizona. My wife helps run the business as I am in my last year in the Army. We are a printing company, focused on custom / promotional items. We specialize in shirt transfers, stickers and banners. However, we do much more. We just printed access badges for a concert our city hosted. We have done awards and restaurant SWAG. While the company is still small, I do have several part-time employees.

Of note, during the Cornhole tournament aired on CBS Sports, we had a player wearing our logo!

I got my certification VOSB/SDVOSB recently, and once they implemented the new system. I registered in SAM.gov and have been trying to learn the system. There are many cities and schools that need promotional items. That is us in a nutshell.
 
Matt Harvey said:
Afternoon,
I am Matt Harvey, and the owner of Little 6 out in Arizona. My wife helps run the business as I am in my last year in the Army. We are a printing company, focused on custom / promotional items. We specialize in shirt transfers, stickers and banners. However, we do much more. We just printed access badges for a concert our city hosted. We have done awards and restaurant SWAG. While the company is still small, I do have several part-time employees.

Of note, during the Cornhole tournament aired on CBS Sports, we had a player wearing our logo!

I got my certification VOSB/SDVOSB recently, and once they implemented the new system. I registered in SAM.gov and have been trying to learn the system. There are many cities and schools that need promotional items. That is us in a nutshell.
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Welcome, Matt! It’s great to have you here. Your journey with Little 6, especially as a veteran-owned business making waves in the custom printing world, is inspiring. From shirt transfers to concert badges and even getting your logo on CBS Sports — that’s impressive! Looking forward to seeing how your VOSB/SDVOSB certification opens new doors as you continue to grow and make an impact.
 
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