<![CDATA[GovCon Uncensored]]>Welcome to GovCon Uncensored, where Jack and Lisa share their more than 60 years of firsthand experience building small businesses and competing in the federal marketplace. Tune in to learn as they share their journey through the government contracting maze.

]]>www.GovCon-Uncensored.comRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Tue, 13 Oct 2026 15:10:29 GMTTue, 22 Sep 2026 03:03:59 GMT60Jack Coley and LIsa Dolan<p>Welcome to GovCon Uncensored, where Jack and Lisa share their more than 60 years of firsthand experience building small businesses and competing in the federal marketplace. Tune in to learn as they share their journey through the government contracting maze.</p>episodicJack Coley and LIsa Dolancoley75llc@gmail.comno<![CDATA[From Corporate to Contracts: Lisa's Journey into Government Work]]>In this conversation, Jack interviews Lisa about her journey into the world of government contracting. Lisa shares her origin story, detailing her transition from a product-based business in accident reconstruction to a service-based security firm. She discusses the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated industry, her pursuit of 8(a) certification, and the lessons learned from her first government contract. The conversation highlights the importance of persistence, networking, and understanding the nuances of government contracting compared to commercial work. Lisa and Jack also discuss the intricacies of government contracting, focusing on the importance of past performance, the challenges faced in the early stages, and strategies for winning contracts. The discussion also highlights the significance of GSA schedules and the lessons learned from both successes and failures in the government contracting landscape.

Chapters

00:00 Lisa's Journey into Government Contracting

02:39 Overcoming Challenges in a Male-Dominated Industry

06:21 The Road to 8(a) Certification

10:04 First Steps into Government Contracts

12:06 Lessons from the First Government Contract

18:16 Comparing Commercial and Government Contracting

23:23 Navigating the Early Stages of Government Contracting

26:32 Leveraging Past Performance for Success

28:41 Winning Contracts: The Journey from First to Second

33:35 Expanding Opportunities through GSA Schedules

35:50 Lessons Learned: The Challenges of Government Contracting

39:05 Delivering on Contracts: Expectations and Responsibilities

Music licensed through Soundstripe.
Code: 1F5AZDQN1U3NVOSS

]]>b8353e14-258d-4146-85d4-541b11325b84Fri, 02 Oct 2026 14:00:00 GMT<p>In this conversation, Jack interviews Lisa about her journey into the world of government contracting. Lisa shares her origin story, detailing her transition from a product-based business in accident reconstruction to a service-based security firm. She discusses the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated industry, her pursuit of 8(a) certification, and the lessons learned from her first government contract. The conversation highlights the importance of persistence, networking, and understanding the nuances of government contracting compared to commercial work. Lisa and Jack also discuss the intricacies of government contracting, focusing on the importance of past performance, the challenges faced in the early stages, and strategies for winning contracts. The discussion also highlights the significance of GSA schedules and the lessons learned from both successes and failures in the government contracting landscape.</p><p>Chapters</p><p>00:00 Lisa's Journey into Government Contracting</p><p>02:39 Overcoming Challenges in a Male-Dominated Industry</p><p>06:21 The Road to 8(a) Certification</p><p>10:04 First Steps into Government Contracts</p><p>12:06 Lessons from the First Government Contract</p><p>18:16 Comparing Commercial and Government Contracting</p><p>23:23 Navigating the Early Stages of Government Contracting</p><p>26:32 Leveraging Past Performance for Success</p><p>28:41 Winning Contracts: The Journey from First to Second</p><p>33:35 Expanding Opportunities through GSA Schedules</p><p>35:50 Lessons Learned: The Challenges of Government Contracting</p><p>39:05 Delivering on Contracts: Expectations and Responsibilities</p><p>Music licensed through Soundstripe.<br />Code: 1F5AZDQN1U3NVOSS</p>no00:43:1711From Corporate to Contracts: Lisa's Journey into Government Workfull<![CDATA[From Air Force to Entrepreneur: Jack's Story]]>In this conversation, Jack shares his journey from serving in the Air Force to becoming a successful entrepreneur in government contracting. He discusses his early interest in business, the challenges he faced transitioning to civilian life, and the steps he took to establish his consulting business and navigate the complexities of government contracts. Jack emphasizes the importance laying a solid foundation and being adaptable. He discusses the significance of networking, responding to RFIs, and understanding various contracting vehicles. The conversation highlights strategies for winning contracts and the lessons learned throughout his career, ultimately focusing on the goal of achieving financial independence through entrepreneurship.

Chapters

00:00 Jack's Journey: From Air Force to Entrepreneurship
05:59 Transitioning to Civilian Life and Government Contracting
11:49 Building a Business: The Early Days of Consulting
17:49 The GSA Schedule and Government Contracting Success
23:47 The Flywheel Effect: Launching a Government Contracting Business
25:11 Laying the Groundwork for Success
26:52 Adapting and Pivoting in Business
28:46 The Importance of GSA Schedules
30:41 Navigating Contracting Vehicles
32:28 The Role of RFIs and Sources Sought
34:26 Building Relationships in Government Contracting
39:28 Strategies for Winning Contracts
43:43 Lessons Learned and Future Insights

Music licensed through Soundstripe.
Code: EQ8MPIAOWKVV1MIP

]]>603cc00d-6ca6-4789-af51-779e6da6f9e2Fri, 09 Oct 2026 14:00:00 GMT<p>In this conversation, Jack shares his journey from serving in the Air Force to becoming a successful entrepreneur in government contracting. He discusses his early interest in business, the challenges he faced transitioning to civilian life, and the steps he took to establish his consulting business and navigate the complexities of government contracts. Jack emphasizes the importance laying a solid foundation and being adaptable. He discusses the significance of networking, responding to RFIs, and understanding various contracting vehicles. The conversation highlights strategies for winning contracts and the lessons learned throughout his career, ultimately focusing on the goal of achieving financial independence through entrepreneurship.</p><p><b><strong>Chapters</strong></b></p><p>00:00 Jack's Journey: From Air Force to Entrepreneurship<br />05:59 Transitioning to Civilian Life and Government Contracting<br />11:49 Building a Business: The Early Days of Consulting<br />17:49 The GSA Schedule and Government Contracting Success<br />23:47 The Flywheel Effect: Launching a Government Contracting Business<br />25:11 Laying the Groundwork for Success<br />26:52 Adapting and Pivoting in Business<br />28:46 The Importance of GSA Schedules<br />30:41 Navigating Contracting Vehicles<br />32:28 The Role of RFIs and Sources Sought<br />34:26 Building Relationships in Government Contracting<br />39:28 Strategies for Winning Contracts<br />43:43 Lessons Learned and Future Insights</p><p>Music licensed through Soundstripe.<br />Code: EQ8MPIAOWKVV1MIP</p>no00:46:04From Air Force to Entrepreneur: Jack's Storyfull<![CDATA[Meet Jack & Lisa. Why a Podcast, Why Now?]]>Welcome to GovCon Uncensored. Together, Jack and Lisa bring more than 55 years of experience building small businesses and competing in the federal marketplace. We aim to demystify the world of government contracting for small business owners and aspiring contractors. Listen to why they are doing this podcast, and why now.

]]>33ac0615-c26b-4ddd-84e9-414bf7af6ec0Sat, 26 Sep 2026 22:24:24 GMT<p>Welcome to GovCon Uncensored. Together, Jack and Lisa bring more than 55 years of experience building small businesses and competing in the federal marketplace. We aim to demystify the world of government contracting for small business owners and aspiring contractors. Listen to why they are doing this podcast, and why now.</p>no00:07:181Meet Jack & Lisa. Why a Podcast, Why Now?full