Building Stories Podcast Featuring Mercedes Enrique CMS Corporation

by | Oct 15, 2024 | Building Stories, Uncategorized

 

At StoryTrack, we specialize in video production for federal contractors, helping businesses like CMS Corporation share their success stories through impactful and engaging content. In this episode of Building Stories, we feature Mercedes Enrique, President of CMS Corporation, a minority-owned business that has grown into a powerhouse in the federal contracting world. Learn how Mercedes leveraged strategic planning, mentorship, and diversity to lead CMS Corporation to manage multimillion-dollar Department of Defense (DoD) contracts across the globe.

Episode Highlights

1. How does an MBE land contracts with the Department of Defense across the globe?

Mercedes reveals the secret to CMS Corporation’s success in breaking into federal contracting through the SBA’s 8(a) program. She explains how they transitioned from a small mechanical construction business to a thriving general contractor, working on projects in Spain, Japan, Guam, and the U.S. “The plan was to become a federal contractor… and that’s exactly what we did,” Mercedes shares.

2. Building a Sustainable Business

Mercedes speaks about the importance of strategic planning from day one. She and her partners, Ernest Enrique and Kush Mander, aimed to build a business that could thrive in the federal space. By joining the SBA Mentor-Protégé Program, they positioned CMS to not only compete but also graduate from the small business category and grow sustainably. Mercedes credits this planning with helping CMS land their first major GSA contract, which served as a launchpad for their success.

3. Mentoring the Next Generation

As a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, Mercedes believes in paying it forward. “We take mentoring seriously,” she notes. CMS Corporation has been actively involved in mentoring smaller businesses, sharing their federal contracting expertise. She emphasizes the importance of creating opportunities for younger generations and fostering a culture of growth within the company.

4. Navigating International Projects

Mercedes talks about CMS Corporation’s global reach, managing large-scale projects in regions like Japan, Spain, and Guam. She explains the unique challenges of staffing and logistics for international DoD contracts and the importance of building local partnerships and expertise. “We follow our clients and their needs,” says Mercedes, highlighting CMS’s commitment to delivering high-quality construction services no matter where the project is located.

Key Takeaways

  • Strategic planning is crucial for minority-owned businesses aiming to scale in federal contracting.
  • Mentorship and inclusion play a vital role in the long-term success of a business.
  • Building a diverse and skilled team ensures the success of global construction projects.

Tune in to this episode to hear more of Mercedes’ insights and how she built CMS Corporation into a leading player in the federal contracting space.

Listen to the full episode here 

Building Stories Podcast: Mercedes Enrique

For more episodes and behind-the-scenes content, visit our Building Stories Podcast page!
Connect With Us

Keep Reading

Video Pre-Production | Planning for Success

Video Pre-Production | Planning for Success

by | Jun 14, 2024 | , , , , , , , , ,

Let’s talk pre-production. When we first meet with clients to talk through the video production process, they’re often surprised by how much time we budget for pre-production. But the reality is that without proper planning, you risk investing a lot of time and money on a project only to end up with ho-hum results.

read more

About the Author

Lori Dowd

Lori Dowd is an award-winning filmmaker and founder of StoryTrack Studio. For over 20 years, she has directed and produced programming for a range of corporate, non-profit, online and broadcast partner/client.