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Why Now is the Moment (Your Moment) for Federal Contracting

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MI Biz Networking Event

We’re in a, dare we say, “unprecedented” time in our country’s history, where budgets are being slashed with little to no oversight, and federal funds are being frozen. While we’re all waiting for those same funds to be “unfrozen” per the Supreme Court, we stopped by the Michigan Business Network’s 2025 Speaker Series. Mike Hindenach, from the South Central Michigan APEX Accelerator, was chatting about…you guessed it, government contracting. 

So why in the world would anyone want to get into government contracting right now? Great question, reader. 

While things may seem (they absolutely are) in flux currently, the federal government is not going anywhere, and it will always spend money.

Use this time to get your act together so you’re ready to move into a space where in 2022, $24 billion was awarded in contracts, many to small businesses, just through this one APEX Accelerator.

Use the resources (there are a lot) our state offers to get yourself situated.

Why Explore Federal Contracting Now?

Even in times of uncertainty—maybe especially in times of uncertainty—the federal government remains one of the most reliable customers out there. Budgets may be frozen or slashed today, but they’ll eventually free up and flow. If you’re set up correctly when that happens, you’ll be positioned to snag contracts while your competitors are still playing catch-up. It’s a window of opportunity that only comes around during these “in-between” phases, making now the perfect time to carve out your space in the federal marketplace.

Know Your Strengths

Before you dive into the federal contracting world, make sure your business has a clear roadmap. Start by assessing your capabilities—know exactly what you can deliver and where you excel. Next, tap into local resources like APEX Accelerators and economic development agencies (start with MEDC); they’re here to guide you through requirements, registrations, and relationship-building. It’s about doing the homework now, so you’re ready to land contracts when new opportunities inevitably emerge.

What’s Next?

Despite the current chaos at the federal level, the government isn’t going anywhere—and it will continue to spend. That makes now the perfect time to position your business for upcoming opportunities. If you’re not sure where to start or which local resources can help, download our guide on standing out in this *ahem* interesting time, and reach out to one of the many Michigan APEX Accelerators.

Download our Guide

Fill out the form below to download Cut Through the Noise: A Federal Contractor’s Guide to Standing Out. No fluff. No BS. Just actionable strategies that work.

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Every WOSB deserves support, access, guidance, and a network, because when they have it, they’re unstoppable.

Just because you be small, does not mean you are not mighty. The Women’s Owners Network will accept its first cohort this November. Applications are due October 1.

Thank you to @lakemichigan_cu for partnering with us to provide this program. Their support means we can offer this at a significantly lower cost to business owners.

Go apply at the link in bio.

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 18247359124310352
Every WOSB deserves support, access, guidance, and a network, because when they have it, they’re unstoppable. Just because you be small, does not mean you are not mighty. The Women’s Owners Network will accept its first cohort this November. Applications are due October 1. Thank you to @lakemichigan_cu for partnering with us to provide this program. Their support means we can offer this at a significantly lower cost to business owners. Go apply at the link in bio.

Introducing our second speaker for Uncomfortable Conversations | The Pause, happening this Thursday.

Meet Cheryl Bergman, Executive Director of the @miwomenscomm.

Cheryl is a statewide policy leader driving economic opportunity and better health outcomes for women across Michigan. Appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in 2019, she brings together employers, healthcare experts, advocates, and policymakers to tackle the issues that actually move the needle - economic security, affordable childcare, and midlife women`s health.

Before this role, Cheryl helped elect Michigan`s first woman U.S. Senator and first woman Governor, and served as Senior Advisor on Governor Whitmer`s 2018 campaign.

She`s exactly the voice this conversation needs.

Join Cheryl and our powerhouse lineup of industry experts at The Pause on September 24th.

Link in bio to register - spaces are going fast.

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 17876488173630026
Introducing our second speaker for Uncomfortable Conversations | The Pause, happening this Thursday. Meet Cheryl Bergman, Executive Director of the @miwomenscomm. Cheryl is a statewide policy leader driving economic opportunity and better health outcomes for women across Michigan. Appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in 2019, she brings together employers, healthcare experts, advocates, and policymakers to tackle the issues that actually move the needle - economic security, affordable childcare, and midlife women's health. Before this role, Cheryl helped elect Michigan's first woman U.S. Senator and first woman Governor, and served as Senior Advisor on Governor Whitmer's 2018 campaign. She's exactly the voice this conversation needs. Join Cheryl and our powerhouse lineup of industry experts at The Pause on September 24th. Link in bio to register - spaces are going fast.

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We’re a team made up of Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z. Find out who knows the most about the classics. Any guesses?

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 17917175178450239
We love this trend, so we thought we’d jump on it and ask the team some “hard-hitting questions” to end the week. We’re a team made up of Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z. Find out who knows the most about the classics. Any guesses?

We`ve received so many questions from new grads about breaking into a competitive market as a young professional. It starts with one thing according to @bodespeaks: being the salesperson of YOU. Emulate the leaders in your industry and show up where they show up.

It`s not who you know, it`s who knows you
Use the playbook of people you admire
Show up consistently and be seen
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See more Bode wisdom at her YouTube channel linked in our bio.

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 18092872106558307
We've received so many questions from new grads about breaking into a competitive market as a young professional. It starts with one thing according to @bodespeaks: being the salesperson of YOU. Emulate the leaders in your industry and show up where they show up. It's not who you know, it's who knows you Use the playbook of people you admire Show up consistently and be seen A handwritten note beats 100 LinkedIn messages, always. See more Bode wisdom at her YouTube channel linked in our bio.

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Dr. May owns and operates @mhneuropathycenter, and she`s joining us for Uncomfortable Community Conversations: The Pause on September 24th to talk about something we don`t talk about enough.

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Join us for The Pause on September 24th. Link in bio.

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 17891917860673621
Meet our first speaker spotlight: Dr. Karen May, DC, CCSP, CCIP. Dr. May owns and operates @mhneuropathycenter, and she's joining us for Uncomfortable Community Conversations: The Pause on September 24th to talk about something we don't talk about enough. Her career has spanned from elite sports medicine, including a stint as team physician for USA Bobsled and Skeleton as well as caring for pregnant moms and newborns and helping women navigate life’s transitions, always grounded in a belief in food as medicine and the body’s own capacity to heal. In 2017, that expertise was tested when a rare surgical complication left her fighting nerve damage in her own body. Drawing on decades of clinical practice and training, she rebuilt her health from the ground up — and has since helped thousands of people do the same. With over 20 years in holistic health care, she speaks today as both physician and peer. Join us for The Pause on September 24th. Link in bio.
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