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GovCon After Hours

GovCon After Hours

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 Welcome to GovCon After Hours, where the world of GovCon meets the art of conversation, one drink at a time. Join Dr. Robin Desmore and Ms. Caitlin Ruiz, our seasoned industry experts, as they lead you through relaxed evenings of insights and inspiration.

Each episode is an exploration of the stories and experiences of good and successful humans who have thrived in the competitive world of government contracting.

But we're not just about business here; we're about connections, cocktails, and real conversations. Every episode features a signature cocktail of the week, tying the theme to a delightful drink recipe for you to enjoy while tuning in.

At GovCon After Hours, we believe that meaningful conversations hold the key to success. Join Dr. Robin Desmore and Ms. Caitlin Ruiz, sip alongside them, and elevate your understanding of the industry. It's not just a podcast; it's a community of professionals finding clarity amidst the chaos, one drink and one conversation at a time.
Copyright Heartcast Media Développement personnel Economie Politique et gouvernement Réussite personnelle Sciences politiques
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    Épisodes
    • Grit on the Rocks: Sarcasm, set-asides, and surviving the new era of GovCon

      Grit on the Rocks: Sarcasm, set-asides, and surviving the new era of GovCon
      Feb 19 2026
      In this powerful episode of GovCon After Hours, hosts Dr. Robin Desmore and Caitlin Ruiz sit down with Colonel (Retired) Irene V. Glaeser, CEO of Spahr LLC, an SBA certified SDVOSB and WOSB small business. Irene brings 31 years of military service as a Military Police Officer, federal leadership experience, and hard-won entrepreneurship wisdom to discuss what it really takes to survive and thrive as a veteran and woman-owned business in today's complex federal contracting environment.

      Key Takeaways
      • Grit, Resilience & The Three Ps
      • Leadership Through Crisis
      • The Reality of Set-Asides
      • Community Over Competition
      • Barriers for Emerging Small Businesses
      Timestamped Chapters
      • 00:00:00 - Welcome & Introduction
      • 00:03:15 - What We're Drinking
      • 00:08:42 - Disruption Isn't New
      • 00:14:20 - The Three Ps: Pivoting, Perseverance & Pinot Grigio
      • 00:19:56 - The Fork in the Road
      • 00:26:33 - The Human Cost of DOGE
      • 00:33:18 - Humor as Leadership Strategy
      • 00:42:30 - The Politics Pause
      • 00:51:12 - Set-Asides: Leverage or Liability?
      • 00:58:29 - Cultural Lessons from Kuwait
      • 01:06:45 - What's Not Being Talked About
      What Veteran & Women-Owned Founders Face vs. What They're Told
      The Reality We Face
      • DOGE cuts decimating contracts overnight
      • Employees with families to support being laid off
      • CMMC, FAR Part 2, and compliance costs piling up simultaneously
      • Zero past performance but expected to compete with established firms
      • Absorbing pressure from every direction as leaders
      • Being told "don't rest on your categories" while needing every advantage
      What We're Told to Do
      • "Just pivot to commercial"
      • "Don't rely on your socioeconomic categories"
      • "Get DCAA compliant, hire HR, get CMMC certified"
      • "Join a team" (but have no past performance to offer)
      • "Stay positive and keep networking"
      • "It's not because you're a woman"
      Guest Information

      Colonel (Retired) Irene V. Glaeser CEO of Spahr LLC, an SBA certified SDVOSB and WOSB small business delivering IT services including cyber strategy, software enterprise solutions, and cloud migration to DOD and federal customers. Irene served 31 years in the U.S. Army as a Military Police Officer in Cold War Germany, Iraq, and Afghanistan. After military retirement, she held federal leadership roles at the DOD Office of Inspector General and U.S. AbilityOne Commission. She holds degrees from George Mason University, Webster University, and the U.S. Army War College. She serves on the Board of Directors for the National Veteran Small Business Coalition and recently authored "Choose Your Battles," chronicling her journey as a woman in the armed forces.
      • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irenevglaeser/
      • Website: https://www.SpahrLLC.com
      • Book: "Choose Your Battles" by Irene V. Glaeser
      Call to Action
      • Connect With Your Tribe
      • Help Other Small Businesses
      • Use Humor as a Survival Tool
      • Don't Rest on Categories Alone
      • Shore Up Your Resources
      • Stay in the Fight
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      40 min
    • The GovCon Martini: 1 Part Access, 2 Parts Timing, Served with a Twist of Power

      The GovCon Martini: 1 Part Access, 2 Parts Timing, Served with a Twist of Power
      Sep 29 2025
      Welcome to GovCon After Hours. In this episode, hosts Caitlin Ruiz and Dr. Robin Desmore engage in a meaningful discussion on government contracting. Joining them is Cherylyn Harley LeBon, co-chair of the Government Contracting group at Cohen Seglias, bringing over 25 years of expertise in legal, government, and strategic advisory services for small business contractors.

      Together, they explore the critical factors that determine success in GovCon. Cherylyn highlights the importance of timing and strategic intelligence, identifies common mistakes small businesses encounter in long-term growth planning and acquisition preparation, and offers actionable advice. The conversation covers building robust company foundations, managing complex transactions, selecting appropriate legal partners, and leveraging the federal budget for business expansion.

      The episode also addresses significant challenges, including the upcoming FAR rewrite and its implications for small businesses, as well as the complexities of mergers and acquisitions. For a straightforward and insightful perspective on navigating the government contracting landscape, join us for this enlightening episode of GovCon After Hours.

      Chapters:

      00:00 - Introduction
      00:09 - "Govcon Expert and Advocate"
      05:02 - Defining Client Business Goals
      07:19 - GovCon Strategy: Follow the Budget
      13:03 - "Preparing Small Businesses for Acquisition"
      17:05 - Valuation Expertise in Professional Services
      19:13 - Valuing Unique Business Ventures
      23:20 - "Follow the Plan, Not Feelings"
      27:36 - Strategic Business Planning for Profitability
      31:02 - Navigating New Opportunities
      34:08 - "CMMC Impact on Small Businesses"
      36:16 - Confidential Legislative Rewrite Concerns
      39:23 - Outro

      Quotes:

      "Build and scale your business—the path is clear and success awaits."- Cherylyn Harley LeBon

      "Trust your plan over your feelings. That's how you win in GovCon."- Caitlin Ruiz

      "Resilience lets you pivot, survive, and emerge stronger from any storm."- Dr. Robin Desmore

      Key Takeaways:

      Timing is Tied to Intel—Stop Throwing Darts
      Start With a Goal—Not Just a Plan
      Deviating from the Plan? Get Back On Track Fast
      Invest, Reinvest, and Find Real Strategic Partners
      Follow the Money—Budgets Leave Clues
      Legal Problems? Be Proactive, Not Reactive
      Thinking About Selling Your Business? Clean House NOW
      Valuation is a Science—Find the Right Experts
      Emotional Intelligence—Check Your Feelings at the Door
      The FAR Rewrite: Advocate, Don’t Stay Silent

      Connect with the Guest Mrs. Cherylyn Harley LeBon,
      LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylyn-harley-lebon/

      Connect with the Hosts

      Caitlin Ruiz
      LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlin-ruiz-m-s-cir-65a8962b/

      Robin Desmore
      LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robindesmore/

      Call To Action:
      Listen or watch more episodes on our other platforms
      Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/31jlhc2mmefwdlnf7il4inxlzgue?si=d12f5108888f4dbd
      LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/govcon-after-hours-podcast/
      YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GovConAfterHours
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      40 min
    • Behind the Bar: Mixing ROI-Driven Investments for GovCon

      Behind the Bar: Mixing ROI-Driven Investments for GovCon
      Jan 12 2025
      Welcome to another episode of GovCon After Hours! Host Caitlin Ruiz and co-host Robin Desmore explore "Behind the Bar: Mixing ROI-Driven Investments for GovCon." They discuss strategies for maximizing return on investment in government contracting with guest Lisa Shea Mundt, co-founder of The Pulse of GovCon. The episode addresses the financial implications of event participation, effective follow-up systems, and innovative marketing techniques. They also highlight the importance of strong industry relationships and the challenges small businesses face in GovCon. Tune in for valuable insights on navigating ROI complexities and optimizing your investments in government contracting in this engaging conversation!

      Connect with Lisa Shea Mundt:
      https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisasheamundt/
      Website: Maintenance Page - The Pulse™

      Episode Timestamps:
      00:00 - Intro
      05:39 - Aligning with Like-Minded People for ROI
      08:30 - Balancing Life ROI and Networking
      10:49 - Optimistic Networking for Future Relationships
      13:11 - ROI on Affordable Travel Options
      19:22 - Importance of Organic Referrals
      22:35 - Approval and Referrals in Business
      26:12 - Client Dynamics and Competition
      28:21 - Veterans' Networking Challenges
      33:11 - Letting Go of Difficult Prospects
      36:17 - Strategic Engagement for Events
      37:19 - Email Follow-Up for Marketing
      40:30 - Managing Booth Costs
      45:26 - Outro

      Quote of the Episode

      "Inspiring engagement is crucial for turning interactions into lasting relationships." - Lisa Shea Mundt

      "Effective networking in government contracting fosters growth and innovation." - Lisa Shea Mundt

      Powered by: Heartcast Media,http://www.heartcastmedia.com
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      47 min
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