Monica Vasquez is an Army Veteran. She served on active duty from 2001-2005 and is currently in the Army Reserves. She is an Information Technology Specialist, Staff Sergeant (SSG - E6). And now, Monica is only about a year away from obtaining her Bachelors Degree in Project Management with a concentration on Construction from Columbia Southern University.
When Monica came out of active duty, she started working for a small construction company in Fort Worth, Texas. The company focused on obtaining government contracts utilizing the Women Owned Business set-asides. Monica worked her way up through the company performing every job from receptionist to project manager. She started realizing how many contracts were available for Veteran Owned Business as well as minorities, and women owned businesses. She approached the owner of the company about potentially participating in a joint venture, since she would qualify for all the certificates and set-asides available to a company. “That was pretty much it, I knew there were too many opportunities available for me to pass on, and that I had what it takes to open my own company,” says Monica.
That’s when Monica starting working to get her own company off the ground. Her construction company will focus on federal procurement, performing interior renovations/finish out of existing buildings. The federal government has requirements on how many projects are awarded to Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses (SDVOB), Veteran Owned Businesses (VOB), Minority Women Business Enterprise (MWBE), and 8a Certification (awarded through the SBA). Monica plans to get certified in each of these areas so her company can pursue work with various agencies such as military bases, the Veterans Affairs Department, the City of Fort Worth as well as the Fort Worth Independent School District. Monica is still working on the name of her business and getting incorporated.
“I have a 7 year old son who is my whole entire world! He is my main motivation to succeed in my business venture and this will not allow me to fail.”
Monica lives in Fort Worth, Texas.