Business Matchmaking: The US Congress has mandated that every agency attempt to award 23% of all contracts to small businesses, especially those with diversity and with women in leadership roles.

It is called a set-aside and it doesn't stop there.

The federal and state governments look carefully at all the big business contracts and are more favorable when they see big business award 23% of their sub-contracts to small business.

Architecture-and-design are one small segment of these contracts and sub-contracts. Every business category listed under Industries can have a role in lowering the cost of govenrment while improving services.

That is what we small businesses do. So find out more by visiting the SBA's matchmaking site.

THE TRANSCRIPT. Read the transcript and dig into the study guide. There is also a printer-ready version of the transcript.

LOOK AT STEP 5: EMPLOYEES.  Nancy says regarding the forty-year cycle of starting and growing your businesss, "In the last 10 years you look to the future of the firm, to bringing in new partners, and to mentoring those young people coming up in the field; and even now, we're trying to give the mentoring we did not have."

SELECTION: Nancy and Eric Goshow were recommended by many people / organizations. Besides receiving accolades in New York City for their leadership within the non-profit sector, Nancy has also shared their mutual insights in articles in Architectural Record, Progressive Architecture, and Interiors Magazine.

Photo Album

More stories about women in business

On government contracting

KEY ISSUES WITHIN SMALL BUSINESS.
If you are in business and you would like a few ideas to help you stay in business, this episode of the show is a keeper. . Study our entire "Leadership" series:
· Staying Power
· Knowledge Management
· E-culture: "What is it and how do I get one?"
· Exit Strategies & Liquidity Models

MORE CASE STUDIES ON ARCHITECTURE. It seems as though architecture, design and the arts all run together. Form-function, as Nancy says, "fusion of function and beauty." You may find it interesting to review shows in both categories: Architecture where you will also find Altoon + Porter. Ron Altoon was once the president of the AIA. And under the Arts, you will find Triplex Cinema where a retired architect demonstrates that doing is better than retiring.

There is a scene toward the end of this episode where Nancy and Eric are on their roof deck reflecting on the destruction of the World Trade Center. Here are our reflections. Here is our overview of this episode in light of it.

JOIN, JOIN, JOIN. Never stop learning. We encourage you to join your national professional and/or trade associations and your local business groups like the Chamber of Commerce.

Here are just a few of the groups in which Nancy and Eric are active:

1. AIA - American Institute of Architects (and the historic New York Chapter)
1735 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006 T: 800-AIA-3837 F: 202-626-7547 E: Click here.

2. Morris Jumel Mansion Museum, Roger Morris Park (overlooking Yankee Stadium),
65 Jumel Terrace, 160th St at Edgecombe Ave., New York, NY 10032 T:212.923.8008

3. The Women Presidents' Organization

4. Women's Center Education-Career Advancement

5. National Association of Women in Construction, 327 S. Adams St. • Fort Worth • Texas • 76104
T: 817.877.5551 800.552.3506 F:817.877.0324

7. NYC Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities
100 Gold Street, 2nd Fl, New York, NY 10038 T: 212.788.2830 TTY: 212.788.2838

8. Lincoln Center, 140 West 65th Street NY, NY 10023 T: 212.875.5030 Click here

9. Nonprofit Facilities Fund, 70 West 36th Street (11th Floor), New York, New York 10018

WATCH QUALITY TV.  Nancy and Eric's local station is NJN. But this episode of the show has aired on stations throught the USA and around the world -- check here. To find out which Small Business School episode was most recently released, click here.

SUPPORT PUBLIC TELEVISION:
Become a member of your local station. If you are already, great. If not and your business is doing well, consider joining the Producers' Club ($1000).

YOUR ROADMAP. We invite you to build your own business case online and interactively, a roadmap for your future. Register here and make it a collaborative project with your employees.

• We invite your comments and questions.. Was the show inspirational and/or educational? We hope this show is both!