WHERE ARE THEY NOW : BAPE
and get everything in on time – it can be overwhelming , but hang in there because it is possible . Use your available resources , and your network . You must have a good team in place and be willing to work random hours to get things done , because it ’ s not just a nine-to-five endeavor .”
Josh encourages small business owners to not be afraid of taking calculated risks . “ You have to take some chances as a small business in order to get the job and show what you can do , because that will open up more doors . It ’ s scary , but if you know you have the ability to do the work , then go for it .”
“ It helps to have a toolbelt of resources ,” emphasizes Mara . “ Having access to MWIS ’ Jennifer Elmore and John Miller , and the networking , connections and support we ’ ve received from them , has been key . I know that if I get in a bind , I can reach out to them and they will be there for us and help us find a solution . Having them in our toolbelt has made it easier to take risks and be willing to go out and try something new because we know we have support .”
In discussing some of the challenges that smaller contractors face , Josh says , “ We ’ re still a small business and we still face challenges – especially going into the holidays . We have enough work lined up through December , but we have to make sure we get work through January to avoid layoffs at Christmas time . That ’ s always in the back of our minds , so we ’ re always out there bidding and seeking more work . If I can give a shout out to Monterey Mechanical Company ; they ’ ve been instrumental in our success by giving us a chance to do the fabrication on the Biosolids project and we ’ re still here because of them .”
Contractor development programs like the one sponsored by the City and County of San Francisco make a big difference in facilitating the connection between large contractors who are always in need of skilled subcontractors and the smaller local contractors who can fill that need . “ Once we get our foot in the door and they see what we can do , they realize that we really have the skills and expertise to handle what they need done .”
Located in Bayview-Hunters Point District 10 , in the heart of San Francisco , Bay Area Pipe & Equipment not only provides vital local employment opportunities , but , as Mara says , ” we buy gas , lunch and support other small businesses here every single day . We love it here .”
For more information about Bay Area Pipe and Equipment ( BAPE ), visit their website , LinkedIn or Facebook page .
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