Ask Wendy LLC is owned and operated by Wendy Sturgeon.

There are many procurement opportunities through Set-Aside ordinances available within several counties in New Jersey: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Mercer and soon added, Middlesex. These are counties looking for businesses that are small and diverse, to apply for bid and RFP opportunities.

While many businesses may qualify to become one or all of the New Jersey State certifications: Small Business Enterprise or SBE, Minority Business Enterprise or MBE, Woman Business Enterprise or WBE, Veteran Owned Business, or VOB and Disabled Veteran Owned Business, DVOB, and LGBTQ+. There are a great number of businesses that do not know about Set-Aside Programs, or getting certified with the State of New Jersey.

In addition, during many of my conversations with small and diverse businesses regarding government procurement, I learned there is much needed education and guidance to steer businesses in the right direction. Many opportunities exist for businesses to apply for government bids and RFPs however, the government is not going to find you! It is essential for your business to learn how to get connected and research these various opportunities.

Sounds great, doesn’t it? But when you are a small business with limited time and skills to work the system, where to from here?

Numerous times, during my conversations with all types of businesses, I heard about all of the “red tape”, paperwork, and lack of knowledge as to how to locate and apply for bid and RFP opportunities. It was also very common for businesses to express their frustration with government and feeling they are not being very helpful. Bids and RFPs are advertised, but if you do not know where to find these opportunities and you are trying to run your business, it becomes an uphill battle. Also, there are ethics issues for those employed by government who can only answer basic questions before it is considered an insider advantage. Based on the concerns and frustration so many businesses expressed to me over the years, I felt it was time to start my own business. Ask Wendy can help small and diverse businesses get an edge up on procurement opportunities.

Businesses need someone with experience to help them along, and I can help.  While working with businesses during my career in government, I lost count as to how many businesses were surprised, I reached out to them with opportunities to bid on various projects, regularly sent emails addressing important business information, communicated about financing and grant opportunities, informed them regarding business events and organizations they might find beneficial, and assisted them with organizing and developing their Capability Statements, and more.

Ask Wendy, LLC is a New Jersey State certified SBE/WBE offering strategic guidance for small and diverse businesses by educating and providing support in navigating government procurement opportunities.

I can help you to connect your business to counties in New Jersey who offer a Set-Aside Program and have passed a “Set-Aside” ordinance allotting a percentage of their annual spend specifically for certified MBE, WBE, VOB, and DVOB businesses. New Jersey just this year added LGBTQ+ as a certification, however, not all counties have revised their ordinances to include this certification. Certainly, this certification needs to be addressed!

If you are a business who would like to learn more about:

• How to locate Government Procurement Opportunities
• Connect with those counties who offer Set- Aside opportunities
• Business events that would benefit your company
• Getting help creating a Capability Statement
• Connecting with the State of New Jersey or companies that offer assistance to getting certified
• Educational seminars that can help you see your way through the “red-tape”
• Where to look for grant opportunities and funding to fuel your business

Please send me an email, askwendysturgeon@gmail.com

You need to focus on growing your business and sometimes simply need a helping hand.