Local Roots, Big Impact: What the DC SBDC Is Seeing, Solving, and Shaping

Local Roots, Big Impact: What the DC SBDC Is Seeing, Solving, and Shaping

From Unveiled: GovCon Stories by Tasha Jones

December 3, 2025 · 46 min · Season 6 · Episode 4

About this episode

The episode explores how the DC Small Business Development Center is supporting local businesses amidst economic challenges and policy changes.

In today’s small business landscape, nothing is business as usual. Economic pressures, shifting policies, and the pace of innovation are changing how entrepreneurs survive and thrive, especially those navigating the public sector. In this episode we turn to the DC Small Business Development Center to explore how they're meeting the need in this moment. With a mission rooted in hands-on guidance, deep partnerships, and real-world experience, the DC SBDC is helping local businesses move from uncertainty to action – and we’re diving into what that support really looks like today. Guest Bio: Mr. Carl Brown is the State and Executive Director of the DC Small Business Development Center at Howard University, bringing 25+ years of experience in HR, marketing, procurement, and government contracting, including roles at Verizon, Pepsi, and in federal and local government as a warranted contracting officer. He is also the creator and host of The Small Business Report on SiriusXM, with insights featured in The Wall Street Journal, MSNBC.com, and The Washington Informer, and is known for developing the financial literacy comic series Sammy the Saver . As a speaker, coach, and media voice, he…

People in this episode

Host: Tasha Jones

Guest: Mr. Carl Brown

Topics covered

  • small business
  • economic pressures
  • public sector
  • entrepreneurship
  • business development
  • local support

Keywords

  • DC SBDC
  • small business support
  • entrepreneurship
  • economic challenges
  • business development
  • local businesses
  • public sector

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: DC Small Business Development Center, Howard University, Verizon, Pepsi, The Small Business Report, SiriusXM, The Wall Street Journal, MSNBC.com, The Washington Informer

Books & works: Sammy the Saver

Places: DC

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