04/20/2026
Martinez represented as Bre Martinez Jones and I spent a couple days in Washington, D.C. last week with the GovCon Small Business Coalition for our annual fly-in.
We walked the halls of the Capitol, met with Members of Congress and staffers in the Cannon Building, and had some very candid conversations about what’s actually happening to small businesses in the federal market.
There were moments that felt pretty incredible—like standing on the center balcony of the Capitol—and moments that were… a little more real. The kind of conversations where you realize how slow change can be, and how complicated the system really is.
At one point,I found myself joking (and maybe actually singing) “I’m just a bill…” from Schoolhouse Rock… which felt a little too accurate for how this process works.
But also why it matters.
Small businesses aren’t just “participants” in federal contracting—we’re builders, problem-solvers, job creators, and a critical part of the industrial base. And right now, that base is shrinking.
What stood out most to me wasn’t just the policy discussions—it was the people.
A group of smart, scrappy, and yes… tired small business owners who are still showing up, still pushing, and still trying to make things better—not just for their companies, but for the next ones coming behind them and for our country's national security.
I had the chance to introduce Congressman Mike Haridopolos to the group (always a proud Space Coast moment when we can talk about rocket launches), and we wrapped up the week by connecting with Senator Rick Scott’s office—we already have a follow-up meeting scheduled.
That’s how this works, I guess. Slowly. One conversation at a time.
It’s not always pretty. It’s definitely not fast.
But we're grateful to have a seat at the table—and a voice in the room.
