At Bender-Carey Capital, we understand the challenges small businesses face because we have been where you are—and we have been where you want to go.
Our founding team includes leadership experience at the highest levels of government contracting. When General Dave served as President of ManTech Defense Systems, the mission was clear: grow, deliver, and win. Through hard work, careful discernment on bid and no-bid decisions, and insightful teaming agreements, we assembled a blue-ribbon group of professionals who bought into the vision. The result? In just eighteen months, we scaled from $600+ million to over $1+ billion in revenue.
One of the critical keys to that growth was the small businesses we teamed up with. These companies brought unique, focused qualifications and thrived as members of our team. That experience left a lasting impression and it shapes how we approach our work at Bender-Carey Capital today.
We learned firsthand how vital small businesses are to mission success. But we also discovered the traps and snares that separate business success from failure especially concerning cash flow management. The singular goal of our firm is to help owners navigate those exact challenges.
We are a private investment bank built to help promising small businesses whether services, products, or both—achieve success and sustainable growth.
What follows are the first three of a “baker’s dozen” truths we believe will ensure small business owner success. Consider these foundational principles for building something that lasts.
This might go without saying, but let us add some nuance: this point is less about the glory of winning and more about what winning gives you. The contracts you have won are the leverage you need to access resources from independent private investors at favorable rates helping you avoid the more expensive terms offered by other financial organizations.
Regardless of the type of small business, cash flow management is critical. For a new business, those first contracts are liberating. But satisfying the requirements of those contracts involves hiring new employees, scaling production, or both. Success creates demand, and demand often requires a fresh cash influx.
Even small businesses with a degree of longevity those with a portfolio of profitable contracts and visions of expansion—often need an external infusion of cash to fuel their plans. Winning is just the first step; managing the cash that follows is what keeps you in the game.
In future content, we will address winning strategies for small businesses as a specific topic. But opening the door to this truth leads us naturally to the next point.
The competitive landscape is daunting, especially in services companies and technology resellers. Literally thousands of companies are potential competitors. So how do you stand out?
Having read hundreds of proposals during his active military service, General Dave can tell you that phrases such as “fully qualified,” “zero performance risk,” and “better-faster-cheaper”without proof points to back them up—are empty words. They provide little compelling value. Why? Because everyone says them.
Differentiation means providing compelling proof points to substantiate your claims. The best proposals use tables, customer testimonials, CPARS ratings, and other evidence to prove the company is the very best choice for contract award. These are the facts that establish you are different from all the others being considered.
At Bender-Carey Capital, we help our clients identify and articulate what makes them unique because in a crowded field, differentiation is the difference between being considered and being selected.
Leading and managing a business requires the ability to prepare and more importantly, understand fundamental financial tools. We are talking about contracts, financial statements, profit and loss (P&L) analysis, cash flow analysis, and yes, balance sheets.
Investors use the balance sheet to determine your working capital ratio (WCR = current assets minus current liabilities) and your debt ratio (total liabilities / total assets), as well as the historical path of both. These metrics give them a clear picture of risk.
A healthy, strong balance sheet reduces risk and makes your business attractive to investors.
And here is a bonus truth: It is okay to ask for help. It is okay to ask for help preparing and understanding the fundamental tools of business management. It is especially okay to ask for help strengthening your balance sheet when debt feels daunting.
That is precisely where Bender-Carey Capital comes in.
Winning leads to contracts. Differentiation is the key for small businesses to win those contracts. Contracts lead to revenue and profit. And healthy, strong balance sheets are attractive to investors.
It is a virtuous cycle but only if you understand how each piece connects.
At Bender-Carey Capital (BCC), we are a private investment bank ready to work with promising small businesses to achieve success and growth. Whether you provide services, products, or both, we want to help you build your next critical project.
Let us start the conversation.
📧 Email: info@bendercareycap.com
📞 Phone: +1 844-562-2748 option 5
🌐 Web: bendercareycap.com