The P3 Project for Diverse Entrepreneurs

Onyx Enterprise, LLC President and CEO Tarolyn Buckles shares her firm’s story and journey toward success. Buckles is an engineer and entrepreneur building an engineering consulting, program management, and construction management firm based in Detroit, Michigan. Onyx Enterprise provides construction inspection services, materials testing and water/wastewater engineering. The firm is a certified woman-owned and minority-owned business that is also DBE certified in several states. Buckles talks about the value of training, mentoring and development programs in her firm’s success; and also how these programs helped with building relationships and marketing her company. Visit www.onyx-enterprise.com

Talson Solutions, LLC Founder and President Robert S. Bright shares the history and accomplishments of his DBE and MBE-certified consulting firm specializing in construction auditing and capital project consulting. Bright talks about the role of a construction auditor, new industry opportunities coming from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and how to pursue international business opportunities. He also shares his passion for giving back to his community and for growing a successful business to be an example for other entrepreneurs to follow. Talson Solutions is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. https://talsonsolutions.com/

Fairpointe Planning, LLC CEO and Principal Tanisha Hall visits the P3 Project podcast and shares her journey to growing a successful business in the transportation planning industry. Hall talks about her business strategy when starting the company, the importance of getting certified as a disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) and a woman-owned business (WBENC); and how these certifications helped the company grow. Hall gives her thoughts on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) -- also know at the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. She also gives advice to aspiring DBEs about strategies to accelerate their success in the transportation industry and in government contracting. Visit https://fairpointeplanning.com/

Episode #10 of the P3 Project podcast features an interview with Kenneth Canty, P.E., President and CEO of Atlantic Meridian Contracting (AMC Civil), based in Savannah, Georgia. AMC Civil is a minority-owned and DBE-certified infrastructure contractor specializing in heavy civil, marine, and industrial demolition in the southeastern United States.

Canty has been an entrepreneur since 2008 when he purchased Freeland Construction and led the company until 2018. During this time, Freeland Construction was a minority business enterprise (MBE) which participated in the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development Program. Freeland grew to more than fifty employees during its time in the 8(a) Program performing heavy civil and demolition work on federal projects. However, after graduating the 8(a) program and facing discrimination on subsequent projects that devastated the company, Canty closed Freeland Construction in 2018 and purchased AMC Civil later that year.

Canty joins the P3 Project podcast to discuss his experience as an entrepreneur in the civil construction industry, his lessons learned along the way, and the ongoing work of AMC Civil as he seeks to replicate his business success.

Visit www.AmericanDBE.com/P3-project-podcast to listen to previous issue of the P3 Project podcast and find the show on iTunes, Stitcher Radio and Google Podcasts.

Episode 9 of the P3 Project Podcast features an interview with Arvin Maniktala, P.E., President and Founder of MA Engineering Consultants Inc., based in Cary, North Carolina.

Since 1992, MA Engineering Consultants has offered Civil Engineering and Geomatics services as a certified small business enterprise to several Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern municipal, state, federal, university and public utility clients.

Mr. Maniktala shares his experience gained from 26 years of leadership of MA Engineering Consultants and the continued growth and expansion of the company.

The P3 Project Podcast is a weekly podcast for entrepreneurs and stakeholders in the construction, engineering and transportation industries. Visit www.p3project.biz for more information about the show, and you can also find the show on the iTunes, Stitcher Radio, and Google Play apps.

The P3 Project is hosted by Shelton A. Russell, publisher of American DBE Magazine. Visit https://www.AmericanDBE.com to learn more about the American DBE quarterly publication.