Meet Lauren Terry

What sparked your passion for working with small businesses?

When I first joined Jacobs, I was in the leasing department, reporting through contracts, audits, procurement and the small business program. I worked with the person who previously held my job, and he became a mentor to me. He was extremely passionate about working with small business concerns, garnering that same passion in me. When Jacobs eventually offered me the job, I immediately said yes. I wanted to follow his trajectory and make a difference each day. 

I love helping people and knowing I can make a positive difference in someone's life. Something as simple as conversing with someone could lead to adding them to a bid list, which could significantly impact their trajectory. Then, if a team selects them for a subcontract, it can genuinely change a company's future. Currently, we have over 2,000 small businesses available to work with, and moments like that keep me coming to work. 

What do you see as the biggest challenge when building partnerships? What can we do to develop better ones?

For our team, it's the sheer volume of projects and businesses. It can be challenging to keep up with what's happening and remember who best fits every project or program. Currently, we report on 167 contracts, which doesn't include any proposals, so it is quite a lot to navigate. 

At Jacobs, the biggest challenge is breaking down barriers. Teams often want to go with the subcontractors or small businesses they are comfortable with, so it can take a lot of effort for a new company to get traction. Part of my job is to work with teams to ensure that whoever they are working with is the right fit and that we are spreading the work to help as many small businesses as possible. 

One way to address this is through communication. Finding the right fit is much easier when small businesses come to us with a clear goal. If they understand Jacobs and the work we typically subcontract, they are more likely to gain recognition with teams. Maintaining relationships is also essential. Making sure to send regular updates and familiarize us with your business will allow teams to keep you in mind when the right contract arises.  

What are some resources small businesses can use to learn more? 

First, of course, reach out to Jacobs through our supplier diversity and small business program. The Small Business Administration (SBA) and Apex Accelerators are also wonderful free resources for small businesses and even big companies. 

We also participate with organizations such as the  U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce and the National Veteran Small Business Coalition, which provide a lot of value to the small businesses we hope to support. 

Can you share one piece of advice for a small business?

One piece of advice is not to give up. It can take a few years for a new small business to gain traction or an opportunity to materialize, especially if you are a specific type of firm. Many of our contracts are long, and it may take a while for us even to start work. I think keeping your expectations realistic is essential, and there is a chance that it will happen at some point, just not immediately. Having that fundamental understanding of government contracting in general and how lengthy the process can be will set them up for success.

What excites you for the future of Jacobs and the Small Business Program? 

As part of my role, I attend many events and see what small businesses are working on. I really enjoy doing this, and it's fascinating seeing what technologies and solutions they are coming up with to tackle problems. I look forward to seeing what these small firms can do and how they can make a name for themselves. 

Working with small businesses daily and the support I have received from leadership empowers me to do my job successfully. It's a very niche role and not something you can learn overnight, so I am excited to continue running the program in a way that puts small businesses first.