Why Aren't More Women Bidding on Government Contracts?
How one woman's journey into government contracting is opening doors for other female business owners.
Why Aren't More Women Bidding on Government Contracts?
A few years ago, I watched a YouTube video that changed the direction of my life. I had no background in government contracting and no roadmap. But God opened a door I never knew existed and guided me as I began to learn.
In 2024, I founded Paper Hearts LLC. Not long afterward, I won my first federal contract. I give God the glory for that opportunity and for carrying me through everything I had to learn along the way.
That experience introduced me to a path I want more women to know about. Yet very few women I speak with have ever considered government contracting for their business, often because no one has explained how the system works or where to begin.
I want to help change that.
Why This Industry Deserves a Second Look
Government agencies purchase goods and services from private businesses. For a woman who owns a business, that means there may be customers beyond the individuals and companies she already serves.
Understanding what agencies need and how they select businesses can help you recognize where yours fits. It also gives you a way to evaluate an opportunity: whether you meet the requirements, can price the work responsibly, and can deliver what you promise.
For women building a business, this is an opportunity worth exploring.
Where to Begin
Start by identifying what your business can reliably provide and which government agencies purchase it. Look at their posted opportunities to understand the work, qualifications, and pricing they require.
Next, learn the registration requirements for the agencies you want to serve. Become familiar with the industry codes used to identify your products or services, and prepare a capability statement—a brief introduction to your business, qualifications, and experience.
When you find an opportunity that fits, read the solicitation carefully. This document explains what the agency needs, how to submit your proposal, and how it will evaluate offers. Pay close attention to the deadline, required documents, and your ability to deliver the work.
You do not have to understand everything on the first day. Start with one opportunity, ask questions, and let each step help you understand the next.
What I Want Every Woman Reading This to Know
Give yourself the chance to explore this before deciding it is beyond your reach. You may already have skills and experience that could become the foundation for an opportunity you have not yet considered.
My faith in Jesus Christ has carried me through the uncertain seasons of building this business. Every opportunity I have received is a reason to thank Him, and I give Him the glory for where I am today.
My hope is that sharing my experience encourages you to consider what could be possible for your own business—and gives you the courage to begin.
So why aren't more women bidding on government contracts? I don't believe it's because they lack what it takes. I believe it's because no one ever told them the door was open.
Consider this your invitation to walk through it.
Johana Fadragas is the owner and founder of Paper Hearts LLC, a government contracting firm based in Ocala, Florida. With two years of experience in the industry, she serves as a prime contractor specializing in services such as fire extinguisher inspections, and she is pursuing additional state and local contracts while obtaining SBA certifications as a minority-owned and woman-owned business.
