Ronnette Meyers

I attribute my success to faith, family, and a willingness to keep going.

There have been moments in my career that required courage I did not know I had, from leaving federal service to launching a business, to navigating audits, uncertainty, and growth. In those moments, my faith anchored me. It reminded me that setbacks are not stop signs, they are redirections.

I also attribute my success to the example set by my mother. I watched her lead with strength and humility. She showed me what it means to build with integrity, to invest wisely, and to create multiple streams of opportunity so that your future is not dependent on one outcome. That mindset shaped how I approach business and life.

And finally, I attribute it to community. My family, my team, my mentors, and my partners have walked alongside me. Success is rarely a straight line, and it is never achieved alone.

I am grateful for the journey, for the lessons, and for the responsibility that comes with leadership.

The best career advice I ever received came from my mother.

She taught me that your name is your bond. Long before I became a CEO, I watched her lead with discipline, resilience, and integrity. She built businesses, invested strategically, and never allowed short term pressure to compromise long term credibility. Her message was clear: protect your reputation and build something that can stand on its own.

She also taught me to think beyond one stream of income, one contract, or one opportunity. Build systems. Build assets. Build people. Do not build something that collapses when you step away from it.

That advice shaped how I transitioned from federal service into entrepreneurship. It shapes how I lead JLAN today. I focus on governance, financial discipline, operational excellence, and succession planning because I am not building a moment. I am building a legacy.

My mother showed me that leadership is not loud, it is consistent. It is disciplined. And it is anchored in integrity.

That has been the most valuable advice of my career.

First, master your craft. Government contracting is complex. Learn how procurement works. Understand compliance. Read the FAR. Know how money flows. When you understand the mechanics of the system, you cannot be easily dismissed.

Second, build relationships before you need them. This industry runs on credibility and trust. Do not just collect business cards. Build real relationships with contracting officers, partners, mentors, and peers. Access often determines opportunity.

Third, develop financial literacy early. Many small businesses fail not because of talent, but because of cash flow mismanagement. Understand capital, margins, risk, and scale. You cannot grow what you do not understand.

Fourth, prepare for scrutiny. As a woman, and especially as a minority woman in GovCon, you will sometimes be underestimated. Let your performance speak. Deliver consistently. Over time, results remove doubt.

And finally, think long term. Do not build a company dependent on a certification. Build a company grounded in capability, systems, governance, and people. Programs may end. Markets may shift. But strong infrastructure sustains growth.

There is space for us in this industry. Not just to participate, but to lead. But leadership requires preparation, discipline, and resilience.

The biggest challenge in government contracting right now is transition. I am living it in real time.

As companies graduate from programs like the SBA 8a program, we move from protected opportunity into full and open competition almost overnight. The talent does not change. The capability does not change. What changes is access. Access to capital, access to relationships, and access to prime opportunities at scale. Many strong small businesses struggle not because they lack skill, but because the playing field shifts dramatically.

Layer onto that increased audit scrutiny, evolving compliance requirements, pauses in novations, and the instability of government shutdowns, and you begin to see how fragile the environment can feel for small firms. We are expected to operate with the infrastructure of large corporations while still carrying the financial vulnerability of small businesses.

And yet, I see extraordinary opportunity.

Federal agencies are modernizing rapidly. They need partners who are nimble, mission driven, and able to move quickly in areas like data analytics, AI enablement, operational support, and acquisition strategy. Small businesses that invest in governance, strong teaming relationships, financial discipline, and diversified revenue streams can compete and win.

For me personally, this moment is about redefining scale. It is about proving that a woman-owned firm can graduate from 8a, withstand scrutiny, weather shutdowns, and still grow with integrity. It is about building a company that is not dependent on a designation, but sustained by capability and credibility.

That is the challenge. And that is the opportunity.

Integrity is non-negotiable for me. Whether I am leading JLAN Solutions, serving on a board, or showing up for my family, I believe your name and your word must mean something. In government contracting especially, trust is currency. You are stewarding taxpayer dollars, mission critical programs, and people’s livelihoods. I take that responsibility seriously.

Excellence is also core to who I am. I was raised to believe that preparation, discipline, and consistency matter. There is no substitute for doing the work. That shows up in how we manage compliance, how we treat our employees, and how we deliver for our customers. It also shows up in how I show up for my children and grandchildren. Effort matters.

Service is another defining value. I am a military spouse, a former federal employee, and now a business owner supporting public sector agencies. Service is woven into every chapter of my life. I believe leadership is not about status, it is about responsibility. If you have influence, you should use it to open doors for others.

And finally, legacy. I built JLAN using the initials of my four children. That was intentional. Everything I do is about building something sustainable, ethical, and impactful that will outlive me. Not just financially, but in how we treat people and contribute to community.

Integrity, excellence, service, and legacy guide every decision I make.