Her Story
About Sonal
I founded KS Apex LLC in 2012 after graduating from Virginia Tech's graduate program, where I developed an application as a school project that two federal agencies ended up adopting and purchasing. That journey paid off my master's tuition and launched my career in federal contracting and IT. As a single mother, I built this company while raising two children on my own, commuting at least an hour each way to work, and studying during my metro rides. My company has grown significantly over the years - in 2017, one of my team's projects made it to the U.S. Congress for best practices and execution in innovative federal contracting work. I've helped prime contractors win about 21 task orders before going after my own contracts. This year has been particularly meaningful: I was selected for the ACT-IAC Partners Program, a prestigious program where senior government leadership and industry executives apply and only a few are chosen. I'm also completing my program at MIT in Gen AI, where my capstone project - an AI application I developed - is already attracting interest from multiple agencies for a tech demo. I've been nominated for two significant industry awards: Small Business of the Year for companies under $7.5 million revenue, and Executive of the Year in the under $25 million category. Beyond business success, my company represents something deeper to me - it's a reflection of hope that anyone can rebuild their life and create something meaningful, no matter how difficult their circumstances. I'm passionate about connecting with people, solving problems genuinely, and making a difference in my community.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sonal
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the foundation my parents and grandparents gave me - they taught me that with power comes responsibility and that people always come first. Growing up in a highly respected family where helping others was embedded in us made a huge difference. Even in my most difficult times, that foundation kept whispering inside me, 'This is not you, you can do better.' My focus has always been on genuinely connecting with people and solving their problems. When your equation is to be helpful and you know how to deliver, people connect with you and you get results. I also believe in making educated, knowledgeable decisions where people come first - whether that's my children, my employees and their families who depend on me, or the community I serve. The values my parents instilled in me, the education they provided, and their example of putting their children before themselves really made the difference. That's why at my executive award ceremony, I gave the award to my mother - because the foundation they built in me is what enabled everything I've achieved.
02What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important values to me are putting people first and taking care of those who depend on me - whether that's my children, my employees and their families, or my community. I believe it's never too late to make the right decision, never too late to believe in yourself, and never too late to start over again. I've learned that making educated, knowledgeable decisions based on what you know is crucial, and that your choices define your path. Resilience matters deeply to me - understanding what struggle and pain look like, but also understanding what value and hope mean. I want my company to be a reflection of hope for others, showing that if I can create something meaningful from the most difficult circumstances, anyone can. Living with dignity is essential to me, as is inspiring others who may be going through their own challenges. My grandmother taught me that it's never too late to adopt new things and that nothing is wrong as long as you're on the right path - it's the right thing that matters, not just what's considered good or bad.
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