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With nearly 25 years of experience in working in the construction industry, Angela Watkins Smith has seen just about every aspect of a project take shape, from estimating to procurement to a finished product that can transform a property.

Smith, chief operating officer of Minority Construction Group, began her career in government procurement and contract administration before working as a small business advocate and program manager focused on business development.

She then worked for a general contractor before starting her company in 2018. Smith understands firsthand the challenges of owning and operating a business while bidding, running a project, managing employees, processing change orders, issuing contracts and handling invoices.

鈥淚鈥檝e seen the mistakes that get made in the bidding process and how that can adversely affect a company鈥檚 bid and their business. I鈥檝e also seen great requests for proposals and RFPs that are poorly written,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a lot of work to procure and buy each line item in the bid and you need great estimators to include the pricing for everything. It鈥檚 also a lot of work to do the interview and continue marketing.鈥�

Smith and her employees serve as a project management team that can help contractors with the administrative processes involved in project work, as well as ensure diversity. Smith said it鈥檚 rewarding to see small business owners turn less desirable structures into beautiful buildings that are appreciated by the community.

鈥淚t鈥檚 nice when they come back and say 鈥榯hank you,鈥� and I like just helping them grow and get to the next level,鈥� she said.

Smith is on the board of directors of Constructing Hope, an organization that provides construction work training for people after prison, and she recently played a key role in renovating a building that is the organization鈥檚 new headquarters.