How Austin's Asian Contractors Are Winning Government Bids — and How You Can Too
How Austin's Asian Contractors Are Winning Government Bids — and How You Can Too
Last night I attended an event hosted by the Asian Contractors & Engineers Association — an organization that has been advocating for Asian business owners in Austin for over 20 years. The energy in the room was incredible, and I walked away with real, actionable knowledge about how small businesses can tap into City of Austin contracts.
The founding member Frank Lam of Frank Lam & Associates has been instrumental in putting Asian business owners on the map. He advocated and petitioned back in the 1980s to include Asians in the minority business certification — a move that continues to open doors for our community today.
What We Learned About City of Austin Certifications
We heard directly from two City of Austin leaders: Michelle Meadows, Interim Division Manager of Certifications, and Catherine Sak, Small & Minority Business Resources Program Manager. They broke down the certification process, how public budget spending works, and — this was the golden insight — how to predict when contracts are coming up so you can prepare winning bids.
Local First
The City of Austin actively prioritizes local small businesses — especially minority-owned and women-owned — as part of their procurement goals.
Stay Certified
Once certified, recertification every four years is much easier than starting from scratch. Don't let your certification lapse.
Keep Your Info Current
One thing Michelle and Catherine really emphasized: update your contact information right away if anything changes — new email, new employees, change in ownership. The city tries to reach out when certifications are about to lapse, but if your info is outdated, those reminders won't reach you. It's a small step that protects a big opportunity.
A Real Success Story: 8-10x Growth
Lisa Kang of Lisa Kang Interiors shared how getting certified and learning to navigate the system helped her grow her business 8-10x. She shared how she worked in beautiful spaces throughout Austin, for University of Texas student housing, Palmer Events Center creating custom shades and cabinetry. Hearing from a fellow Asian-owned business thriving through local government contracts was genuinely inspiring.
It's Not Just for Construction
Here's what surprised me most: these certifications aren't limited to contractors and engineers. Any small business with a service or product can benefit. The city's vendor lists have gaps — caterers, bakers, consultants, creative agencies — and they're actively looking to fill them with certified minority- and women-owned businesses.
If you've been thinking about certification but assumed it was only for the construction industry, this is your sign to look into it.
Get Involved
Big thanks to the Asian Contractors & Engineers Association for hosting such an impactful and educational evening. If you're an Asian-owned or minority-owned business in Austin, I'd highly recommend connecting with ACEA and exploring what city certification can do for your business.
We'll definitely be back.
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