Silver Spring, Maryland-based FM Talent Source has been recognized as a Women-Owned Small Business by the Small Business Administration.
Now valued at $15 million, the strategic business solutions enterprise provides consulting services in financial and grant management and human capital strategy to its nationwide government and commercial entity clients.
“This is an exciting new chapter in the life of FM Talent,” said company CEO and President Dawn Hendricks, who in 2004 co-founded the company with Omari Franklin. “As a certified woman-owned, minority-owned business, we will continue to deepen our relationships with existing clients while casting a wider net into new industries and specialized sectors.”
Deciding to start a business over decade ago was a struggle for Hendricks, who holds a master’s degree in human resource management from American University and bachelor’s degree in business administration from Hofstra University.
“Making the decision to leave my six-figure job was not easy,” Hendricks said. “I started FM Talent because I wanted to control my own destiny rather than let others determine my growth, career path or salary.
“I was scared initially, like most people are,” she said. “Since the fear of the unknown will always be there, you can’t use fear as a determining factor for pursuing your business idea,” she said.
Hendricks suggests entrepreneurs set small goals daily or weekly, so they don’t lose momentum.
“Start working your business on the side while you have other income,” she said. “This will allow you to establish a client base, which sometimes can be a slow process.”
Over the past 14 years, FM Talent has hired hundreds of people locally and nationally. The firm currently has just shy of 200 employees working in 12 states across the country.
FM Talent’s leadership is enthusiastic about the transformation the downtown Sliver Spring commercial and cultural district has experienced during the past decade.
“We are honored to be in a city that does so much for its citizens and businesses,” Hendricks said. “We look forward to supporting the continued success and growth of this remarkable community.”