When Thomas Jones started Philadelphia Concrete Doctors eight years ago, it was a natural step for the entrepreneur. “Cement pouring is my blood. My grandfather owned one of the largest minority-led concrete businesses in the DC area. My father has been in the business since moving to Philadelphia 30 years ago,” Jones explained.
Despite Jones’s heritage in cement masonry, Philadelphia Concrete Doctors never pursued City contracts or considered registering as a minority-owned firm until recently. Registering as a minority-owned business can lead to work on City contracts, and count toward City of Philadelphia diversity goals.
What changed? Jones learned that Rebuild, the Mayor’s investment of hundreds of millions of dollars to improve neighborhood parks, recreation centers, and libraries, was offering diverse small businesses like his new avenues to help get work on City construction projects.
Philadelphia Concrete Doctors is one of 19 small, diverse businesses taking part in the first round of Rebuild Ready. Participants attend training, workshops, and coaching sessions to build up some of the back office responsibilities and systems that help construction-related businesses gain work on Rebuild projects and other City contracts.
Here are six key ways Rebuild Ready is helping diverse contractors like Philadelphia Concrete Doctors build their businesses and get work on Rebuild projects:
- Construction Accounting and Financial Management
- Estimating and Bid Preparation
- Payroll and Joint Ventures
- Bonding, Insurance, and Risk
- Construction Law, Contracting, and Dispute Resolution
- Cash Flow Management and Payment
With six full-time employees currently on staff, Jones’ goal is for Philadelphia Concrete Doctors to employ at least a dozen full-time staff members by 2021.
“As a small business owner, I am excited about the opportunity to expand Philadelphia Concrete Doctors’ customer base and work on projects that are important to our city. As a Philadelphian, I am proud to see the Mayor using the soda tax to invest in our neighborhoods and make construction sites more diverse and reflective of the people who live here.”