Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Jennifer Barbosa.

CEO and Founder of International Supply Partners (ISP), about breaking into government contracting, navigating a male-dominated industry, and the complexities of supply chain management.

🔑 Key Themes & Highlights

Breaking into Government Contracting

• Barbosa started her business by targeting government contracts, recognizing that the government is the largest buyer of goods and services.
• She explained how RFQs (Request for Quotes) and RFPs (Request for Proposals) allow new suppliers to compete for contracts.

Navigating a Male-Dominated Industry

• She admitted that entering the industrial supply sector was challenging but credited her fearlessness and determination for her success.
• Barbosa emphasized that women entrepreneurs must focus on value and expertise rather than industry stereotypes.

Supply Chain & Procurement Strategies

• ISP specializes in safety, PPE, industrial, janitorial, and construction supplies, ensuring cost-effective procurement solutions.
• Barbosa detailed how understanding supply chain logistics helped her compete with big-box suppliers.

COVID-19 & PPE Pricing Surge

• During the pandemic, PPE prices skyrocketed due to high demand and supply chain disruptions.
• Barbosa explained how manufacturers shifted production to PPE, leading to price gouging and bidding wars.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) in Business

• Barbosa’s company is certified as a minority-owned and women-owned business, but she emphasized that quality and service—not identity—should drive business success.
• She believes that DEI initiatives should not be the sole reason for doing business, but rather a tool for leveraging opportunities.

📘 About Jennifer Barbosa & International Supply Partners
Jennifer Barbosa is a visionary entrepreneur and supply chain specialist, leading International Supply Partners (ISP) in streamlining procurement for businesses and government agencies. ISP is a trusted provider of essential goods, ensuring efficiency, reliability, and competitive pricing.

 

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