Dr. Maria Slaughter built MWS & Associates on a simple conviction: The most meaningful way to succeed is to help others succeed. With deep experience supporting small businesses, she had the expertise, but she needed the right infrastructure to grow it. Dr. Slaughter knew that streamlining operations and scaling her offerings were the challenges standing between where MWS & Associates was and where it could go.

Solutions

Dr. Slaughter connected with the SBDC and began working with advisor Mike Williams, who turned out to be exactly the right fit. “I feel like SBDC advisor Mike Williams and I are aligned, and that has made him the perfect advisor for me,” she said. Williams helped her navigate complex business decisions, from securing grants to improving operational processes. She also joined the SELF cohort, where targeted resources and personalized guidance addressed her company’s specific needs and opened the door to new funding opportunities.

Results

The impact was tangible. SELF program funding allowed Dr. Slaughter to expand her services, grow her client base, and secure more contracts, including work with clients like the Department of Transportation and California State University. MWS & Associates grew its portfolio while delivering the high-quality, mission-driven work Dr. Slaughter founded it on.

Today, MWS & Associates is a recognized leader within the contracting space, helping small businesses access new revenue sources and build lasting capacity. For Dr. Slaughter, the SBDC and SELF program weren’t just resources, they were the catalysts she needed to grow her business.