Ms. Tonya Crist – Making an impact by driving growth. “We like playing in the dirt for a living!”
Tonya is the co-founder of Insite Consulting Group LLC (“ICG”), specializing in economic development, site selection, and infrastructure assessment and development. She helps businesses and communities grow by preparing them to attract jobs and investment.
With 30 years of experience and a proven track record of success, Tonya has represented some of the largest organizations in the world in making multi-million and multi-billion-dollar decisions.
ICG also provides an array of additional services including incentive negotiations, workforce development, construction advisory, and training for business and government organizations worldwide.
Tonya began working with FedBiz Access in 2022 for her Women-Owned Small Business and Women Business Enterprise (“WOSB/WBE”) Certifications. In addition, she has worked with FedBiz Access to maintain her SAM & DSBS registrations, and to help grow her business in the government marketplace with a marketing package including, a Professional Website, Capability Statement, Market Intel Database, and both the Federal and Local Connections Package (“FCP” and “LCP”).
In her interview, Tonya shares some of her industry experience, and why she chose to work with FedBiz Access.
Tonya's journey began in Greenville, South Carolina, where she graduated from Clemson University. She subsequently joined Fluor Corporation, an international engineering and construction firm. Her position with Fluor took her around the world working on major site selection and construction projects.
“I received a lot of exposure to things like community development, economic development, site selection, location strategies, workforce development, etc. I started my own company because I have a desire to help communities, businesses, and government organizations spend their money well by making the right investments for growth,” said Tonya.
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Transcript | FedBiz'5 Podcast | Episode 48
Insite Consulting - Helping Businesses and Communities Grow
Jesse Sherr 00:02
My name is Jesse and I work with small businesses and the Government Marketplace. You're listening to FedBiz'5, where you get informed, get connected, and get results on everything government contracting.
Jesse Sherr 00:15
Hello, and welcome to another episode of FedBiz. Five. Today we have Tonya Crist joining us. She is the owner of InSite Consulting Group. She's here to tell us a little bit about what she does and her experience working with FedBiz access. Hello, and how are you? Tonya?
Tonya Crist 00:32
I'm doing great. Thank you. How about you?
Jesse Sherr 00:34
I'm fantastic. Thanks for asking. Now, can you provide a brief explanation of your business?
Tonya Crist 00:40
Sure, yes, absolutely. I appreciate the opportunity to do this with you guys. My company Insite Consulting Group specializes in several core competencies, for the most part is economic development, consulting, site selection and location exercises for industries infrastructure development, how do we get communities, states regions ready to recruit jobs and investment. We also specialize in construction and understanding how to construct facilities for manufacturing facilities that are locating throughout the country.
Jesse Sherr 01:18
Wonderful. That sounds pretty interesting. So, tell us a little bit about yourself, like where are you from and what got you to start this business?
Tonya Crist 01:25
I'm actually from Greenville, South Carolina. I am a Clemson grad, Go Tigers! I came right out of grad school and went to work for a large company called Fluor Corporation. They're an engineering procurement construction firm and I got involved in the site selection industry. That was interesting because it had a lot to do with not only construction, but also figuring out where a company needs to locate based on labor, based on the site that it needs to land on etc.
Tonya Crist 01:55
So, I got a lot of exposure to things like community development, economic development, site selection, location strategies, workforce development. etc. So, I started the company because I have a desire to help communities, the federal government, states spend their money well. When I say well, I mean, spend it in a way that they get a return on their investment by putting in water and sewer electric natural gas.
Jesse Sherr 02:25
Okay, well, what made you decide to go with FedBiz access to assist you in GovCon?
Tonya Crist 02:30
Yes, well, out of sheer frustration and lack of understanding of how to, to get it done by myself. Yes, I decided to try to do it on my own, which was a huge mistake. That cost me a lot of time and money.
Jesse Sherr 02:45
Yeah.
Tonya Crist 02:46
And then, you know, FedBiz was recommended to me by a colleague to rescue me. That's exactly what occurred. I had stagnated and it was a laborious process. As soon as I made the call to FedBiz I got specifically clear on board. We started moving and moving fast and it made all the difference in the world.
Jesse Sherr 03:05
So, it sounds like you had a pretty good experience working with FedBiz Access, right
Tonya Crist 03:10
An extraordinary experience, yes. I mean, it was amazing, because literally, the FedBiz team picked up the process and ran with it, and then just used me on an as needed basis. So, I could continue to try to develop my work and to execute work while getting certified. So, you know, I can't say enough about how FedBiz literally got me to my dream of getting to work in this arena of federal, local, city government contracting, yes.
Jesse Sherr 03:42
Do you have a success story that you would like to share with our listeners?
Tonya Crist 03:45
Yes, as a matter of fact, my process of doing it myself had stalled-out for about 18 months and got FedBiz on board with me and within about five months in that part of that why was the problem? (laughter)
Tonya Crist 04:00
Within about five months I was certified, not only in the with the women owned small business, but also the WBE, and within the next month I had a contract with a community.
Jesse Sherr 04:14
Oh, wow!
Tonya Crist 04:15
So, the return on the investment, you know, was amazing. FedBiz far outworked, what they cost me, absolutely. The return on my investment was immediate.
Jesse Sherr 04:24
Wow. That sounds amazing. I mean, that's a pretty good turnaround. Definitely! Especially when you said you're like you just were overwhelmed, and they kind of took the reins for you. So, that's really cool!
Jesse Sherr 04:33
Before we go, one last question. Are there any tips for businesses new to government contracting that you would like to share?
Tonya Crist 04:40
Um, other than just… I'm sorry, but I just can't say this enough and I've said this behind your guys’ back, just utilize… (Chuckle) Just utilize FedBiz as a resource because I have been completely new to this arena and every step of the way now even after I've gotten my certification, I'm relying on FedBiz to help me build a website to help me build my capability statement, all the things I need to be successful. The biggest tip I would give everybody is to engage FedBiz Now, so that not only do you get your certification, and it's a lot easier, but also you get a teammate in this process to help you continue to be successful.
Jesse Sherr 05:18
Right. Answer questions along the way, so you can concentrate more on engaging, right
Tonya Crist 05:23
Absolutely. Because the problem was, the process was costing me so much time, it was also costing me the ability to put work in place to earn a living and so... FedBiz took that piece over and executed in that arena for me so that I can continue to work to support the process. So, yes.
Jesse Sherr 05:38
Well, Tonya, I gotta say, thank you so much. That’s some kind words and I'm glad that FedBiz was able to help you and we hope you continue your success.
Tonya Crist 05:46
Thank you so much! I look forward to being teammates. Thank you so much.
Jesse Sherr 05:47
You got it! Absolutely! Thank you for coming on and take care.
Tonya Crist 05:52
Thank you. Bye bye.
Jesse Sherr 05:54
This concludes this week's episode of FedBiz'5. Where you get informed, get connected, and get results.
Jesse Sherr 06:01
Today's podcast is sponsored by FedBiz Access. Government contracting made simple. Visit them at www.FedBizAccess.com or contact them at (888) 299-4498.