The goal of turning your passion into profit is always the goal of anyone looking to start a business. It’s said that if you’re fortunate enough to be able to do both, you will never work a day in your life. Antwanye Ford slightly agrees with the phrase adding one small change. Ford is working very hard to grow his company, Enlightened, a Software Engineering, and Security Tech Firm, and at the same time building a thriving mentorship program for underserved communities.
The business is involved with cybersecurity, management consulting, and software development integration. Based in Washington, DC, it has been in business for over twenty years, has over 250 employees and last year did over $23 million in revenue. But when you speak with Ford, he’s only interested in trying to figure out who to help next.
“I have been passionate all my life about giving back,” Ford said. “I was very fortunate to be raised by loving parents, so it’s always been my goal to give people a chance who might not have had the same upbringing as me.”
Ford’s success allows him the ability to reach back and provide tremendous support for those looking to get an education in the Technology and Cybersecurity fields.
“We became a DOD (Department of Defense) and SBA (Small Business Administration) Mentor,” Ford continued. “There are kids out there who want to be more than an influencer, but they need the space and time, and mentorship to get what they need to be successful.”
Ford provides mentorship by partnering with the DOD and SBA through the Mentor-Protege Program, which creates meaningful programs that companies can offer to help other small businesses get funding, leadership, and guidance from other companies.
In 2017 Ford and his company received an award for mentoring small businesses. His company helps smaller companies navigate the complicated waters of understanding the requirements and rules of getting government contracts.
Ford purposely put his new office building in Ward 8 in Washington DC just so the community could see that success is possible. “We try to have between 6 to 10 interns with us every year and will be targeting new programs in 2023 to teach entrepreneurship to inner-city residents,” he said.
Ford is hoping to open a non-profit, named after his late mother and father, in the early part of 2023. Serving as the Vice-Chair of the board of the US Black Chambers, Inc. Ford wants to have a larger impact on Black business in general. The new non-profit would allow Ford to mentor minority businesses, no matter what field they’re in.
Ford understands that not everyone will be able to take advantage of the programs that the non-profit will offer.
“Business is not for everyone. We tell people that all the time. If you’re not going to work hard, come in and listen and learn, this is not for you,” Ford stated.
The work might be more intense for self-employed people, but the work they do seems to be more enjoyable.
Ford wants his mentees to understand that they are going to have to grind and work hard if they expect to make it in business.
Ford knows that over 30 percent of businesses fail to make it to year two of being open. So, he tries to set the right tone for the small business owners he mentors so they can expect the same thing from themselves.
“I would take some people up to one of our balconies where we could see people enjoying happy hour,” Ford said. “I would show them all the fun the people were having and how they were done working by a certain time.”
What Ford wanted them to understand is that the competition might still be at their desk working. The competition might still be working to make a change to a proposal that might win them the government contract that those having a drink might have won.
Ford didn’t get to where he is by resting or shutting things down early. His work ethic radiates from his personality. There is no question that his company will reach its goal of becoming a 100 million-dollar company in the future.
“We have huge expectations here at Enlightened. We know what we have to do to grow, and I know we can reach 1,000 employees and help small businesses all over the US realize their dreams of becoming successful businesses,” Ford said.
The decision to marry his purpose and his passion is paying off for Ford. Everyone should be so lucky to have a career like his. ●
