FlowSense LLC is an award-winning Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and 8(a)/SDB certified technology company providing integrated technical solutions in environmental systems (air and water quality management), security technology (biometric access control), and industrial solutions (fluid handling and construction management). FlowSense products and services include engineering, project management, and procurement serving diverse industries including private and public sectors, military/defense, and government agencies. What sets our company apart is a strong commitment from the founder to apply cutting edge technology to address issues such as air and water quality management, along with security issues in the prevention of bioterrorism.
FlowSense’s slogan “Innovative solutions for a cleaner and safer environment.”
FlowSense was awarded 2004 Supplier of the Year by the Minnesota Minority Supplier Development Council.
FlowSense was chosen as an honoree for 2005 Minority Business Leader by the Business Journal with event to be held in June 2005.
When did you start your business?
July 2001 after being “downsized” during the height of the recession. Before starting my own business, I have worked for fortune 100 companies such as Westinghouse, Honeywell, and McQuay International.
Why did you join The Veterans Corporation?
The Veterans Corporation is a great gateway for FlowSense to share knowledge with other veteran owned small businesses and to help each other succeed. One of the best lessons I’ve learned from my military days is teaming approach is the best practice and I still use this lesson as I often work with other small businesses when we bid on large projects.
How has The Veterans Corporation helped your business?
Informative news, potential opportunities and networking for veterans.
What is the biggest challenge facing new business owners today?
I can only relate the obstacles and the challenges that I had to face and to overcome: the uncertainty of the financials at times and trying to determine when the next meal would come in supporting my wife, and our three kids with a mortgage and other large debts. On a positive note, because I no longer have the security blanket (steady salary), it makes me hungrier and create a stronger desire to succeed. I no longer have a concept of work hours and because the security blanket is no longer available. I wear just about every hat that would fit and if it doesn’t, you tailor it to make it fit. From web design to writing newsletters, from marketing to sales, from engineering to project management, from accounting to HR, from customer services to field installation.
What’s your advice for Veterans interested in starting their own businesses?
Just do it! Because if you don’t you may regret not doing it later. To quote Yoda (of Star Wars), “Do or do not, there is no try.”
Tell us about your Military experience:
I joined the USAF in May of 1980 as an Avionic Instrument Technician and was stationed at Bergstrom AFB in Austin, TX during my active duty. I worked on the flight line as part of the 67t AGS squadron working on F4 aircrafts. After honorable discharge from the Air Force, I attended the University of Illinois and received my engineering degree. While in college I’ve signed on with the Air Force Reserve as Technical Instructor at the same squadron (Rantoul AFB) when I was a student during my technical training in avionic instruments. This completed the circle of my military experience.
Last thoughts:
I operate on the following motto “Impossibilities are obstacles for some but stepping stones for others.” |
