When John Bowen founded Maintenance Services 360 in 2017, he didn’t have corporate experience or a background in government contracting but what he did have was grit, curiosity, and a willingness to learn. That’s the combination that helped him create a business that today supplies Miami-Dade County with everything from mulch to the computers that control the MetroRail.

Bowen, born and raised in Miami, says that after watching the movie War Dogs he was intrigued about the world of government procurement. Soon after, a chance encounter found him chatting about government contracting with Eric Coffie, who runs a YouTube channel on government contracting, while pedaling along in a Critical Mass bike ride in Miami. “I started watching his videos, then I started watching SBA’s videos on government contracting and I thought, ‘Well, I think I can do this.’ So I started my business,” Bowen [pictured above] recalls.

With that, Maintenance Services 360 was born. At first, the company secured contracts for COVID-19 cleaning services during the pandemic, but when demand subsided, Bowen shifted to sourcing and supplying products the government needs, including municipal and industrial pumps, HVAC supplies, motion control equipment, and agriculture chemicals. Today, 90 percent of his sales come from Miami-Dade County, though Bowen hopes to grow further into federal contracting. “The county may not spend trillions like the federal government,” he says, “but they do spend billions.”

As a HUBZone-certified business through the SBA, Bowen has been able to access opportunities designed to help small businesses compete in the government marketplace. A key part of his journey has been the support from the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at FIU and the Florida APEX Accelerator (formerly known as PTAC). Since 2017, Bowen has worked closely with Luis Batista, a government contracting consultant with APEX, who has guided him through challenges.

“Anytime I had a question or hit a roadblock with the federal government, he could answer anything,” Bowen says. “He’s a great resource — and it’s free. You can’t beat that.”

“John’s enthusiasm for learning and quick grasp of government contracting was truly impressive. His insightful questions demonstrated a proactive approach, and it was exciting to witness his rapid absorption of the material and how he’s now applying it to his business,” says Batista, who has been a consultant for the Florida APEX Accelerator at FIU (formerly PTAC) for eleven years.

“Working with motivated small business owners like John makes the process incredibly rewarding. His ability to seamlessly transition from learning to action underscores the value of committed engagement and showcases the immense potential of small businesses in federal procurement,” adds Batista.

Celebrating its 40^th year in service next year, the Florida APEX Accelerator Network provides government contracting resources, connections and specialized consultants to bolster the success of Florida businesses. Its mission is to serve as a catalyst for innovation and impact, offering guidance and expertise in government contracting, procurement, and other key business areas. FIU has hosted APEX since the center opened under FIU in 2014.

Under PTAC and APEX, the FIU team has secured over $255 million in federal, state and local government contracts since 2014.

“FIU is proud to be part of the statewide Florida APEX Accelerator program and to assist businesses in communities across Miami-Dade and the Florida Keys,” said Brian Van Hook, Regional Director of Florida SBDC at FIU.  “Government contracting continues to be a top area of need for our clients and APEX assists them to better prepare and secure new contracts.”

Meanwhile, Bowen’s company continues to grow. Now with four employees, Bowen is already subcontracting with larger firms on federal projects, including the Department of Energy and the Department of Agriculture. His goal is to become a prime contractor himself. To get there, he is building relationships with manufacturers and carving out niche opportunities where small businesses can compete.

Bowen’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple: “If you start a business, do business with the government. They’re never going out of business. They always pay. You just have to play by their rules.”

Reflecting on his journey, Bowen says he doesn’t feel extraordinary. With just a GED and no corporate background, he built his company by learning as he went. “In school, if you don’t know the answer, you fail. In business, they give you a chance to figure it out. You just have to figure it out.”