At the WPO Entrepreneurial Excellence Forum in Colorado Springs, Staci meets cybersecurity expert and Dobbs Defense CEO Erica Dobbs. A former Naval officer and recently inducted into Maryland’s Top 100 Women, Erica is a successful business owner, a technology innovator, and an inspiring mentor for female entrepreneurs seeking government contracts. Talking points include educating herself in the cybersecurity space, pulling up a seat at the table in male-dominated fields, and uplifting other women in business through acquisition and mentorship.

Key Insights & Timestamps:

[00:00]: Podcast begins
[01:55]: Why Cybersecurity? Navy IT experiences & the call to build a business
[06:31]: The Origin of Dobbs Defense Solutions: From Navy leadership to independent ownership
[12:43]: Self-Funded Entrepreneurship? The challenges & victories of funding a business
[19:22]: Believe in Yourself: Core philosophies for effect leadership at all levels
[25:13]: Present Success & Future Dreams: Focusing on staff, acquisition, & mentorship

Guest Spotlight:

Erica Dobbs, President & CEO at Dobbs Defense Solutions

Erica Dobbs boasts a distinguished 36-year career marked by exceptional leadership, policy expertise, and management acumen. Her extensive background spans both the military and the private sector, positioning her as an outstanding candidate for board directorships. As a former Naval Officer, she occupied pivotal roles in communication, cybersecurity, combat systems, space, spectrum & network management, human resources, training, education, and strategic planning. Her leadership on Nuclear Aircraft Carriers and support for key Federal, Services, and Intelligence agencies underscore her mastery of critical IT and satellite communication systems.

Erica's unwavering commitment to national security extends to her role as the founder and CEO of Dobbs Defense Solutions. In this capacity, she drives the company's growth, overseeing daily domestic and global business operations, including IT and supply chain management, as well as human capital.

Beyond her corporate accomplishments, Erica serves as a national spokesman, fervently advocating for national security and technological innovation. Her commitment to excellence, coupled with her dedication to diversity and innovation, positions her as an ideal candidate for board directorships.

Key Takeaways:

Waiting for a Seat at the Table: “One thing I learned when I was in uniform is that I can’t wait for someone to give me a seat at the table,” Erica says, explaining that Naval leadership was rarely an easy place for a woman of color. Erica can trace a direct line between learning to advocate for herself in the military and becoming a successful entrepreneur, because her confidence in business comes from a high level of self confidence and trust in her own learning abilities.
Reacting to Rejection: One of the reasons that Dobbs Defense Solutions was a self-funded business at the beginning is because Erica struggled to get approved for loans from banks. Even with leadership and cybersecurity experience under her belt, banks didn’t want to take a risk for a woman-led business, especially when that woman was a person of color. “You gotta fight for your dream, because no one else will,” Erica advises. “I provide stellar support in the cybersecurity field, and I fight for that because that’s my job.”

Resources Mentioned:

Dobbs Defense Solutions | thinkd2s.com

Connect with Erica:

For More Information:

Produced by Speakerbox Media. Visit youtube.com/@StaciLaToison for more episodes, detailed show notes, and access to additional resources.

Stay Connected:

Connect with Staci LaToison on LinkedIn and stacilatoison.com
Check out Dream Big Ventures on LinkedIn and dreambigventuresllc.com