S&W Contracting of WNY Inc.

The Confidence to Succeed

Shandra Spicer, president and CEO of S&W Contracting of WNY Inc., is a typical small business owner with a Type A personality. She was apprehensive about delegating tasks for fear of losing control. She also had a fear of failure.

Through the Allstate Minority and Women Emerging Entrepreneurs (MWEE) Program in UB's Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, Spicer learned that her fears, not a lack of skills, were slowing S&W’s growth.

“As a business owner, I try to make as few mistakes as possible. This program helped me to understand that taking chances and making mistakes are part of the growth process,” Spicer says.

Founded in 1999, Spicer’s construction firm, headquartered in Buffalo, offers a range of construction and janitorial services with contracts in the public and private sector.

Through MWEE, Spicer found the confidence she needed to move her business forward.

By hiring and empowering staff members, Spicer is able to focus on new business development and marketing. The company has grown from three to 20 full-time employees as it has expanded from its beginnings in apartment-unit rehabilitation work to major commercial projects, including an airlift wing at Niagara Falls Air Force Base.

Spicer was named Region II Minority Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). She is among nine regional award winners.

The MWEE program provides learning and mentoring opportunities to minority and women entrepreneurs.

Learn more about MWEE.