Dr. Karwanna D. Irving is a transformational speaker, author, and nationally recognized business coach who has built her career on helping six-figure entrepreneurs scale to seven figures by leveraging one of the most powerful yet underutilized revenue streams available: government contracts. With more than twenty years of experience spanning entrepreneurship, leadership development, and strategic growth, Dr. Irving has positioned herself as a trusted authority in teaching business owners how to successfully sell to the world’s largest buyer, the U.S. government.

Throughout her career, Dr. Irving has empowered more than7,000 entrepreneurs, executives, and business leaders to move beyond traditional income ceilings and step into sustainable, scalable growth. Her approach combines strategic clarity, practical execution, and mindset transformation, allowing her clients to confidently pursue lucrative public sector opportunities without sacrificing their vision or values. Known for translating complex government contracting processes into clear, actionable steps, she has helped countless businesses expand their reach, increase profitability, and create long-term financial stability.

Dr. Irving’s impact and leadership have been widely recognized. She is a recipient of the 2024 Stevie Awards in Business and the prestigious 2025 Enterprising Woman Award, honoring her influence as both a business strategist and a champion for economic equity. Her work has been featured in Success Magazine, and the San Francisco Business Times named her firm among the Top 100 Fastest Growing Bay Area Private Companies. Further solidifying her standing as an industry leader, Dr. Irving’s company ranked #1680 on the Inc. 5000 list of 2025 Fastest Growing Private Companies in America.

Beyond accolades, Dr. Irving is deeply committed to bridging the wealth gap by equipping six-figure business owners with the knowledge and confidence needed to unlock multi-million-dollar opportunities. She believes access to government contracts can be transformative not only for individual entrepreneurs, but for families, communities, and future generations. Through speaking engagements, coaching programs, and educational challenges, Dr. Irving continues to inspire business owners to think bigger, execute smarter, and build enterprises that create lasting impact.

Special thanks to Dr. Karwanna’s Sponsor

San Francisco African American Chamber of Commerce
Website: www.sfaacc.org 

What’s New: Major Momentum and Opportunities Emerging in the Last Three Months

Over the past three months, the momentum within my business has been nothing short of incredible, and I am excited about the opportunities we are now opening for business owners at a higher level. One of the most significant developments is the re-launch of our five-day challenge designed specifically to help business owners, entrepreneurs, and high-level executives add an additional six to seven figures by securing lucrative government contracts. This initiative was created in response to the growing demand from entrepreneurs who are ready to scale but are hitting a ceiling in the private sector.

What makes this challenge different is its focus on real strategies, real opportunities, and real execution. Participants are not just learning theory. They are gaining clarity on how government agencies buy, how to position their businesses correctly, and how to confidently pursue contracts that align with their existing services. In a time when many businesses are experiencing uncertainty in traditional markets, government contracting offers stability, consistency, and long-term growth, and this challenge meets business owners exactly where they are.

Another exciting development is the expansion of our educational framework to support more advanced entrepreneurs who are already earning six figures and want to transition into seven-figure government opportunities. We are seeing an increase in executives and established founders who recognize that government contracts are not just an add-on but a strategic growth pillar. This evolution reflects our commitment to meeting our community at every stage of growth while continuing to elevate the conversation around wealth creation, access, and sustainability.

For those ready to take advantage of these opportunities, the upcoming five-day challenge is the perfect entry point. Business owners can learn more and secure their spot by visiting ContractsToMillions.com, where the next level of scaling begins.

Looking Ahead: What’s Coming in the Next Few Months

In the coming months, my focus remains on expanding access to education, strategy, and execution around government contracting at scale. The centerpiece of this effort is our upcoming five-day challenge, which will serve as both an intensive learning experience and a catalyst for long-term growth. This challenge is designed for business owners, entrepreneurs, and high-level executives who are serious about adding six to seven figures in revenue and are ready to move with intention.

During the challenge, participants will gain insight into how government agencies source vendors, how to align their current offerings with public sector demand, and how to build credibility quickly in a highly competitive space. We will also address mindset barriers that often prevent entrepreneurs from pursuing government contracts, such as fear, misinformation, or the belief that these opportunities are out of reach. My goal is to demystify the process and empower participants with clarity and confidence.

Beyond the challenge itself, this initiative sets the stage for deeper engagement and continued support for those ready to fully integrate government contracting into their business model. The upcoming months will also include expanded resources, strategic partnerships, and advanced training opportunities designed to help entrepreneurs move from learning to implementation without unnecessary delays.

For anyone who knows they are capable of more and is ready to pursue stable, scalable revenue, now is the time. The upcoming five-day challenge provides a powerful starting point for transforming how business owners think about growth and opportunity. More details and registration information can be found at ContractsToMillions.com.

Contact Information

• Email: karwanna1@gmail.com
• Website: www.ShesGotGoals.com
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/IAMKARWANNAD
• Instagram: @karwannadspeaks
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/karwannadspeaks/

President Trump’s latest round of tariffs, aimed primarily at imports from China, Canada, and Mexico, is sending shockwaves through the entrepreneurial world. While the policy is framed as a step toward protecting American industry and encouraging domestic manufacturing, many entrepreneurs—especially those running lean startups or small businesses—are facing serious consequences.

Tariffs 101: What’s New?

Trump’s revised tariff policy includes a 25% duty on imports from countries like Canada and Mexico, and in some cases, up to 125% on goods from China. The administration says these moves are designed to bring jobs and production back to American soil. But in practice, they’re placing a heavy financial burden on small business owners who depend on global supply chains to stay competitive.

Entrepreneurs Caught in the Crossfire

Take Beth Benike, founder of Busy Baby. Her company manufactures baby products in China—$160,000 worth of inventory was already en route when the tariffs were announced. The added costs now make it nearly impossible for her to bring her goods into the country without losing money. Retail contracts with major stores like Walmart are suddenly at risk, and her once-clear growth path is now uncertain.

Casey Ames, CEO of Harkla, a company that creates sensory products for children with special needs, is in a similar bind. His company was hit with a $346,000 tariff bill—up from $26,000. Like many small business owners, Ames explored moving his operations stateside, only to find that U.S. production would nearly double his costs. For many, that’s simply not viable.

These aren’t isolated incidents. Across the country, entrepreneurs are being forced to rethink their strategies, pricing, and supplier relationships—sometimes overnight.

Domestic Production: A Lofty but Costly Goal

While the idea of “Made in America” resonates emotionally and politically, the logistics are anything but simple. For many businesses, domestic manufacturing options are limited, expensive, or simply non-existent in their niche markets.

Setting up new supplier relationships in the U.S. involves time, capital, and often a complete reworking of operations. That kind of shift may work for enterprise-level corporations, but not for entrepreneurs operating on tight margins and shorter timelines.

Market Reactions and Economic Ripple Effects

The stock market has responded with unease. Since the tariffs were announced, major indices have seen sharp declines—about 10% in some cases. Investor confidence has dipped, and with it, funding opportunities for entrepreneurs looking to grow.

Even more pressing is the consumer response. Inflation fears and higher prices are starting to make their way to the checkout counter. And when consumers spend less, entrepreneurs feel the impact fast—especially in industries like e-commerce, retail, and consumer goods.

Navigating the Challenge: What Entrepreneurs Can Do

Despite the challenges, entrepreneurs are known for resilience and adaptability. Here are a few strategic moves small business owners can make to weather the tariff storm:

1. Diversify Your Supply Chain
   Look for manufacturing partners in countries not currently impacted by tariffs. Vietnam, India, and parts of Latin America are becoming popular alternatives to China for production.
2. Negotiate With Existing Suppliers
   Some overseas manufacturers may be willing to adjust pricing or share tariff costs in order to preserve long-term relationships.
3. Adjust Pricing Cautiously
   Reevaluate your pricing model. A small, transparent increase may be necessary to maintain profitability—especially if you communicate clearly with your customers.
4. Explore Partial Domestic Production
   Consider completing part of your production process in the U.S., such as packaging or assembly, to reduce tariff exposure on imported goods.
5. Stay Informed and Nimble
   Trade regulations are changing rapidly. Keep up with the latest developments, seek legal advice if necessary, and be ready to pivot.

Long-Term Implications

While some may argue that these tariffs could ultimately create a stronger foundation for U.S. manufacturing, the short-term pain for entrepreneurs is undeniable. These policies disproportionately affect smaller operations that lack the resources to quickly adjust or absorb the rising costs.

The policy may help some American manufacturers in the long run—but without proper support systems in place for small business owners, many risk being squeezed out of the market altogether.

Final Thoughts

President Trump’s tariffs have introduced a new era of uncertainty in the world of entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs, often praised as the backbone of the American economy, are now left to navigate rising costs, unpredictable policies, and shifting global alliances.

While the goals of the policy—revitalizing American industry and reducing trade imbalances—are admirable, its execution poses serious challenges. Entrepreneurs need support, flexibility, and time to adjust. Without that, the very businesses these policies are intended to protect may be the ones hit the hardest.

For now, innovation, agility, and clear-eyed planning are the best tools in the entrepreneur’s toolkit. The global market may be shifting, but entrepreneurs have always been skilled at turning challenges into opportunities. The road ahead won’t be easy—but then again, it never is.