LIMITLESS INTERNATIONAL BECOMES A PRIME CONTRACTOR

Cheryl Stockstad has worked in global trade for over 20 years. She obtained her U.S. Customs Broker License and her Federal Maritime License, an incredible accomplishment for a woman at that time. After the encouragement from many she knew and armed with a B.A. in International Studies from Old Dominion, Cheryl decided to go out on her own.

In 2003, she moved her company, Limitless International, from Norfolk, Virginia, to Orlando, Florida. She immediately took advantage of the services of the Small Business Development Center at University of Central Florida (SBDC) located at the Disney/SBA National Entrepreneur Center in downtown Orlando. She took the Government Contracting seminars and met a Certified Business Analyst (CBA) at the SBDC for assistance in filling out a SBA 8(a) application. The CBA thoroughly reviewed the application and advised her on writing the personal eligibility statement which is crucial for obtaining certification.

Cheryl was thrilled that the SBDC helped her obtain the 8(a) status at no cost. Shortly after, she landed a contract with the United States Air Force. This allowed expansion into a 40,000sf warehouse and expanded services. Limitless International received its SBA 8(a) certification in late 2003 after landing its first contract in 2002.

In 2005, Cheryl reached $250,000 in gross revenues and secured an SBA loan. Because of the loan, support from the SBDC and SBA and the business’ 8(a) certification, she was able to grow her company to $1.2M by the year’s end. However, in early 2006 the company’s sales dropped significantly. At about this time, the Advisory Board Council program was being formed. Cheryl applied for the program but was hesitant in starting an advisory board until the program convinced her to forge ahead.

Within six months, Cheryl’s advisory team was instrumental in Limitless landing its first multi-million dollar federal contract. In August 2006, shortly after the contract started, she received a call from FEMA alerting her that Limitless International was on their radar for another large contract to start in January 2007. As Cheryl sees it, "I have always been told that once you're in with the big players, it is easy to land other big contracts. I guess that's happening to me now!"

As a result of her recent growth, Cheryl is opening a new Orlando office and continues to expand her staff. Cheryl offers, "No matter how dark the storm is or how great the challenge, I must keep going. Success has not always been a bed of roses as I have encountered many thorns in the way. I look forward to meeting challenges as each one I overcome brings me closer to my dream. Hard work, faith and hope do make dreams come true."

"The development of my Advisory Board ... greatly assisted in the award of my first federal contract. I am certain that this board will continue to offer great strengths and knowledge toward my future growth."

www.limitlessintl.com

(Picture: Cherly Stockstad,
Limitless International)